效率工具
12 Best Knowledge Management Software & Tools (2024)
Effective information management plays a key role in driving success, and the ideal facilitator of this is knowledge management software. Tools like these aid organizations in optimizing information sharing, decision making, and enhancing the overall efficiency of information use.Given that an overwhelming 92% of users assert they would utilize a knowledge base if one was accessible, it’s safe to say that top-tier knowledge management software lays the groundwork for successful information sharing and self-service strategies.This blog presents a comprehensive analysis of the most popular knowledge management platforms available in today’s market to help you make a great choice. What is knowledge management software?Knowledge management software is a collection of tools that businesses use to organize, store, locate, retrieve, and share information internally or externally. This could include information about procedures, processes, best practices, and company policies.Most knowledge management tools provide a variety of functionalities that help improve efficiency in discovering knowledge, promote employee collaboration, and keep information up to date.The 12 best knowledge management platforms for businessesNavigating the knowledge management tools available in the market can be overwhelming, but we hope this article can help your decision-making process.Here’s a rundown of the top 12 best knowledge management software platforms on the market.1. LIKE.TGLIKE.TG is top-rated, powerful help desk software that empowers users to create comprehensive knowledge base solutions for both customers and support teams.LIKE.TG’s knowledge base software is renowned for its excellent features and tools that help businesses create self-service repositories for different products and departments.LIKE.TG offers a streamlined workflow for documentation, from designing to simple content creation, editing, styling, and publishing.The platform’s AI capabilities further simplify the process for support agents to produce easily understandable articles in multiple languages.LIKE.TG ensures security and control with features such as roles and permissions, access control, password policies, audit logs, and IP restrictions, allowing you to manage and track content access.Collaboration within teams is made easy through features like private notes and mentions. Additionally, SEO and social media tools enable the optimization of content for search engines and social platforms.LIKE.TG also offers branding and customization options, allowing you to tailor the knowledge management software with your company’s logo, colors, and login options.FeaturesThe following features position LIKE.TG as a market leader, delivering effortless self-service at an unbeatable price:The ability to create internal and external knowledge bases for multiple brandsSeamless workflows to create unlimited articlesGenerative AI-based featuresA powerful article search functionEfficient collaborative toolsArticle categorizationMultilingual optionsUnlimited branding and customizationAnalytics and metrics on article performanceUnlimited article templatesContent library tools like tags, categories, and sectionsTop-notch security and privacyA simple yet powerful article editorOn-page SEO tools for content optimizationPricingLIKE.TG has two pricing plans: agent-based and unlimited agents. Users can enjoy a 20% discount when they opt for the yearly payment plan, allowing them to access all the same features for less.Agent-Based plans:Scale:$25for 3 agents/monthGrowth:$50for 3 agents/monthEnterprise:$75for 3 agents/monthUnlimited Agents plans:Essential:$799per monthPro:$1499per monthBusiness:Contact usFree trial: 15-day free trial with instant access, no credit card required2. Document360Document360 is knowledge management software suitable for big teams and enterprises that need to create, organize, and share knowledge easily.It enables users to maintain multiple versions of documents for numerous projects, set up multiple users, and access analytics that will assist in maintaining the relevance of the knowledge base content.FeaturesSearch engine with AI-powered recommendationsBranding and customization optionsIntegrations with third-party tools and applicationsComprehensive analytics and reporting dashboardsCollaboration capabilitiesPricingDocument360’s pricing is based on the number of projects users desire to create.Standard: $149 per project/monthProfessional: $299 per project/monthBusiness: $399 per project/monthEnterprise: $599 per project/monthFree trial: 14 days3. ConfluenceConfluence can be a good choice for teams using other Atlassian products seeking to create and share knowledge.Confluence integrates smoothly with these tools to facilitate seamless knowledge sharing, enhance productivity, and promote collaboration on numerous projects.It provides users with a rich template library to help them get started and track their changes on the fly.FeaturesSeamless collaboration with real-time editing, tagging, commenting, and notificationsIntegration with Atlassian’s software suite and other toolsSecurityFull-text searchAnalytics reportingTemplatesPricingStandard: $5.75 per user/monthPremium: $11 per user/monthEnterprise: Contact salesFree trial: 7 days4. GuruGuru is a stand-alone, AI-driven, and feature-rich platform that allows teams to capture and share knowledge. It uses AI to quickly suggest information to enhance productivity and improve response times.FeaturesAI-powered search engineIntegrations with third-party tools and web browsersAnalytics reportingReal-time editing and collaborationPricingFree for up to 3 usersStarter: $5 per user/monthBuilder: $10 per user/monthEnterprise: Contact salesFree trial: 30 days5. NotionNotion is a versatile, cloud-based workspace suitable for companies that need an all-in-one solution that merges knowledge management, project management, and other functions into a single system.FeaturesFlexible customization optionsReal-time collaborationRobust search engineAnalytics and reportingPricingFree: For individual usersPlus: $8 per user/monthBusiness: $15 per user/monthEnterprise: Contact salesFree trial: Available only for Business and Enterprise plans6. ClickUpClickUp is a knowledge management app that centralizes resources, communication, and team management into a single platform.Its free forever plan provides a range of powerful and customizable features that allow users to create formatted knowledge bases.FeaturesIntegration with third-party apps and toolsPrivacy and edit controlsCollaboration capabilitiesUnlimited dashboardsAnalytics and reportingPricingFree Forever with limited features availableUnlimited: $7 per month/userBusiness: $12 per month/userEnterprise: Contact salesFree trial: Unavailable7. ZendeskZendesk is a customer support suite that allows users to create a knowledge base that stores, organizes, and shares valuable information with clients and staff.FeaturesRobust search engineIntegrations with third-party toolsAnalytics and reportingSecurityCollaboration capabilitiesPricingTeam: $49 per agent/monthGrowth: $79 per agent/monthProfessional: $99 per agent/monthEnterprise: $150 per agent/monthFree trial: 14 days8. BloomfireBloomfire is a cloud-based knowledge management solution that helps teams capture, organize, and share information. It uses AI-generated tags to categorize information and help users find information quickly.FeaturesPowerful search functionalityIntegration optionsAnalytics and reportingUnlimited storageAdvanced security and access controlsPricingContact sales for pricingFree trial: 30 days9. TettraTettra is an AI-powered knowledge base platform that centralizes company information. It offers a free version that primarily caters to small businesses.Tettra focuses on delivering knowledge and posting questions and answers in Slack and Microsoft Teams.FeaturesIntegration optionsCollaboration featuresPowerful search functionalityPage and update requestPricingFree: up to 10 usersScaling: $8.33 per user/month, up to 250 usersEnterprise: $16.66 per user/monthFree trial: 30 days10. Bitrix24Bitrix24 is open-source knowledge management software that specializes in project management. It supports collaborative document editing and workflow and process automation.FeaturesRobust search engineIntegrations with third-party productivity toolsAnalytics and reportingCollaboration capabilitiesPricingFree plan with limited featuresBasic: $49 per month, up to 5 usersStandard: $99 per month, up to 50 usersProfessional: $199 per month, up to 100 usersFree trial: Unavailable11. ProProfsProProfsis an all-in-one solution for creating a help center, a documentation platform, and both internal and external knowledge bases.It assists teams starting from scratch with predesigned templates to create documents.FeaturesEasy content creationCollaboration capabilitiesIntegration optionsAnalytics and reportingBuilt-in templatesPricingFree plan: Up to 25 articlesEssential: $20 per monthBusiness: $40 per monthBusiness Plus: $200 per monthFree trial: 15 days12. SliteSlite is a knowledge management solution designed to help remote teams collaborate seamlessly. It allows companies to create onboarding guides and manage content libraries and projects.FeaturesCollaboration capabilitiesRobust search engineIntegrations with third-party toolsAnalytics and reportingSecurityPricingFree plan with limited featuresStandard: $8 per member/monthPremium: $12.50 per member/monthEnterprise: Contact salesFree trial: UnavailableExamples of knowledge management toolsThe following are examples of different knowledge management solutions.Knowledge baseA knowledge base serves as a searchable information repository consisting of common queries, information about and troubleshooting for products or services, and vital company details.It provides crucial assistance to both customers and employees. It can be categorized as either internal or external, with the former serving employees and the latter assisting customers to find information quickly.Learning management systemsLearning management systems (LMS) help businesses establish a strong foundation of knowledge management.These systems enable company heads to design, manage, and administer lessons, courses, quizzes, and other training resources to their employees, students, or business partners.Customer relationship managementCustomer relationship management (CRM) systems are designed to store customer information that assists all teams involved in marketing, sales, and customer service in tracking prospects and customer information throughout the customer journey.AI-powered knowledge management AI-powered knowledge management tools leverage artificial intelligence capabilities to enhance information sharing and delivery. They use AI algorithms to:Better comprehend user questions and deliver customized outcomes and suggestions.Analyze historical trends to anticipate future needs.Identify potential knowledge deficits.Automate knowledge management tasks to boost efficiency.Best knowledge management software featuresThe features of knowledge management solutions differ among platforms. Here are some essentials you should consider when selecting a suitable knowledge base solution for your business:Customization: The knowledge solution should have many customization options that enable users to tailor its design and user interface to suit your business requirements.Efficient search capabilities: Choose a knowledge management system with a powerful search function that will allow your team to quickly locate specific information.Article tracking: The system should include article-tracking functionalities to monitor edits, identify editors, discern modifications, and restore previous versions.Ease of access: The solution should be easily accessible to everyone with permission, even those with the lowest technical skills.Third-party integration: The knowledge management software should seamlessly integrate with your existing business systems, such as ticketing systems and project management tools, to further streamline processes and avoid duplication of efforts.Templates: An ideal knowledge management tool should provide highly adaptable, ready-to-use templates.Security: There should be appropriate security measures in place to safeguard sensitive internal knowledge base and customer information.Reports and analytics: Look for knowledge management software that incorporates reporting and analytics tools that track user interactions.Scalability: As the business grows, the solution’s capacity should adapt to suit the changing needs of the business.User feedback: An ideal knowledge management solution should have built-in features that allow users to provide feedback on the usefulness of the content.Ease of adding and editing content: The solution should offer an easy knowledge management process. It should incorporate a user-friendly interface such as a WYSIWYG, facilitating a simple way to add and modify articles.Collaborative features: Choose knowledge management solutions with features like real-time editing, commenting, and version control that empower multiple users to work together.Benefits of a knowledge management solutionConsolidating all your information in a well-organized knowledge base may be a strategic process that requires commitment and ongoing effort. However, the gains it brings make it a worthwhile investment for your business.Here are some benefits of implementing a knowledge management solution:Enhance efficiency: By centralizing information, knowledge base management solutions enhance accessibility and reduce the time spent searching for information.Facilitates collaboration: Knowledge management tools enable staff members from various departments to share ideas and update information as required.Seamless knowledge transfer to new hires: Knowledge management software helps with training by providing new employees with official training materials and a single source to answer questions about company products.Promotes self-service: External knowledge management tools provide clients with round-the-clock, location-independent access to information, allowing them to find solutions autonomously.Knowledge preservation: Knowledge management tools help retain company information even when experienced subject matter experts leave.Find other reasons why a knowledge base solution is important for your business in our blog.Summary of the top knowledge management solutionsThe following table provides a summary of the top 12 knowledge management solutions discussed in this article.SoftwareKey featuresStarting priceLIKE.TGRobust search engineReporting and analyticsAutomationsAPI and integrationsSeamless team collaborationCustomization optionsIntuitive user interfaceArtificial intelligenceMultilingual knowledge baseSecurity and privacy$12 per month/userDocument360AI-powered search engineBranding and customizationIntegrationsAnalytics and reportingCollaboration capabilities$149 per project/monthConfluenceCollaboration capabilitiesIntegrationsSecurityFull-text searchAnalytics reportingTemplates$5.75 per user/monthGuruAI-powered search engineIntegrationsAnalytics reportingReal-time editing and collaboration$5 per user/monthNotionFlexible customization optionsReal-time collaborationRobust search engineAnalytics and reporting$8 per user/monthClickUpIntegrationsPrivacy and edit controlsCollaboration capabilitiesAnalytics dashboards$7 per month/userZendeskRobust search engineIntegrationsCollaboration capabilitiesAnalytics and reportingSecurityPowerful search engine$49 per agent/monthBloomfirePowerful search functionalityIntegration optionsAnalytics and reportingUnlimited storageAdvanced security and access controls$25 per user/monthTettraIntegration optionsCollaboration capabilitiesPowerful search functionalitySecurity$8.33 per user/monthBitrix24Robust search engineIntegration optionsAnalytics and reportingCollaboration$49 per monthProProfsEasy content creationCollaboration capabilitiesIntegration optionsAnalytics and reportingBuilt-in templates$20 per monthSliteCollaboration capabilitiesRobust search engineIntegrationsAnalytics and reportingSecurity$8 per member/monthChoose the right knowledge management platform for you!Selecting the appropriate knowledge management tool for your business may seem like an overwhelming endeavor, particularly when you are presented with options that are almost identical.It’s crucial to bear in mind that the best software isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but rather one that is tailored to your specific needs. These needs can vary due to the size of your team, the budget allocated for such tools, and the preferred methodology for managing knowledge and projects.Therefore, having provided a comprehensive analysis of the top knowledge base solutions available on the market, we are confident that you are now equipped to set sail on your knowledge management journey.Suggested reads7 Important Tips for Creating a Knowledge Base Effectively3 Simple Knowledge Base Article Templates7 Techniques to Improve Your Knowledge Base Design7 Proven Best Practices to Improve Your Knowledge Base
Customer Experience Strategy: How to Create and Improve It
For many businesses, customer satisfaction is paramount, and so businesses must meet and exceed customer expectations.A PwC survey found that 73% of customers consider their experience with a business to be a significant factor in their purchasing decisions.Thus, designing a solid and well-considered customer experience strategy is one of the best ways to enhance customer satisfaction, heighten customer loyalty, and increase revenue.But the crucial question remains—do you know how to craft an effective customer experience strategy?In this article, we will take you through how to create an exceptional customer experience strategy and how to improve it. What is customer experience?Customer experience (CX) is a term that defines the overall perception, emotions, and attitude a client has towards a business or brand throughout the customer journey. Customer experience is not confined to a single interaction or transaction; instead, it is an ongoing process that evolves.The customer experience journey begins when a potential customer becomes aware of a brand or business. This could be through channels such as advertisements, word-of-mouth, social media, or even a simple online search.The journey continues as the customer engages with the brand, which could involve browsing products or services, making inquiries, and ultimately purchasing.But the customer experience doesn’t end at the point of sale. It also extends to post-purchase interactions, including customer support, feedback solicitation, and any other communication between the business and the customer.Every touchpoint between a customer and a business shapes the customer experience. Therefore, businesses and companies should strive to ensure positive and memorable interactions, increasing customer satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy.What is a customer experience strategy?A customer experience strategy is an plan that a company formulates to define its interactions with customers across all touchpoints of the customer journey.This strategy goes beyond merely addressing customer inquiries; it considers every element influencing customers’ overall experience, perception of, and satisfaction with the business.A CX strategy involves planning to address customer pain points and concerns in various stages, such as:The initial business discovery phaseThe purchasing processPost-purchase follow-upImplementing a CX strategy helps ensure every customer interaction is as positive as possible, thus fostering satisfaction and likely future purchases or continued subscriptions.How do you create a good customer experience strategy?Creating a comprehensive customer experience strategy is crucial. To design one, take note of the following tips.Examine the customer journeyThe customer journey encompasses every interaction a customer has with your business, from initial contact to final purchase or service. If you are trying to improve it, first you have to understand what it looks like. Create a diagram and map on it each step your customers might take in their interactions with your company. This might include:The brand-awareness periodThe shopping experienceNegotiation and purchasePost-sales follow-upBy examining your customer journey map, you can identify all the points where a customer’s experience might be impacted and how.Train and empower your support agentsJust as it’s important to understand your customers, it’s equally important to empower your support team to deliver a great experience.Therefore, when creating your client experience strategy, you need to consider the support team’s experience, too.This involves understanding your support team’s roles, workflow, and skills, and where there might be gaps in the latter.Understanding where skill or knowledge gaps exist helps you provide appropriate training to your agents. They should learn explicitly how to best handle customers at all touchpoints, thus empowering them to deliver an exceptional customer experience.Additionally, mapping out their workflow can give you insight into why issues may be occurring at points where they interact with customers. Workflow adjustments may be required.Gather and analyze your customer’s feedbackRegularly gathering and analyzing customer feedback from surveys and social media helps in identifying areas for improvement and adjusting customer experience strategies. Follow up with your customers on their pain points, suggestions, and their overall customer service experience.This approach helps identify issues or service gaps directly so you can make adjustments, thus enhancing the customer experience.How to improve customer experience strategyCreating a customer experience strategy and implementing it isn’t the end of the matter. Managing your strategy is also important for a continuous positive customer experience.The following are some of the best practices for maintaining and improving customer experience strategies.Understand your customersFor a better understanding of your customers, you should try:Thorough customer analysisCustomer service empathy mappingThorough customer analysisThoroughly research and analyze customers to create a successful customer experience strategy.Understanding their demographics, needs, preferences, and behaviors helps identify the target audience. This will let you customize parts of the customer experience to your demographics, like advertising or lingo.For in-depth research, you can use tools such as reports, metrics, and analytics to help you get valuable insights from your customer data.You can gauge customer interactions, purchase history, and behavior patterns to help you figure out, for example what might make them leave before completing a purchase.To do qualitative research:Conduct customer satisfaction surveys.Set the right key performance indicators.Engage your customers through after-purchase follow-up.Employ empathy In direct interactions with your customers, your support team’s default mode should be empathetic.When customers describe their issues, your agents’ responses should contain sincere apologies for the inconvenience and in some cases, phrases that assure the customer that their frustration is understandable.Expressions of empathy are not always natural to your support agents, so explicit training is beneficial.Some agents believe that solving issues quickly is all that matters and do not realize that the tone they communicate with is abrupt and might make the customer feel like a bother.So, teach your agents what empathy looks like in customer service.Use the right toolsImplementing the right customer service tools also plays a vital role in customer service strategies. For example, by integrating the following tools into your customer service, you can:Organize all of your support requests in one place, assign them to the proper agents, and enhance team collaboration using the ticketing system feature.Create a knowledge base to offer your consumers a self-service option via a central repository of information.Automatically perform recurrent tasks at each stage of a ticket life cycle andcreate an operation workflow that is particular to your organization using automation features.Use reports and analytical dashboards to visualize meaningful, real-time metrics that aid in understanding and enhancing the customer experience.Implement multichannel supportDifferent customers feel more comfortable using different channels to communicate with companies. Offering multiple channels means you’ll get more feedback and become aware of issues faster. Customers interact with businesses through:Social mediaWebsites and webformsEmailsCommunity forumsLive chatsThis can get confusing on the support side. Using a platform that supports this multichannel approach ensures a consistent, seamless customer experience across all channels.These platforms funnel all the channels to one system on the support side. They can allow customers to switch between different communication channels without your agents losing context, too, resulting in a more streamlined experience.Set an SLAAn SLA shouldcontain an agreement between the support team and customers about how much time ticket responses and resolutions ought to take. It’s important to implement one to:Clarify expectations of customers and correct them, as needed.Clarify what you expect of customers, as well.Establish fair and measurable standards for your team to meet.Set consequences for nonperformance.Establish escalation procedures.Additionally, by implementing an SLA, you promote accountability for your customer service performance, thus increasing competency.Create customer feedback loopWhether positive or negative, customer feedback should be valued and used to improve your business. Therefore, setting up a customer feedback loop is important.With an effective customer feedback loop, businesses can gather and analyze customer feedback to help them create good follow-up strategies and enhance the customer experience.Successfully creating and closing a customer feedback loop demonstrates to customers that their views are respected and appreciated, thus creating a better reputation.Leverage artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of computer systems to simulate human skills and expertise.Using artificial intelligence can significantly improve your customer experience. AI can analyze customers tickets to understand the intent and emotions of the customer feedback through sentiment analysis.Additionally, with AI assist features, you can summarize, rephrase, and correct grammar in your agents’ responses to customers, making them sound more professional.AI can even translate knowledge base articles into multiple languages, giving the usefulness of your self-service a boost.Moreover, you can integrate knowledge-based AI with your help desk to offer faster and more accurate support. Implementing knowledge-based AI in your customer service, you can reduce customer wait times and workload on your customer service team.Evaluate your customer experience metricsRegular evaluation of customer experience metrics, such as net promoter score (NPS), customer satisfaction score (CSAT), and customer effort score (CES), can provide insights on how well your business is meeting customer expectations.Thus, you need to regularly evaluate your customer experience metrics. This will help you identify areas for improvement and also gauge the success of your implemented changes.Conduct regular team trainingRegular training ensures your team has the necessary skills and knowledge to provide excellent customer experiences. By training your agents regularly, they can develop the necessary skills to handle different customers, use new tools, and understand new products or services.Training gives your agents new perspectives on solving customer issues, thus increasing the efficiency of your customer service.Create promotional programsPromotional programs are rewards that a company offers customers based on how frequently they interact with the business, encouraging them to continue doing business with you.There are different promotional programs, examples are:Discounts and coupons.Free products or samples.Early access to new products.To improve your customer experience, depending on the nature of your business, you ought to implement promotional programs. They provide your customers motivation and a feeling of receiving higher value.Personalize your customer servicePersonalized customer service can significantly enhance the customer experience. You could:Use your customers’ name in correspondence.Have your site remember your customers preferences.Provide personalized recommendations to customers.Be friendly rather than robotic during your interactions.Collect (and secure) personal customer data.Offer your customers solutions customized to their needs when necessary and possible.By personalizing your customer service, you can boost your customer experience, since your customers will have a feeling of being acknowledged as a person.Benefits of customer experience strategiesImplementing a good customer experience strategy in your customer service offers the following benefits.Increases customer acquisitionCompelling customer experience strategies focus on creating a customer-centric environment, exceeding expectations, and fostering a positive reputation.This attracts new customers who are more likely to choose a business known for providing positive experiences over one with poor or even average customer experience.Improves customer engagementExceptional customer experience strategies that include implementing multiple communication channels and using customer feedback loops enable businesses to connect with their customers on a deeper level, leading to increased engagement.This engagement strengthens customer relationships with a better understanding of their needs and preferences. Data and anecdotes from this engagement can be used to improve products, services, and marketing strategies.Reduces the cost of service and marketingPositive customer experience strategies save business costs by reducing product returns, complaints, and support needs. Happy customers are more likely to recommend the business to others, thus reducing the need for expensive marketing campaigns and customer service costs.Increases customer loyalty and retentionExceptional customer experience strategies increase loyalty and retention. It’s crucial to provide a good customer experience to retain existing customers, as retention is more cost-effective than acquisition.Certainly, customers who have an exceptional customer experience with a business tend to stick with the business. This serves as an advantage, as loyal customers are more likely to become brand advocates by recommending your business to others, thus reducing your marketing costs.Moreover, happy clients purchase more products and services from the same business, thus contributing to your company’s growth and success.Plan your customer experience strategyHaving a well-crafted customer experience strategy is key for company growth. Having easy-to-use support software with all the features you need is a major component of that strategy.Therefore, you should tryLIKE.TG, powerful help desk software that helps you understand your customers’ needs, expectations, and experiences. LIKE.TG offers a30-minute live demo and a15-day free trial so you can see how its features can be customized and integrated to meet your company’s needs.To learn more about LIKE.TG, don’t hesitate tocontact our LIKE.TGteam.Related articles12 Crucial Customer Experience Metrics for Your Support Team | LIKE.TG7 Best Techniques to Improve Customer Experience9 Effective Customer Experience Optimization Strategies7 Best Ways to Utilize AI for Customer Experience
10 Examples of Bad Customer Service and How to Fix Them
In today’s tech-driven society, patience for bad customer service is low. Consumers have many options and quickly switch to competitors if the service they receive is poor.Bad customer service results in negative customer experiences and dissatisfaction. This affects a company’s reputation and deters clients from using the same product or service in the future.In this article we will delve into what bad customer service is, consequences of poor customer service, and examples of bad customer service. What is bad customer service?Bad customer service is the outcome of a company not fulfilling or meeting the needs and expectations of its customers.According to Zippia, after one poor customer service experience, 91% of customers are ready to change companies.Bad customer service can lead a decrease in business for a company and harm its reputation. Therefore, companies must prioritize delivering excellent customer service to retain customers and maintain their loyalty.Consequences of poor customer service in a businessProviding poor customer service can have severely impact customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, and the company’s reputation.Here are some consequences:Customer lossWhen customers receive unsatisfactory customer service from a company, they are usually inclined to switch to other businesses.This change negatively affects the company by increasing the customer churn rate, decreasing the customer retention rate, and harming the company’s bottom line.Reputational damageIt can be challenging for a business to overcome a reputation for poor customer service. Online reviews and word of mouth that are negative spread more readily than praise.An unfavorable perception will discourage customers and other businesses from partnering or associating with your company and brand.Other companies will be concerned about potential harm to their own reputation and doubts regarding your ability to deliver satisfactory outcomes.Increased costsIf a business fails to provide satisfactory customer service, it is likely to experience numerous product returns, refund requests, and exchanges.These can be brought about by miscommunication and misunderstanding between customers and the support team, and lead to substantial financial challenges for the business.Decreased employee moralePoor customer service can result in a company’s top employees feeling overwhelmed from dealing with disgruntled and irritated customers.This situation can create an imbalance within the team, where competent customer support agents cover for less effective ones.Profit lossBad customer service usually leads to a decrease in customers, resulting in reduced sales and profits for the business.This can trigger a destructive cycle where a company attempts to save money by eliminating staff or customer service training, which in turn drives down service quality, leading to even more profit loss.Examples of the worst customer service practices and their solutionsIn the field of customer service, there are certain practices that can lead to an unsatisfactory experience for customers.Here are some examples of poor customer service and their possible solutions:1. Incompetent customer support teamsSupport teams that fail to address customer issues or complaints promptly and effectively are inefficient.The inefficiency could be due to poor management, insufficient training, lack of knowledge or resources, or a combination of all of these.This leads to a bad customer experience and the possibility of lost business.SolutionsTrain your support team: Ensure that your customer service team is well trained to respond promptly and confidently. Equip it with essential resources and the knowledge required to effectively address customer inquiries.Provide self-help tools: Self-help tools, such as an internal knowledge base, enable customers to independently find solutions. These tools enhance the customer service experience and reduce the workload of support teams.2. Keeping customers on hold for too longBeing put on hold is a common experience when clients contact a customer service team.However, if they are kept on hold for a long time, it can be a source of frustration for customers as they feel their time is not respected.SolutionsPrioritization: Implement a system that prioritizes queries based on their urgency, ensuring that more urgent queries are handled first. This can be done by setting up required response and resolution times through an SLA and establishing ticket priorities.Monitor and optimize processes: Regularly review customer service workflow processes to identify and rectify any inefficiencies that contribute to long wait times.Use automated responses: Utilize automated responses, such as canned responses, email templates, and automated SLA reminders to acknowledge customer inquiries and provide estimated wait times.3. Inadequate communication channelsMost customers are accustomed to having multiple options to access a company’s support or customer service.If a company only offers support through phone calls, it is neglecting many customers’ preferred communication channels.SolutionsOffer multiple communication channels: Providing multiple channels for customers to reach out to your business, such as community forums, email, social media, and web portals enhances the customer experience. Doing so gives customers the flexibility to use their preferred channel to communicate their issues.4. Ignoring customer feedbackMost businesses provide several platforms for customers to provide feedback.Ignoring customer complaints is more detrimental than acknowledging them, as it not only demonstrates a lack of concern for customer feedback, but also implies a disregard for the customer’s role in the success of the company.SolutionsFollow up on customer feedback: Considering and acting on feedback from customers directly results in improvements to your customer service. Acknowledgement alone may make the customer feel better in the short term, but benefits neither party in the long run.Monitor interactions: Companies must ensure that each customer interaction progresses toward a positive outcome for both the customer and themselves. Social media interactions in particular require close attention because anyone can see them.Track customer satisfaction metrics: Businesses should collect data about their customers’ experiences and identify areas where they can improve their brand.5. Transferring customers from agent to agentTransferring customers from agent to agent to resolve an issue can indicate a worst customer service in a company, especially if it’s a frequent occurrence. Customers encountering such situations regularly will feel frustrated and may look to competing businesses for help.SolutionsUtilize help desk software: Comprehensive help desk software can streamline support workflows and keep track of customers’ previous issues, making it easier for agents to help them.Implement automated ticket routing: With automated ticket routing, customer inquiries are directed to the right agent from the start, reducing the likelihood of transfers and leading to quicker resolutions.6. Lacking empathyEmpathy and politeness are important qualities in customer service. The absence of these qualities in customer service interactions can leave customers feeling frustrated and undervalued by your company.SolutionsActive listening: This is crucial in customer service. It involves agents giving customers their full attention, remembering important details and responding in a way that shows the customers that their feelings are recognized and understood.By practicing active listening, agents are more empathetic to customer issues, and can better understand and solve them.Training on empathy: Agents can be trained to improve soft skills like empathy and politeness. Role-playing exercises are especially effective for practicing responses to different scenarios.Create a culture that values empathy: Recognize and reward empathetic behavior, share positive feedback from customers, and lead by example.7. Hanging up on angry customersIt is never appropriate to hang up on a customer as a way of dealing with a challenging situation. The customer is upset for a reason. Hanging up will make them feel neglected, disrespected, and worsen the situation.SolutionsTrain the support team on conflict resolution: Provide your team with training on effectively managing challenging circumstances and resolving conflicts without resorting to abruptly ending conversations.Supervisor intervention: If a customer is inconsolable, it might be necessary for a supervisor or manager to intervene. Supervisor involvement can help resolve the issue and show the customer that their concerns are taken seriously.8. Dismissing customer problemsMore than anything, customers want their issues to be acknowledged and efficiently addressed. Failure to meet this expectation can make customers feel overlooked and undervalued.Even if the customer’s problem is due to a mistake of their own, it is in your best business interest to guide the customer to a solution.SolutionsAcknowledge customers’ problems: When a customer contacts your business with a problem or complaint, it is important to validate their issue and show empathy. This makes the customer feel heard and valued and sets the stage for a positive resolution. Customers’ issues can be acknowledged in the following ways:Recognize the challenges they are facing in writing or verbally.Apologize for any inconveniences.Let the customer know you are going to do everything in your power to help them.9. Using language that demotivates the customerThe language used in customer service interactions can have a big impact on the customer experience. If language is used in a way that discourages or diminishes the customer, it can result in the customer feeling frustrated and unappreciated.SolutionsUse the right language: Use positive language and steer clear of phrases that might discourage or blame the customer for their issue.10. Asking customers to repeat themselvesAsking customers to repeat themselves results in frustration and an unsatisfactory support experience. It creates the perception that the customer service representative is disregarding or undervaluing the customer’s time.SolutionsTake notes: Encourage support agents to make notes during customer conversations to help them remember important details and minimize the need for repetition.Record conversations: With the consent of your customers, record all interactions. This allows your customer service representatives to revisit discussions as needed, reducing the burden on customers to repeatedly provide the same information.End bad customer service in your company today!Bad customer service harms businesses. Therefore, companies must prioritize delivering excellent customer service and constantly solicit feedback for improvement. By providing outstanding customer service, businesses can hold on to their customers, establish a positive image, and enhance their profitability.If you’re looking for ways to improve your customer service, try LIKE.TG by Syncfusion. You can start a 15-day free trial or book a live demo. Contact LIKE.TG support for more information.Related articlesGuidelines for Customer Service for Any BusinessStrategies to Provide Efficient Customer ServiceEssential Customer Service Skills
Effective Customer Interaction Strategies to Improve Your Business
Relationships are built on a foundation of small interactions. As time passes, the quality of these interactions determines the level of commitment people have towards the relationship.According to a research by Sprout social, 64% of consumers express a desire for brands to establish a connection with them.Customers frequently communicate and engage with businesses for a variety of reasons, including marketing, sales, and service support issues.These customer interactions occur throughout the client’s journey and present an opportunity for brands to connect with customers, comprehend their needs, and improve their experience.Efficient management of customer interactions enhances customer retention and advocacy. Successful interactions can boost sales and enhance business outcomes.In this article, we’ll explain everything on customer interaction, importance of customer interaction, and some ways to improve customer interaction management. What iscustomer interaction?Customer interaction refers to the communication that takes place between a customer and a business. Sometimes this is passive as customers interact with your website, and sometimes it’s active as they reach out to customer service reps.Either way, interacting with customers provides a valuable opportunity to create a positive impression.Each individual interaction plays a significant role in shaping your brand’s position in the market.Clients can reach out and interact with business through the following communication channels:EmailSocial mediaCommunity forumsWebsiteSelf-service resourcesSupport portalsCustomer engagement is often a goal of interaction. It aims to generate interactions that make customers feel valued and appreciated, fostering enhanced customer loyalty and satisfaction.What iscustomer interaction management?Customer interaction management (CIM) refers to a strategy that manages the interactions or conversations a company has with its customers through various channels.It involves crafting a good customer experience. The objective of CIM is to provide a consistently high level of service to all customers, regardless of the platform they use to contact you.CIM software serves as a valuable tool for managing communication between a company and its customers.It involves the collection and storage of customer data, allowing customer support leads to access and utilize it as necessary.Customer interaction stagesKnowing the stages of a customers’ experience with a company can help us pinpoint where interaction occurs and what kind. These may look a little different, depending on your company:Discovery of the brand: At this stage, customers discover businesses or brands through various channels, such as search engine results, advertisements, referrals, or social media. Customers often compare products from different companies and check reviews during this phase to find the most suitable option. Interaction might be through your website or marketing, but this exploratory stage often involves third-party opinions.Brand awareness: Customers are at the initial stage of their purchasing journey, seeking additional information about what your business offers and how it can solve their problems. They will likely interact with your website.Acquisition of new customer: This stage involves converting potential end users into new customers. The interested customers finalize the purchase of the product or service. This can either be through a website or physical store. They may reach out with questions first.Experience: This stage involves the customer’s engaging and familiarizing with the product or service, including usage, customer service interactions, and support.Retention stage: This stage focuses on nurturing the relationship with the newly acquired customer to encourage repeat purchases. Providing excellent customer service and follow-up helps retain existing customers.Loyalty and advocacy stage: In this final stage, the positive interactions add up to customers becoming loyal to the brand, and they may even advocate for it. They continue to make purchases and may provide valuable feedback, leave positive reviews, and even recommend others try your brand.How to improvecustomer interaction managementFollowing are some of the ways to improve your business through effective customer interaction strategies.Request and give responses to customer feedbackRegular collection of customer feedback enables customers to express their views, concerns, or suggestions.After requesting feedback, it is appropriate to respond to it. This demonstrates how much a company appreciates and considers the customers’ feedback.Turn complaints into support tickets, thank clients for saying good things, and send reasonable suggestions to the appropriate people in the company.Responding to feedback aids in improving customer interaction with a brand and providing an optimal experience.Align how teams work on multiple channelsFor a consistent and satisfactory customer experience, support agents must possess the necessary tools to communicate with customers through various channels, such as emails and social media, while still keeping it all in one place.When customers reach out, they expect quick responses using the same channel they contacted you through, though the conversation might not always stay there.You should always strive to be present and actively participate on the platforms that your customers use the most.The aim is to make it effortless and convenient for your customers to interact with your business.To accomplish this, it is recommended to establish a comprehensive framework within your customer interaction strategy that ensures agents are adept at representing your brand through all mediums.Show empathyWhen engaging with customers and addressing their issues or concerns, it’s important for your customer support team to show empathy to your customers.By engaging in active listening and expressing understanding of their feelings, they will feel acknowledged and valued and know that their concerns are not dismissed.Showing empathy has the potential to result in higher levels of customer satisfaction and stronger brand allegiance.Enhance your support team’s communication skill through trainingEffective communication is crucial for successful customer interaction. To enhance their communication skills and foster a deeper understanding of customer concerns, regular training sessions are imperative for your support team.These sessions encompass essential elements such as active listening, empathetic understanding, clear and concise explanations, as well as the cultivation of patience.Follow up with your customersSend follow-up emails after purchases and respond to customers on social media.If a customer has had an issue solved by your support team, send a follow-up email a few days or weeks later to make sure they are still doing fine.Sometimes all a customer needs is a nudge to let you help them enjoy your brand more.Promote transparency and open communicationWhen dealing with customers who have encountered a challenge in using your brand, maintain transparency and engage in open communication.If your team is working on their problem, don’t let the customer just sit there indefinitely, waiting for an update.Send an occasional message reassuring them that your team is still working on it. If they have time, they can add where in the process they are.This assists in establishing trust, nurturing a stronger bond, and guaranteeing that your customers receive timely updates on any modifications or concerns that may impact them.Reward loyal customersThe act of acknowledging and rewarding loyal customers can greatly increase the quality of interaction experienced between the customer and the brand.Implementing loyalty programs, granting exclusive discounts, and personalizing offers can make your customers feel special.These actions demonstrate to customers that their loyalty is highly appreciated.Importance of customer interaction in a businessGood customer interaction plays an important role in every business.Offers valuable data to improve operational proceduresInteracting with customers is an important way to gather information that can enhance operational procedures and performance.Analyzing the data obtained from these interactions provides valuable insights into customer behavior, preferences, satisfaction, and loyalty.It also allows for identifying the strengths and weaknesses within our products, services, processes, and policies.This data can then be utilized to make informed decisions and implement changes for improvement.Boosts employee motivationPositive interactions with customers have a significant impact on the morale and motivation of employees.Utilizing skills from their training to turn an irate customer into a pleased one remind employees of their value and the importance of their role in shaping the company’s success.As a result, their work feels more meaningful and engaging, which increases their efforts and dedication. Ensuring their supervisors recognize their skills helps with this, too.When employees feel fulfilled and appreciated in their work, they are more likely to deliver excellent results, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.Helps in understanding your customers betterEngaging with customers allows you to understand their needs, preferences, and expectations.Furthermore, you can identify any deficiencies in your current offerings and make appropriate enhancements.Customer interaction also enables you to categorize customers based on their behaviors, interests, and characteristics.As a result, you can understand the demographics of your customer base and tailor your marketing and interactions to suit them. This will enhance the overall customer experience.Aids in reducing customer churn ratesCustomer churn can be caused by bad customer service, high pricing, or better alternatives.By interacting with your customers regularly, you can show them that you care about them and value their opinions.Doing so effectively can also help you handle negative feedback and turn unhappy customers into loyal customers.Customer interaction can help reduce customer churn by building trust and shaping brand perception.Improves brand loyalty and reputationBrand loyalty refers to the level of dedication customers have towards your brand and their willingness to make repeated purchases.On the other hand, brand reputation refers to how your brand is perceived by both customers and the public.By interacting with customers effectively, you can enhance both aspects by creating positive experiences and emotions.Offering exceptional customer service, providing valuable information, and engaging in meaningful conversations can also motivate customers to share their feedback and recommendations with others.This can have a positive impact on your word-of-mouth marketing and online reviews.Increases recommendationsPositive customer interactions can improve the overall customer experience, thereby increasing the positive perception of the brand, raising the likelihood of gaining referrals from existing customers.These referral are shared through:Word-of-mouthOnline reviewsSocial mediaCommentsImproves customer satisfactionEffective management of customer interactions can greatly improve your customer satisfaction score, for all the reasons previously described.Therefore, businesses should create an environment that promotes caring about and valuing customers.This results in a higher level of clients’ satisfaction with their overall experience.Utilizing the potential of your customer interaction managementThe importance of customer interaction goes beyond simple buying and selling. It’s about building long-term relationships. This involves good communication with thoughtful responses.By prioritizing customer interaction, businesses can increase satisfaction and loyalty among their customers. Satisfied customers are more likely to come back and bring their friends, so creating positive customer experiences correlates with positive sales numbers.With LIKE.TG, you can improve your customer interactions. Book a live demo or start a LIKE.TG free trial to experience the many possibilities. Contact the LIKE.TG support team for more information and inquiries.Related articlesEssential Ways to Improve Customer Satisfaction7 Best Techniques to Improve Customer ExperienceTips for Creating Effective Canned Responses for Your Customer Service
Customer Data Management – Definition, Benefits, and Best Practices
With companies extracting vast amounts of customer data from various sources to optimize products and make evidence-based decisions, securing and managing it requires a plan.In the past, customer data management primarily revolved around collecting and organizing data. However, the vast abundance of data being generated has introduced challenges such as a rise in data breaches, storage difficulties, and data quality issues.It is now imperative to have client data management strategies that include data privacy and compliance measures to prevent the devastating impacts of a cyber breach.Read on to understand customer data management, the value it offers businesses, and the best practices you should adopt to effectively harness customer data. What is customer data management?Customer data management (CDM) is the process by which companies collect, organize, store, and secure customer information.The aim of customer data management is to harness technology in gathering customer data and converting it into useful customer profiles.These customer profiles can then assist in:Understanding customer behavior and preferences.Executing targeted digital marketing campaigns.Delivering personalized experiences.Types of customer dataCustomer data encompasses more than just names and email addresses. Understanding the kinds of customer data available is key. This understanding enables you to utilize this data effectively to enhance your business. The following are the types of customer data:Identity dataThis is data that identifies customers as unique individuals. Basic customer data includes a customer’s name, age, date of birth, phone number, postal and email addresses, gender, and race.Basic customer data could also include customer’s:Profession and industryIncomeIP addressSocial media usernamesBasic data is unique and facilitates the creation of personalized products and services.Data sources: This type of data can be gathered through your website by utilizing web forms that customers fill out.These forms may include newsletter subscriptions, contact forms, account sign-ups, and purchases.Behavioral and interaction dataThis is data on how your clients interact with your business at different touchpoints.Customer interaction data could include:Number and duration of website/app visits.Click-through and bounce rates.The total number of conversions.The level of user engagement with ads, social media posts, videos, and emails.The buying history of the customer.The value of product orders, renewals, or cancellations of subscriptions.This type of data is important in gaining a deeper understanding of the various customer interactions and objectives throughout their experience with your company.Data sources: Businesses utilize reports and analytic dashboards that give a rundown on how well their websites, ads, and social media campaigns are performing.Behavioral data can also be gathered directly from your website by examining transactional information on products and individual user behavior.Quantitative dataThis is measurable data on the performance and shortcomings of business operations. This could include things like customer service statistics, online/offline transaction figures, and campaign measurements.Data sources: This data can be sourced from help desk solutions, Google Analytics, marketing automation tools, and customer relationship management systems.Qualitative or attitudinal dataConsists of direct customer opinions about your business, services, and products. It’s a bit more complex to process because instead of numbers, attitudinal data comprises:Reviews from customers and clients.Responses to online surveys.Face-to-face customer interactions.Word-of-mouth reviews.Data sources: Customer opinions can be gathered through surveys and feedback forms that you distribute to your clients.Steps to implementing a customer data management processLet’s delve into the steps involved in implementing an effective customer data management process.Data collectionThe initial step involves setting up systems for gathering your customer data from a variety of channels. Develop a consolidated database for accumulating and storing the collected data.Data validationData validation involves checking and verifying that the data entered into the database is accurate, correct, and usable. You can set up procedures to verify and improve its quality to prepare it for processing.Data segmentationData segmentation involves creating unique and identifiable data clusters that define how the data can be used.Use effective data segmentation tools and methods to develop comprehensive customer profiles that can be accessed as needed across departments.What are the benefits of customer data management?Effective customer data management aids in making well-informed decisions that significantly promote the success of a business.Other benefits of customer data management include:High-quality data: By implementing data cleaning technology and techniques, you can ensure that the data you store is accurate and ready for processing.Improved customer satisfaction: Managing customer data makes it more suitable for analytics, which helps companies understand customer needs more accurately.Effective marketing campaigns: In sorting customer data into profiles, data management allows marketing teams and tech to analyze their demographics and create targeted campaigns.Improved customer trust: Proper data management fosters customer trust by ensuring that collected information is stored securely, maintained accurately, and used responsibly.Customer data management best practicesImplementing top-notch tactics for handling customer data not only aids your business in efficiently utilizing the data but also reassures your customers of their privacy rights being respected.Consider these best practices as a roadmap for effective management of customer data:Implement a proper strategy to manage dataDon’t just gather customer data without a strategy. Statista reported that consumers found the privacy of their personal data was the issue of highest concern when interacting with companies in 2022.It is, therefore, crucial to implement a customer data management strategy that keeps tabs on customer data throughout the pipeline to address these concerns.You can start off by setting standards, guidelines, and goals to organize your efforts and effectively measure success at each stage.The strategy should include information on:The people to manage the different aspects of the processA standardized way of data collectionThe data sources to be usedData storage locationsData governance and quality control measuresThe measures to ensure compliance with federal and internal regulationsKeep your data cleanRegular data cleansing is crucial for preserving the relevance and usefulness of your customer data. Routinely check, correct, or remove corrupt, inaccurate, or irrelevant parts of the data to enhance its quality and accuracy.By doing so, you ensure that the data you rely on for customer understanding and decision-making is current and reliable.Secure your customer dataConsumers are increasingly becoming aware and concerned about their data’s misuse. The impacts of a data breach have also become more severe.IBM currently estimates the average cost of a data breach at USD $4.45 million, a 15% increase over the last 3 years.To combat this, put data governance and security measures in place to safeguard customer information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction, right from the data collection stage.You can achieve this by implementing robust security practices, such as encryption, access controls, secure storage, and regular audits.Collaborate with your legal team to confirm that the data platform you use complies with the law and that customers are well-informed about their data collection, usage, and sharing practices.Not only is protecting customer privacy a legal requirement under data protection laws like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), but it also helps build customer trust.Invest in the right softwareManaging customer data can involve a lot of manual procedures, which could result in a significant workload for your in-house teams.Investing in the right technology, like help desk software or a customer relationship management tool, provides an easy and secure way to collect, organize, and use customer data to enhance customer service strategies.Additionally, it can also help you:Analyze customer data.Record every customer interaction.Automate tasks such as marketing email distribution and lead follow-ups.Another benefit is that these tools have the capacity to handle a larger amount of data as your business expands.Focus only on important dataAlways be intentional about the data you collect not only to save time and money but also to prevent your team and data platform from becoming overwhelmed.Use a systematic approach to the data collection process to reduce irrelevant data. For instance, if you need a customer’s age, is it necessary to also collect their date of birth? If one piece of information suffices, there’s no need to gather both.Train your client data management teamsIt’s one thing to have protocols and policies, but it’s another to ensure employees understand them. Train all staff who handle and manage data to follow the correct processes and methods.For example, maintaining uniform data entry procedures can boost data quality, and being aware of possible security risks can improve data safety.Remember to conduct recurring courses and update training to keep pace with any changes and technological advancements.Find out more about data entry opportunities to expand your understanding of data management practices.Back up your dataIt’s important to have secure and updated backup systems to guarantee data recovery in the event of a data loss. Regularly test your backup systems to ensure they always step up when needed.Eliminate data silosIn the past, businesses often held their customer data in separate silos, with each department having its own set of customer data.This led to data inconsistencies, duplications, and inhibited a comprehensive understanding of customer behaviors.By consolidating data from various channels into one central place, you can:Eliminate errors.Centrally update and manage data.Ensure that everyone has the same information.Gain a more holistic view of the customer journey.Enhance collaboration and efficiency.Be transparent on how you manage dataTransparency serves as a cornerstone of fostering trust and enhancing the reputation of a business.Openly communicate on how you plan to collect, store, process, and utilize customer data.This way, you can assure your customers about your ethical position and dedication to safeguarding their personal information, possibly drawing in more customers who greatly appreciate data privacy.How does LIKE.TG assist customer service teams in data management?LIKE.TGis a sophisticated customer data platform that offers innovative features and tools to effectively gather, organize, analyze, and derive valuable insights from customer data.Here’s how LIKE.TG helps customer service teams manage and use their data:Data collection: LIKE.TG provides a highly customizable customer satisfaction survey tool that guarantees easy retrieval of feedback from clients. Users can create customized surveys with different question types and design elements.Data storage and security: LIKE.TG organizes and stores customer data in a manner that facilitates easy information retrieval and tracking of customer issues. Having completed the SOC 2®Type 2 compliance certification, it provides top-notchsecurity and privacy thatprotects user data.Data integration: LIKE.TG offers seamlessintegration possibilities with your favorite applications. This helps simplify workflows, reduce data clutter, and derive insights from diverse data sets.Data analysis: The platform offers robust reporting and analytics tools, including customizable reports, dashboards, and visualizations, for better decision-making.Automation: LIKE.TG provides efficientautomation for repetitive and manual tasks, saving users time.Collaboration: LIKE.TG fosters easy collaboration among team members using shared inboxes, allowing them to share reports and data visualizations with relevant stakeholders.Customer data management doesn’t need to be difficultWith so many new ways to collect, organize, and analyze customer information, it’s critical to have a strategy that strikes a balance between capitalizing on the data’s potential and safeguarding it from potential threats. Only then can you truly reap the benefits of your customer data.LIKE.TG is here to do the heavy lifting for you. Contact usto schedule alive demoto experience first-hand how LIKE.TG’s capabilities can help you manage data efficiently. Or, try out ourfree trialwith instant access.Recommended reads10 Effective Ways to Boost Your Customer Service SecurityHow to Analyze Survey Data in Customer ServiceHow to Create Customer Service Policies Effectively
10 Important Customer Service KPIs to Track
Modern businesses understand that delivering a positive experience can have a profound impact on business expansion, with excellent customer service being of utmost importance.According to Microsoft, 96% of respondentsclaim customer service influences their brand selection and loyalty.Customer service can significantly influence your profit margin and public perception of your company. Therefore, monitoring customer service KPIs (key performance indicators) becomes essential.This article provides a comprehensive overview of crucial customer service KPIs necessary for agents, managers, and leaders in customer-oriented businesses.In this blog we will learn about customer service KPIs, and their importance. What is a customer service KPI?Customer service KPIs are metrics used to measure the quality of a company’s customer service and the experience it provides.These indicators help businesses analyze their goals, determine their success in satisfying customer needs, and identify areas where they can improve their service.How arecustomer service KPIsdifferent from customer service metrics?Customer service KPIs and customer service metrics both measure the performance of a customer service department, but they are used for different purposes.Customer service metrics are broad measurements of a department’s performance.They can include a wide range of data, such as the number of calls taken, the average time to resolve an issue, or the number of complaints received.These metrics can be used to track performance over time, identify trends, and make comparisons with industry standards.On the other hand, customer service KPIs are a more specific set of measurements that are directly linked to an organization’s strategic goals.Customer service KPIs are used to assess the effectiveness of a customer support department in achieving these goals.For example, if a company’s goal is to improve customer satisfaction, a relevant KPI might be the percentage of customers who rate their service experience as “excellent.”In short, while customer service metrics give you a broad overview of performance, customer service KPIs tell you whether you’re meeting your specific business objectives.What are the most important KPIs for customer service?KPIs for customer service are crucial in determining the trajectory of a business, whether it’s on the right path or not.Here are important customer service KPI examples.First response time (FRT)First response time refers to the amount of time from when a customer first makes a request or issue known, to when the company or business acknowledges or responds to that request.It is an important KPI for customer service to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of a customer support team.This customer service KPI reflects how effectively your agents can manage multiple tickets simultaneously and handle varying ticket volumes.Any lag in the first response could result in a negative customer experience, making FRT one of the most closely observed customer service KPIs.Service level agreements (SLAs) often establish expectations for FRT. An SLA might, for instance, stipulate a response to each customer support request within an hour or less.Implementing a defined standard across your company will aid in tracking and measuring agent performance.So, why is FRT a crucial customer service KPI? It assures customers that their concerns are being prioritized. This metric demonstrates the efficiency of your team in addressing issues.By monitoring this customer service KPI, you can determine whether your team is adequate or if additional resources are required.Average handle time (AHT)Average handle time is defined as the typical duration an agent spends resolving a customer’s issue, from the start of the conversation until the ticket is officially closed.Responding to your customers promptly is important, but the duration it takes to completely resolve a problem is even more crucial.Companies strive to enhance this customer service KPI to:Elevate customer satisfaction levels.Streamline team productivity.Minimize support expenses.A lower average handle time indicates a more proficient customer service team.An elevated average handle time may indicate:A lack of product knowledge.Inefficiencies in company workflow procedures.Inappropriate investment in ineffective support tools.AHT can be minimized by reducing the time customers spend waiting, and by enhancing the efficiency of each interaction.A Netomi report indicates that 39% of consumers are less patient now than they were before the pandemic.Employing hybrid support models, such as a combination of human and AI as opposed to solely human agents, can significantly reduce handle time.First contact resolution (FCR)First contact resolution is used in customer service to measure the ability of customer service representatives to resolve customer issues, complaints, or inquiries during their first interaction or contact.This could be through emails, social media, websites, self-service portals, web forms, or live chats.Customers derive great satisfaction when their issues are resolved within their first interaction with support. Additionally, effortless resolutions are key to customer loyalty and retention.A high FCR rate indicates that the customer service team is effective in resolving customer issues promptly and without the need for follow-up interactions.Better training, improved quality of support, and revising customer service policies can contribute to enhancing first contact resolution rates.Number of resolved ticketsThis customer service KPI indicates the quantity of tickets that a single agent or an entire team has received and resolved within a specific time frame.If the tickets resolved in a day are significantly fewer than those received, it could indicate a potential delay in resolving customer issues.Examining this metric can provide insight into the performance of agents during peak times. This can guide important decisions, like arranging training for staff who are not performing well or adjusting staff allocation to manage peak periods effectively.Customer satisfaction score (CSAT)Customer satisfaction score is a customer service KPI used to measure the degree of satisfaction that a customer has with a particular product, service, or interaction with a company.Usually, customers are urged to complete a survey following their interaction with support staff. The customer is asked to rate their satisfaction on a scale, for instance from 1 (very unsatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied).Customer satisfaction scores reflect customers’ contentment with a service they received and the efficiency of the customer service team in resolving problems and complaints.Net promoter score (NPS)Net promoter score is a KPI used to gauge a customer’s likelihood of recommending your business to others. This helps in determining how satisfied customers are and their overall customer experience.It is calculated by asking customers one question: “On a scale of 0-10, what’s the probability that you would recommend our brand to a friend or a colleague?”Based on their responses, customers are categorized into three groups: Promoters (9-10 score), Passives (7-8 score), and Detractors (0-6 score).Customers respond to this question based on their overall experience with your brand. Therefore, it is crucial for the customer service team to maintain other KPIs and provide constant and easy customer service experiences to enhance your NPS.Customer effort score (CES)Providing superior customer service involves minimizing difficulties for your customers and ensuring they do not perceive the resolution process as more problematic than the initial issue that prompted them to contact the service team.Customer effort score is a KPI used to assess how easily a customer can interact with a business or use its products.It is usually assessed through a survey question after a customer interaction, such as “On a scale of 1-7, how easy was it to interact with our company?”A lower CES indicates a smoother and more satisfactory interaction with a customer, while a higher score suggests the customer had to put in more effort to have their needs met.Good customer serviceis founded on minimizing disruption in a customer’s life and requiring minimal effort from them.Strategies to enhance your CES may vary from:Increasing accessibility across multiple channels.Presenting easy-to-use self-service options.Offering support in multiple languages.Enhancing agent education.Customer retention rate (CRR)Customer retention rate is a KPI that measures the percentage of customers a company retains over a certain period.This rate is calculated by dividing the number of customers at the end of a period by the number of customers at the start of a specified period and then multiplying that by 100 to get a percentage.Increasing customer retention can significantly increase a business’s revenue by enhancing the lifetime value of its customers.It is a significant indicator of customer loyalty and satisfaction. A high retention rate often translates into increased profits for a company.While the quality of a brand substantially influences customer retention rate, customer support is also a key determinant.It helps nurture customer relationships and ensures customer issues are resolved before they worsen. Offering timely, customized solutions can aid in boosting customer retention.Customer lifetime value (CLV)Customer lifetime value is a prediction of the total net profit attributed to the entire journey and relationship with a customer.It represents the total amount of money a customer is expected to spend on your business, or on your products, during that customer’s lifetime.This KPI is linked to a business’s revenue objectives, as it provides insights about potential earnings and aids in planning for the business’s sustainability.It is calculated using the following formular.This is an important customer service KPI, as it helps a business determine how much money they should invest in acquiring new customers and how much repeat business they can expect from certain consumers.Customer churn rateThis refers to the percentage of customers that stop using a company’s product or service during a particular period.It is a critical customer service KPI for businesses that operate on a subscription model, as losing customers can significantly impact the company’s revenue and growth potential.The essential task of decreasing customer churn is vital for business success. It necessitates regular interaction with customers to understand and resolve any issues they have with a brand.Churn rate is calculated by dividing the number of customers lost during a specified period by the number of remaining customers.Average resolution time (ART)Average resolution time is a KPI used in customer service to measure the average time taken to resolve a customer’s issue or complaint after it has been reported.It is calculated using the following formular:It can include time taken for all steps involved in resolving the issue, such as:Diagnosing the problem.Finding a solution.Implementing the solution.Excellent customer service equates to swift problem resolution. Customers anticipate quick and consistent support experience, and addressing their inquiries in real time is crucial to prevent them from considering other options.Comprehending the average resolution time can aid in identifying strategies to enhance the efficiency of customer service and detect areas for improvement.Achieving lower resolution times is an indicator of success, as this ensures that customer queries are addressed promptly.Cost of conversationIn the realm of customer service, the cost of conversation is a critical factor that can significantly influence the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the support system.Cost of conversation measures the total operational expenses of your team in relation to the total number of conversations carried out across your support channels.This cost is not just monetary but also includes the time and resources spent on each interaction between the support agent and the user.The cost of conversation in customer service can vary greatly depending on:The method of communication.The complexity of the issue being resolved.The duration of the conversation.By taking into account the various factors that influence this cost and implementing strategies to reduce it, organizations can significantly enhance their customer support operations.It’s important to note that well-trained teams and adjusted staffing schedules based on business needs can help manage support costs.Best practices to set KPIs for customer serviceCustomer service KPIs provide a quantifiable measure of how well your team is meeting its objectives.Setting KPIs for your service teams is a crucial part of managing performance.By following these best practices, you can ensure that your KPIs are effective tools for driving improvement and achieving your objectives.Understand and outline your objectivesBefore setting KPIs, it’s crucial to understand your team’s objectives. These objectives could be:Reducing the number of tickets.Faster resolution.Reducing response times.Better customer acquisition.The objectives should align with your organization’s overall goals. Once you have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, you can set KPIs that will measure your progress toward these goals.For instance, if your goal is to increase customer satisfaction, then your KPIs should reflect that, such as measuring CSAT score and the number of positive customer reviews or feedback scores.Choose relevant KPIsNot all KPIs are created equal. Some may not be relevant to your team’s objectives. Therefore, it’s important to choose KPIs that are directly related to what you want to achieve.For example, if your goal is to improve response times, a relevant KPI might be the average time your team takes to reply to a query (FRT).Monitor and adjust KPIs regularlyKPIs are not set in stone. They should be regularly reviewed and adjusted as necessary to reflect changing business goals, customer expectations, and market conditions.If a KPI is consistently being met with ease, it may be time to set a more challenging target.Conversely, if a KPI is consistently not being met, it may be time to reassess whether the target is realistic.Communicate KPIs clearlyMake sure that everyone in your customer service team understands what the KPIs are, why they are important, and how they can contribute to achieving them.This ensures that everyone is striving toward the same goals.KPIs should be specificYour KPIs should be specific and clearly defined. It should be clear what each KPI measures and how it is calculated.Avoid having too many KPIs, as it can become overwhelming and divert focus from the most important aspects of customer service.A small number of well-chosen KPIs can provide a clear picture of performance.KPIs need to be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. This makes it easier to track progress and achieve results.Leverage customer service KPIs for better customer supportCustomer service can be challenging, and assessing its value can be even more complex.However, understanding the performance of your support team via quantifiable data is essential for enhancing current procedures, making optimal staffing decisions, and ensuring customer satisfaction.The most practical method to acquire these insights is by evaluating customer service KPIs.Schedule a live demo to see how LIKE.TG can improve your business and track customer service KPIs. Start a free trial to explore its many features.If you have any questions about the product and its capabilities, feel free to contact the LIKE.TG support team.Related blogsImportant metrics in help desk softwareBest techniques for reducing customer service response timeEffective metrics to measure customer loyaltyEssential knowledge base metrics for enhancing self-service
Customer Onboarding Guide: Strategies, Benefits, and Examples
Customers’ first impression of a company is hard to shake. If getting started with a new product or service is difficult and without guidance, they may decide to look elsewhere for an easier alternative.According to Precursive, 82% of enterprise organizations consider their onboarding approach “a key driver of value.” You should, therefore, set up a smooth onboarding process for teaching them how to utilize their new purchases.The onboarding process is about ensuring that new customers feel valued, guiding them through the details of your product or service, and answering questions.Customer onboarding is a crucial process that can strengthen or shatter a company’s customer relationships.In this post, will discuss the onboarding process, importance of customer onboarding and best practices for customer onboarding. What is customer onboarding?Customer onboarding is the process of taking new customers through the use of your product or service. This process assists a customer in understanding your products or services and all their features and capabilities.It encompasses the entire journey, from customers signing up to when they become fully accustomed to their purchase and are utilizing the product or service well.An effective onboarding process can prevent customer churn caused by lack of understanding of the product’s usage or its value.The customer onboarding processThe onboarding process entails familiarizing new customers with a product or service they have signed up for or purchased and guiding them to maximize its benefits. Following are some of the steps of this process.Sign up your customersThe process of signing up is an important first step in the customer onboarding strategy. It entails customers making a formal commitment to use a particular product or service.Customers can usually sign up for or purchase your products through:Your websiteCalling your customer service numberYour physical store, if applicableWelcoming customersOnce a customer has finalized a purchase or signed up for a service, it’s time to provide them with a warm and friendly welcome.This can be achieved by either welcoming the customer in person or send them a welcoming email.The welcoming email should contain:Appreciation for their patronageInformation on how to get startedContact information for questionsA warm welcome not only adds a personal touch but also helps in building a solid relationship with your customers.Product or service setupDuring this phase, a company helps its customers initiate their journey with their product or service. A company’s support or dedicated onboarding team can guide customers through:Configuring their accountsEstablishing data connectionsPersonalizing their settingsThey can also show them how to access the main features and benefits of your company’s product or service.The product instructions can be done through tutorials, videos, checklists, and documentation until and unless the customer requires more complex aid.A knowledge base with specific tips, techniques, best practices, and practical examples to enhance their product usage is a great link to provide.Make customer service more interactiveThe onboarding training can be more involved than prepared materials can cover in some cases. Also, there are always customers who run into issues.Part of the onboarding process is allowing them to ask questions and give suggestions. Live demos and support can be offered as part of your new customer service.Moreover, these interactions can be used to encourage customers to explore the company’s offerings and motivate them to uncover additional benefits and advantages that the product or service can provide.Regular check-insRoutine checking in with the customer to see their progress is a good idea in client onboarding, depending on the product. This can be done through emails.The attention makes new customers feel a company’s genuine dedication to their success. Regular check-ins track progress, build relationships, and allow feedback.They shape new customers’ perceptions of the organization.Importance of customer onboardingA good customer onboarding process is essential in every business because it:Establishes good relationships: The onboarding process is vital in building positive relationships with new customers and nurturing their loyalty to a company, as it creates a good, lasting first impression.Improves customer retention: Having a well-executed onboarding process improves customer retention, as it ensures that customers understand how to utilize your product effectively, reducing customer frustration and therefore churn.Increases customer lifetime value: Establishing a relationship foundation through customer onboarding not only engages new customers and improves trial success but also builds trust. Ultimately, this enhances customer retention and loyalty, elevating their lifetime value.Facilitates effective communication: The onboarding process offers opportunities to set up clear and efficient communication channels with your customers when they reach out to you with their queries and concerns. They’re more likely to take chances with your products if they know it’s easy to get help using them, which you prove in your onboarding.Customer onboarding best practicesThe onboarding process helps new users understand, engage with, and recognize the value of a product or service. Following are some customer onboarding best practices.Identify and define your customer onboarding goalsWhat do we want to achieve with our onboarding process? That’s the first question a company should answer before designing theirs.They should identify the objectives of the customers being introduced to the product or service and determine the onboarding’s expected outcome.Setting goals during onboarding provides a clear direction and purpose.Measure the KPIs and onboarding successAfter setting your goals, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track and measure the success of your onboarding process. Set up ways to collect the data you need for them.These KPIs help you assess the effectiveness of your onboarding strategies and how changes you make influence that effectiveness.Analyzing these KPIs will help in pinpointing areas needing improvement and checking whether the onboarding process is on track with its intended objectives.Create a program to promote your product or serviceThe first interaction your customers have with your product plays a pivotal role in determining their long-term engagement.Therefore, you should develop a program that motivates customers to utilize your product or service.These programs could involve a series of tutorials, webinars, or even one-on-one training sessions, depending on your product.These programs enable your customers to understand the total worth of what you’re providing and how to utilize it fully.Just make sure you don’t overwhelm your customers. Start with the basics and offer more complex feature training once that’s mastered.Gather information on the progress of your customersClearly understanding your customers’ progress with their new purchase lets you offer them appropriate support when they need it.This involves gathering or collecting data from all customer interactions, such as:Support chatsSupport ticketsForum discussionsFeedback surveysBy collecting information about your customers’ advancement in the onboarding phase, you can determine where customers are getting stuck when attempting to utilize different aspects of a product.You can then customize the onboarding materials or structure to smooth out the customer journey. You can also train your support team to anticipate these sticking points.Assign ownership of the onboarding processYou need to decide who will be responsible for overseeing all the onboarding materials and activities. This person or team will be responsible for organizing all onboarding tasks and guaranteeing a smooth operation.Choosing the right person or team is important as it establishes accountability and the careful execution of the customer onboarding strategy.Determine the onboarding methodDecide how best to conduct your onboarding process. For example, this can be done through personal training or online tutorials.The chosen method should be designed to meet the specific needs and preference of the customers being onboarded, as well as the nature of your products.Offering more than one option for learning can be beneficial if your customer base is varied.Maintain good communicationThe importance of effective communication in successfully onboarding individuals cannot be overstated.Address their questions and concerns, but also update them on new improvements and changes and how to prepare for them.Communicating with your customers about these improvements and changes fosters a sense of readiness and value to customers.If aspects of your product or service change just as a new customer is becoming familiar with how to use it, they may grow frustrated or confused.They may not see announcements on your website, so specifically sending them notifications is better.Prepare a checklist for new customersA well-structured checklist for customer onboarding aids in self-monitoring their progress through the training and ensures no step is overlooked.The checklist may include tasks like:Setting up accountsTesting featuresAttending training sessionsReviewing policies and proceduresClient onboarding templatesClient onboarding templates can streamline the onboarding process, providing a smooth transition for new clients and establishing the foundation for a successful customer relationship.Invitation email templateThis is the initial email a new client will receive from you after registering for your service or product.This email’s goal is to welcome the consumer to your business and give them all the information they need to get going.Making a good first impression is crucial, so make sure this email is approachable, educational, and supportive. For example:Customer Invitation Email TemplateDear [Customer Name], Welcome and thank you for choosing [Company Name]! We hope you will be happy about your choice.We at [Your Company Name] always strive to provide the best for our clients. We should schedule a meeting to initiate your customer onboarding process.Before we begin the session, kindly check out these resources to familiarize with your new [product or service]:[Link to your self-service portal or documentation] [Link to your customer service portal or form] [Link to your online community forum] [Link to your feedback portal]Please reply to this email to let me know which dates and times work best for you for the onboarding meeting.If you have any questions before then, feel free to reach out to our support team through [support Contact Information] for assistance. I sincerely hope you enjoy our service.Best regards, [Your Name] [Job Title].Template for a customer intake formA client intake form aids in obtaining necessary information about a new customer. The form collects the information about the customer, their specific requirements, preferences, and contact details.This template streamlines the collection process and ensures all essential information is gathered from the start.Here is an example you can use:Template for Customer Intake FormPlease fill out the following:Personal information Name: Email: Company name: Job title: Preferred contact method:Product or service information Product or service purchased: Purchase date: Reason for purchase: Goals for using our brand: Previous experience with similar products or services:Additional information How did you hear about us? Do you have any questions or concerns?Template for onboarding timelineAn onboarding timeline template is a formal schedule that outlines the key milestones and deadlines during the onboarding process.It aids in informing both the company and the new customer about the expected time-frame.This form includes the dates for the first meeting, training sessions, and evaluations.For instance:Onboarding Timeline TemplateWelcome again to [Company]! In order to make your onboarding as smooth as possible, we have compiled a list and schedule of training courses, as discussed in our email correspondence.The following is the onboarding training schedule we will follow: Day 1: Introductory meeting with product expert. • Introduction to the company policies and procedures. • Introduction to the product or service.Day 2: Product training session • In-depth exploration of product features and their usage guide.Day 3: Third training session • Evaluation of user goals and objectives. • Discussing achievable solutions to business success.Day 4: Tracking progress and feedback • Training on how to track your progress. • Feedback regarding the onboarding experience.Offer training resourcesAssist new customers in understanding your company’s products and services by sending them a link to a comprehensive repository of training resources such as in a knowledge base.These resources can include how-to guides, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and video tutorials.By ensuring easy accessibility to these resources, clients can gain confidence and become more self-reliant in utilizing the company’s products.Example templateRepository of Training ResourcesWelcome to our training resources repository!Here, you’ll find:• The [product] user guide • Video tutorials • FAQs • Webinar recordings • Support forumsTemplate for email handover to other departmentsThis email template is meant to be simple, direct, and educational. It gives the new clients an overview of the support department, outlines their responsibilities, and includes contact details.By receiving this, the client knows who to contact for concerns or queries now that the onboarding phase is concluded.To hand-over clients to other departments, you can use the following template:Template for Departmental Customer Hand-overDear [Customer Name],We sincerely hope you are satisfied with [Product]. We are dedicated to giving you the best service possible, and therefore, we would like to introduce you to our [Department Name].[Shortly outline the department’s job] is the responsibility of the [Department Name] team. They will serve as your contact for [Name the problems or queries that the department deals with].Contact the department through [Department Email Address] or [Department Contact Number].Team members will be available [Name the hours of operation for the department]. We guarantee that you will receive the best service possible from our [Department Name] staff.It’s been a pleasure serving you for your onboarding. We appreciate you selecting [Your Company’s Name]. We’re eager to provide you with better service.Best Regards, [Your Name].Offer effortless customer onboarding experienceA good customer onboarding process is crucial for customers becoming well accustomed to your product or service.With a well-executed strategy, you can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty by facilitating a smooth transition for your new customers through their onboarding journey.Understanding the importance ourselves, we offer a streamlined customer onboarding process for LIKE.TG. LIKE.TG can also help you improve your own onboarding processes.It comes with knowledge base software that helps you easily create an organized repository for your training materials. Initiate a 15-day free trial or schedule a live demo. For additional details, reach out to LIKE.TG’s support team.Related articles7 Best Techniques to Improve Customer Experience8 Strategies to Provide Efficient Customer Service5 Best Ways to Build and Organize a Customer Support Team
Customer Service vs Customer Experience: Key Differences
Customer experience and customer service are two very common terms in business. However, many people confuse them and use them interchangeably. While they are certainly related concepts, they are not the same. They are also important concepts.Research by Zippia says that 73% of customers believe customer experience is a vital aspect of purchasing. Similarly, statistics prove that 81% of customers are likely to make another purchase after receiving outstanding customer service.Seeing how vital they are, how can you differentiate between customer service vs customer experience?In this blog, we’ll demystify the differences between these important business aspects. What is customer service?Customer service refers to any immediate support provided by a company to its customers before, during, and after they purchase a product or service.Customer service encompasses the various ways a business engages with its customers with the aim of addressing customers’ needs and ensuring a positive overall experience.What is customer experience?Customer experience (CX) is a term that defines a customer’s overall perception, emotions, and impression towards a business or brand throughout their relationship.CX is not confined to a single interaction or transaction; instead, it is an ongoing process that evolves.The customer experience journey begins when a potential customer becomes aware of a brand or business. This could be through advertisements, word-of-mouth, social media, or even an online search.The journey continues as the customer engages with the brand, which could involve browsing your website, making inquiries, and ultimately purchasing.But the customer experience doesn’t end at the point of sale. It extends to post-purchase interactions, including customer service and support, feedback solicitation, and any other communication between the business and the customer.Every touchpoint between a customer and a business shapes the customer experience. Therefore, businesses should strive to ensure positive and memorable interactions, increasing customer satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy.Differences: customer service vs customer experienceCustomer service and customer experience focus on different areas. Here are some of the notable differences of customer experience vs customer service.Proactive and reactive approachesWhen it comes to the approach, customer service tends to be reactive in nature. This means that it kicks into action once a problem has arisen or a question has been posed by a customer.The main aim is to resolve the problem or provide an answer to the query as quickly and effectively as possible.In contrast, customer experience takes a proactive approach. This involves creating strategies and implementing measures designed to ensure customers have a positive experience at every stage of their interaction with the brand.The objective is to make the customer’s journey as seamless and enjoyable as possible.Measuring success: key metricsIn terms of measuring success, there are different key metrics involved.Customer service is typically gauged with metrics such as first-call resolution and response time, net promoter score (NPS), , and customer satisfaction (CSAT) score. These metrics are indicative of how efficiently customer queries or issues are resolved.On the other hand, customer experience is quantified using metrics like customer effort score, retention rate, churn rate, and lifetime value estimate.These metrics provide a measure of the overall satisfaction of the customer, their loyalty to the brand, and their likelihood to recommend it to others.Touchpoints: limited vs all-encompassingCustomer service and customer experience also differ in the touchpoints they include. Customer service deals with specific touchpoints where customers seek help, such as phone support and email.Conversely, customer experience encompasses the entire customer journey, from marketing and sales to product usage and post-purchase interactions.Objectives: problem solving and relationship buildingCustomer service’s primary objective is to address immediate customer issues and ensure short-term satisfaction. It is about problem-solving and providing quick fixes.In contrast, the goal of customer experience is to build long-term loyalty and advocacy. This is achieved by consistently exceeding customer expectations, providing memorable interactions, and fostering strong relationships.Similarities between customer service and customer experienceWhile customer service and customer experience cater to different aspects of customer interaction, they share several similarities.The pivotal role of bothCustomer service and customer experience both play a key role in any organization’s success, as they revolve around meeting the needs and expectations of customers.The primary purpose of both of these areas is to enhance customer satisfaction and cultivate positive relationships with customers.They both strive to ensure that customer needs are met effectively and efficiently, which in turn helps to foster customer loyalty and retention.The ultimate goalUltimately, a company’s goal is to establish and sustain strong customer relationships, which can be achieved through excellent customer service and a good overall customer experience.Customer service is a major contributing factor to the customer experience, so improving your support system also improves your customers’ overall experience with your company.Similar tools usedBoth customer service and customer experience efforts frequently employ the use of customer relationship management (CRM) systems such as help desk software and knowledge base software.These systems act as a central repository for customer data and history, ensuring consistency in customer interactions.Same skill setsProviding excellent customer service and customer experience both requires good communication skills, good knowledge of your audience, and empathetic responses to concerns.Marketing, sales, PR, and support teams all contribute to the customer experience.Knowing to whom they’re speaking, either directly or through an ad, and how to do so most effectively is what will make customers feel valued and understood.Well-trained teams can use these skills to foster a positive relationship between customers and the brand.Customer service particularsLet’s explore more details on the best strategies and benefits of providing good customer service.Strategies for delivering exceptional customer serviceCustomer service includes all the steps of providing customer support. To offer exceptional customer service, you must have strategies in place.The following are some of the strategies for delivering exceptional customer service:Provide fast responses: Prioritize quick and effective responses to customer issues as a customer service strategy. Consider implementing automated customer service features for instant and 24/7 availability. You can also prioritize a short first response time for all customers by quickly and efficiently replying to their product and service questions.Technical support: Offer efficient and expert assistance on technical issues. This includes technical issues such as bug fixing or working on complications related to virtual products or services. This is common in industries like technology and software. Any company with an online presence, though, will require technical support to keep their website running smoothly.Offer product usage assistance: Provide thorough guidance on product usage. This can be done by offering customers guidance on product use, including installation and setup.Continuous onboarding and training: Keep your customer service agents updated on product knowledge and service skills through continuous training. This ensures they can provide the best support and stay aligned with your brand’s values.Implement integrated multichannel support: Develop unified customer profiles that consolidate data from all interaction channels. This provides your agents with a complete view of the customer’s history and preferences, enhancing their ability to provide personalized service regardless of the communication channel used by the customer.Get customer feedback and implement suggestions: Regularly collect customer feedback and measure your customer satisfaction score to assess overall satisfaction. Use this data to make informed decisions and improvements for the next customer services. This strategy will also enhance your understanding of their needs, enabling you to provide more effective service.Do a post-sales follow-up: Providing ongoing support after a purchase helps you ensure that customers remain satisfied. This can also help you note concerns that your customers have, thus giving you a chance to address any additional needs that may arise.Implement self-service: Empower your customers by offering self-service options. Develop a comprehensive self-service knowledge base, enabling customers to find answers to common questions independently.Importance of exceptional customer serviceCustomer service is important to any business for multiple reasons.Increased customer lifetime value: When customers are satisfied with the services offered, they are more likely to stick around for longer, thereby increasing the total sales made from them over time.Increased customer loyalty: When customers feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to remain loyal to the brand. Loyal customers are more likely to choose the same brand even when there are cheaper or more convenient alternatives available.Shaping brand culture: Excellent cx service showcases a company’s commitment to customer satisfaction, and a well-managed customer experience consistently delivers value, fostering an attractive reputation.Gaining competitive advantage: Companies that prioritize customer service create a unique and positive brand identity, setting them apart from competitors and thus attracting more customers.Reduced churn rate: By providing excellent customer service at each touchpoint, businesses can make their customers feel valued and satisfied, reducing the likelihood of customer churn.Customer experience particularsHere are the detailed explanations on customer experience components, best practices, and its significance.Components of a good customer experienceBrand quality: Customers expect high quality and consistent performance from brands’ products. They want the brand to deliver on its promises and maintain its standards over time.Customer interaction: Customers expect efficient, respectful, and personalized interaction from businesses. They want their issues and concerns to be addressed promptly and accurately.Customer journey: Customers expect a seamless, enjoyable experience. They want easy navigation, transparent pricing, excellent customer service, efficient post-purchase delivery, easy returns/exchanges, and effective after-sales service.Strategies for delivering an exceptional customer experienceThe customer experience (CX) not only shapes the company’s reputation but also directly impacts its bottom line. To deliver an exceptional customer experience:Offer proactive engagement: After a customer’s purchase, send a personalized message expressing gratitude and offering additional assistance. This proactive step demonstrates that you value their experience beyond the transaction. Consider using automated systems to ensure timely and consistent follow-ups.Customer relations: Focus on building and maintaining positive relationships with your customers. You can build good relationships with your customers by using tailored marketing, providing high-quality products, offering user-friendly website and store layouts, and supplying quick and empathetic customer service.Importance of the CXThe quality of the customer experience can significantly influence a company’s success. Here’s why CX aspects matter:Boosting revenue: High-quality customer experience often leads to customer loyalty and repeat business, boosting a company’s revenue. Customers are willing to pay more for a better experience, making CX support a factor in driving profits.Reducing customer churn: By providing a positive customer experience, companies can reduce customer churn. Dissatisfied customers are more likely to switch to competitors, so ensuring a high-quality customer experience can help retain customers and reduce the costs associated with customer churn.Reduced operational costs: Investing in CX service can reduce costs in the long run. It’s often more expensive to acquire new customers than to retain existing ones. By improving CX, companies can increase customer loyalty and reduce the need for costly acquisition strategies.Customer service vs customer experience: Which is more important?In conclusion, both customer service and customer experience play crucial roles in a company’s success. They shape the company’s reputation and directly impact its bottom line.One way to make a big impact on both is by integratingLIKE.TG into your cx support system. LIKE.TG is powerful help desk software that helps you understand your customers’ needs, expectations, and experiences.LIKE.TG offers a30-minute live demoto give you a peek at what its features can do for your company and to let you ask any questions you may have. Or, you can sign up for a15-day free trialto explore on your own how its features can be customized and incorporated into your workflow. Let LIKE.TG help you exceed your customers’ expectations.If you have any questions, don’t hesitate tocontact LIKE.TG’s customer service.Related articles7 Best Techniques to Improve Customer Experience8 Strategies to Provide Efficient Customer ServiceWhat is Customer Service? The Ultimate Guide
B2B Customer Service: What It Is and How to Do It Right
Whether you operate in the B2B or B2C sector, the key to growth and success lies in exceptional customer service. The strategies for winning over B2B clients, however, differ from those for B2C clients from a sales and marketing perspective.Business-to-business (B2B) customer service involves the management of relationships and interactions between companies.By understanding the importance of B2B customer service and implementing best practices, companies can retain business, build stronger relationships, and enhance their brand’s reputation.In this article we will discuss what B2B customer service is, difference between B2B and B2C customer service, ways to improve B2B customer service and B2B examples. What is B2B customer service?Business-to-business (B2B) involves one company selling its products or services exclusively to other companies, rather than to individual customers.B2B customer service refers to all the service interactions between a B2B company and its business customers.B2B customer service includes providing the following help throughout the customer journey:Guiding clients through product setupOffering clients both technical and human supportAnswering any questions or concerns clients haveProviding clients with the necessary self-help resourcesHelping clients through the troubleshooting process and providing solutionsB2B customer service vs B2C customer serviceBusiness to customer (B2C) is where businesses sell their goods or services directly to individual consumers.While B2B customer service is the process of assisting or providing support to other businesses that are your customers, the main goal of B2C customer service is rapidly responding and resolving individual customer’s issues and questions.Following are the differences and similarities between B2B customer service and B2C customer service.Differences between B2B customer service and B2C customer serviceB2B Customer ServiceB2C Customer ServiceProduct prices are expensive because of complexityProduct prices are lower, since once one product may be purchasedSmaller customer baseLarge customer baseCommunication is more formal and can involve stakeholders and legal teamCommunication is informal and involves agents and individual customersBrand identity is less emphasizedBrand identity is more emphasizedTakes longer for transactions to be closedTakes shorter timeframes to close transactionsRelationships are built over long periods of time and are lastingRelationships are built over a short period of timePurchasesB2B (business-to-business): In B2B customer service, the purchasing process frequently includes several stakeholders, such as a legal team responsible for contract examination and approval.The purchasing duration is extended, their financial resources are greater, and they anticipate personal customer service.B2C (business-to-consumer): The purchase procedure in business-to-consumer (B2C) customer service is usually simple, involving just one decision-maker and having a lower monetary value and shorter timeline.Customer baseThe size of the customer base and how products are utilized differ significantly between B2B and B2C customer service.B2B: Business to business customer service caters to a smaller but more diverse customer base, which often involves selling larger quantities of more expensive products.Multiple individuals in different departments within the client company may utilize the products.As a result, B2B customer service often requires managing the requirements and desires of multiple parties within the same company.B2C: On the other hand, B2C customer service focuses on serving many individual customers who have specific and immediate needs.Even if there are multiple users, such as in a family, customer service will usually deal with just one person among them.CommunicationB2B and B2C commerce each have a distinct style and approach to communication.B2B: B2B communication is more formal and ongoing, usually including formal meetings with various stakeholders and decision-makers involved in the organization’s administration.B2C: On the other hand, B2C communication is more relaxed and direct, with common customer service manners and politeness.B2C communication is generally less formal compared to B2B communication, with the goal of establishing a personal connection with consumers.DurationB2B: In B2B relationships, decision-making is usually shared by various stakeholders over an extended period of time, continuing negotiations often lasting several years. B2B transactions are relatively complex, expensive, and can take a long time.Returns from business-to-business transactions take longer to process.Lack of available products or continuous production of those products is another reason the procedure can take longer.B2C: Consumers usually have a product in mind that they intend to purchase within a relatively short timeframe of days or weeks.Transactions are speedy and even if a customer requires post-purchase support, interactions are relatively short-lived.RelationshipsB2B: In B2B customer service, relationships are created over a longer time period, and support team members interact with many individuals in the client business.This calls for a customer service strategy that can successfully connect with and meet the requirements of different individuals within the firm.However, they also interact multiple times with the same company reps, building familiarity.Support representatives for B2B relationships concentrate on growing and sustaining these relationships over long time periods.B2C: Business-to-consumer (B2C) partnerships are typically characterized by one-time purchases or subscriptions from customers.These can require monthly or yearly purchase renewals.Support teams that operate in a B2C environment interact directly with customers they don’t know most of the time, necessitating a more direct, general, and friendly approach to customer support, with a goal of building quick rapport instead of familiarity.Therefore, every interaction counts in building the customer relationship.Similarities between B2B customer service and B2C customer serviceCustomer interaction: Both B2B and B2C transactions involve real individuals during their customer interactions. Thus, fostering relationships, understanding requirements, and delivering customized service are essential in both scenarios.Customer-oriented sales procedure: Both models necessitate a sales procedure that prioritizes the customer’s needs and preferences.Excellent customer service: Outstanding client support is a requirement in both B2B and B2C models. This includes timely responses to inquiries, effective issue resolution, and assurance of customer satisfaction.Customer experience: A superior customer experience means providing a smooth, positive engagement with the company at every point of contact.Problem resolution: The emphasis is on addressing the client’s issues in both situations. This could range from a demand for a particular product in B2C to a comprehensive business solution in B2B.10 Best ways to improve your B2B customer serviceThese are some of the ways that to improve B2B customer service.Provide proactive customer serviceProviding proactive service is a powerful strategy to improve B2B customer service.This approach requires a deep understanding of customers’ needs and expectations to address potential issues before they become problems.It involves regularly communicating with your clients, monitoring their behavior, and using data to predict potential issues to ensure that your clients have a smooth and seamless experience with your business.Some of the benefits of proactive service are:Enhanced customer satisfactionIncreased customer loyaltyCompetitive advantageIncreased business efficiencyOffer personalized experiencesPersonalization and a customer-centric approach in B2B customer care aid in comprehending the requirements of each B2B client.By gathering and utilizing information about the customer’s mission, product, and long-term growth objectives, this comprehension can be improved.Customizing the customer journey not only shows a company’s dedication to fulfilling customer needs, but it also helps customers feel valued and understood.Customization can improve satisfaction and relationships in the following ways:Using the customer’s identitySending relevant emailsCreating personalized suggestionsProviding service through their preferred channel are all part of offering personalized experienceOffer multiple channels of communicationBy offering multiple channels of communication, businesses ensure that they are accessible to their customers in a way that is most convenient for them.This could be through email, a messaging app, or in-person meetings.Businesses can enhance customer loyalty and encourage repeat business by enabling customers to select their preferred communication method.Use the right toolsBusiness can implement support tools such as a ticketing system to ensure they offer prompt support and manage their workflows better.Business should consider implementing a help desk ticketing system for their B2B customer service.A help desk ticketing system automatically assigns tickets to appropriate agents or teams based on predefined rules to ensure issues are handled by the most qualified agents.Automate your B2B customer service workflowAutomating specific tasks in your customer service can enhance B2B operations.By using automated customer service, businesses can improve productivity and service by allowing their agents to focus on more complex matters while repetitive tasks are handled automatically.Additionally, automation aids:Accuracy and consistency of responsesEffective time managementFaster processing workflowData managementEstablish a clearly defined SLAImplementing service level agreements (SLAs) establishes the standards for both your clients and your service staff.They include response and resolution timeframes as well as the quality of service that customers can anticipate.Help desks can incorporate SLAs. How well your team adheres to yours can be tracked. Making the SLA easily accessible by agents helps them prioritize their work and understand their responsibilities.Your support system will run more smoothly, resulting in increased client trust and satisfaction.SLAs help with:Defining clear expectationsAccountabilityQuality assuranceIssue resolutionSatisfactionRisk mitigationGather and analyze feedbackCollecting and analyzing feedback from B2B customers reveals important insights about their opinions and feelings towards a brand’s products, services, the industry in general, and their customer experience.Analytics platforms enable companies to monitor and analyze support KPIs that are important, such the number of tickets received, the time it takes to resolve issues, and the customer satisfaction score.They can use visualizations of these KPIs to pinpoint areas in need of development.By analyzing these metrics, businesses can make data-driven decisions to enhance their service delivery and improve customer satisfaction.Provide multilingual customer supportIn an increasingly globalized world, businesses are not limited by geographic boundaries. As such, it’s essential to cater to a diverse clientele who may not necessarily speak the same language.Therefore, businesses should provide multilingual customer support to ensure that they can effectively communicate with all their clients, regardless of their native language.This not only improves the quality of service, but also enhances the clients’ experience, leading to higher satisfaction.Provide self-service optionsOffer self-help tools such as a knowledge base in business to business customer service. It’s best to equip customers with the necessary information to independently address common issues.A knowledge base is a centralized repository of information about your products and services that is available 24/7.A well-structured knowledge base typically includes the following components:Frequently asked questions (FAQs): This section addresses common queries about your products or services. It serves as a quick reference for people looking for answers right away.How-to guides: Detailed instructions that explain how to use your product or service are provided in guides. These could be user manuals, how-to articles, or step-by-step instructions.Tutorials: Tutorials give consumers practical learning opportunities. These are usually videos that walk users through actions or procedures.A self-service option lets customers answer simple questions on their own. This reduces your support team’s workload, allowing them to focus on more complex issues.Furthermore, it provides clients with immediate solutions, reducing waiting time and improving their overall experience.Train your support teamYou need a support staff that has received proper training to deliver excellent customer service.Frequent training guarantees that your staff knows your products and can properly address client inquiries.Ensure your support staff members are educated on your offerings and polite interactions.They must be competent in responding to all client inquiries and offering precise answers.B2B customer service examplesThese are some business-to-business model examples.LIKE.TGLIKE.TG is a B2B product. It is a contemporary help desk ticketing system that runs in the cloud and supports a variety of customer support tasks.Businesses can use it to streamline support requests, work with clients and associates, automate redundant tasks, and enhance the client experience.Features provided by LIKE.TG:Effective email ticketing systemKnowledge base softwareTicketing softwareWorkflow automationCustomization choicesTask managementReports and analyticsNetflixNetflix is well-known for their exceptional B2B customer service as a top streaming platform. They cater to various industries, including airlines and hotels.The customer support team at Netflix handles diverse concerns, from inquiries about billing to problems with technology.They are available 24/7, aiding businesses whenever required. Additionally, Netflix maintains a comprehensive support center on their website, providing resources and guidance.AmazonAmazon (AWS) offers a wide range of global cloud-based products to businesses. These products include storage, databases, analytics, networking, mobile, developer tools, management tools, security, and enterprise applications.Additionally, AWS provides several support services for its B2B customers. This includes sales support for sales requests or speaking with a sales associate and technical support for any service-related technical issues.Compliance support is offered for customers who require assistance with AWS compliance.Furthermore, account support is available for any inquiries related to accounts and billing, and subscriber support services are provided beyond the Basic Support Plan.AWS also offers resources for troubleshooting sign-in issues and FAQs for unexpected charges and billing inquiries regarding the Free Usage Tier.Make your B2B customer service effective today!B2B customer service is an essential part of every flourishing company that supplies products to other companies.By putting a high priority on customer service, fostering strong client connections, and offering efficient problem solving, companies may win over their customers’ trust and succeed in the long run.Try LIKE.TG as the help desk software that offers all the essential features you need to facilitate seamless interactions with your clients. Check out theLIKE.TG free trialor book alive demo. Feel free to contact theLIKE.TG support teamin case of any questions.Related articlesMost Essential Customer Service Skills7 Best Techniques to Improve Customer Experience10 Effective Ways to Boost Your Customer Service Security
Customer Orientation: Strategies, Benefits (+ Examples)
The common business saying “the customer is always right” or “the customer comes first” is often repeated for good reason.The success of a business depends on its customers. Without them, sales and revenue would cease to exist, leading to the potential closure of a company.However, organizations often face different challenges when it comes to being customer-focused, particularly when their own needs take precedence over their customers’ needs.If not properly addressed, this can negatively impact a brand’s reputation. The solution to putting your customers’ wants and needs first is adopting a strong customer orientation strategy.A customer-oriented culture presents an opportunity for businesses to gain a competitive advantage by excelling in prioritizing customers’ expectations.Focusing on clients ensures they have the best experience, succeed, and build stronger relationships with your business. What is customer orientation?Customer orientation refers to an approach where organizations prioritize meeting the needs, concerns, and expectations of their customers over their own business needs, interests, and preferences.It involves adopting strategies and practices that revolve around understanding and satisfying customer demands and preferences.Customer orientation not only involves ensuring customer satisfaction with purchases, but it also emphasizes the establishment of lasting relationships.Additionally, by aligning your business objectives with the goals of your customers and focusing on their needs and desires, you can enhance their satisfaction, loyalty, and lead to sustainable business success.How to implementa customer-orientedcultureA well-defined action plan is essential for creating a customer-oriented culture. Here are some of the best tips to help you become a customer-oriented business.1. Understand your customers betterPrioritizing your customer’s needs can significantly enhance your business’s service delivery.This is because by putting your customers’ needs first, you can better understand their wants, interests, and pain points.A Salesforce study cited by Harvard Business School shows that 66% of customers believe that companies will meet their needs and expectationsTo understand your target users and create ideal buyer personas, you should collect feedback and get insights on their social practices, demographic data, thoughts, needs, interests, goals, and more.This will go a long way in ensuring you offer the best customer experience and deliver precisely what these clients expect from your products or services, rather than working with assumptions.2. Set customer-oriented standardsEstablishing benchmarks for the level of service you aim to provide to your customers is a crucial stage in enhancing your customer-oriented approach.By evaluating customer feedback from different channels, you can adjust your service to align with customer requirements and expectations.This allows your team to self-assess their performance and customer service skills and identify areas for improvement.By setting these standards and providing methods for evaluation, you pave the way for success for both your team and your customers.3. Show empathy during customer interactionsEmpathy in a customer service orientation is crucial, as it helps in understanding a customer’s emotions and mindset.This involves actively listening to feedback and conversations, investigating customer complaints while putting yourself in the customers’ shoes, and demonstrating patience when interacting with them.Employing empathy ensures customers get effective assistance with any challenges they may encounter since support agents easily resonate with them.4. Collect feedback and follow up with your customers regularlyEvery individual is exceptional and possesses distinct desires and needs, and this extends to your clients.As customer requirements are constantly changing, it is crucial to gather feedback from customers at each touch point, follow up with them regularly, and respond to them on time.This can be done through:Communicating with your customers and understanding their needs and thoughts.Proactively seeking out responses from them regularly after any interactions.Demonstrating that you value their viewpoints by seeking feedback.In customer service, promptly address any concerns to demonstrate a customer-oriented mindset. Encourage customers to express their ideas outside of the typical feedback loop.This can be done through:EmailCommunity forumsSurveysOne-on-one conversationsSocial media comments5. Deliver outstanding experiences for clientsProviding exceptional customer experiences should be a key goal for businesses to establish and good relationships with customers.There are different customer-oriented ways to enhance your customers’ experience. They include:Engaging them on social media platforms and responding to all their comments.Providing all necessary and important information about the company and its brands.Encouraging clients to freely share their concerns, opinions, and suggestions.Making customer-oriented improvements and updates to products or services to suit the client’s needs.6. Offer personalized experiences to customersPersonalized strategies and approaches are essential for a customer-oriented culture. This is where customization features come in handy.By tailoring products, services, and interactions to meet the unique requirements of each customer, organizations can foster a sense of importance and value for the customer.For instance:Address clients by their specific namesSend personalized offers and loyalty programs to individual clientsSend brand recommendations to clients based on their preferencesTailor and recommend content for each customerThis personalized approach not only builds strong customer relationships, but also promotes loyalty and satisfaction, leading to increased customer retention and positive word-of-mouth referrals.7. Make it easy for customers to reach youDifferent customers prefer using different communication channels to contact you for assistance or inquiries. Therefore, businesses should incorporate multiple communication channels that include:EmailCommunity forumsInstagramSocial mediaA knowledge baseAdditionally, make your contact details readily available to your customers on your company website, in marketing articles, and on social media platforms.8. Employ the right support team and empower themHiring customer-oriented individuals is essential in ensuring that customers’ needs and expectations are prioritized when providing customer service.Look for individuals who are empathetic, engaged, and happy to interact with customers.Your customer support team represents your clients, so they need to be able to communicate their wants and needs effectively.They should provide valuable insights during meetings about customer service improvements and updates.It’s important for them to understand a company’s objectives and the expectations of putting customers first.This can be achieved by empowering them through comprehensive training on customer orientation. Continuously reinforcing these concepts will ensure consistent top-notch service.Importance of customer orientationPutting your customers at the forefront has many advantages for both the customer and the business. These benefits include:Retaining customersPrioritizing the needs of customers often results in their increased loyalty, leading them to overlook other brands.Focusing on customer needs can also result in valuable feedback, improving products, building strong relationships and services.Implementing a customer-oriented approach can effectively curb growing customer attrition rates and fortify your customer base.Increasing brand reputationA company that prioritizes its customers is likely to cultivate a positive brand image in the market.Businesses that demonstrate a strong understanding of customer needs are often trusted and deemed reliable, attracting more customers and potential business partners.Satisfied customers often leave positive comments, reviews and recommendations on different social media platforms and praises through word of mouth.These affirmations are likely to be seen or heard by random end-users who will then be attracted by the positive brand reputation.Competitive advantageCustomer orientation is an essential factor that contributes significantly to gaining a competitive advantage in the business realm.By placing the customer at the forefront of strategic decision-making processes, organizations can align their products, services, and overall business operations to meet the ever-evolving needs and preferences of their target market.This approach involves actively listening to customer feedback, conducting thorough market research, and continuously adapting and improving offerings to ensure maximum customer satisfaction.By prioritizing customer orientation, businesses can enhance customer loyalty, attract new customers, and ultimately outperform their competitors in the marketplace.Enhanced customer satisfactionCompanies that prioritize understanding and meeting their customers’ expectations and needs improve customer satisfaction.Adopting a customer-centric culture and tracking customer satisfaction provides valuable data for process improvement.Moreover, when customers are pleased and feel valued by your products or services, they become more loyal to your company.Boosting customer loyaltyThe implementation of a customer-oriented approach plays a pivotal role in enhancing customer loyalty, as it prioritizes meeting the specific needs and preferences of customers.By adopting a customer-centric mindset, businesses can effectively build strong relationships with their clientele, fostering trust and satisfaction.This customer-oriented strategy not only ensures that products and services align with customer expectations, but it also enables businesses to provide personalized experiences, ultimately leading to increased customer loyalty and retention.Better sales conversionsThe advantages of improved sales conversions concerning customer orientation can be elucidated more formally.Enhancing sales conversions has a direct positive impact on customer orientation, as it allows businesses to better understand the needs and preferences of their customers.By effectively converting potential leads into paying customers, companies can establish stronger relationships with their clientele, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.This, in turn, can result in higher sales volumes, improved brand reputation, and ultimately, long-term business success.Customer orientation examplesHere are some examples of companies that have incorporated customer orientation into their business workflow.AppleApple is a company that fully understands customer requirements and customizes its products to meet them before they are even articulated.However, Apple’s specialty lies in creating a unified ecosystem that ensures a smooth experience for its customers.Employees strive to accurately determine what customers need during their purchase discussions. This understanding enables employees to recommend the most appropriate device for customers’ needs.AmazonMost of us consider Amazon to be our ultimate shopping destination due to its vast range of products and outstanding customer service.As a customer-oriented company, Amazon utilizes advanced technology on its website to track browsing data based on prior purchases and searches, going to extraordinary lengths to ensure customer satisfaction.Customers are pleased when Amazon provides quick shipping that delivers products within one or two days. Amazon’s approach to customer service has made it a consumer favorite.By recognizing and exceeding customer needs, the company has built a strong and loyal customer base.Harley DavidsonIf customer orientation is your priority, you should choose Harley Davidson. The company understands the significance of being customer-centric, particularly to maintain its prestigious position in the motorcycle industry.Harley Davidson’s commitment to prioritizing customers is evident in its rigorous interview process.Candidates aspiring to join Harley Davidson are required to demonstrate their knowledge, experience, and general understanding of the mechanics of motorcycles.Those hired by the company are individuals who are not only familiar with the products they sell, but can also articulate their value to potential customers.This approach ensures a memorable and rewarding experience for their customers.REIREI exemplifies customer orientation in the crowded outdoor equipment market.They manage to distinguish themselves through proactive customer engagement and understanding customer preferences.This was evident in 2015 when REI shut down all its outlets on Black Friday, one of the most bustling and lucrative days of the year.This unconventional move indicated the company’s deep understanding of its clientele. REI customers tend to be more passionate about the experiences the company offers, rather than just the products.This is demonstrated by the millions of people who engage with the #OptOutside campaign every year and relate strongly to the marketing that supports it.Despite what many organizations might consider to be a risky approach, REI has seen consistent growth in both membership and revenue.This shows that being customer-oriented can indeed yield positive results.LIKE.TGLIKE.TG embodies customer orientation in its core values and operations. It consistently prioritizes customer needs and satisfaction.Through market research and analysis, LIKE.TG tailors its products and services to meet customer requirements, enhancing overall satisfaction.The company invests in training employees through manuals, webinars, learning hubs, and a knowledge base to provide personalized and professional assistance, fostering trust and loyalty.LIKE.TG involves customers in product development, aligning solutions with their specific requirements. It actively seeks feedback and continuously improves its offerings to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction.LIKE.TG is a trusted and respected brand that leads the industry.NetflixNetflix is a popular platform known for addressing customer needs and cultivating a fan base using a mix of quantitative and qualitative strategies.Over time, Netflix has utilized this customer-focused approach to:Decrease DVD shipping times by establishing more distribution centers.Engage with their customers in a congenial manner through their user interface.Improve the quality of show and movie recommendations made to customers.Prioritizing your customers through the application of customer centricity contributes to superior customer service and enhances customer satisfaction.Implement customer orientation in your business now!Focusing on customer orientation is essential for establishing trust, loyalty, and a solid brand reputation.Customer orientation strategies aid in forming enduring relationships with customers and reduces the costs associated with customer retention and acquisition.By putting your customers’ needs first, providing outstanding service, and constantly adjusting to their evolving expectations, you foster business growth.By adhering to the principles discussed in this guide, you can start transforming your business into a customer-oriented organization that flourishes in the competitive market.Schedule alive demoto see howLIKE.TGcan help your agents and supervisor to prioritize customer needs .Start afree trialto explore its many features. If you have any questions about the product and its capabilities. Or feel free to contact theLIKE.TG support team.Related articlesHow to Set Smart Customer Service Goals in 2023What is Customer Focus? – Definition, Best Strategies, and Examples9 Effective Customer Experience Optimization Strategies
What are Customer Loyalty Programs? 5 Best Examples
Customer retention has become a significant focus for many businesses. Brands are not just working to attract new customers but to keep current ones.While optimizing the customer experience is undoubtedly vital, it might not be sufficient to establish long-lasting relationships with customers.You need to go above the norm and provide additional incentives or motivation to ensure clients remain loyal to your brand. This is where customer loyalty programs come into play.A 2021 report on customer advocacy by Mention Me, a referral marketing platform, found that brands that reward loyalty are likely to see a repeat purchase from 40% of their customers.This is made possible through customer loyalty programs, which are business initiatives that reward customers for frequent purchases or interactions with a brand.Read on to understand customer loyalty programs, the value they offer businesses, and the best practices you should adopt to ensure your loyalty programs are successful. What are customer loyalty programs?A customer loyalty program is a strategic marketing approach that recognizes and rewards loyal customers and encourages them to continue purchasing or engaging with a brand.Rewards can be gifts, discounts, points, or other exclusive benefits to customers that increase in value or frequency the more they buy.Customer loyalty programs not only aim to enhance customer retention and growth, but also to transform regular customers into brand promoters.Types of customer loyalty programs vary based on the goals businesses seek to achieve. They may include refer-a-friend schemes, reward points systems, or insider perks such as early access to new products.5 types of customer loyalty programs for small businesses with examplesGrowing businesses can employ various types of loyalty programs to keep their customers hooked.Let’s explore five types of loyalty programs with examples from brands that have utilized them successfully.1. Loyalty points programsLoyalty points programs are one of the most popular types of customer loyalty programs for businesses.Customers earn points whenever they buy from your brand, and they can redeem these points for credit on their next purchase, discounted services, or giveaways.They can also earn points through other ways, such as:Sharing a product link with friendsLeaving product reviewsAttending events organized by the businessesDownloading the business’s appCase studyThe North Face uses a points program known as XPLR Pass to reward its customers.Customers accumulate a point for every dollar they spend at the store and additional points for downloading the North Face app, checking in at North Face stores, referring others to join XPLR Pass, checking in at US National Parks and National Monuments, and more.Customers can join the loyalty program to enjoy:A 10% discount for their first online orderA 10% discount for their birthdayGroup hikes with other program membersEarly access to limited-edition productsHow can you use this kind of loyalty program in your business?Sponsoring hiking adventures may be a tall order for small businesses.The key takeaway is to understand your customers thoroughly and design a loyalty program specifically aimed at strengthening your relationship with them.2. Mission-driven loyalty programsNot all rewards programs are centered on offering discounts or rewards to customers.A mission-based customer loyalty program, also called a value-based loyalty program, is one wherein the business donates a percentage of its profit to a charity or organization.This is an approach that aligns with customer values and gives customers the feeling that every purchase they make is a contribution to efforts aimed at positively impacting the world.Case studyThe video conferencing platform Whereby introduced a mission-driven program in 2021 that sought to give back to nature, “the thing that inspires [Whereby] on the daily.”The brilliant program aimed to plant a tree for every three meetings that happened on the platform. Whereby partnered with Brynk, an organization dedicated to planting trees, and successfully planted one million trees across Africa.How can you use this kind of loyalty program in your business? Identify a charity, non-profit organization, or cause to which customers can contribute by purchasing any of your products.This will attract new customers to your business, encourage existing customers to use or purchase your products more, and make everyone feel like they’re doing good in the process.Businesses that are just starting out might not have the capacity to carry out large-scale missions.Therefore, it is advisable to collaborate with charitable organizations whose missions align with the values of your business and your customers to make such a program more impactful.3. Refer-a-friend loyalty programsCustomer referral programs give customers exclusive discounts or special offers for referring their friends, colleagues, or family to the company.These programs provide existing customers with a unique referral code or link that their friends can use when making a purchase or signing up for a service.The referees can subsequently qualify for a similar discount when they refer others through the program. It’s a win-win situation: the business gains new customers, and existing customers receive a reward for their referral.Case studyDropbox successfully implemented a refer-a-friend loyalty program in which users who referred a friend were awarded an additional 500 MB of storage space.Simultaneously, each person who accepted an invitation and registered via the referral program was also given 500 MB of free storage.Users could repeat this process up to 32 times, potentially gaining a maximum of 16 GB of extra free storage. This program led to a 3900% surge in users in only 15 months.How can you use this type of loyalty program in your business?You wouldn’t think Dropbox, a cloud storage giant, would have trouble acquiring new customers.However, all businesses, even those with a well-established online presence, are at the mercy of customer acquisition expenses.Implement an effective referral program to cut customer acquisition costs and witness an increase in clients.4. Subscription programsA subscription program, also called a paid loyalty program, involves customers paying a regular subscription fee in exchange for exclusive perks, discounts, or access to premium products or services—benefits that are otherwise unavailable to non-subscribers.Case studyAmazon runs one of the most popular subscription-based customer loyalty programs: Amazon Prime.For an annual or monthly subscription fee, members receive numerous benefits, such as:Free two-day expedited shipping on millions of items on AmazonAccess to thousands of movies and TV shows via Prime VideoUnlimited reading on any device via Prime ReadingAccess to ad-free music streaming via Prime MusicExclusive deals, especially during Amazon’s annual Prime DayThe loyalty program has been hugely successful, withPrime members spending twice as muchas non-Prime members.How can you use this type of loyalty program in your business?Analyze your market to find the most pressing needs of customers and include the solution as an immediate benefit for users when they subscribe to your program.Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, realized that building the bestpremium loyaltyprogram would require listening to customers.He first addressed customers’ biggest pain point, shipping costs, and subsequently added more benefits to the loyalty program.5. Community programsCommunity programs do not offer customers rewards like discounts or special offers. Instead, they bring together like-minded customers and offer them a chance to:Engage with each other.Learn more about the company and its offerings.Ask questions and seek solutions.Share experiences.Exchange ideas on how to best utilize products.Test products before they are officially released.Case studyIn addition to a typical loyalty points program, beauty product retailer Sephora also has an online community known as the Beauty Insider Community.The Community provides a platform where any rewards program member can meet and engage, ask questions, exchange beauty tips, share pictures, and participate in challenges to earn badges.How can you use this type of loyalty program in your business?Implement a community program that brings customers with similar interests together to build their confidence in your brand.This will allow you to:Easily collect valuable feedback on your offerings.Receive recommendations on where to improve.Give customers a sense of belonging.6. Affiliate programsCustomer affiliate programs involve working with loyal customers for mutual benefit. These programs offer loyal customers an opportunity to contribute to the growth of the business and earn something by doing it.The best way to set up and monitor these types of incentive programs is with an affiliate marketing software. You will have full control over how you want to celebrate and honor both customers and their referral. In addition, you can have real-time analytics to make data-driven decisions.For example: If you have a lot of customers who opt-in your program but can’t see a proportionally increase in sales, you might need to raise your incentives. This could be more cut for the loyal customers and/or bonus free shipping, discount, coupon code for the referrals!They aren’t loyalty programs per se, but it’s a great way to use the loyalty you establish to your advantage and reward advocacy for some of your loyal customers.Case studyLIKE.TG offers an affiliate program that rewards customers for being brand advocates.Customers involved in social media can share their loyalty to LIKE.TG with their followers through a link.These customers-turned-affiliates can earn commissions as they promote theirtrusted and reliable help desk software.The programoffers:A dedicated affiliate manager that provides guidance throughout the program.Instant access with apersonalized referral link and all the tools affiliates need.A 30% commissionfor 12 months on each sale of BoldDesk.A 90-day cookie period within which affiliates are rewarded if their links turn into sales.How can you use this kind of program in your business? Loyal customers are often willing to contribute to the growth of a brand they love.Some of them are social media or YouTube influencers who can reach an established audience that might be interested in your products.Offer them a chance to play a role in your business’s growth by introducing new customers and acknowledging affiliates’ contributions with rewards like commissions, free products, or discounts.This is smart marketing, as you only pay if the affiliate succeeds.How to create a customer loyalty programCustomer loyalty doesn’t happen overnight. It requires maintaining consistency in the services and products that your customers love, and thorough planning and implementation of customer loyalty programs.Let’s discuss how to create an effective customer loyalty program for your business.Set clear goals for your loyalty programThe initial stage of developing a successful customer loyalty program involves identifying your desired outcomes. Establish goals and objectives based on the kind of results you’re after.Are you aiming to encourage recurring purchases, attract new clients, or is it about giving back to your customers and the community?Clarifying what you really want will assist in determining the appropriate type of loyalty program to implement.Know your customers betterBefore implementing a loyalty program, make sure you have a thorough understanding of your customers.Examine their buying habits, preferences, and what motivates them. The more you understand them, the more likely you’ll be able to create a program that appeals to them.Offer attractive, personalized rewardsOffer rewards that are attractive enough to maintain customer interest and promote repeat purchases and engagement.It’s also a good idea to personalize rewards or experiences to suit individual customer preferences. For example, you could provide birthday gifts branded with the names of your customers.This can make them feel special and valued.Keep the program simpleEnsure your program is user-friendly and easy to comprehend, as any complexities may cause customers to lose interest. Clearly explain how customers participate and benefit.Additionally, rewards should be easy to earn and redeem to motivate customers to keep buying.Leverage technologyUse technology to make your program easy to execute and monitor.For example, you could deploy customer loyalty program software to track user engagement or offer a mobile app where customers can track their points and redeem rewards.Communicate effectively and promote the programKeep in touch with your customers and let them know about any new or upcoming loyalty programs, rewards, or program updates.Once the program has been launched, make sure you advertise it widely to let your customers know about it.You can strategically communicate the benefits of the program through various channels to maximize customer awareness.You can promote the program via:Banners in your physical store.Pop-ups on your website.Text messages or email campaigns.Social media hashtags.Regularly evaluate and improve the programFinally, regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your loyalty program and make any necessary improvements.You can send surveys to customers to get their feedback or analyze program data to see which rewards are most popular.Benefits of customer loyalty programsThe following are the benefits of customer loyalty programs:Establishes strong customer relationshipsLoyalty programs foster a sense of belonging and appreciation among customers. They provide rewards or benefits that:Make customers feel valued.Encourage their continued patronage.Strengthen their emotional connection to the brand.Loyalty programs can also be utilized to tailor offers and communications that resonate with customer preferences, further strengthening customer relations.Boosts revenue and saves costsCustomer loyalty programs incentivize repeat business, encouraging customers to make more frequent purchases and potentially spend more during each transaction.After all, members of customer loyalty programs typically spend 12% to 18% more than other customers.This steady flow of repeat customers provides a reliable source of revenue and can also lead to word-of-mouth referrals, attracting new customers and further increasing sales.Additionally, maintaining existing customers is typically more cost-efficient than acquiring new ones.This is due to the ability of businesses to capitalize on existing relationships, eliminating the need for aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns to attract new clientele.Generates valuable insightsData collected from loyalty programs can provide businesses with valuable insight into customer behavior, enabling them to tailor their products, services, and marketing strategies to better meet customer needs and maximize profits.Improves customer retention and reduces churnCustomer loyalty programs encourage customers to continue purchasing from your brand, creating a sense of loyalty, and reducing the likelihood of them switching to a competitor.Effective loyalty programs often lead to reduced customer churn rates.Improves brand advocacyLoyalty programs aid in shaping a favorable customer perception of your brand. Since these programs make customers feel appreciated and valued, they are more likely to become brand ambassadors.The sustained interaction that these loyalty plans encourage also strengthens brand awareness and trust.Offers a competitive advantageA loyalty program gives customers the impression that they could save money by choosing your brand over others.Businesses can take advantage of this impression by offering attractive rewards compared to their competitors to appeal to customers who want to save money.Reward your customers with high-impact customer loyalty programsAs we’ve seen, customer loyalty programs offer a compelling way for businesses to not only prove that they value their customers but also increase revenue and cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship.Remember, at the core of every successful loyalty program is a keen understanding of the customer’s needs and preferences. Adopt the best practices we’ve discussed to create an effective loyalty program that truly appeals to your customers.LIKE.TG helps businesses run effective loyalty programs by providing tools for efficient workflows.Don’t just take our word for it.Contact usto schedule alive demoto experience firsthand how LIKE.TG’s capabilities can help you get started with your program. Or, start afree trialto get instant access today.Recommended reads9 Effective Metrics to Measure Customer LoyaltySaaS Affiliate Programs: Benefits and Best Practices for Affiliates11 Effective Customer Engagement Strategies for Long-Term Business Success
90+ Best Black Friday SaaS Deals in 2024
Looking for the best SaaS deals and offers to revolutionize and elevate your business for an affordable price? Look no further, we’ve got you covered!In 2024, the Black Friday falls on November 29. Get ready to unlock extraordinary savings and opportunities by snagging fantastic SaaS software at unbeatable prices during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.Honestly, the deals couldn’t get any better than this!We’ve carefully compiled a selection of the best Black Friday SaaS deals across various industries and markets to ensure that you can find the best solutions for your business.The clock is ticking, so what are you waiting for? Fill your cart with these incredible Black Friday SaaS offers before they’re gone. Happy shopping!PS:Fill out this form with your information to have your product added to this list. You will receive an email as soon as it is added. 1. LIKE.TGLIKE.TG is cloud-based customer service software of a wide range of customer support activities. It provides a multi-brand help center and enterprise-grade features. LIKE.TG helps organize support requests and automates routine tasks to enhance the customer experience.Here are the highlighted features you must know:Ticketing SystemEmail to Tickets / Shared InboxAI AssistanceKnowledge Base SoftwareWorkflow Automation SLA ManagementTask ManagementReports and AnalyticsCanned ResponsesSatisfaction SurveyMobile AppBlack Friday Deal: Deal: 30% off on all plansCoupon Code: BLACKFRIDAY30Validity: November 1 – December 6, 2024Get the Deal Now2. EngageBayEngageBay is a comprehensive platform for small to medium-sized businesses, offering marketing, sales, and customer support tools. It simplifies customer interaction management by combining email marketing, CRM, marketing automation, and helpdesk functionalities in one unified platform, enhancing business productivity and customer engagement.Black Friday SaaS Deals:Deal: Lifetime 40% off on all first-time purchases across all plansValidity: November 14 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now3. BoldSignBoldSign is an enterprise-grade electronic signature software and API. You can easily collect legally binding eSignatures online from our app or yours. The BoldSign APIs are blazing fast and let you embed the entire eSignature process into your application seamlessly. It has a rich feature set that includes templates, branding, webhooks, team management, multi-tenancy, and more.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 30% off on all the plansCoupon Code: BLACKFRIDAY2023Validity: November 1 – December 5, 2023Get the Deal Now4. Document360Document360 is an AI-powered knowledge base platform enabling the creation of a robust self-service knowledge base catering to both external customers and internal users. The new AI Concierge, Eddy serves as a sophisticated AI-driven search expert equipped with natural language processing (NLP) capabilities enabling users to find information quickly and accurately.Black Friday deal:Deal: 50% off annual plansValidity: November 6–December 8, 2023Coupon Code: BLACKFRIDAY2023Get the Deal Now5. RecootyRecooty is an Applicant Tracking System. It streamlines hiring, from posting jobs to managing applicants.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% on all plansCoupon code: BLACKFRIDAYValidity: October 12 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now6. SalesBlinkSalesBlink is an AI powered cold email outreach solution using which you can search for prospects, put your cold email sequences on autopilot, view stats and reports for opens, clicks, replies and more effortlessly. BlinkGPT is SalesBlink’s in-house Generative AI that lets you write emails, create sales sequences and much more with just a few clicks. Integrates natively with Hubspot, Pipedrive, ZohoCRM Slack Black Friday deal:Deal: 50% off on Scale and Business Plans for next 1 year for both Yearly and Monthly plans.Coupon Code: BlackFriday2023Validity: November 1 – December 31, 2023Get the Deal Now7. MageCompMageComp is a well-known company that offers various Magento extensions and solutions for E-commerce businesses. From marketing and promotions to user experience and store management, their extensions aim to address different pain points that online businesses may encounter. Apart from Magento Extensions, MageComp also offers Shopify Apps, Mobile Apps and SEO Services.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Avail Flat 20% OFF on all the Magento 2 Extensions by MageCompCoupon code: BFCM2023Validity: November 20 – December 5, 2023Get the Deal Now8. PixpaPixpa is an all-in-one no-code platform for creators and small businesses to create beautiful, professional websites complete with built-in online store, blog, and client galleries. Pixpa’s versatile platform has everything you need to showcase your work, share ideas and sell your stuff online, without any coding knowledge.Black Friday deal:Deal: 50% off annual plansValidity: November 24–December 31, 2023Coupon Code: BLFPIXPA50Get the Deal Now9. MailmodoMailmodo is a complete email marketing software that helps marketers create app-like experiences in email without coding. Mailmodo helps businesses build and scale their email automation engine with an intuitive visual builder that has drag and drop workflows to automate time-based drip series. They make checking responsiveness for different devices easy and have an in-built open rate suggestions feature to fix errors in an email before sending it. Best of all, with Mailmodo’s AMP technology, you can add calendars, forms, surveys, live ratings, reviews, polls, and widgets to gamify emails like spin the wheel, quizzes etc. inside the email to reduce redirections and boost engagement.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 20% off on annual subscription plansValidity: November 25 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now10. GetGenie AIGetGenie AI — the most advanced WordPress AI tool for SEO-optimised content copywriting. It has 30+ ready-made templates and amazing use cases like SEO Keyword Analysis, SERP Competitor Analysis, On Page Optimization, Meta Description, Content Scoring, Blog Outline Creator, Blog Title Writer, Blog Article Assistant, Product Descriptions, Sales Copywriter, and many more.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Enjoy up to 40% discountValidity: November 22 – December 5, 2023Get the Deal Now11. FindThatLeadFindThatLead is an all-in-one lead generation tool that allows you to contact people, local businesses and companies in a given industry. The platform provides you with contact information from public sources with its search and prospecting tools and helps you run email campaigns to contact leads – all in one tool.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% in all of our plans, foreverCoupon code: BF2023Validity: November 20–December 2, 2023Get the Deal Now12. CloudwaysCloudways hosting: Managed cloud hosting for effortless website performance and scalability.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Enjoy a 40% discount for 4 Months on all hosting plans + 40 free migrationsCoupon code: BFCM4040Validity: November 13 – December 1, 2023Get the Deal Now13. SmartReach.ioSmartReach.io is a sales engagement platform that helps you reach prospects across multiple channels, including email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, SMS, and calls. It also has a shared inbox for team collaboration, AI content recommendations, and integrations with popular CRM and marketing automation platforms. This makes it easy to send personalized outreach messages, track progress, and streamline your workflow so you can focus on selling. Whether you want to grow your brand, find new customers, or keep existing ones happy, SmartReach.io has the right tools for successful marketing.Black Friday 2023 Deal:Deal: 40% off for annual plans.Validity: Until December 3, 2023Coupon Code: SMARTREACH20BF2023Get the Deal Now14. XobinXobin is a pioneering platform at the forefront of revolutionizing the hiring process. With our cutting-edge suite of AI-powered tools, we streamline recruitment, ensuring precise candidate assessments tailored to your organization’s unique needs. From technical evaluations to comprehensive skills testing, Xobin empowers businesses to make informed, quality-driven hiring decisions. Elevate your recruitment strategy with Xobin and discover a new standard of efficiency and precision in talent acquisition.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 60% off from regular pricingValidity: November 1 – November 26, 2023Get the Deal Now15. ConsoltoConsolto redefines the conferencing experience for customer meetings, merging the power of live chat, appointment scheduling, and video chat into one unified platform. Tailored exclusively for enriched customer interactions, imagine the best of Zoom, Calendly, and Intercom seamlessly. integrated into one transformative tool.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off yearly subscriptions for the 1st yearValidity: November 15 – November 28, 2023Get the Deal Now16. InternxtInternxt is a cloud storage and file-sharing platform that puts you in control of your data. With Internxt, you can securely store, access, and share your files while enjoying peace of mind with enhanced privacy and security. The platform offers end-to-end encryption and zero knowledge, ensuring that only you have access to your data. With user-friendly applications for desktop and mobile, Internxt makes it easy to manage your files across all your devices. Plus, its intuitive sharing features enable you to collaborate with others seamlessly. It comes in seven different languages, making it available for many regions.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 91% off on all annual subscription plansValidity: November 13 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now17. UserguidingUserGuiding is a product adoption platform that assists websites and web products to improve user onboarding and digital adoption. It enhances user training and conversions with interactive UX elements such as product tours, tooltips, hotspots, checklists, and resource centers.All doing without a single line of code!Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off on all plans.Get the Deal Now18. VYPER VYPER lets you to create giveaways, contests, referral, and loyalty programs that will encourage people to engage with your brand. You can create stunning campaigns and landing pages that use gamification to generate leads and customers.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get 50% offValidity: November 1 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now19. ScrollsequenceScrollsequence allows you to create stunning image sequence animations that are controlled with either the mousewheel or with touch. It makes it easy to deliver a powerful message.Black Friday deal:Deal: 60% Off All Plans.Coupon Code: BFCM2023Validity: November 15 – December 1, 2023Get the Deal Now20. AffiliateBoosterIncrease your affiliate conversions “Faster and Easier” without using expensive and heavy page-builders. Get 30 Pre-Made Gutenberg Blocks to create stunning designs with ease.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Discounted prices of $49/lifetime for 3 websites, $98/lifetime for 25 websites and $147/lifetime for 50 websitesValidity: October 10 – November 30Get the Deal Now21. WarmyWarmy is an advanced email warm-up tool designed to enhance your email deliverability. It ensures that your emails avoid the spam folder by raising your email reputation. With the help of “Adeline”, Warmy’s artificial intelligence (AI) engine, users can fully automate their mailbox warm-up process. The tool analyzes hundreds of parameters daily, interacts with real people on your behalf, and guarantees that every email you send lands in the recipient’s inbox. Warmy also offers features like Email Deliverability Checker, Email Health Checker, and Email Template Checker to further optimize your email campaigns. Loved by numerous businesses, marketers, and entrepreneurs, Warmy has successfully increased and fixed the deliverability of over 15,000 mailboxes.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% OFF on annual subscription.Validity: November 24 – November 30, 2023.Get the Deal Now22. Social ChampA powerful social media management tool for individuals and businesses of all sizes.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 40% OFF on monthly subscriptions and 50% OFF on annual subscriptions.Coupon code: BFCM2023Validity: November 18 – December 5, 2023Get the Deal Now23. SenderSender can help you do that! Its automated emails (like abandoned carts and reminders) help you engage customers and drive sales effortlessly. Pair that with high-converting popups, and you can attract quality leads, nurture them into loyal customers, and grow your business. The platform also provides detailed analytics to monitor and improve your campaigns.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 20% off all plansCoupon code: PARTNER20Validity: November 8 – November 27, 2023Get the Deal Now24. FolderlyFolderly is an all-in-one email solution platform to supercharge your email performance. Locate, solve, prevent email deliverability pitfalls, and reach the Inbox with any email service provider.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off for the first three months of Folderly subscription.Coupon Code: BlackFriday2023Validity: November 15 – November 27, 2023Get the Deal Now25. ThemeSelectionAt ThemeSelection, we provide fully codded, developer friendly hughly customizable admin templates along with UI Kits for web designers.Create any kind of web app such as SaaS apps, Fitness Apps, Educational Apps, E-commerce apps, etc. using these fully coded professionally designed Admin Templates UI Kits.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Enjoy a huge 30% OFF storewide.Coupon Code: CW30OFFValidity: November 1 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now26. GumletGumlet Video is a complete video hosting platform designed for the post-TikTok, mobile-first, video-first internet we live in today. Securely host, optimize, and stream videos with in-depth analytics built in. Manage videos with intuitive CMS, customize the video player with your branding, and protect your video assets from piracy and theft. Control every aspect of the end-user video experience and run your streaming pipeline on autopilot with Gumlet.Black Friday Deal:Deal: This is a Vimeo Alternative Lifetime Deal running on AppSumo, available in 5 different tiers of licensing depending upon the bandwidth and usage, starting from $59. Get a chance to win the highest tier for free by pre-registeringValidity: November 19 – November 29, 2023Get the Deal Now27. PlerdyPlerdy is an all-in-one website analysis tool designed for Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) SEO. It allows businesses to track, analyze, and convert visitors into buyers with AI assistance. Features include UX analytics, e-commerce insights, AI-powered reports, and heatmap capabilities.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get 50% OFF on annual plansCoupon Code: plerdyBF2023Validity: November 24 – December 1, 2023Get the Deal Now28. BookneticBooknetic is your gateway to effortless online booking management. It offers a world of possibilities for your business. In essence, Booknetic not only simplifies the online booking process, allowing users to make reservations without the need for direct contact, but it also empowers you to craft a personalized booking experience.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% OFF for the lifetime and %30 OFF for all add-onsValidity: November 20 – December 2, 2023Get the Deal Now29. PlanlyPlanly is an all-in-one social media management tool, thanks to which you can easily manage your social media profiles across 7 key platforms: Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Mastodon and enjoy its innovative features.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% OFF for the first month subscription and 30% OFF for annual subscriptionValidity: November 20 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now30. Coupler.ioCoupler.io is an all-in-one analytics and automation platform to turn complex data into simple reports. This no-code solution provides full functionality to collect, organize, and visualize any business data – from marketing to accounting. Coupler.io offers 70+ data sources, dashboards and reports templates, data transformation options, and much more.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 30% OFF all pricing plans for new usersCoupon Code: BFCM23Validity: November 1 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now31. MockplusMockplus RP is a super-fast online prototyping tool that enables designers, developers and teams to create designs of all levels in just minutes, from simple sketches and user flows to click-through wireframes and highly interactive prototypes, and anything in between. This tool offers everything you need to bring design ideas to life right in the web browser, co-design with your team anytime and anywhere, test them on real devices, and share them via a single link to collect valuable feedback, all without any coding.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Up to 60% OFF discount on all its pricing plansValidity: November 1 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now32. CrawlBaseCrawlBase is a data crawling and scraping platform that allows you to collectively scrape large amounts of data. In just a few minutes, you can scrape millions of webpages at the same time. You can get around any limitations, such as blocks and captchas, and scale as needed with its smart proxy solution.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 5% off on all features and productsValidity: November 24 – December 31Get the Deal Now33. ApployeApploye is a time tracking, and employee monitoring software. It will help you to manage your In-house, and remote teams. Along with time tracking, Apploye includes features such as timesheet, screenshots, app, URL tracking, activity levels, payroll, invoicing, and projects budgets. It is suitable for small to large businesses, especially for remote teams.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 25% lifetime discount on all plans.Coupon Code: apploye-15Validity: November 20 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now34. WoorsieWoorise is a lead generation and marketing platform. It permits you to create various campaigns such as landing pages, surveys, forms, quizzes, viral giveaways and contests, accept payments, and much more. Also, it allows you to achieve your goals from a single platform.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off on all plans.Coupon code: BLACKFRIDAYValidity: November 21 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now35. DronaHQDronaHQ, a low-code developer toolset, accelerates custom app development by 10X. Using a drag-and-drop builder to design apps with over 100 pre-built UI components and 70+ ready DB and API connectors, DronaHQ helps: cut development costs, save time, and ensure standardization, security, and ease of maintenance. Teams effortlessly create Database GUIs, admin panels, customer dashboards, and more.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 30% OFF on Annual plans + 5 co-building session FREEValidity: November 10 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now36. Brand24Brand24 is one of the most advanced social media monitoring tools with AI-powered reports and insights. This is a robust and cost-effective media monitoring tool that aids in managing your online reputation, tracking and evaluating marketing campaigns, monitoring your competitors, gathering customer input, engaging in social selling, and more. Brand24 provides real-time data, and most importantly, it analyses social media conversations and provides you with advanced analytics.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off of any plan for 3 months.Validity: November 20 – November 27, 2023Get the Deal Now37. WebliumWeblium is a clever website builder that makes design enjoyable. 300 templates, site blocks for all occasions, an automatic mobile version, and site-wide styles will save you time right away. Business owners and marketers will have access to everything they require, including variable products and advanced forms, as well as ready-made integrations and flexible SEO.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 30% on annual Pro subscriptionCoupon code: the discount is applied automatically during payment.Validity: November 21 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now38. AppilixAppilix is an innovative software service that effortlessly converts websites into mobile apps. With its user-friendly interface and powerful functionality, it simplifies the process of transforming a website to an app.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 30% on all plansValidity: November 1 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now39. NewoldstampNewoldstamp is an email signature generator that allows you to easily create, manage, and distribute email signatures across the whole company. It aids you to increase traffic to website, upsell products, and announce events by including clickable links, banners with CTAs, and interactive buttons in your email signature.Use Newoldstamp to create an online email signature on email clients (like Gmail, Outlook, iOS, Apple Mail and Thunderbird, to name a few) and all devices.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 25% off on any plan (recurring discount for all next payments)Validity: November 26 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now40. Linkz.aiLinkz.ai script allows you to keep visitors on your website blog with live link previews. Linkz.ai automatically extracts shows linked content, e.g. videos, presentations, articles, blog posts 1000+ web embeds within your website.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off on all plans for 6 monthsCoupon code: BLACKCYBER2023Validity: November 24 – November 29, 2023Get the Deal Now41. IdeaBuddyIdeaBuddy is an all-in-one business planning software that helps you turn your great idea into a successful business.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off on our annual and lifetime plans.Coupon code: FRIDAY2023Validity: November 20 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now42. SendPostSendPost is a service that delivers emails. It offers developers, businesses, and ESPs a solution to deliver, measure, and optimize emails. API SDKs are in 14+ programming languages. You can use their API to send and validate emails, track stats, and manage domains or IP addresses. You can obtain detailed delivery stats and correct them before it drops.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get credits to send a million emails for free.Validity: November 25 – November 28, 2023Get the Deal Now43. ActiveCollabActiveCollab is a collaborative tool that allows you to complete your projects within the deadline and budget. Track time with the built-in Stopwatch and ditch all other apps, thanks to the in-app Chat. All-in-one software for project management, time and budget tracking, and workload overview.Black Friday deal:Deal: 25% off their first purchase, and existing users will get a 25% discount on all plan upgrades.Validity: November 24 – November 27, 2023Get the Deal Now44. Snov.ioSnov.io is your go-to solution for email outreach and sales automation. This all-in-one platform offers email finding, verification, drip campaigns, deliverability features, a free sales CRM, as well as 5,000+ apps. Integrations – all budget-friendly and user-centered. Snov.io’s brilliant support team helps to use the platform to your best advantage.Black Friday deals:Deals: 50% off on annual planCoupon code: BLACKFRIDAY23Validity: November 20 – December 1, 2023Get the Deal Now45. ClearoutClearout is the most accurate and preferred suite of cutting-edge tools for elevating sales and marketing efforts. It simplifies the task of prospecting and engaging potential leads via email and phone numbers. By combining real-time and bulk email validation and Email Finder, Clearout extends your outreach, minimizes bounce rates, and enhances deliverability with guarantee. With Clearout, you can effortlessly connect with every lead, unlocking maximum sales potential.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get up to 50% Off this Black Friday on one-time purchases, that’s a savings of $500+.Validity: November 20 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now46. RetableRetable is a cloud-based all-in-one data management platform that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the complexity of a database, allowing users to create, customize, and collaborate on databases for a wide range of applications. With features like grid, calendar, card, map, form, list and Kanban views, as well as integration options, Retable offers a versatile and user-friendly solution for managing projects, tasks, data, and content, making it a popular choice for both individuals and businesses looking for a flexible and collaborative database management tool.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off for all plans.Coupon code: RTBLBF50Validity: October 15 – December 31, 2023Get the Deal Now47. NarratoNarrato Workspace is a platform of content workflow management that brings your entire content process and team together. It offers all the content planning, creation, and optimization tools of your team needs. With an AI-powered content assistant and strong teamwork features, it helps you create high-quality, search-optimized content taking inputs from all stakeholders.Black Friday SaaS Deals:Deal: 30% lifetime discount on Workspace and 20% off on MarketplaceValidity: Until December 5Coupon code: Workspace – BFCM22 and Marketplace – BFCMOCT22Get the Deal Now48. Beagle SecurityBeagle Security is an automated AI penetration testing platform (DAST) that helps you identify vulnerabilities in your web applications, APIs GraphQL endpoints and remediate them with actionable insights before hackers harm you in any manner. Beagle Security allows you to transform your application security process by building automated workflows with your CI/CD tools, bug tracking tools and communication apps. Black Friday Deal:Deal: 30% off all annual plans for the 1st yearCoupon code: BFCM2023Validity: Until November 24 – November 27, 2023Get the Deal Now49. ClientlyCliently is a sales intelligence and engagement platform that works with every lead throughout the entire sales journey. It predicts Lead Score, Churn Score, and CLV in real time.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 80% discount on annual pricingValidity: Until November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now50. MojoAuthMojoAuth is a passwordless authentication platform that allows businesses to simplify difficult procedures and authenticate users without using passwords. It uses a magic link, an email OTP, and an SMS OTP to confirm. MojoAuth ensures account security and provides a seamless user experience. It eliminates the costs associated with processing and managing passwords because it does not require any password.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% discount on all yearly plansValidity: November 1 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now51. CallPageCallPage is a lead capture tool that enables site visitors to request an instant callback or schedule a meeting in just a few seconds. CallPage widget helps increase the number of leads generated from the website by an average of 35%–120%. The CallPage widget helps you gain 30-125% more leads. Moreover, CallPage is mobile-friendly, responsive, and looks great on all screens.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Up to 40% discountValidity: November 21 – November 27, 2023Get the Deal Now52. Reply.ioReply is the ultimate AI-powered sales engagement platform that helps sales teams find new leads, engage them via multiple channels, and create endless opportunities at scale. From building targeted prospect lists with its 140 million+ contact database to crafting personalized emails and multichannel sequences with AI, Reply automates the entire sales process, from finding clients to closing deals.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get 75% off all annual Reply plans (first 4 months) + 25% off any add-onsCoupon code: HOLIDAY2023Validity: Until November 20 – December 31, 2023Get the Deal Now53. ThemeXpertUnleash your web design creativity with Quix Pro, now available at an exclusive Black Friday discount of up to 50% off using the code BFSM23. Quix Pro empowers you to build stunning websites with ease, offering a range of advanced features and templates to make your web development journey seamless.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Up to 50% discountCoupon code: BFSM23Get the Deal Now54. StorydocStorydoc is an interactive AI pitch deck creator.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 30% off all plansValidity: November 23 – December 28, 2023Get the Deal Now55. KlentyKlenty is a sales engagement platform that supports sales teams to book more meetings easily. It helps sales reps to execute hyper-personalized, multi-channel outreach by managing emails, calls, LinkedIn, and text messages. It’s native integrations with popular CRMs allow reps to sync all engaged details to the CRM, and handle bounces, replies after office time, unsubscribes by itself without juggle.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 25% off on all annual plansValidity: November 1 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now56. ContactPigeonContactPigeon is an omnichannel customer engagement platform that enables retailers to create personalised and automated marketing campaigns across different channels, to increase customer retention.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 20% OFF on our annual subscriptions, for one yearCoupon code:BF2023PIGEONValidity: November 9 – November 27, 2023Get the Deal Now57. ControlHippoWith ControlHippo, businesses can effortlessly handle customer communications across multiple channels. From WhatsApp to Telegram, Instagram to Facebook Messenger, this omnichannel shared inbox brings all your conversations together in one easy-to-use dashboard. Say goodbye to scattered conversations and hello to streamlined customer communication management. Our platform is designed to foster seamless collaboration between team members, ensuring that your customer support and engagement efforts are consistent and efficient across multiple channels. This guarantees a unified experience for your customers, which ultimately leads to better satisfaction and positive interactions.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 20% Off on All PlansCoupon Code: BF20Validity: November 1 – November 24, 2023Get the Deal Now58. ContentStudioContentStudio is a social media management platform that helps businesses save time and manage their social media presence more effectively. It offers a comprehensive suite of features that can help you save time, create better content, and better understand your audienceBlack Friday Deal:Deal: 67% Off Agency Max Plan | 30% Off All Regular Plans.Validity: 9 Nov – 25 Nov, 2023Get the Deal Now59. SendinBlueSendinblue is a complete all-in-one marketing software for businesses. Reach more customers and take your marketing to the next level with email, SMS, chat, CRM, marketing automation, and landing pages. Unlike most ESPs, Sendinblue lets you store an unlimited number of contacts so you can grow your email list without having to worry about increasing costs.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off annual marketing plans for new usersValidity: November 21 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now60. CheapSSLShopCheapSSLShop – the cheapest SSL certificate provider – guarantees you the lowest price. Get discounts of up to 80% on various SSL certificates such as DV SSL, OV SSL, EV SSL, Multi-Domain SSL, Wildcard SSL, and also on Code Signing Certificates. Tech specialists are available 24/7 for pre-sales, billing, installation, or any SSL assistance. Select from the cheapest SSL certificates issued by renowned Certificate Authorities (CAs) to meet your security requirements without spending a fortune.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 3 monthswithout the YouTeamservice fee. Register on the website for a quick call.Coupon code: TENOFFValidity: November 10 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now61. AirbrushAirbrush is a simple tool that can convert your ideas into images in seconds. Simply enter your thoughts and hit Generate! In addition to converting text to art, Airbrush can also convert images to text, describing the image content in detail. You can upscale images, make cover images for presentations and blog articles, and do more!Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get lifetime access to Airbrush for a one-time price of $29Validity: November 18 – December 31Get the Deal Now62. Influencer HeroALL-IN-ONE Influencer Marketing Platform helping brands to achieve 10X+ ROI. Leveraging big data, automation AI to increase conversions, lower CAC, and collect high-quality UGC for brands worldwide.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 55% discount on the pro plan (from $549 to $249).Validity: November 15 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now63. Vadoo.tvVadoo.tv allows creators and brands to host video hosting and make marketing easy.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 30% discount on PRO yearly planCoupon code: BLACKFRIDAY30Get the Deal Now64. ntasknTask is a project management tool that integrates everything you need to streamline your project management in one platform. It helps you create and assign tasks easily and track the progress of tasks. nTask aids to collaborate and communicate in teams. Also, it offers meeting and issue managements, skill to create timesheets and more.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get 40% offer on all the annual plansValidity: November 25 – November 28, 2023Get the Deal Now65. Troop MessengerTroop Messenger is a capable tool for office chat and teamwork that has quickly become one of the most well-known apps because of its top-notch offerings. It has been able to successfully satisfy its consumers with each random version by introducing special features that can adhere to market trends and future requirements. Troop Messenger is a simple-to-use product that is quite affordable.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 60% Off on the Enterprise plan for the First YearValidity: November 24 – December 25, 2023Get the Deal Now66. ProofHubProofHub is a robust project management and teamwork tool. It assists you to organize and prioritize your chaotic work schedule to plan, execute, collaborate, and deliver projects on time. This scalable tool includes several work management and collaboration features. Hence it gives users complete control over various aspects of their work, such as task assignment, instant chat, management work, time and file, real-time updates, and more.Black Friday Deal:Deal: $89 per month (for 6 months only in annual plan) and $99 per month for monthly plan.Validity: November 30Get the Deal Now67. BreadnbeyondBreadnbeyond is an award-winning explainer video production company that specializes in animated explainer videos. Also, we create engaging animated videos from scratch to help you introduce brand, product, or service to the world, without template.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Limited offer up to 40% off!Get the Deal Now68. NeuroflashWith neuroflash you can generate texts of all kinds in seconds.The artificial intelligence behind it supports your writing process and promises unique content.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Up to 45% discountCoupon code: unlimited89Validity: November 17 – November 30Get the Deal Now69. ChantyChanty is an all-in-one teamwork platform for small and large business teams. It provides an unlimited searchable messaging history and Kanban board task management. In addition, it provides audio and video calling with screen sharing and voice messaging.Black Friday Deal:Deals: 50% off the annual plan and 30% off the monthly plan, plus one month free.Validity: November 6 – December 3, 2023Get the Deal Now70. GroupbossGroupboss is a Facebook group automation tool that helps Facebook group admins collect unlimited leads. Using this tool any group owner can collect the answers to the Facebook group membership questions asked to the new members with a single click. It has direct integrations with popular email marketing autoresponders like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, Lemlist and many more.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 25% discount on all the plansCoupon code: MONDAY25Validity: November 25 – December 31, 2023Get the Deal Now71. ReceiptmakerlyReceiptmakerly is an online receipt maker with 50+ templates that can be customized based on needs. This tool has a cost-effective pricing plan for users. Using Receiptmakerly, a user can generate receipts like Amazon, Uber, Lyft, Ola, Walmart, Walgreens, and many more.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 25% discount on all the plansCoupon code: MONDAY25%Validity: November 25 – December 31Get the Deal Now72. OneStream LiveOneStream Live is a cloud-based live streaming solution allowing users to create, schedule, and multistream real-time recorded live streams on 45+ social media platforms.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 20% off on all monthly plans for the first 3 months;15% off on all annual plans.Coupon code: BFCM20 – monthly plan; BFCM15 – annual planValidity: November 10 – December 5, 2023Get the Deal Now73. LandingiWe are the no-code landing page platform for data-driven marketers. We let you design, publish, and optimize digital marketing assets (like landing pages, pop-ups, or one-pagers) with micro-conversion tracking for better conversion rates. Gain control over multiple projects with Smart Sections that let you apply changes to many pages simultaneously. Our AI-powered features let you quickly create high-converting landing pages and turn more traffic into revenue.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get up to a $597 bonus for our Annual Plans!Validity: November 7 – December 2Get the Deal Now74. DryrunDryrun simplifies financial forecasting for businesses. It’s an intuitive tool that helps you manage cash flow, revenue, and profit projections with ease. With its mix of automation and flexibility, you’ll get accurate forecasts quickly, ditching the old spreadsheet hassle. Ideal for businesses aiming to improve financial planning and growth.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 30% off your first yearCoupon code: BLACKFRIDAY30Validity: November 15 – December 15, 2023Get the Deal Now75. DevrimsDevrims is the perfect managed cloud hosting for PHP web apps. It does not matter if you have a busy blog on WordPress or a money-making ecommerce on WooCommerce or Magento, Devrims is here to manage all your cloud hosting needs.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get 60% OFF for 5 monthsCoupon code: DEVRIMS60Validity: November 15 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now76. GroupbossGroupboss is a Facebook group automation tool that helps Facebook group owners collect unlimited leads. Using this tool any group owner can collect the answers to the Facebook group membership questions asked to the new members with a single click. It has direct integrations with popular email marketing autoresponders.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 25% discount on all the plansCoupon code: MONDAY25Validity: November 25 – December 31, 2023Get the Deal Now77. RetainfulRetainful is an all-encompassing email marketing automation platform, empowering Woocommerce and Shopify stores to boost sales through features like abandoned cart recovery, automated emails with dynamic coupons, and a flexible drag-and-drop editor.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Flat 30% offCoupon code: BFCM30Validity: November 8 – December 5, 2023Get the Deal Now78. StatusGatorStatusGator is an innovative platform designed to streamline the monitoring of cloud services and websites. It offers a centralized status page that aggregates the status of all your cloud vendors, hosted applications, services, and websites, providing a comprehensive view of your digital ecosystem. This unified status page is essential for teams, reducing the volume of support tickets and enhancing overall efficiency Overall, StatusGator is a powerful tool for organizations looking to maintain optimal operational uptime, ensuring that all team members are always informed about the status of their essential digital services.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 20% discount on monthly and annual Starter plans.Coupon code: BLACKFRIDAY2023Validity: November 11 – December 12, 2023Get the Deal Now79. Lemlistlemlist is the only cold outreach tool that helps you reach inboxes and get replies. Build your lead list with verified emails, write and personalize at scale, and automate cold emails and LinkedIn messages that actually get customers.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 33% OFF for the Standard plan, 40% OFF for the Pro planCoupon code: BLACKFRIDAY2023LEMLISTValidity: November 24 – December 1, 2023Get the Deal Now80. SurferSEOSurfer builds SEO tools that help marketers and business owners plan, create, and optimize long form search engine content to drive organic traffic to their websites. Unlike other SEO tools that rely on users having up-to-date SEO knowledge, our tools are the experts. So whether you’re a novice or an SEO guru, Surfer leverages AI to help you conduct SEO tasks with the click of a few buttons.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 10% off for 6 months, 30% off for the annual plansValidity: November 24 – December 8, 2023Get the Deal Now81. WritecreamWritecream is an AI-powered text, voice, and image generation mobile app and website. Generate anything from essays, stories, novels, product descriptions, articles, scripts, ad copy, social media posts, and more. Additionally, Writecream features AI-based neural voices that sound like humans. These can be used to generate podcasts and narrations for YouTube videos. Recently, Writecream added a one-click image generation function using DALLE-2. Use these images for social media, NFTs, blogs, etc. Writecream is offering 20% off unlimited plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get 20% off on monthly and annual unlimited plansCoupon code: WRITE20Validity: November 18 – December 31, 2023Get the Deal Now82. Envato ElementsEnvato Elements offers you over 16 million creative digital assets, including royalty-free music and sound effects, stock video, video templates, graphics, presentation templates, fonts, and more. The best part is that you can download as much as you want for one low monthly fee.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off all plans for the first 12 months (excludes Enterprise solutions)Validity: November 23 – November 28, 2023Get the Deal Now83. ThemeforestEnvato Market is the world’s leading marketplace for digital creators and web developers. From best-selling WordPress themes, WooCommerce stores and web templates on ThemeForest, to plugins, scripts and code on CodeCanyon, there’s something for every type of website project. Buy as and when you need it.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Up to 60% Off WordPress themes, web templates, code and moreValidity: November 20 – December 2, 2023Get the Deal Now84. Turbologo Turbologo is an AI online logo generator that will create your logo in a couple of minutes. Our logo maker allows you to create all types of logos, business cards, covers for social networks, letterheads, favicons and more. Create your unique custom logo with Turbologo for free today!Black Friday Deal:Deal: Get a 20% discount on Standard and Business packagesCoupon code: BF2023Validity: November 24 – November 26, 2023Get the Deal Now85. LamdaTest LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and test execution platform that allows companies to speed up their product releases while maintaining high quality, supporting their digital growth.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Flat 30% Off on LambdaTest Selected Annual Plans!Coupon code: BFCM30Validity: November 1 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now86. MailBlusterMailBluster is a complete email marketing software with a powerful drag drop editor, email automation, and many more features. With our feature-packed tool, streamline your marketing efforts and boost your outreach marketing strategy.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Up to 30% OFF on your first sign-upCoupon code: MBBFCM30Validity: November 20 – December 5, 2023Get the Deal Now87. WPDeveloperEasiest remote hiring SaaS solutions, available in WordPress plugin. It comes with a structured candidate pipeline, insightful analytics, AI feature in candidate selection, and more advanced options to streamline the recruitment process.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Up to 80% OFFValidity: November 18 – December 2, 2023Get the Deal Now88. HR PartnerHR Partner is an HR software system for small and midsized companies. It helps manage employee records, vacation requests, performance reviews, onboarding, applicant tracking, and an employee portal.Black Friday deal:Deal: 50% off for life on any planGet the Deal Now89. SurvicateSurvicate is a robust yet simple-to-use survey tool, ideal for gathering continuous feedback across various channels like email, web, in-product, and mobile apps. With the latest addition of an AI survey creator, this flexible and fully customizable survey software is a must-have for any business looking to collect customer feedback effortlessly.Black Friday Deal:Deal: buy a yearly plan and get 1 MONTH FREE!Coupon code: Feedback is the new blackValidity: November 24 – November 30, 2023Get the Deal Now90. LimecallLimeCall is your all-in-one platform to qualify and route leads instantly, increase sales productivity and provide seamless integration for your team.Black Friday Deal:Deal: 50% off all plansCoupon code: BLACKFRIDAYValidity: November 20 – November 29, 2023Get the Deal Now91. LuzmoLuzmo is an embedded analytics platform, purpose-built for SaaS companies. It brings complex data to life with beautiful, easy-to-use dashboards, embedded seamlessly in any SaaS or web platform. With Luzmo, product teams can add impactful insights to their SaaS product in days, not months. And take their product users from data to decisions, extremely fast.Black Friday Deal:Deal: Save 10% on your first three monthsValidity: November 24 – November 29, 2023Get the Deal NowConclusionBlack Friday offers SaaS users opportunities to access premium software services at a fraction of the usual cost. From enhancing workflows with powerful productivity platforms to providing efficient customer service with advanced tools, the discounts available are too good to overlook.As you navigate the SaaS deals we’ve shared, remember to focus on the relevance and quality of the services to ensure they align with your company’s needs.Do your research, compare features, and don’t be afraid to try free trials before committing. Taking advantage of these Black Friday discounts, you can equip your business with the tools it needs to thrive, all while saving money.So get ready, make a list, and prepare to supercharge your business this Black Friday!
15 Customer Appreciation Ideas and Phrases to Say Thank You
Have you ever been appreciated? If yes, what was the feeling? I guess you had the best experience with the appreciation.Customer appreciation gives customers the same feeling.Just to note, customers are not just numbers or sales figures to companies; they are the heartbeat of every business, the reason every business strives for innovation, and the driving force behind every business’s commitment to excellence.Since customers are of such importance, customer appreciation is crucial. This is because customer appreciation is not merely a strategy but a mindset that permeates every aspect of a business.By showing customers that they are valued and appreciated, businesses can build strong, lasting relationships that benefit both the customer and the business itself.Do you know how to appreciate your customers? If not, your quest ends here.In this article, we’ll explain everything on customer appreciation, its importance, and some appreciation ideas and phrases. What is customer appreciation?Customer appreciation refers to the strategies, methods, and actions a company takes to show gratitude towards its customers.This can be done through various activities such as offering special promotions, gifts, discounts, personalized messages, or exclusive events in customer service.The aim of customer appreciation is to express gratitude to customers, strengthen the relationship with them, enhance brand image, and encourage repeat business.Customer appreciation goes beyond just saying thank you. It involves demonstrating a genuine interest in a customer’s well-being and showing them that you cherish all the moments with them.The best customer appreciation ideasThe following are some of the customer appreciation ideas.1. Offer exclusive discountsOne way to show appreciation to your loyal customers is by offering them exclusive discounts, sales, or promotions. This not only shows your gratitude for their continued support but also incentivizes them to continue supporting your business.2. Organize special events or annual gatheringsA creative way to express your gratitude to your customers is by organizing special events or annual gatherings specifically to appreciate their support in your business. Such events can give your customers an interactive atmosphere and serve as a networking opportunity.This helps build a stronger sense of community among your clientele.3. Offer loyalty programsA loyalty program that gives customers points or rewards for their purchases is an effective way to show your appreciation. This customer appreciation strategy not only shows your gratitude but also encourages repeat business and fosters customer loyalty.4. Feature customers on social mediaWith their permission, featuring customers on your business’s social media pages can make them feel special and valued. It also provides social proof, which can attract new customers.5. Offer free trials and customer appreciation giftsOffering free trials for new products to your loyal customers can be a surprise gesture that makes them feel appreciated. It’s also a great way to introduce your customers to your latest feature updates and new releases, potentially increasing your sales.6. Offer proactive customer serviceProviding proactive customer service can significantly affect how your customers perceive your brand. By promptly addressing their concerns and going the extra mile to ensure their satisfaction, customers feel valued.This can lead to positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals.7. Send personalized thank-you notesTo add a personal touch to your customer service, consider sending handwritten thank-you notes to your customers. This small gesture can demonstrate your appreciation and show customers that you truly value their business.It can also make your brand more memorable and personal in the minds of your customers.8. Birthday/anniversary discountsCelebrate your customers’ special days, like birthdays or anniversaries, by sending out special discounts or small gifts. This personal approach can make your customers feel cared for and appreciated.9. Conduct customer surveys and communicate changesConducting customer surveys and communicating the changes you’ve made according to customers’ suggestions can show your customers that their opinions matter to you and you value them. This builds a good rapport with your customers, as it fosters customer loyalty.10. Send personalized emailsSending personalized emails that highlight customer preferences, or offering recommendations based on their purchase history, can make your customers feel valued. It also provides a more personalized shopping experience.11. Involvement in community forumsShowing involvement in your business community forum by replying to customers’ views and promising to work on their suggestions can show customers that you care about their well-being.This can help build a positive image for your brand and strengthen your relationship with customers.12. Collaborations and partnershipsCollaborating with other local businesses to offer exclusive deals or packages can provide unique value to your customers. It also fosters a sense of community and can attract new customers.13. Product/service upgradesOffering free upgrades to your loyal customers can show them that their loyalty is appreciated. It can also introduce them to higher-tier products or services, potentially increasing their value as customers.14. Implement referral programsImplementing a referral program where customers get discounts or freebies for referring new customers can incentivize customer loyalty and encourage word-of-mouth marketing.15. Offer customized and customizable productsIf applicable, offer customized products to your customers based on their requirements, and give them the chance for logos and brand customization. By doing this, you show that you value their individuality.This can help differentiate your brand and provide a unique selling point.Customer appreciation phrasesHere is a breakdown of some of customer appreciation quotes.Appreciating customers for their supportYou can use the following phrases to thank customers for supporting your business.Examples of support appreciation phrasesOur success story is incomplete without your unwavering support. Thank you for choosing us.Your support means the world to us. Thank you for being an incredible part of our journey.Your support has been the key ingredient in our success. Thank you for being our valued customer.We appreciate your continued support. You’re not just our customer but a part of our growing family.Acknowledging and appreciating customer satisfactionUse the expressions below to let your clients know how much you value your customer satisfaction and acknowledge it.Examples of customer satisfaction acknowledgement phrasesYour satisfaction is our number one priority. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.Thank you for being our valued customer. We’re grateful for the pleasure of serving you.Your feedback and satisfaction are the measures of our success. Thank you for choosing us.Your satisfaction is our motivation. We appreciate your continued patronage.Appreciating customers for their trustTry using the following quotes to express gratitude to your clients for trusting your service.Examples of customer trust appreciation phrasesYour trust in us is our most precious asset. We can’t thank you enough!We’re grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us. Thank you for being our valued customer.We don’t just appreciate your business. We appreciate your trust in us. Thank you for being our loyal customer.We don’t take your trust for granted. Thank you for believing in us.Commitment to serviceThe following are quotes to use showing your customers that you are happy to serve them.Examples of commitment to service phrasesWe are so thankful for the privilege to serve you. Our commitment to providing you with the best service remains.We are what we are because of you. Thank you for giving us the chance to do what we love.We appreciate your trust and will do our best to continue giving you the kind of service you deserve.One of our true joys is serving customers like you. Thank you for your unwavering support and loyalty.Acknowledgment of customer loyaltyMake use of the phrases below to show gratitude to clients for their continued patronage to your business.Example of customer loyalty acknowledgment phrasesYour loyalty fuels our passion. Thank you for choosing us again and again.Your loyalty means the world to us. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you!Thank you for making us your first choice. Your continued patronage is a critical part of our growth.Your continued business with us inspires us to do better. Thank you for your loyalty.Valuing customer feedbackThe following are phrases used to show customers that you value their feedback.Example of valuing customer feedback phrasesYour feedback is the compass guiding our growth. Thank you for helping us improve.We are because you are. Your feedback is invaluable to our business. Thank you.Your thoughts and opinions matter to us. Thank you for your valuable feedback.Thank you for shining a light on our path with your valuable input.Celebration of milestonesBy using the following expressions, you can let your clients know that you’ve reached a goal and that you appreciate their help in getting you that far.Examples of milestones celebration phrasesThank you for being an integral part of our journey towards success. We couldn’t have done it without you.We are celebrating our success because of you. Thank you for being there every step of the way.Thank you for helping us reach new heights. You are more than just a customer. You’re part of our success story.We’ve achieved another milestone thanks to your unwavering support. We can’t thank you enough.Affirmation of qualityTo thank customer for recognizing your work input, use the quotes that follow.Examples of affirmation of quality phrasesWe strive to deliver the best. Thank you for recognizing our efforts.Thank you for recognizing our dedication to quality. You make us strive to be better every day!Quality is not an act but a habit for us. Thank you for acknowledging our efforts.Your appreciation for our brand’s quality fuels our passion. Thank you for your continued trust and support!Encouragement for continued partnershipYou can use any of the expressions listed below to express gratitude to your clients for their ongoing support of your company.Examples of encouragement for continued partnership phrasesTogether, we’ve achieved great things. We look forward to accomplishing even more with you. Thank you.We value our partnership and look forward to a successful future together. Thank you.Our journey together has been great. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership. Thank you.We’ve come a long way together and are excited about the journey ahead. Thank you for your support.Appreciation for referralsYou may express gratitude to clients with these expressions below for referring others and serving as the best brand ambassadors.Examples of customer referral appreciation quotesThank you for recommending our business. Your trust and support mean the world to us.We appreciate your referrals. Thank you for spreading the word about our services.Your referrals have been instrumental in our growth. Thank you for your trust and support.We’re grateful for your trust in referring your friends and colleagues to us. Thank you.Importance of client appreciationClient appreciation is a crucial aspect of any successful business strategy. It is a powerful tool that can help in:Building customer retentionMaking your customers feel cherished cultivates loyalty. For instance, a coffee shop offering a loyalty program where customers earn a free coffee after purchasing a certain number can increase customer retention by acknowledging and rewarding their repeat business.Word-of-mouth marketingHappy customers who feel valued often turn into brand ambassadors. For example, if a customer receives a surprise birthday discount from a clothing store, they are likely to share this positive experience with friends and family, promoting the brand through word-of-mouth.Statistics also prove this by stating that 41% of customers would leave a positive review when their customer experience expectations are met or exceeded.Establishing brand reputationBeing known as a brand that truly values its customers can distinguish you from the competition. For instance, a company that regularly sends out personalized thank-you emails to its customers will develop a reputation as a brand that values customers and has excellent customer service.Boosting loyalty and lifetime valueWhen customers get the best customer experience and are appreciated, they tend to be loyal. A loyal customer is more likely to stick with the business. This becomes a win for your business since 65%of any company’s business is from existing customers.Additionally, when customers are loyal, they tend to stick to a business for a longer period, thus increasing their customer lifetime value.Establishing an open feedback forum for improvementValuing your customers can lead to more honest feedback. They’re more likely to voice their thoughts and suggestions, giving you the opportunity to enhance your products or services.Creating emotional connectionWhen customers feel valued, they develop a personal connection to your brand. For instance, a pet store that sends a personalized condolence message to a customer who recently lost their pet can create an emotional connection, demonstrating that they value the customer as a person, not just as a source of revenue.This bond often influences their decisions and can lead to deeper loyalty.Gaining competitive advantageIn a competitive market, customer appreciation can be a game-changer. Businesses that master this can get ahead of the competition.A grocery store that offers a free delivery service for seniors shows appreciation for this customer group, creating a competitive advantage by meeting a specific customer need that competitors may not address.Surviving the hard timesDuring tough economic times or crises, businesses with strong customer relationships based on appreciation are more likely to ride it out. Customers are more understanding and loyal when they know they’re valued.The secret to enhancing customer appreciationIn conclusion, customer appreciation is a critical aspect of business operations. It is not merely a strategy but a mindset that should pass through every aspect of a business.By showing customers they are valued and appreciated, businesses can build strong, lasting relationships that benefit both the customer and the business itself.Now that you know how important customer appreciation is, let’s lift the curtain of enhancing customer appreciation for business growth by introducingLIKE.TG, powerful help desk software that helps you understand your customers’ needs, expectations, and experiences.LIKE.TG, the only solution that takes you a step ahead of the rest, doesn’t just talk the talk. It walks the walk by offering you a30-minute live demoto give you a first-hand experience and sneak peek into the world of enhanced customer experience.Additionally, it offers you a15-day free trialto provide you with an opportunity to explore how its distinctive features can be tailored and incorporated to satisfy your company’s needs and exceed your customer’s expectations.To know more and learn how to get started, don’t hesitate tocontact LIKE.TG.Related articlesCustomer Loyalty: A Comprehensive ArticleWhat is Customer Relations? Types, Importance, and BenefitsCustomer Churn: A Comprehensive Guide
Top 10 Free Help Desk Software and Ticketing Systems in 2024
Establishing a business can be thrilling, rewarding, fulfilling, but also extremely demanding and challenging.For small businesses looking to grow their brand and improve their customer experience, having reliable free help desk software is crucial.Customer service is an important part of any-sized business as it provides a platform for customers to communicate with the company.Effectively handling customer inquiries can increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and generate positive word of mouth.Not only are customer queries managed efficiently with the right help desk software,but help desk software also plays a significant role in streamlining and managing customer service workflows.Many help desk solutions offer enticing free plans that can potentially address a variety of issues.However, bear in mind that all free plans are not created equal. Some might resolve certain problems, while others could necessitate paid upgrades.This article will help you explore the top free help desk software available for small businesses and guide you through choosing the appropriate solution. What is free help desk software?Help desk software is a tool used by support teams to organize, manage, and respond to customer service-related inquiries.Free help desk software is an affordable, software-based solution that allows small businesses, particularly startups, to manage and track customer inquiries and issues, ensuring a smooth support experience for clients.This software is designed to streamline the process of dealing with customer questions, complaints, or problems, primarily through a ticket management system.By implementing free help desk software, startups can consolidate all customer communication into one platform, making it easier to manage and ensuring that no request is overlooked.It also helps create an efficient workflow for customer service representatives, reducing response times and increasing productivity.Benefits of free help desk softwareInitiating a startup poses many challenges, particularly in the realm of customer service.The aim of any new business is to deliver an unrivaled experience for its clients, but constraints in budget or resources may hinder this.Startups, known for their limited resources and the need for rapid growth, can greatly benefit from help desk software.The following are some of the major advantages of free help desk software:Scalability: As the startup grows, the volume of customer inquiries is likely to increase. Help desk software is scalable and can handle a dynamically increasing number of tickets without compromising on efficiency and productivity.Cost-effective: Rather than having a large customer service team, startups can rely on free ticketing system to help reduce costs by automating various tasks. This is particularly beneficial for startups on tight budgets.Better organization and categorization: With free IT ticketing software, startups can organize customer issues based on priority, category, and other criteria. This aids in prioritizing critical issues and preventing anything from being overlooked.Improved customer service: Quick and efficient responses to customer queries or issues can significantly improve customer satisfaction. Free help desk ticketing system ensures that all customer issues are traced and resolved in a timely manner, ultimately enhancing the customer experience.Reporting and analytics: Free IT ticketing system often comes with built-in analytics, which can provide useful insights into common customer issues, response times, and overall customer service team performance. This data can be used to enhance products, services, and customer service.Increased productivity: By automating routine tasks, free help desk software allows customer service representatives to focus on resolving complex issues. This results in increased productivity and an efficient use of resources.Better communication: Free help desk software fosters better communication between support teams and departments by providing collaboration features, shared inboxes, mentions, and centralized ticketing systems, among other streamlining innovations. Everyone involved can track the progress of a ticket and communicate more effectively, leading to quicker resolution of issues.Best free help desk software and ticketing systemsThe market is flooded with startups and a wide variety of service desk systems, making the selection process for help desk software challenging.In a startup, it’s crucial to be prudent, as every decision can make a significant difference.To assist you with your decision, we have analyzed 10 of the top free help desk software designed for startups.1. LIKE.TGBudget and functionality are the two primary concerns for small business owners looking for help desk software. With those in mind, consider LIKE.TG a top priority as it effortlessly combines affordability with robust help desk features.LIKE.TG is modern help desk software that is designed to meet the needs of both small and large businesses.It offers a complete set of tools to manage customer service and support tickets, including email ticketing, knowledge base software, customer portal software, customer service automation, and ticketing features.This enables agents to rapidly respond to customer queries, monitor progress, and keep all information centralized.It’s a scalable, user-friendly platform ideal for small businesses aiming to provide superior customer support to drive business growth.As your startup expands and your customer service needs become more complex, you can upgrade your plan to add new features and meet your requirements.Teams have the flexibility to customize the software as per their requirements, including custom fields and workflows.Should you require help, the LIKE.TG support team is to answer any questions.Arrange a live demo to explore how LIKE.TG can benefit your support team.Top featuresRobustticket routing systemKnowledge base softwareIntegrationsReports and analyticsEffectiveautomationTeam collaboration featuresCustomizable, expandable, intuitive interfaceArtificial intelligence toolsMultichannel supportCustom fieldsAutomated workflowsCustom SLA integrationScalabilityPricingLIKE.TG offers the following three categories as its affordable pricing plans.Scale:$25for 3 agents/monthGrowth:$50for 3 agents/monthEnterprise:$75for 3 agents/monthFree trial duration: 15 daysStartup programQualified startups can receive the Growth plan entirely free for one year.Syncfusion customers are provided with 1-year free usage offer.2. ZendeskZendesk is a cloud-based help desk software. Image source: ZendeskWith Zendesk, startups can effectively manage, track, and resolve customer support tickets, ensuring a seamless customer experience.Key featuresReporting and analyticsIntegrationsAI and automationMessagingHelp centerScalabilityPricing for basic annual plansSupport Team: $19 per agent/monthSupport Professional: $55 per agent/monthSupport Enterprise: $115 per agent/monthFree trial duration: 14 daysStartup program: Qualified startups can receive their first six months free.3. HiverHiver is a user-friendly help desk software solution that is especially beneficial for startups.Image source: HiverHiver allows startups to manage their customer support services directly via Gmail.The software provides a shared inbox feature where all support emails can be accessed by the team.It also allows for the assignment of emails to particular team members to ensure accountability and timely responses.Key featuresCross-team collaborationKnowledge baseAutomationSLA remindersPersonalized email templatesCollision alertsPricing for yearly planLite: $15 per user/monthPro: $39 per user/monthElite: $59 per user/monthFree trial duration: 7 daysStartup program: Qualified startups can receive their first six months free.4. FreshdeskFreshdesk is cloud-based customer support software for businesses of all sizes, including startups, offering a variety of solutions.Image source: FreshdeskIt is easy to set up and requires minimal training to navigate its features.The software serves as a contact center solution and ticketing system, featuring integrated support for voice conversations and omnichannel messaging.Key featuresKnowledge baseCollision detectionAutomationsIntegrated ticketingSLA managementPricing for annual plansFree: Up to 10 agentsGrowth: $15 per agent/monthPro: $49 per agent/monthEnterprise: $79 per agent/monthFree trial duration: 14 daysStartup program: Qualified startups can save up to 90% on their first year and continuing discounts for subsequent years.5. HubSpot Service HubHubSpot Service Hub is a customer service platform that helps startups manage and connect with their customers more efficiently.Image source: HubSpotIt features a dashboard that consolidates all customer inquiries in one place, providing full transparency into the status of each one.This means no ticket will slip through the cracks, ensuring efficient and timely customer support.Key featuresAutomationShared inboxEmail tracking and notificationsConversation routingSLAsKnowledge basePricingFree Tools: $0 (limited features)Starter: $18 per month (2 users)Professional: $450 per month (5 users)Enterprise: $1,200 per month (10 users)Free trial duration: 14 daysStartup program: Qualified startups can receive 30%-90% off their first year and continuing discounts for subsequent years.6. LiveAgentLiveAgent is user-friendly help desk software suitable for startups.Image source: LiveAgentIt provides a platform where businesses can manage all their customer interactions from various channels in one place. This includes emails, chats, social media messages, and calls.Key featuresReportingAutomationAPI and integrationsUnlimited ticket historyPricing for annual planFree: $0 per agent/month (limited features)Small: $9 per agent/monthMedium: $29 per agent/monthLarge: $49 per agent/monthEnterprise: $69 per agent/monthFree trial duration: 7 days with free email. 30 days with corporate email.Startup program: Qualified startups can receive the large plan for free for 6 months and receive an additional 6 months for 50% off.7. Help ScoutHelp Scout provides a robust shared inbox solution for small businesses, consolidating all customer service emails in one location.Image source: Help ScoutIt allows startups to manage their customer interactions in a central place, making it easier for teams to collaborate and respond to customer queries promptly.This help desk software for small businesses offers a range of features that make customer support seamless and hassle-free.Key featuresTicket routing and prioritizationAutomated workflowsExtensions and integrationsMultichannel communicationEmail and live chatCustom reportsPricing for annual plansStandard: $20 per user/monthPlus: $40 per user/monthPro: $65 per user/monthFree trial duration: 15 daysStartup program: Qualified startups can receive their first 6 months for free.8. ProProfs Help DeskProProfs Help Desk is a customer service tool designed to help small and medium businesses manage customer queries and resolve issues effectively.Image source: ProProfsIt provides a shared inbox for managing and tracking customer emails, a knowledge base for self-service support, and a chat tool for instant resolution of customer queries.Key featuresLive chatShared inboxKnowledge baseReporting and analyticsTicket managementPricing Free for 1 agent$20 per user/month for teams9. SpiceworksSpiceworks is an excellent tool for startups, especially for those with a limited budget.Image source: SpiceworksIt is free, cloud-based help desk software that provides businesses with all the necessary tools to handle their IT support.It is an ideal solution for startups as it helps them manage their customer support services effectively without having to invest in help desk software.Key featuresKnowledge baseReporting and analyticsTicket managementAutomationPricing for annual plan: Free for all users.10. Vision HelpdeskVision Helpdesk is cloud-based customer service software that offers multichannel helpdesk support to businesses of all sizes, including startups.Image source: Vision HelpdeskThis software enables automatic routing of incoming tickets using round-robin assignment.Key featuresShared inboxMultichannel supportWorkflow automationsEmail ticket creationReporting and analyticsPricing for annual plansStarter Help Desk: $12 per agent/monthPro Help Desk: $20 per agent/monthSatellite Help Desk: $24 per agent/monthPro Service Desk: $32 per agent/monthEnt Service Desk: $48 per agent/monthFree trial duration: 30 daysComparison of 10 best free help desk toolsThe following is a summary of the best help software for startups in 2024.NameTop featuresStarting prices LIKE.TGRobust ticketing routing systemKnowledge base softwareIntegrationsReports and analyticsEffective automationTeam collaboration featuresCustomizable, expandable, intuitive interfaceArtificial intelligence featuresScalability$12/user/monthZendeskReporting and analyticsIntegrationsAI and automationMessagingHelp centerScalability$19/user/monthHiverCross-team collaborationKnowledge baseAutomationSLA remindersPersonalized email templatesCollision alerts$15/user/monthFreshdeskKnowledge baseCollision detectionAutomationsIntegrated ticketingSLA management$15/user/monthHubSpot Service HubAutomationShared inboxEmail tracking and notificationsConversation routingSLAsKnowledge base$18/user/monthLiveAgentReportingAutomationAPI and integrationsUnlimited ticket history$9/user/monthHelp ScoutTicket routing and prioritizationAutomated workflowsExtensions and integrationsMultichannel communicationEmail and live chatCustom reports$20/user/monthProProfs Help DeskLive chatShared inboxKnowledge baseReporting and analyticsTicket management$20/user/monthSpiceworksKnowledge baseReporting and analyticsTicket managementAutomationFree for all usersVision HelpdeskShared inboxMultichannel supportWorkflow automationEmail ticket creationReporting and analytics$12/user/monthChoosing the right free IT ticketing system softwareIn conclusion, free help desk software is a critical tool for small businesses that aim to provide a high level of customer service.It not only helps manage and resolve customer issues effectively, but also provides features that enhance support workflows, foster team collaboration, and deliver insightful reporting.Help desk software can vary greatly in terms of complexity, cost, and customization options.Therefore, startups should carefully consider their specific needs, budget, and resources when choosing help desk software.Related blogsThe Best Customer Service Software for 202315 Best Issue Tracking Software Solutions for 2023
Internal Customer Service: Definition and Best Practices
Most businesses have a team dedicated to providing excellent customer service every day.However, taking care of your employees and offering them support when necessary is just as crucial to running a successful business as providing excellent support to your customers. Customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction reflect each other.While happy and motivated employees tend to give their best at work to satisfying customers, frustrated employees are likely to spread negativity to customers and perform poorly, as well.Additionally, having your employees prepared leads to an increase in employee productivity, speeding up problem resolution, and higher employee retention rates.In this blog, we explore several best practices and guidelines to internal customer service. What is internal customer service?Internal customer service refers to the support and assistance provided to employees within an organization. This is often the case in a work environment where team members support each other to accomplish tasks.For example, in a software development team, a developer might need assistance from another developer who is more experienced or has a particular set of skills.The developer assisting in this context is a customer service provider, while the one seeking help is the customer.The main aim is ensuring employee satisfaction, keeping them happy and motivated, and creating a positive work environment for productivity and success.Difference betweeninternal and external customer serviceThe difference between these two types of customer service lies in the recipients and the context in which the service is rendered.Internal customer serviceExternal customer serviceRecipient of serviceThe support and assistance is provided specifically to employees.The support is provided to individuals outside the organization, such as customers, vendors, suppliers, or stakeholders.FocusFocuses on meeting the needs and expectations of employees and ensuring their satisfaction.Revolves around customer satisfaction and maintaining lasting relationships.CommunicationInvolves interactions among different teams or departments.Involves interactions with organization’s clients or partners.MetricsTrack employee-related metrics, such as their satisfaction, productivity, inter-departmental collaboration, and internal customer service efficiency.Track customer-related metrics such as their satisfaction, loyalty, efficiency at using products, retention, and churn rates.Both internal and external customer service are crucial for the success and growth of an organization, as they contribute to overall employee satisfaction, customer loyalty, and business performance.Best practices for enhancing internal customer serviceThe following are some of the strategies for ensuring you provide outstanding internal customer service.1. Understand your employees betterA company should try to know its employees, get their perspectives and what motivates them, to gain insight into their thoughts and emotional requirements.By attempting to grasp the origins of their viewpoints and experiences, organizations can optimize their internal customer service practices and establish a benchmark for excellence.Promoting empathy and patience in the workplace helps companies address employee needs and concerns better, thus improving their satisfaction and fostering productive relationships within the organization.2. Offer training programs for employeesSometimes, the same problems recur, making it difficult for staff members to work efficiently. Therefore, companies should continuously train staff members so they can handle even complicated problems on their own.They can consider implementing the following:Arrange training workshops for staff members to acquire optimal communication and problem-solving techniques.Hold regular company meetings that involve all relevant employees to discuss recent rising issues and come up with lasting solutions.Create forums for employees tolearn and practice newEstablishing such programs as a routine will equip workers to handle similar situations on their own in the future.3. Always be friendly and keep an interactive toneAlthough professionalism is valued, not all internal interactions inside a company should be conducted formally.Building relationships among internal stakeholders during departmental exchanges requires using a conversational tone.Your support teams should practice speaking to one another politely and with respect at all times. Employees should try and hold casual conversations, with friendly tones.They should also always be encouraged to lend a hand to co-workers in need.4. Establish clear objectives targets for your employeesIt’s challenging to work for a corporation if you are unsure of what is expected of you. You should set clear expectations for internal support in your organization.Make sure all your staff members are aware of the precise standards you expect them to uphold and that they know their roles.5. Offer clear instructions on how to resolve employee-related issuesWhen faced with issues, employees often rely on the guidance and expertise of their internal customer support team.By articulating precise instructions, these co-workers can effectively help them solve their problems.For employees who frequently help other employees, make sure they know how to identify and emulate good directions.This not only saves valuable time but also minimizes the potential for confusion or misinterpretation.6. Provide multiple communication channels for your employeesCompanies should strive to offer a variety of communication channels through which their employees can interact and seek support. These channels can include email, an internal help center, and messaging apps.An multichannel strategy lets:All employees communicate with each other effectively via any preferred channels.Your employees reach your dedicated internal customer service team.Your employees select the channel that works best for them.Information is streamlined across departments, which minimizes pointless inquiries and prevents crucial information from becoming lost or distorted during communication.7. Make self-service optionsMaking support resources easily accessible to all employees lets them resolve their issues independently.It’s beneficial to have a central repository such as an internal knowledge base with resources like regulations, policies, troubleshooting, and frequently asked questions.A knowledge base will serve as a comprehensive source of information that’s helpful for internal customer service to be effective.To improve employees’ satisfaction, you can also create online platforms such as community forums where staff members can ask for and share suggestions and ideas at any time.These self-service tools can also be utilized for training and staff onboarding.8. Pay attention to your employees and monitor their feedbackListen to employees’ concerns and reach out to them to get a clearer picture of issues at hand.Team leads should initiate open and transparent communication amongst the team members.These leads should pay attention to employees’ experiences at work when it comes to solving issues.Actively seeking feedback about workflows, either through structured surveys or informal conversations, lets you gain a comprehensive understanding of employee concerns, suggestions, and expectations.Such feedback serves as a valuable tool in identifying the root causes of internal customer service gaps. It enables organizations to devise action plans to rectify the shortcomings or make necessary improvements.9. Celebrate and reward exceptional support effortAccording to Deloitte, recognition raises employee engagement, which in turn raises work performance and creates business value. Appreciation boosts output, performance, and employee engagement by 14%.Companies should encourage a culture where helping co-workers is expected by implementing initiatives that recognize and reward employees who do it.You can consider the following appreciation strategies:Reward and honor staff members who have gone the extra mile to assist colleagues when necessary.Thank employees who provide support that enables others to complete an assignment successfully.Recognizing and celebrating employees’ efforts and achievements not only boosts morale but also reinforces a work culture in which employees want to work.Why is internal customer service important?The following are some advantages of placing emphasis on internal customers in an organization.Improves employee satisfactionWhen employees feel supported and have their needs met, it makes their work easier and they are more likely to feel motivated and be more productive.Speed up problem resolutionGood internal service fosters a culture of teamwork and collaboration. When employees know can rely on their colleagues for assistance and have an easy means of asking for it, they feel more comfortable asking.Instead of floundering for a long time trying to solve an issue, an employee will know who to ask for a solution and feel at ease doing so.Improves external customer serviceThe experiences of external customers are the main emphasis for most organizations.However, an organization that values internal customer service often improves their external customer service.Suppose your customer service employees receive good treatment and are comfortable with their responsibilities.In that case, they will enjoy working for your company and be willing to go above and beyond to provide your consumers with the same experience.As a result, a business may be able to gain more loyal customers and enhance the calibre of service their customers receive.Increases employee retention ratesA strong internal customer service culture can contribute to higher employee retention rates.When an organization attends to the needs of its employees, they tend to be more loyal to the organization.They will not only work harder but also be less likely to seek employment elsewhere when they feel valued and supported.Better reputationWhen supporting each other is encouraged and employees are satisfied, they are motivated to leave positive reviews andfeedback about the company on sites like Glassdoor.Such a positive company reputation can attract and retain top talent, since employees are more likely to seek opportunities in organizations known for their excellent employee support.Improves employee productivityEfficient internal customer service processes help employees access the tools, information, and resources they need to perform their jobs. This in turn enhances their overall productivity.LIKE.TG tools for internal customer serviceHere are examples of the tools that businesses can utilize for internal customer service:Email addresses: Create a work email address for each employee to interact with others This is usually something like [email protected] communication platforms: These are integrated communication tools for casual interactions between employees that occur more frequently, such as Microsoft Teams and Slack. Employees can chat, video conference, and share documents instantly.Live chat software: Supports real-time interaction between employees, ensuring any issues that need immediate attention are resolved quickly.Embeddable web forms and widgets: Allows employees to easily contact each other via contact forms embedded in the company’s internal and external websites and access different help center pages, like an internal knowledge base, FAQs, and more.Mobile app: Provides instant access to LIKE.TG from a mobile device, freeing internal support agents to do their jobs beyond the confines of their desktop or laptop.Internal help desk software: These are tools with which employees can make support requests and create tickets for different departments to collaborate and address their issues swiftly. For example, LIKE.TG is cloud-based, modern customer service software that facilitates a wide range of customer support activities for both internal and external customers.Self-service portal: Establish web-based employee portals and help centers, where company employees can obtain HR data, search for solutions to commonly asked questions, and access the most recent information regarding benefits, laws and regulations, and other things.Examples of internal customer serviceHere are some common examples of internal customer service in a company.DepartmentRoleAdministrationThese roles provide administrative support to various departments, including scheduling, document management, and general assistance.HR serviceThe human resource (HR) department is responsible for managing employees’ experience. The department assists employees with onboarding, benefits, payroll, and other personnel-related matters.IT supportThe IT support department provides technical support to other departments, helping with hardware issues, technical troubleshooting, software installation, network problems, and more.Facilities managementThis department ensures that the workplace is well-maintained, including managing office space, cleaning, and repairs.Training and developmentThis department offers training programs to help employees enhance their skills and knowledge.Internal help deskA help desk provides a central point of contact for all internal inquiries and support requests. It connects all departments and can offer a central repository for documents and basic information from all of them.Employees assistance programAdministrators of programs like this offer counselling and support services to employees dealing with personal or work-related issues. Top of FormElevate team performance by utilizing internal customer serviceAny organization will benefit from providing excellent customer service to both employees and customers alike.Employee satisfaction will increase if you treat them with care and provide support. Establishing a cooperative employee culture benefits everyone in an organization.Schedule alive demoto see howLIKE.TGcan help your customer support team more easily address other teams’ needs. Start afree trialto explore its many features. If you have any questions about the product and its capabilities, feel free to contact theLIKE.TG support team.
Black Friday Customer Service: 5 Effective Tips to Prepare Your Service Team
Black Friday is possibly the most significant shopping day of the year. As Black Friday approaches, anticipation for amazing deals and intense shopping ensues.Businesses and their staff will be swamped making sales and preparing orders, while customers will be busy filling holiday wishlists and searching for the best bargains.Research from McKinsey reveals that during the holiday season, 43% of U.S. consumers will change retailers if they offered lower prices. Before revealing your exclusive offers, it’s recommended to prepare for the surge in Black Friday customer service inquiries.Customers will have questions about prices, stock availability, delivery, and return policies.It’s easy to become overwhelmed by these queries, but what if there were a more efficient approach? As with any large-scale shopping event, it’s expected that there may be minor issues and setbacks.This necessitates streamlining your support strategy prior to the peak season. Black Friday customer service tips to considerHere are some Black Friday customer service tips on maintaining a low-stress environment and boosting customer satisfaction this Black Friday.1. Create unforgettable experiences with personalized customer engagementIn the height of the holiday shopping season, customers are presented with an array of choices. While Black Friday can be a thrilling experience, the true delight lies in establishing enduring connections with your customers.The dialogues that take place during the shopping frenzy can significantly influence their perception of your brand. Hence, it is important to note that every customer is unique with their own preferences and needs.Personalize your customer service per their requirements and try to exceed their expectations.By being kind and supportive, and simplifying processes for them, you will retain customers with these positive experiences long after the sales have ended, creating a lasting positive impression.Providing a memorable experience to your customers will not only help you in retaining them but also in acquiring new ones.2. Quickly assist customers to ensure a successful checkoutYour customer service plan should incorporate strategies to ensure swift response to customers.During the rush to secure the best Black Friday deals, holiday shoppers require immediate answers to their queries.Delayed responses, particularly during high-traffic events such as Black Friday, can lead to lost sales.Enhancing response speed can be achieved by:Adequately staffing your service team: Ensure that you have enough staff on hand to handle the increased volume of shoppers.Training your customer service team: Make sure your staff is well-trained in all aspects of the checkout process. This includes knowing how to handle common issues that can arise, such as price discrepancies or payment problems.Be prepared to solve problems quickly: This could include having a manager or supervisor on hand to handle any issues that arise, or having a system in place for quickly addressing any technical issues with your checkout systems.Prioritize customer needs: Understand and prioritize the needs of your customers. If a customer needs assistance in finding a product, guide them promptly to keep the checkout process moving.Have templates ready: Using templates, have answers ready for frequent customer inquiries.3. Ensure return and exchange policies are readily availableHaving clear and easily accessible return and exchange policies is essential for any business. By developing and indexing FAQs and return/exchange policies, and making them readily accessible online, businesses can streamline the buying process.It’s critical to ensure that your return and exchange policies are clearly laid out and readily accessible to customers.This not only helps the customer understand what their options are, but it also saves your customer service team valuable time as they won’t need to explain the policies repeatedly.This also provides shoppers with a sense of security and trust, knowing that they can return or exchange items if they are not satisfied.This is especially important during Black Friday sales, where the volume of purchases is significantly higher than usual.By ensuring that your return and exchange policies are readily available, you can make the Black Friday shopping experience more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone involved.4. Allow customers to assist themselves using self-service resourcesUsers are increasingly seeking to solve their own issues without the need for direct interaction with support agents.A study conducted by Nuance Enterprise confirms that 67% of customers prefer utilizing self-service options, such as online knowledge base articles and FAQs, instead of conversing with a company representative.With Black Friday looming, now is the perfect opportunity to enhance your self-service options and keep them updated with relevant information.Self-service resources are a crucial part of any service-oriented business. They not only reduce the workload of support agents but also enhance the user experience by providing immediate solutions.Having self-service options is more than just empowering your customers to handle their issues; it’s a strategic step that lightens the load on your team during high traffic periods.Implementing self-service resources is a win-win situation for both businesses and users. It reduces the pressure on support agents and provides users with immediate solutions, enhancing their overall experience.5. Make it easy for customers to get in touchEvery customer is unique, and their preferred methods of contacting a business are equally diverse.Offering multiple communication channels can help cater to the different preferences of your shoppers.The choice of communication channels is ultimately yours, but customers will gravitate toward brands that are easy to engage with and contact.No matter how many communication channels you decide to use, it’s crucial to ensure they function cohesively.Get ready for Black Friday customer serviceE-commerce and retail companies often experience heightened traffic during times like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, presenting significant challenges for customer service agents.To ensure a successful holiday season, it is essential to start early, prepare well, and plan thoroughly.By following these customer service tips, you can ensure that your shoppers have a smooth and successful checkout experience on Black Friday.This not only increases Black Friday sales, but it also builds customer loyalty and encourages shoppers to return to your store.A support platform such as LIKE.TG offers quick, multi-channel capabilities that enable your customer service team to swiftly and effortlessly address a large number of customer issues and inquiries.Schedule a live demo to explore how LIKE.TG can improve your business and assist customer service teams during Black Friday. Start a free trial to explore its many features.If you have any queries about the product and its capabilities, feel free to contact the LIKE.TG support team.Related blogsWays to Prepare Your Support Team for Black Friday 2022Best Black Friday SaaS Deals in 2023
LIKE.TG Release: November 2023 New Features Update!
We are thrilled to introduce our exciting November product release! The November product release has several new features designed to enhance the user experience and improve productivity.These features have been developed based on user feedback and industry trends.In addition to new features, the November product release also includes several improvements to existing functionalities.These improvements aim to address previous limitations and provide users with a more seamless and efficient experience.The LIKE.TG team has incorporated the following features to elevate your customer support experience.Ticketing systemThe ticketing system has been improved with the following update.Additional configurations to manage CC field in ticketsUsers can now manage the configuration for the CC field at the organizational level. This can be enabled through the general settings in the admin section.Contact moduleThe contact module has been updated as follows.Advanced filters and views supportIn the contact module, updates have been made to include advanced filtering support, enabling the module to operate in a manner similar to ticket filtering. These filters can also be saved as views.Activity moduleTo enhance the activity module capabilities, the following new features were added.WorklogsThe activity module now includes support for worklogs.A worklog provides valuable insights that can be used to improve time management, resource allocation, and project planning.Agent signature support for forward ticket activityThe recent update in forward ticket activity is support for the use of agent signatures, much like in regular tickets.If an agentrepliesto a forwarded ticket using a configuredsignature, it will be automaticallyloaded.Webhook support for the activity moduleWebhooks now include activity events. This enables the transmission of real-time data from the activity module to external applications.Reports and analyticsThe following feature has been added to the reports module.Ticket metrics reportThe reports module now includes a new report titled Ticket Metrics Report. This report provides a variety of ticket-related metrics in a table format.Using this report, you will be able to view ticket-related metrics such as:First response achievedFirst response breachedAgent update countRequester update countAdditionally, it comes with advanced filtering and export options.Underlying data support for stats and chart widgetsAll dashboards and reports can now display their underlying data. You can see this data by clicking on a stat or chart, which will prompt a dialog box with the relevant data.Furthermore, this data can beexportedto Excel and used for further analysis.Knowledge baseThe quality of our knowledge base software has been enhanced with the addition of the following new features.Support for bulk article deletionWe’ve introduced a new feature that allows for bulk deletion of multiple knowledge base articles in one go.This will significantly reduce the time and effort spent on removing a largenumberof articles.Turn auto save option on or off for KB articlesThe automatic saving of articles can now be enabled or disabled using the Auto Save toggle button.When enabled, changes are automatically saved to a draft while an agent edits an article.Some agents may prefer not to have their changes saved automatically, so they can disable this feature.Manage knowledge base article tagsThis new feature enhances your ability to manage tags on your knowledge base articles.It allows you to add, edit, delete, and arrange tags, making it easier to categorize and locate articles based on them.AutomationThe following functionality has been enhanced to make automation more efficient.Share ticket actionThe automatic sharing of tickets with groups and agents during ticket creation or the updating of events is made possible by the integration of the share ticket feature in the event trigger automation.IntegrationThese integration updates ensure the smooth functioning of your various software applications.MS TeamsintegrationMicrosoft Teams nowsupports a two-way sync integration withLIKE.TG. Thisfunctionenables you to add responses, add notes, andupdateticket properties straight from Microsoft Teams.Shopify integrationYou can now cancel and refund orders directly fromLIKE.TG, thanks to the Shopify integration.Admin moduleThe admin module has been updated to improve the user experience.Setting custom status for agent availabilityA new feature has been introduced for adding custom availability statuses.Admins can add new statuses according to their organization’s needs.This new feature can be found in the agent availability status module within the admin section. However, it’s worth noting that this feature is not available with the Starter or Standard plans.To control the ability to change statuses, an additional permission has been incorporated into the roles and permissions module.Import contacts and contact groups in bulkWe have implemented a feature that allows users to import contact and contact group files directly from BoldDesk.This functionality enables the swift creation of numerous users and contact groups in bulk.Support for Google Tag Manager ID in customer portalUsers can now integrate the Google Tag Manager ID into the customer portal.The Google Tag Manager ID enables you to update measurement codes and related code segments swiftly and effortlessly, collectively referred to as tags, on your website or mobile app.Customize approval module email templatesYou can now customize the email templates for the approval module via the email notification module in the admin section.Article satisfaction rating in embeddable widgets and formsThis new feature allows you to incorporate options for rating article satisfaction within your knowledge base widgets and forms.This functionality gives users the opportunity to provide feedback on the usefulness and relevance of articles directly within the context of their support interactions.Apply field display condition using multiselect dropdown fieldPreviously, ticket fields did not support the inclusion of multiselect fields in field display conditions.However, now the support for this feature has been provided. Note that only the in operator is supported when using a multiselect field.Excel export option for admin modulesThe following admin modules now have the ability to export data to Excel:Ticket viewsGroupsAgentsEdit names ofpredefined ticket system viewsAdmins who have permission to manage views can now also edit the names of default system views.Mobile applicationThe following new features and updates have been added to the mobile application.Switching and adding multiple accountsThe LIKE.TG mobile app offers agents the convenience of effortlessly adding and managing multiple organization portals.It also provides a smooth experience for switching among these accounts without the inconvenience of logging out and logging back in.Share ticketsTicket sharing, which was previously exclusive to the web version of the agent portal, is now also accessible in the mobile app.Copy web ticket URLUsers can copy the web URL of a ticket to share it with a customer or end user.Check out these new feature updates!This November product release, with its new features and improvements, provides users with an enhanced experience and improved productivity.If you are not yet a LIKE.TG customer, contact us to arrange a 30-minute live demo to explore its latest features and see for yourself how it can transform your customer support. Alternatively, register for a 15-day free trial today.Related blogsLIKE.TG Release Announcement: September 2023 New Features Update!LIKE.TG Release Announcement: July 2023 New Features Update!LIKE.TG Release Announcement: May 2023 New Features Update!
Proactive Customer Service: Best Strategies and Benefits
Many businesses fail to meet their customers’ expectations by waiting for customers to reach out first, creating a barrier between themselves and their customers.This leads to a damaged customer service reputation and a poor customer experience, making customers feel insignificant.Businesses should instead implement a proactive customer service model, which includes anticipating and addressing customer needs before customers even realize it.Be the first to act and offer proactive customer support to build customers’ trust, establish your brand as their preferred choice, and improve customer relationships. What is proactive customer service?Proactive customer service involves businesses taking the lead in anticipating customers’ needs and issues through various channels and coming up with solutions before issues occur.Businesses can apply proactive customer service in different ways. For example:By providing immediate solutions and reaching out before issues occur.Informing customers of any delays in delivery.Immediately alerting customers when there is scheduled maintenance or product troubleshooting.The focus of support is on resolving customer issues and providing high-quality assistance. This helps businesses identify potential issues and provide timely and relevant information or solutions.Ultimately, this fosters stronger customer relationships and ensures a positive customer experience.Proactive vs reactive customer serviceProactive customer service Reactive customer serviceThe business is the first to make contactThe customer takes the initial stepProactive service entails a pre-emptive mindset and forward-thinking, whereby companies take the initiative to address customer needs and concerns before they even ariseReactive service relies on reacting to customer complaints and inquiries after the problem has occurredThis proactive approach involves actively seeking opportunities to enhance the customer experience through personalized recommendations, timely updates, or preventive problem-solving measuresReactive service involves a more passive and responsive approach, where companies only address issues after they have been brought to their attention by customersIn the customer service field, there is a difference between proactive and reactive approaches. The key to understanding the distinction is recognizing who initiates the interaction.If your customers’ expectations aren’t met, they may be frustrated with your brand. Even if there’s a solution, the issue could be complex and require a lot of time and effort to resolve.Proactive customer service is also a strategic and customer-centric approach that anticipates and addresses customer needs.It creates a positive and memorable experience, fostering loyalty and long-term success.Proactive customer service is beneficial, but businesses cannot anticipate all customer needs. The ideal approach is to make use of both proactive and reactive strategies.Pinpoint areas where proactive customer service can help, and use reactive customer service to respond to inquiries, provide answers, and guide customers to success.Why should you provideproactive customer support?Companies that prioritize their clients often achieve impressive results. Adopting a proactive approach to customer service allows businesses to address potential issues before customers have to seek assistance.This also allows support teams to detect critical issues or problems early, facilitating timely resolution and preventing escalations.Additionally, companies also demonstrate a customer-centric approach when they aim to deliver an exceptional experience by predicting and meeting customers’ needs.Proactive customer service reflects a dedication to outstanding service and contributes to an improved net promoter score.Effective ways to deliverproactive customer serviceThere are strategies that can be employed to effectively provide proactive customer service. They include:1. Understanding your customersTo implement proactive customer service, it’s crucial to first understand your customers. This means investing time to know them better before anticipating their needs.This understanding will form a foundation for enhancing your proactive customer support abilities.This can be achieved by conducting surveys, actively listening to customer inquiries on social media, and monitoring feedback and reviews on dedicated community forums.It allows businesses to provide excellent customer experiences while identifying customer challenges, what motivates them, and their pain points.Having this deeper understanding will enable you to proactively meet customers’ most important needs, thereby boosting satisfaction levels.2. Regularly contacting customers for feedbackOne common mistake that businesses often make is assuming they know what their customers want and need.Regularly collecting feedback can reveal patterns such as recurring complaints from potential buyers or frequent complaints from existing customers.To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of your customers and their needs, it is recommended to regularly conduct customer surveys.These surveys can identify common issues faced by customers and provide valuable insights for product or service enhancement.Therefore, it is important to include open-ended questions in your survey, such as “what problems are you currently facing with our product?”Feedback can be collected through various means such as:Interviewing current customers to understand their issues and ways to enhance your product or service.Examining information from your help desk software to identify and address common problems.Monitoring your company’s social media pages for user comments and remarks about your brand or products and services.Sending surveys to former customers using tools like web forms or community forums.This will provide you with the understanding required to implement proactive customer service measures that effectively address actual problems your customers are experiencing.3. Interact with your product and servicesInteracting with a product feature is a proactive approach to customer service. This strategy sets customers up for success by suggesting enhancements or additions that could enhance their experience.When launching a new product or feature, it is essential to ensure thorough internal testing.Employees are often the best source of detailed feedback because they are highly familiar with the product.They can proactively identify potential issues customers might encounter and find solutions to prevent any inconvenience beforehand.By consistently foreseeing and tackling your customers’ needs and desires, you can tailor the customer experience and make customers feel valued.4. Educate your team to be proactiveThe key to proactive customer service is having competent and accountable support teams. This includes everyone in your organization, as their insights and experiences can contribute to effective strategies.Training your support teams to anticipate and address customer queries, staying updated on trends, and focusing on proactive service, enhances customer satisfaction.Establishing an internal knowledge base and educating employees on proactive support can make a significant difference in how customers perceive your brand.Encouraging ideas from across your organization can greatly enhance customer experience.5. Be honest and transparentConcealing problems can be one of the most detrimental actions. During times of crisis, it is important to be proactive and contact your customers before they become aware of an issue.Modern consumers want sincere relationships with brands they support. According to a study by Abby McCain, 66% of customers consider transparency as one of the most appealing characteristics in a brand.Therefore, a key proactive support strategy is to acknowledge errors and inform customers of issues before they discover them on their own.Apologize to and notify customers of technical glitches promptly to earn their trust. Be transparent and honest from the start. Offer timely solutions, discounts, or refunds if necessary.Keep customers informed about your actions to address their problems. Reassure them that the issue won’t recur.Provide contact information for questions or feedback. This approach shows commitment, honesty, and the ability to deliver high-quality results.6. Develop a knowledge base for self-serviceAccording to theHarvard Business Review, 81% of all customers try to take care of issues themselves before reaching out to live customer support. The optimal service you can provide for a customer is to empower them to serve themselves.Establishing a well-structured knowledge base that includes frequently asked questions (FAQs), manuals, how-to guides, videos and more, is a significant step toward implementing proactive customer service.By using a self-service portal and taking the initiative, customers can actively seek answers to their questions and solutions to their problems at their convenience.Businesses must ensure that the content on their website is easily accessible by avoiding these unusual mistakes.Ensure unrestricted access to informationRemove unnecessary and unhelpful subjects to create a clutter-free environmentProvide a search option for ease of navigation7. Reach out and engage with customers through social mediaBusinesses should have a social media page where they can share any news or new updates.Annabelle Nyst’s study indicates that 62% of organizations utilize social listening programs to gain a better understanding of their audiences.Businesses should actively engage with customers on online community forums, Instagram, and other social media platforms to potentially prevent the need for direct support contact.Understanding the target audience helps determine the preferred social media platform for information.Support agents can be assigned to platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, X, or YouTube to engage with customers and address concerns.Businesses should assign respective support teams to provide a quick response to customers on different social media platforms.Engaging with customers who mention your brand on social media, irrespective of the context of the conversation, can also be beneficial in addressing their complains or issues they raise. Using social media management tools can help monitor comments and respond proactively.Following relevant keywords and hashtags on social media platforms can also facilitate proactive customer support.What are the benefits of proactive customer care?Implementing proactive customer service strategies can greatly contribute to the success of a business. Here are the key benefits:Improved customer satisfactionCustomers won’t forget errors unless they are resolved with superior and proactive customer care. However, mistakes do happen, but exceeding customers’ expectations is the key to redemption.When you proactively address customers’ dissatisfaction with your company or brand, it reduces the likelihood of them reaching out to you.Reduced support callsA customer service approach that prioritizes responsiveness necessitates the constant availability of support agents.The exact time when customer issues will occur is uncertain. This can pose difficulties for a customer service team in efficiently handling support tickets and inquiries.Investing in proactive customer support proves to be a successful tactic for reducing tickets.By minimizing common issues, support teams can dedicate additional time to addressing complex customer problems before they escalate.Enhanced customer retention rateThrough offering proactive customer service, support teams can handle all customer problems, ensuring no support ticket goes unnoticed.This approach enables businesses to emphasize the importance of the customer, and it conveys that customer’s sentiments and experiences are valued.The act is straightforward and doesn’t require much effort, yet it boosts customer loyalty, resulting in a higher customer retention rate.When a customer has a positive experience with a brand, the chances of returning or recommending the business to their friends and family are very high.Increased brand reputationA brand that follows a proactive customer service idea and consistently maintains it, is one that develops a favorable reputation among its customers.According Helplama survey revealed that 86% of consumers tend to have more loyalty towards brands that demonstrate a thorough comprehension of their priorities and preferences.By anticipating and solving customer problems before they reach out through social media, you’ll impress customers and make them feel valued. Thus, they may leave positive comments about their satisfaction with your services.Information provided on social media by customers can be internally shared with your business partners to help agents identify recurring issues and concentrate on solving them.Proactively addressing your customers’ issues will enhance your brand image.Better decision-makingThe tools utilized for tracking customer behavior, like customer service surveys, offer a crucial source of feedback. This is essential for any business aiming for consistent improvement.Customer feedback can be utilized to make better-informed product decisions and to improve product features.Additionally, the insight gathered can be used to develop resources that can address common issues without needing to contact a support agent.Boosts revenue/salesWhen customers are considering a company’ product or service, your support team should proactively approach customers and attempt to convince them to complete a purchase by providing the best offers and explaining to them how it works.By also putting substantial effort into swiftly addressing customers’ issues, their appreciation for your efforts will increase, and their gratitude for your endeavors will grow.Numerous businesses have discovered that proactive customer care, which includes immediate interaction and engagement, enhances sales.Frees up your support teamInitiating proactive support by providing a self-service option, can greatly reduce the number of support tickets, enabling customers to resolve their issues independently.This allows the support team to dedicate more time to high-priority inquiries and complex tasks.Dealing with fewer tickets allows support teams to focus better and experience less stress, enhancing their satisfaction and positively influencing their customer service.Builds customer loyaltyBy implementing proactive customer service, you can cultivate loyalty by reaching out to your customers before they seek help, offering a knowledge base and providing fantastic experiences to them.This approach offers more opportunities to address customer problems, and customers will feel that their views are valued compared to reactive support.Proactive customer service examplesFollowing are some successful proactive customer service examples.LIKE.TG’s new product release notificationsAt LIKE.TG, we use a proactive approach to keep our users informed about new product releases.Whenever a new feature or update is rolled out, LIKE.TG sends targeted emails that highlight the latest enhancements and functionalities that users can employ.This proactive communication ensures that users are always aware of changes and lets them make the most of the customer service software’s capabilities.Delta Air Lines’ flight reschedulingDelta Air Lines takes proactive steps to reduce the inconvenience caused by flight delays or rescheduling.Delta proactively notifies passengers about flight changes, cancellations, and delays via SMS or email. They provide alternative flight options and allow passengers to rebook without having to contact customer service.Amazon’s personalized recommendations and delivery alertsAmazon uses data analytics to recommend products based on past customer purchases and viewing history. By proactively suggesting relevant items, Amazon enhances the shopping experience of its users.Additionally, the online retail platform notifies customers in advance about any delivery delays.This transparency helps manage expectations and reduces frustration.Improve your customer relationships with proactive customer serviceCustomer service can be difficult, and assessing its value can be even more intricate. Adopting a proactive customer service strategy can help you progress and enhance communication methods to better comprehend your customers.By resolving their issues promptly, you can establish long-term relationships.Utilize various platforms like community forums, social media, and email ticketing systems to connect with consumers instantly.Successful proactive customer service builds trust and loyalty, enhancing your brand’s image.Make use of both reactive and proactive customer support to retain and attract more customers.Schedule alive demoto see howLIKE.TGcan enhance your business and proactive customer service.Start afree trial to explore its many features. If you have any questions about the product and its capabilities, feel free to contact theLIKE.TG support team.Related articles10 Most Popular Essential Customer Service SkillsCustomer-Centric Business – The Complete Details
Customer Trust: Definition, Strategies, and Importance
Companies know that building relationships with clients is essential to their success. Increasing customer trust is one strategy to strengthen those relationships.By establishing a strong rapport with your customers, they come to rely on your products and services and become long-term supporters of your company.To foster such a relationship, businesses must appreciate and understand their clients and offer reliable, relevant experiences.Creating customer trust lays the groundwork for the long-term success of your business.In this blog post, we discuss the importance of gaining the trust of your customers and offer a checklist of the 10 crucial actions you can take to do so. What iscustomer trust?Customer trust is the confidence and belief that customers have in a brand, product, or service. It’s established when customers feel assured that a company will consistently meet their expectations, deliver quality, and act with integrity.Trust is built over time through positive experiences that demonstrate reliability, transparency, and a commitment to fulfilling promises.It’s a critical element in fostering long-term relationships, encouraging customer loyalty, and supporting a brand’s reputation.How to build trust with customersBuilding customer trust is a crucial aspect of maintaining successful and long-lasting relationships. Here are 10 strategies to help you build trust with your customers:How to build customer trust Create an excellent productProvide exceptional customer serviceCreate a loyalty programBe honest and transparentPrioritize your customersSeek customer feedback and act on itTreat your customers as you would a friendAddress conflicts clearlyShare customer reviews and testimonialsPreserve your company’s reputationCreate an excellent productConsider the requirements of your intended customers and develop products that cater to their needs.The process of crafting your product into a superior one instills a sense of confidence in customers toward your company, thereby fostering a deeper level of trust.You should ensure that your products are enjoyable for your customers to use, as this can increase the likelihood that they will stick with your business going forward.Provide exceptional customer servicePrioritizing exceptional customer service is a fundamental component of trust-building.This can be done by:Offering consistent, responsive, and personalized interactions that demonstrate a genuine commitment to meeting customer needs.Responding consistently when clients contact you with queries and concerns.Making sure your agents handle support tickets while keeping in mind that there are people who need help on the other end of the ticket number.Establishing a set of policies and procedures that guide your agents to proper responses to FAQs and the resources necessary to solve complicated problems.Businesses that prioritize customer service as a core value are more likely to establish and maintain trust with their customer base.Create a loyalty programLoyalty programs increase sales and customer lifetime value. A loyalty program pushes businesses to reward and retain clients to build exciting connections.According to a study by Zippia, 75% of consumers would change brands for a superior loyalty program.By providing loyalty programs to current clients who are already invested in your products, you can strengthen your relationship with them and show them how much you value their business.You can experiment with different programs to find which ones work best for your consumers, leading to a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.Be honest and transparentGaining the customer trust requires being open and honest. It’s no secret that customers feel more personally connected to a company that is truthful and transparent.According to a Sprout Social study, 89% of people believe that a business can restore trust if it acknowledges its mistakes and is transparent about how it plans to rectify the situation.Being transparent with your clients shows them that your business is trustworthy, which in turn can increase their loyalty.Furthermore, this transparency can increase customers’ engagement by providing them with information about how your business is run.Transparency with customers can be achieved by:Being clear about the features and benefits of your products, services, and policies.Addressing issues or mistakes promptly and openly.Presenting the prices of your products without any obfuscation.Prioritize your customersCustomer trust will develop if you keep them at the core of your operations. Your employees’ empathy and desire to meet your consumers’ needs will determine how effectively your company builds credibility.Credibility can be achieved by:Making certain that your firm has a customer-centric.Continuously assessing customer service and adapting to better meet the demands of clients.Urging every staff member to consider how best they may serve customers in their position.Interacting with customers on the platforms that they prefer.Seek customer feedback and act on itCompanies can use Customer feedback surveys to better understand what clients enjoyed and disliked about their experiences with products and services.It’s important to gather feedback from both happy and dissatisfied customers to build an insightful, balanced assessment.Customer feedback is crucial to helping firms make decisions about improvements to products and services.Treat your customers as you would a friendLike friendships, customer relationships are based on mutual respect and trust and require time to develop.You can build a solid foundation of trust with your clients by treating them like friends.The best ways to improve customer relationships are to:Recognize devoted followers and express your gratitude, whether through small gestures or simply by consistently attending to them.Demonstrate empathy to show clients that your business cares for them and wants to help them succeed.Practice being hospitable and approachable.Communicate with your clients regularly via the platforms they prefer, such as social media, email, live chat, and website comments.Address conflicts clearlyTo gain customer trust, you must own up to your mistakes and make amends.Errors happen. When they do, accept them and deal with them directly. Don’t downplay or ignore a mistake just because it would be inconvenient to address.Especially don’t downplay a situation where you believe your clients’ data may have been compromised.Companies can further establish trust with customers by speaking with them directly, rather than relying solely on logged supports issues and tickets.Provide clear, concise answers to any inquiries from customers so that they feel heard by your service team.Share customer reviews and testimonialsCompanies can share customer testimonials, reviews, and case studies on their blog, social media accounts, and website to boost buyer confidence.According to a BrightLocal study, 76% of customers regularly check internet reviews when selecting a local business to patronize.Furthermore, 46% of consumers believe that online business reviews are as trustworthy as personal recommendations from friends or family.These statistics show that new customers will have more trust in your brand when reviews from other customers vouch for your company.Get in touch with clients who you know have had positive experiences with your business and ask them to be included in a blog post or testimonial video.Don’t hesitate to include accounts of scenarios where a customer found the product lacking and the company updated the product to respond to the feedback.Building a collection of such endorsements not only shows potential customers how reliable your company is but also shows that you value customer feedback.Preserve your company’s reputationGaining customer trust requires maintaining a positive company reputation.This involves numerous factors, such as employing and developing outstanding personnel and producing high-quality products.To preserve your company’s good name and the confidence your clients have in you, make sure you consistently live up to client expectations.Additionally, because the customer service department is typically the one that customers interact with directly, providing excellent customer service is essential to maintaining your brand’s reputation.Remember, a single negative experience has the power to ruin a customer’s perception of a brand.Why it is important to build trust with customers for businessHaving customers that trust you is vital to the long-term success of your business. Here are just a few of the advantages to building customer trust:Builds customer loyaltyWhen a customer trusts a brand, he or she is more likely to choose its products or services repeatedly and over competing brands.Customers who feel your business strives to give them the finest customer experience will be brand ambassadors.Boost your brand’s reputationTrustworthy businesses have better reputations. Positive word-of-mouth and recommendations from satisfied customers can attract new customers and enhance a brand’s image.Increases revenueCustomers are inclined to engage in repeated transactions and make larger purchases when they have confidence in a company’s products or services. More and larger transactions grow the company’s bottom line.Improves customer engagementBy actively participating in conversations, listening to feedback, and sharing experiences from customers, businesses strengthen their customer relationships.Both sides benefit from active engagement: the business gains valuable insight into its products and services, and customers feel valued and cared for.Fosters long-term relationshipsTrust is a fragile yet essential element in fostering long-term relationships. According to a study conducted by Mercuri International, 99% of business leaders believe that trust is essential to establishing enduring relationships with customers.Customer trust and long-term relationships can be built through:Effective communicationConsistent supportUnderstanding customers’ unique needsConsistent effortActing with integrityGenuine commitment to meeting and surpassing customer expectationsTrusting customers offer valuable perspectivesWhen customers trust that their feedback is taken seriously, they are more likely to share it. This input is invaluable to improving a business’s products, services, and support.How can you build customer trust?The two primary characteristics of a strong customer base are trust and loyalty. Customer trust has to be earned and maintained, just like in any other relationship. Start gaining the trust of your customers in the prospecting phase.Don’t wait until they have completed a purchase.Setting a baseline of open communication and excellent customer service goes a long way to building long-term relationships and high customer lifetime values.The right customer service and support software can significantly ease your trust-building efforts. Schedule alive demoto see howLIKE.TGcan help your company build deep customer trust. Start afree trialto explore its many features. If you have any questions about the product and its capabilities, feel free to contact theLIKE.TG support team.Related articles8 Benefits of AI in Customer Service10 Key Customer Satisfaction Metrics to Measure in 2023
20 Best Customer Service Tips to Boost Your Customer Service
A business’s ability to differentiate itself from competitors hinges significantly on superior customer service.In a highly competitive marketplace offering comparable products, customer interactions can leave an enduring impact on your customers.One Microsoft study indicates that 96% of participants consider customer service a significant factor in their decision to be loyal to a brand.By providing gratifying experiences to your customers, they remember you and share their positive experiences with others.Your customer service team represents your company, and the customer experience is shaped by the proficiency and excellence of the support they receive.Customer service is challenging, requiring a perfect blend of communication skills and in-depth product knowledge to offer an exceptional customer experience.This blog reviews excellent customer service tips to help you grow your business and improve your customer service. Top customer service tips you need to knowProviding exceptional service is a cornerstone of any successful business. Support agents are often a client’s first point of contact, making their performance crucial to the overall customer experience.PWC reports that after one negative experience, 32% of customers would cease dealing with a brand they previously loved.Here are some strategies to help support agents deliver top-notch service.1. Practice active listeningCustomers communicate because they want to be understood. Allow them to express their concerns and treat those concerns with gravity.Listening is a powerful learning tool. Stay attentive, as you may receive crucial information that could distinguish between resolving an issue and failing to do so.It is essential to listen to customers, as you can only offer effective assistance by comprehending their needs.Active listening involves:Attentive listeningAnalysis of the speaker’s wordsUnderstanding the speaker’s intentResponding thoughtfully, often with additional questionsBy employing active listening techniques, agents can foster customer relationships, inject empathy into conversations, and ensure the customer feels listened to, understood, and valued.This enables agents to provide more effective service.2. Be accessibleIn customer service, accessibility significantly influences customer experience. Being accessible means being available and easy to reach whenever your clients need assistance.Your customers should not be terrified at the thought of contacting your business for support.It should be easy for your customers to contact you when needed. Accessibility in customer service is vital for several reasons.It facilitates building trust and loyalty among your clients. Clients feel valued and appreciated knowing they can easily contact you for help.It resolves issues quickly, thereby improving customer satisfaction.It gives you a competitive edge.3. Understand your customers and their needsIn any business, understanding your clients and their needs is crucial.This is especially true in the service industry, where the success of your business depends on your ability to meet and outdo customer expectations.Gaining a clear understanding of why your customers choose your product over a competitor’s, and what they appreciate most about your offerings, will enhance your ability to serve them effectively.Understanding your customers, their reasons for investing in your product, and their likes or dislikes about your company is irreplaceable.It is key to providing efficient customer service and keeping customers satisfied.4. Foster a communityIn customer service, fostering a community is crucial to significantly improving the overall customer experience.This involves creating an environment where customers feel valued, heard, and connected.You can set up an online community, social media forum, or chat forum where your existing customers or potential clients interested in your business’s offerings can pose questions, discuss solutions, and provide mutual support.Fostering a community in customer service can have numerous benefits for businesses.It can help to:Enhance customer experienceIncrease customer loyaltyStrengthen brand imageBusinesses can successfully foster a community in their customer service by engaging regularly, providing value, encouraging participation, showing appreciation, and promoting a positive environment.5. Personalize your interactionsOne of the important strategies for improving customer service is creating a meaningful experience with a touch of personalization. This involves:Understanding customer preferencesUtilizing data-driven insightsAdopting strategies that provide tailored solutionsMcKinsey Company research indicates that 71% of consumers anticipate personalized interactions with companies they choose to interact with. The study also reveals that 76% of consumers become frustrated when these expectations are unmet.For SaaS businesses, personalization could mean adapting your service to cater to each customer’s needs.This could entail offering custom pricing based on purchase volume, personalized training, or custom integrations.While automated email templates addressing the customer by first name may be useful, genuine personalization makes customers feel like they’re interacting with a human, not just a business.6. Maintain clear and precise communicationFeeling lost and unsure about what’s happening is one of the most disheartening situations for your customers.Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful customer interaction.The customer needs to comprehend precisely what actions are being taken or what is being offered.Given that your customers have a busy schedule, they would appreciate a streamlined communication process.Ensure the language is clear and comprehensible.7. Give priority to resolving issues at the first contact (FCR)No one enjoys repeatedly reaching out to a business for the same issue. Customers expect prompt and effective responses when they encounter issues or have questions regarding products and services.Responding promptly is essential, particularly when dealing with client requests that are time-sensitive.Practicing first contact resolution (FCR) is one of the best strategies to maintain customer satisfaction and position your company as an exceptional service provider. This means resolving your customers’ issues upon initial contact.Customers highly value having their issues promptly and effectively addressed on the first attempt. Solving problems the first time around is essential for support agents.This not only enhances user experience but also improves support team efficiency. The goal is to resolve an issue without needing follow-up.8. Assist customers across various channelsOne top-notch customer service tip is to provide your customers with various ways to reach you.Customers anticipate a seamless, multi-channel interaction, which necessitates engaging with them on their preferred platforms.The choice of channel may differ depending on:The problem at handCustomer demographicsThe ease of access to a specific channelOmni-channel customer support unifies various channels to provide consistent service and a unified brand experience across all platforms.As a business, it’s crucial to identify the channels your customers prefer to use when connecting with them. Leverage these channels to boost engagement and deliver high-quality support effectively.Such channels may include:Email supportPhone supportSocial media supportLive chat supportThese platforms ensure a smooth customer experience regardless of the chosen channel.You can offer high-quality customer service by being present across all customer touchpoints and maintaining service consistency.9. Educate and train agents on essential customer service skillsCustomer service representatives devote their time to responding to customer inquiries, problem-solving, and occasionally spotting sales prospects.To accomplish this effectively, they need a thorough understanding of the customer’s context and situation and a comprehensive knowledge of products and services.Customer service training equips your team with the necessary customer service skills to cope with even the most challenging circumstances.Enhancing your support team’s emotional intelligence, comprehension, communication skills, attentiveness, patience, time management, and issue resolution is crucial.Through regular training sessions, customer service representatives can fine-tune their abilities and gain new ones.This improves their speed and quality, delivering faster outcomes.10. Do regular follow-upsCustomers can be negatively impacted if you don’t consistently follow up with them after their interactions with you.It is vital to ensure you follow up with your customers to verify that their issues have been correctly handled and that they are pleased with your service.A brief phone call, a short support email, or even a customer feedback survey can effectively communicate your appreciation for your customers’ time and support.11. Resolve urgent customer issues firstIn customer service, it’s crucial to prioritize tasks effectively. The nature of customer issues or requests can vary greatly—some necessitate immediate attention and resolution, while others can be addressed more leisurely.One of the most important aspects of this is identifying and resolving urgent issues promptly.Urgent issues often involve situations significantly impacting the user’s experience or operations.These can range from technical problems preventing the user from using a product or service, to billing issues affecting their financial status.Promptly resolving these issues can maintain user satisfaction and trust. Using free help desk software, your agents can classify support tickets as high, low, or medium based on urgency.This enables your team to organize their day efficiently and avert any potential negative impact on your business.12. Simplify the process of gathering customer feedbackFeedback is a crucial element that helps businesses understand their customers’ needs and expectations.Regular feedback collection can aid in capturing critical customer viewpoints and pinpointing areas for enhancement.The easier it is for users to provide feedback, the more likely they are to do so.This can be achieved by creating straightforward feedback forms, providing multiple channels for feedback (such as email, social media, and your website), and making sure these channels are easily accessible.Simplifying the process of gathering feedback can lead to more valuable insights and a better understanding of your users’ needs and expectations.You can make the process more efficient and effective by using automated tools, making it easy for users to provide feedback, asking the right questions, acting on feedback, and regularly reviewing and updating your feedback process.13. Exercise empathy and patienceYour customer support team can stand out through empathy. Your customer service teams must be ready to empathize with your clients and consistently deliver consistent service.When customer service representatives demonstrate empathy, they recognize and validate the customer’s emotions and worries.This fosters a positive exchange and facilitates a more effective resolution to the problem.Companies can enhance empathy in customer service by teaching representatives to comprehend various customer situations and respond suitably.There will be numerous occasions where customers are perplexed and require time to understand the solution. You must give them time rather than having them depart with a negative impression.Establishing a supportive and appreciative atmosphere can assist agents in positively dealing with customer interactions.14. Make use of customer service templates and canned responsesOne way to achieve efficiency and accuracy in customer service is through service email templates and canned responses.These are prewritten messages that agents can use to answer recurring questions, making it quicker to respond to customers via email, chat, text message, or social media.They provide a standard format for responses, ensuring that all necessary information is presented clearly and professionally.They also save time by eliminating the need to type out the same response multiple times, and they ensure consistency in information.While these tools can be highly beneficial, using them correctly is vital to avoid sounding robotic or impersonal.15. Choose the right toolsWhile speed may not be the chief concern of customer service, response time is significant. When interactions become routine, rapidly addressing common problems can save your support representatives time.This is where automation and help desk software solutions come in.With the appropriate help desk software, you can integrate numerous tools and establish a connection between your customer service team and your clientele.Effective customer support involves a blend of technology and personal interactions.Help desk software provides a comprehensive customer experience platform that facilitates impactful customer interactions and optimizes customer service.Selecting and deploying the appropriate customer service softwareis critical in promoting customer engagement with your brand.This enhances your brand’s credibility and delivers exceptional customer experience.Leverage AI tools in customer support to streamline repetitive or manual tasks.This can minimize wait times and enhance efficiency, enabling customer support representatives to concentrate on more complex issues.16. Use positive languageLanguage can significantly impact the experience of the person on the other side of the conversation. Positive language is a powerful tool that builds a more positive client experience.It can also aid in building trust and rapport with the person you are communicating with.Using positive language makes you more likely to create a positive impression and make the other person feel valued and respected.This is crucial for customer service that focuses on the assistance you provide and the actions you can take rather than on your limitations.If a customer requests something unfeasible, positive language can propose an alternate solution that is doable and beneficial to the customer.By shifting the conversation from negative to positive, the emphasis is on the solution. This approach, which puts the result in the spotlight, decreases the likelihood of the customer becoming upset.Using positive language can prevent unintentional conflicts that arise from miscommunication. The shift may be subtle, but the impact is significant.17. Encourage self-serviceSelf-service is a powerful tool that allows users to find solutions to their problems without directly interacting with support agents.Nuance Enterprise reports that 67% of the survey participants favor using self-service tools rather than conversing with a representative from the company.It’s not a new phenomenon that customers prefer self-service. Understandably, seeking answers from a knowledge base , FAQs, or video tutorials for minor, non-urgent issues is simpler than contacting customer support.Consumers believe that self-service options enhance the quality and efficiency of customer service.By promoting self-service, support agents can focus on more complex issues requiring their expertise, eliminating your clients’ dependence on your team to provide all solutions.18. Show your customers appreciationCompanies must express gratitude for their customers and provide coupon to retain them. A mere “thank you” to a customer can go a long way in fortifying the relationship with them.Take a moment to express your gratitude to your customers for trusting you and your services. Such gestures play a crucial role in strengthening customer relationships.Showing appreciation for your customers has a significant impact: It cultivates loyalty, enhances retention, and encourages word-of-mouth referrals.Offering your dedicated customers special discounts and early access to new features is a successful strategy for enhancing the customer experience.These rewards can make them feel more appreciated and significant.If feasible, consider providing memberships, loyalty cards, and other coupons to maintain their satisfaction and ensure continuous patronage.19. Take customer complaints seriouslyTo enhance customer service and expand your business, understand customers’ positive and negative experiences.Harsh remarks do not necessarily reflect insightful knowledge, and disgruntled customers do not always indicate a problem.However, you can sometimes find valuable feedback within bitter comments—give serious consideration to each one. Keep in mind that no business is flawless.It’s natural to desire only positive feedback about your company, but in reality, negative reviews are inevitable no matter how much effort you put into satisfying your customers.While negative feedback can be difficult to swallow, see it as an opportunity to improve your customers’ experience.Gathering feedback can serve as an excellent strategy for improving your overall brand.It’s essential to solicit customer feedback about products and maintain regular contact with your customers.20. Select the appropriate closing remarksThe customer journey extends from the first interaction to the final impression. How you end a customer conversation is just as crucial as how you start it.A rude or poorly timed ending can ruin a deal and may lead to the customer not reaching out to you again.Make sure to part ways with your customers on a positive note. A simple farewell that says, “Have a nice day,” can go a long way in leaving a powerful impression.It’s equally vital to explicitly convey the forthcoming steps to the customer, particularly if their concern remains unresolved.Enhancing your closing skills can improve every interaction. This doesn’t only pertain to sealing a deal but also to concluding a conversation with a customer.Leverage customer service tips and elevate your service skillsProfessionals in customer service often serve as the initial touchpoint for customers.Regardless of how exceptional your product may be or how proficient your customer support team is, customers are likely to remember the direct interaction with your company the most.Delivering outstanding customer service is a sure way to attain and retain contented customers who will stay loyal to your brand and advocate for it.By adhering to the above customer service tips, you guarantee the success of your customer service team.Schedule a live demo to explore how LIKE.TG can improve your business operations and enhance your customer service team.Start a free trial to examine the extensive range of features available. If you encounter any inquiries about the product and its capabilities, please feel free to contact the LIKE.TG support team for assistance.Related blogsImportance of Good Customer Service10 Best Templates to Write Apology Emails to Customers10 Common Customer Service Mistakes to Avoid10 Examples of Bad Customer Service and How to Fix Them10 Important Customer Service KPIs to Track
Top 15 Customer Service Metrics to Measure and Track
Understanding and improving customer service performance is crucial in every business, as it affects both customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. With the help of customer service metrics, you can determine how good your customer support is and whether your support team is meeting customers’ expectations and needs.Although each customer service metric serves as a powerful tool for gauging satisfaction, efficiency, and the overall health of customer relationships, businesses should ask which customer service metrics are the exceptional performers that enable them to reliably measure their successes and which ones significantly influence their ability to ensure customer satisfaction.In this blog, we’ll discuss at length these customer service metrics. What is customer service metrics?Customer service metrics are specific measurements that assess the quality of customer service, the quantity of support issues handled, and the performance of your support team.Companies measure these customer service metrics to gain valuable insight into:How well their customer service performance isHow efficient their customer interaction isThe productivity of their support teamAreas where improvements are needed to enhance their overall customer experienceBusinesses can make informed decisions to improve customer service by analyzing these metrics, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.The qualities perfect ofcustomer service metricIdeal customer service metrics should have the following qualities that help them offer valuable insights and stimulate positive changes.Here are some qualities that you may consider while choosing the right metric for measuring customer service:Relevance: Customer service metrics must align with the business’s goals and objectives, providing meaningful information regarding customer service performance.Measurability: Customer service metrics should be quantifiable and measurable to facilitate data-driven decision-making.Actionability: Customer service metrics should provide actionable insights that enable teams to identify specific areas for improvement.Accuracy: Data used to measure customer service metrics should be accurate. Ensuring the reliability and consistency of the data used to calculate metrics enhances the credibility of the insights derived, supporting more informed decision-making.Timeliness: Customer service should provide up-to-date information that reflects the current state of customer service operations on time. This quality is important in a fast-paced business environment where rapid responses and adjustments are necessary.Consistency: Meaningful comparisons and trend analysis require consistency in measurement methods and data sources. Consistent customer service metrics over time provide a reliable basis for evaluating the impact of changes or interventions.The bestmetrics for customer serviceCustomer service metrics are measures based on performance, quality, and quantity of customer service. Here are some of these metrics:Quality-related metricsThe following customer service metrics measure how your customer service is impacting your customers:Net promoter scoreThe net promoter score (NPS) evaluates the probability ofconsumers recommending a business’s brand to their friends, family,and others.This assessment is based on a single question, asking if respondents would be inclined to suggest the business to others.Here is a formula you can use:How to use it:On a rating range of 0 to 10, respondents indicate their tendency to recommend their brand to others.They are then categorized as:Promoters (9–10)Passives (7-8)Detractors (0–6)The net promoter score (NPS) is a complete indicator of consumer advocacy that is calculated by subtracting the number of Detractors from the percentage of Promoters.Customer satisfaction scoreCustomer satisfaction score (CSAT) is a measurement used to evaluate the level of contentment customers experience during a specific interaction or the entire experience with the product or service.Below is a formula you can use to calculate CSAT score:How to use it:The customer satisfaction score can always be evaluated through a survey question that includes a scale, such as 1 to 5, that asks customers to rate their level of satisfaction.The resulting average score is an indication of the overall level of satisfaction.Customer effort scoreThe customer effort score (CES) is a metric used to gauge the ease with which customers can accomplish a task using a product or resolve an issue related to your brand.This measure is obtained by asking customers for feedback on their effort during a specific interaction, usually on a quantifiable scale.Here is a formula you can use:How to use it:Businesses can assess how simple it is for customers to fix problems or issues using customer effort score.A lower CES suggests that customers felt less effort was required, indicating better user-friendliness.A higher CES indicates that customers felt more effort was required during their interactions, suggesting the product was hard to use.First contact resolution rateFirst contact resolution (FCR) measures support agents successfully resolving issues during their first contact or interaction with customers.A greater rate signifies effectiveness, enhances customer contentment, and diminishes the need for customers to reach out multiple times concerning the same issue.This can be done with well-designed service level agreements (SLAs), which help the support team monitor each customer ticket.How to use it:By watching the FCR rate, you can learn how effective your customer service is and monitor your support agents’ ability to resolve customer issues during the first interaction.Average resolution timeAverage resolution time (ART) is a critical metric measuring a support agent’s average duration to resolve customer concerns. It encompasses when a customer first raises an issue until it is completely resolved.Several factors can influence ART:The complexity of problemsThe expertise of the support teamThe available tools and resources for problem-solvingHere is a formula you can use:How to use it:This metric is essential for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of a customer support team.A lower ART indicates a quicker response and resolution procedure, potentially increasing customer satisfaction.Conversely, a high ART may indicate inefficiencies in the resolution process, which could result in customer dissatisfaction.Customer retention rateThe customer retention rate is a metric that measures the percentage of customers a business can retain over a specific period.According to Zippia, the average customer retention rate across all industries is approximately 75.5%.Therefore, companies should strive to retain customers by offering good customer service.Here is a formula you can use to calculate customer retention rate:How to use it:The customer retention rate helps companies know how many customers are stopping their use of the company’s products or services, possibly due to dissatisfaction, competition, or unmet expectations.A higher retention rate indicates higher customer satisfaction and implies a greater likelihood of customers continuing with a company’s products or services and remaining loyal.Low retention rates indicate a decrease in customer loyalty and satisfaction.Customer churnThe customer churn rate measures the percentage of customers that stop using a brand or stop doing business with a company within a given period.This metric, which contrasts with the client retention rate, is crucial to comprehending customer attrition.Here is an example of a formula you can use: How to use it:Customer churn rate determines the proportion of lost business during a given time frame.By monitoring this rate, companies can identify strategies to retain more customers and improve their services since a higher churn rate indicates customer dissatisfaction.Performance-related metricsThese customer service metrics are used to measure how long support agents take to resolve customer issues:Ticket volumeTicket volume is the total number of customers’ support tickets or questions received within a given time frame.Here is a formula you can use to measure ticket volume:How to use it:The goal of monitoring and analyzing ticket volume is to assess the volume of work performed by the customer support team and to provide information about common trends and patterns regarding client complaints.Ticket resolvedThe “tickets resolved” metric indicates the total number of tickets the customer support team resolved.It shows the volume of successfully resolved customer issues.How to use it:This metric is important, as it indicates the effectiveness and efficiency of your support team in successfully addressing customer issues or inquiries.It can also assist in identifying recurring issues, allowing for proactive measures to prevent them.A high number of resolved tickets demonstrates a responsive and efficient support team.On the other hand, a low number may indicate inefficiencies or obstacles in solving customers’ issues or inquiries.Number of unresolved ticketsThe number of unresolved tickets measures the total number of customer problems or unresolved requests within a specific timeframe.This measure is vital because it directly affects customer satisfaction and loyalty. A high number of unresolved tickets indicates inefficiency in addressing customer issues, meaning bad customer service.It is essential for companies to monitor this measure and strive to keep it as low as possible.How to use it:By analyzing these tickets, companies can recognize opportunities for development and take the initiative to improve offerings.Additionally, reducing the number of unresolved tickets can enhance operational efficiency. Companies should keep track of open tickets to know how many are not resolved.First response timeFirst response time (FRT) is a support agent’s time to respond to a customer’s initial inquiry. It is a crucial metric that assesses the effectiveness of a customer support team.To optimize the first response time measure, it is imperative for businesses to consistently monitor and assess the duration it takes to acknowledge and address consumer inquiries through various communication channels such as email, social media, and others.Here is a formula you can use:How to use it:By measuring FRT, you can assess the following:The level of priority you assign to client concernHow well your team is providing customer supportHow well the support system is managedA prompt response demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction, a positive impact on customer perception, and loyalty in customer service.Average ticket handling timeAverage ticket handling time is a key measure in customer service for gauging how long it takes to address a customer’s issue or resolve a ticket. Shorter times indicate efficient service, but balancing speed with quality is tantamount.Rushing solutions for the sake of speed can lead to customer dissatisfaction.Here is a formula you can use to calculate AHT:How to use it:Analyzing trends in handling time can provide insights into support processes and workforce efficiency.Variations may signal a need for training or improved procedures.Ultimately, a well-managed balance ensures prompt, high-quality assistance for customer satisfaction and loyalty.Quantity-related metricsThe following quantity-related metrics measure how productive your customer service is and the amount of work being done:Social media metricsSocial media metrics gauge how successful your customer support agents are at meeting your customer needs.These metrics show what your social customer service team is doing well, where they can improve, and what resources they need to close those gaps.You can measure social media through the following metrics:Number of followersLikesSharesCommentsMentionsThese metrics provide valuable insights into a company’s performance, customer perception, brand awareness, and sentiment.How to use it:This metric assesses how well your social media presence reflects your brand, how involved you are with your customers, and how you can enhance your entire online presence.By tracking these metrics over time, you can make data-driven decisions to improve customer service and satisfactionCustomer lifetime valueCustomer lifetime value (CLV) is a customer service metric that quantifies the overall value a customer brings to a business throughout their entire association.Here is a formula you can use to calculate CLV:How to use it:CLV is an essential metric that aids businesses in comprehending the significance of customers and determining the appropriate allocation of resources for serving and retaining them.A high CLV signifies that you have many loyal customers who make frequent purchases and are likely to recommend your business to others.These customers need exceptional customer service, as their retention can substantially enhance profitability.Conversely, a low CLV may indicate the need to reassess the customer service approach for that segment. They may be dissatisfied, or there may be untapped opportunities for upselling or cross-selling.Frequency of upsells and cross-sellsThe frequency of upsells and cross-sells is a vital customer service metric that measures how often additional products or services are suggested and sold to customers.Successful upselling and cross-selling indicate skilled customer service, which improves the customer experience.This metric also reflects customer engagement, satisfaction, and trust in recommendations.How to use it:The frequency of upsells and cross-sells indicates the frequency at which clients upgrade their services or make additional purchases.It also assesses the effectiveness of sales strategies, enhances sale value, and maximizes revenue.Additionally, it allows companies to refine their strategies, identify opportunities for improvement, and customize their approach based on customer preferences.The importance of metrics for customer serviceBy analyzing customer service metrics, businesses can better deliver outstanding customer service, which boosts customer loyalty, customer satisfaction, and brand image.Here are some of the benefits of customer service metrics:Assessing support team performanceCustomer service metrics offer tangible insights into the effectiveness of your support team.By tracking and analyzing these indicators regularly, you can:Recognize high performersSpot areas where training might be neededMake well-informed decisions to raise the standard of serviceHave a proactive and responsive support team that contributes to ongoing improvement effortsIncreasing competitive advantage between customersCustomer service metrics can significantly impact a company’s success in a competitive market by fostering customer loyalty.Loyal customers are more inclined to recommend a business to others, increasing market share.Additionally, comprehending these metrics allows businesses to anticipate customer requirements and offer proactive solutions that stand out.Offering data for decision-makingThese customer service metrics offer measurable data that can be thoroughly examined to gain insights into customer behavior, preferences, and satisfaction.Organizations can base their decisions on factual customer feedback rather than mere assumptions.This information can guide decisions such as:Allocation of resourcesImprovement of operational proceduresAdvancement in product developmentIdentifying areas of improvementCompanies can obtain valuable information about their operations by monitoring customer service metrics.Examining these customer service metrics assists in recognizing recurring patterns and trends, highlighting areas that require enhancement.By pinpointing these areas, businesses can implement optimization strategies, thus improving the overall customer experience.Measuring efficiency in customer serviceMeasuring efficiency in customer service involves tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect how effectively and promptly your support team handles customer service requests.Monitoring average response time, ticket volume, and other customer service metrics can help businesses to:Identify challengesEnhance the customer experienceImproving customer satisfactionAnalyzing customer service metrics offers valuable insights into service quality, allowing businesses to quickly spot and deal with problems.By improving response times, resolution efficiency, and the total customer experience, companies can boost satisfaction, encourage loyalty, and promote a positive brand image.Tracking these customer service metrics also provides businesses with quantitative data and qualitative insights to improve customer satisfaction and build long-term relationships.Make use of customer service metrics to measure your performanceCustomer service metrics are crucial for assessing and improving customer experience and support operations.They offer data to evaluate support agent performance, identify areas for growth, and make informed decisions.Remember, a successful business prioritizes customers and constantly seeks to improve.Use LIKE.TG to help you improve your customer service.Sign up for a free trial or book a live demonstration to see the advantages LIKE.TG can provide to your support team. Please contact the LIKE.TG support team withany questions you may have.Related articlesImportant Metrics in Help Desk Software7 Best Techniques for Reducing Customer Service Response Time10 Important Customer Service KPIs to Track
LIKE.TG Release: December 2023 New Features Update!
We are excited to announce the latest new features in our December release!The LIKE.TG team is dedicated to providing you with state-of-the-art tools necessary for delivering outstanding customer experiences, and this release further demonstrates our commitment to this goal.This product release introduces a suite of new features, improvements, and optimizations that are a result of invaluable user feedback and the latest trends in customer service.Let’s explore the latest features in LIKE.TG!Ticketing systemThe following updates have been implemented in the ticketing system:Preview the attached images in tickets before downloadingPreviously, users had to download images attached in tickets to view them because no preview option was available.Image previews now open in the browser, eliminating the need to download the file before viewing it.View a ticket worklog editor’s informationWe’ve updated the worklog editor to show a clear indicator when any changes are made. Users can view information about who made the edits within the tooltip of a ticket.IntegrationsAdditional integrations have been implemented to guarantee LIKE.TG works seamlessly with other productivity apps.The highlights include:Slack integrationUsers can now integrate LIKE.TG with the Slack app. This allows users to receive instant notifications within chats and channels in Slack whenever:A ticket is created.A ticket is edited.A reply is added to a ticket.Other events occur on the LIKE.TG site.The following are the key features and advantages of this integration:Users can receive LIKE.TG notifications directly in Slack chats and channels.Support agents can receive notifications for ticket events.Users can customize the notifications sent to chats and channels based on criteria such as brand, category, and status.Microsoft Teams integration updatesThe integration of LIKE.TG with Microsoft Teams has been enhanced to include conversation thread messages that are linked to main ticket messages.Users can view conversions from the Microsoft Teams app whenever a ticket is updated, a reply is received, or a note is added.Knowledge baseThe following new features have been added to the knowledge base software:Support for bulk permanent deletion of articlesWe’ve introduced a new feature that allows for permanent deletion of multiple knowledge base articles at once.This will significantly reduce the time and effort needed to permanently delete a large number of articles.Support for bulk restoration of deleted articlesWe’ve introduced a new feature that allows for the bulk restoration of several deleted knowledge base articles at once.This will significantly reduce the time and effort needed to restore many articles.Mobile applicationThe following new features and updates have been added to the LIKE.TG mobile application.Activity module included in the mobile appThe activity module, which was previously exclusive to the web version of the agent portal, has now been integrated into the mobile app.Agents have the flexibility to monitor and handle their activities from anywhere and receive instant updates on them right from their mobile devices.Improved user interface (UI) for the switch account featureWe’ve revamped the user interface for the switch account feature.It now provides a more intuitive and visually pleasing experience, allowing users to seamlessly switch from one account to another.Reports and analyticsThe following feature updates have been added to the reports module.Inclusion of the activity module’s worklogs in the worklog reportThe worklog report has been updated to not only display worklogs from tickets but also to include information from activity module worklogs.Additionally, the option to choose worklogs from both modules collectively or from individual modules selectively has been added.Export files with hyperlinks for specific fields in the report moduleUsers can now export files from the report module that include hyperlinks.The exported file can include hyperlinks for the following fields:Ticket IDUpdate IDRequesterAgentContact GroupActivity IDSupport for all types of custom fields in the report module’s table viewWe’ve updated the Reports module’s table view to support all types of custom fields.The custom field selection for all data types is now enabled in a dashboard widget’s underlying data to allow users to select the desired custom field types when generating reports.Explore these new feature updates!LIKE.TG is engineered to adapt to your unique workflows, ensuring that every customer support interaction is efficient, effective, and, most importantly, customer centric.The features and improvements in this release further strengthen LIKE.TG to guarantee customer satisfaction and ensure that your customer service remains second to none.Get in touch with usto schedule alive demoto try out these latest features and experience firsthand howLIKE.TGcan revolutionize your customer support. Or sign up for a 15-dayfree trialtoday.Previous releasesLIKE.TG Release: November 2023 New Features Update!LIKE.TG Release Announcement: September 2023 New Features Update!LIKE.TG Release Announcement: July 2023 New Features Update!LIKE.TG Release Announcement: May 2023 New Features Update!Release Announcement—March 2023 New Features
SaaS Customer Success: 9 Best Practices, Importance, and Tools
According to Grand View Research, software-as-a-service (SaaS) is an industry with a market size valued at $261.15 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.7%. With the increased competition due to market growth, SaaS brands need to stand out by implementing SaaS customer success strategies that focus on customers achieving their desired goals.This becomes a win-win for both customers and SaaS brands, as it gives both the opportunity to be successful in their diverse markets. Customers get more value from interacting with the SaaS brand while SaaS companies retain their clients and gain a loyal following.But what is SaaS customer success, and how do you ensure your customers achieve it?Dive into our comprehensive guide on SaaS customer success and learn the components, importance, best practices, and useful tools. What is SaaS customer success?SaaS customer success is the measures taken by SaaS companies to ensure that their customers achieve their desired outcomes while using their software.In the SaaS industry, achieving customer success involves:Guiding customers through the initial stages of using their software.Providing exceptional support throughout the customer journey.Offering continuous education and training.Encouraging customer engagement to foster lasting relationships.Aligning software’s features and capabilities with customers’ needs and preferences.Helping customers maximize the value they derive from the SaaS brands.6 Components of customer success in SaaSFor a SaaS business to guide its customers to successful outcomes, it can integrate the following core components.Customer onboarding: This process involves welcoming new customers and providing them with resources to help them gain a better understanding of the product and utilize it to its full potential.Customer feedback loop: This involves gathering and analyzing customer feedback to assist businesses in understanding areas of strength and areas that require improvement. It offers invaluable insights into customer preferences and expectations, which can be utilized to enhance the product and service.Quarterly business reviews: Regular discussions of aspects including the utilization of products, the customer experience, and the identification and resolution of any notable hindrances customers may be facing.Self-service: This is the provision of knowledge base articles, how-to videos, and frequently asked questions with answers to help customers solve problems they’re facing on their own.Customer success planning: This is the process gathering information about the goals and challenges of customers and then planning how to help them through the latter in order to achieve the former.Playbooks: A playbook clearly outlines the best strategies and methods for achieving SaaS customer success for an organization. It includes important elements such as procedural guidelines, performance benchmarks, and carefully drafted scripts.Importance of customer success in SaaSThe following are some of the importance of SaaS customer success.Boosts customer retentionIn a highly competitive market, retaining customers can be challenging. However, effective SaaS customer success strategies can boost customer satisfaction and their continued usage of the company’s products.By offering exceptional SaaS support and guidance, customers feel valued and are more likely to remain loyal to the company.Enhances product valueWith a robust customer success strategy, SaaS companies can ensure their customers effectively utilize their product to its full potential. This increases the value derived from the product, leading to greater satisfaction and loyalty among users.Furthermore, through easy interaction and feedback, companies can continuously improve and update their products based on customer needs and preferences, thus adding more value.Leads to increased revenueImplementing SaaS customer success strategies can boost a company’s revenue. One of the primary ways this occurs is through improved customer retention. Satisfied customers are less likely to cancel their subscriptions, leading to a steady and predictable revenue stream.Furthermore, happy customers are more likely to upgrade their services or purchase additional features, leading to increased revenue. Successful customers are also more likely to recommend the product to others, driving new customer acquisition without incurring the typical costs associated with marketing and sales efforts.Builds strong customer relationshipsOne significant benefit of SaaS customer success is the cultivation of strong customer relationships. SaaS companies can use BI software as part of their customer success strategy to track and understand customer behavior and preferences, leading to more personalized and efficient services.Catering to customer preferences shows an understanding of your customers, which they feel, resulting in long-term relationships.SaaS customer success team rolesBuilding a successful SaaS customer success team can help ensure customer satisfaction and long-term business growth.Here’s an outline of the key roles and responsibilities for a SaaS customer success team:Chief customer officer: A chief customer officer (CCO) oversees all customer-related activities, including support and success. They play a key role in leadership, advocating for customer success in discussions with product, engineering, and sales teams.Vice president (VP) of customer success: The VP of customer success manages operations and direction at a SaaS brand. They recruit a team and provide guidance to managers for important accounts.Customer success manager (CSM): SaaS CSMs take charge of a specific group of clients and ensure their success and ongoing partnership. They discuss objectives, create customized strategies, and offer software guidance and training. They may supervise a team and handle contract renewal and upselling as needed.Chief operation manager: This executive-level position manages customer interaction and success, including strategic planning and implementing a customer experience strategy.Implementation specialist: An implementation specialist, also known as an onboarding specialist, helps new clients set up their accounts, transfer data, and learn how to use the SaaS platform.SaaS customer success best practicesEnsuring that your customers not only adopt your product but also derive value from it is essential for long-term success. These are some SaaS customer success best practices.Understand your customer’s objectivesTo achieve customer success, you should understand what your customers aim to achieve by using your SaaS product. Conduct an initial onboarding meeting to align your team with a new customer’s expectations.This helps you understand your customers specific needs and establish a strong foundation for your customer’s success.You can also initiate meetings and surveys later aimed at learning how your customers’ desired outcomes change as they get to know your product.Establish an onboarding process that aligns with customer successQuick and efficient customer support during customer acquisition is critical in the SaaS model. Initiate a thorough onboarding process to ensure that your customers can leverage the full potential of your product. Offer customers resources like tutorials, webinars, and training sessions.Measure your SaaS customer successRegularly assessing SaaS customer success can help you gauge whether your product is meeting customer needs. There are different types of metrics used to measure SaaS customer success. Following are a few metrics for customer success:Customer retention rate: Customer retention rate is a metric used to determine the percentage of customers a company has been able to retain over a certain period of time.Customer satisfaction score: The customer satisfaction score is a measurement of the level of satisfaction that your SaaS customers have with your products and services.Customer effort score: This measures the ease with which customers can use a SaaS product.Customer churn rate: This measures the rate at which customers leave a SaaS product for similar products.Foster customer relationshipsBuilding strong relationships with your customers is one key to customer success. Regularly communicate with your customers, listen to their feedback, and take appropriate action if they bring up issues.Foster an environment where customers feel comfortable sharing concerns in order to address potential issues before they escalate. This helps builds a good rapport with your customers, thus making their success with your company more likely.Provide flexible pricingOffering flexible pricing options can attract more customers. Companies can consider initiating the following strategies to ensure the pricing isn’t an obstacle:Initiating renewal discussions well in advance of the contract expiration date.Providing incentives for long-term commitments.Clearly demonstrating the ongoing value of your product to encourage renewals.Enhance your customers’ support experienceCustomers are likely to encounter issues while using your software, and how these issues are addressed can significantly impact their satisfaction and decision to continue as customers.Providing a good customer experience includes promptly replying to inquiries, offering effective solutions, and efficiently resolving issues. Delivering high-quality customer service not only aids in retaining existing customers but also attracts new ones.Establish a customer success teamHaving a dedicated customer success team can aid your customers in achieving their desired outcomes. This team can proactively engage with customers, understand their needs, and assist them in effectively using your SaaS product.Regularly update your productRegularly updating your product with new features and can help retain existing customers and attract new ones. Communicate these updates to your customers and provide necessary training.Be adaptable to changes in the customer’s business environment, and proactively manage any transitions. Offer flexible solutions and customization options for new updates to accommodate the unique needs and evolving requirements of each customer.Communicate your data security and complianceClearly communicate your commitment to data security and compliance standards. Keep customers informed about any security enhancements or certifications your product achieves, reinforcing their confidence in your platform.Useful customer success SaaS toolsThe following are some customer success SaaS tools businesses can consider using.Customer relationship management software (CRM)A comprehensive customer relationship management tool enables SaaS brands to seamlessly organize their contact data, segmentize the data, sync contact details, and integrate customer success and customer support functions within a unified platform.A CRM also empowers customer success teams to:Keep a history of all customers’ email interactions.Track every support ticket conversation and progress.Access comprehensive records of all communications with every customer.By responding directly within the system, CSMs gain a holistic understanding of each customer’s journey, thereby enhancing their ability to provide effective support.Help desk ticketing softwareHelp desk ticketing software is an online customer service tool used to aid and perform support operations. A help desk ticketing systemhelps customer success teams in the following ways:Automatically converts inquiries or requests that customers submit from varying communication channels to tickets.Automates and helps optimize the workflow of customer success teams.Automatically categorizes, prioritizes, and routes the new tickets to the right support agents to handle the issues.Knowledge base softwareKnowledge base software is a tool for creating, managing, and sharing information in a systematically arranged and searchable format. Knowledge base software works as a self-service repository of information where SaaS customers can find guides on how to make their work easier or solve issues on their own.A knowledge base can include:FAQsTroubleshooting articlesAdvanced search functionalityStep-by-step product guides and tutorialsCustomer support team contact optionsA straightforward self-service portal setup and configurationBoost client retention with effective SaaS customer success strategiesIn conclusion, ensuring your customers derive value from using your SaaS products should be at the forefront of your objectives. Employing appropriate tools to help you help them is an important step to achieving this objective.We invite you to try LIKE.TG, a robust support solution that helps you enhance your SaaS customers’ success. It has all the tools and features you need to answer their questions and provide resolutions to their issues smoothly.To learn how to get started with LIKE.TG, book a30-minute live demo. You can also start a15-day free trial to see for yourself how LIKE.TG can help your support team and customers succeed. Don’t hesitate tocontact the LIKE.TG team if you have any inquiries.Related articles15 Best SaaS Affiliate Programs in 2023SaaS Affiliate programs: Benefits and Best Practices for Affiliates
Customer Journey Map: Definition and How to Create Them
In a business, each stage presents an opportunity to connect with their customers and guide them on how to interact with a company.Companies can meet customer needs and expectations at each touchpoint and visualize the progressive steps a customer goes through to accomplish a task by creating well-defined customer journey map.Customer journey mapping is a narrative that goes beyond mere events, encompassing the emotions and motivations that influence the decisions made.This serves as an opportunity for businesses to see their company from the customer’s perspective, assisting them understand not just what the customer is doing, but also why they are doing it.In this article, we will learn about the concept of customer journey map, its importance, how to create one and some customer journey map examples. What is a customer journey map?A customer journey map is a visual representation of the steps a customer takes to complete a specific interaction with your brand or company.The map displays every interaction a consumer has with your company, from the first time they become aware of your business to the post-purchase follow-up.Customer journey map helps companies:Understand their customers’ perspectiveSee their operations from the clients’ point of viewComprehend the customer’s experience at each touchpointIdentify common issues clients may face and find solutions for themKey elements of customer journey mapsTo gain a complete understanding of the customer experience and create an effective customer journey map, it is necessary to include the following key elements:Persona identification: Create buyer personas for your target audience by gathering details about their preferences, behaviors, and demographics. Businesses can develop a more focused and effective strategy by using this technique to help them develop a relatable and distinct picture of their ideal client.Touchpoints: Identify and record every stage of interaction, both digital and physical, where customers engage with the brand. Communication at each touchpoint plays a significant role in building relationships, ensuring consistency, and addressing potential difficulties throughout the journey.Customer actions and emotions: Capture the emotional aspects of the customer experience and outline the specific behaviors and actions customers take at different stages of their journey. Understanding these behaviors and recognizing emotional touchpoints helps build empathy and tailor strategies to meet customer needs and expectations.Pain points and opportunities: Pain points in a customer journey map show where customers may struggle, giving valuable insight for solving problems. Opportunities point out areas for improvement, helping businesses innovate and exceed expectations.Metrics: Include relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to quantitatively measure the success and effectiveness of the customer journey map. Metrics such as conversion rates, customer satisfaction scores, and customer retention rates provide valuable insights for ongoing optimization and strategic decision-making.Customer journey stages: The customer journey stage is a crucial part of understanding the customer experience. It includes distinct phases that individuals go through when interacting with a brand. The main stages include awareness, consideration, decision, purchase, usage, experience, and advocacy. By analyzing and enhancing each stage, businesses can improve processes, communication, and customer satisfaction.What is a touchpoint in a customer journey map?In a customer journey map, places a customer interacts with a business are touchpoints.These occur in different ways and at different times, like when they first hear about the business, when they buy something, or when they need help after buying.Touchpoints are important because these are the points in time that shape how customers feel about the brand.How to create a customer journey mapFor businesses to have an effective customer journey mapping, they should consider using the below criteria:Set your objectivesEstablishing your goals and objectives for the customer journey map is the first step. In this stage businesses should ask themselves; Why are they creating a customer journey map and who their audience are.Setting objectives may include:Enhancing customer satisfactionIdentifying areas of concernOptimizing customer interactionsIt is crucial to have a clear understanding of what you aim to accomplish during the customer journey.Create customer personaThe customer persona is a detailed and semi-fictional representation of your ideal customers. These personas are created based on real data about your existing customers, market research, and highlights into your target audience.The purpose of developing customer personas is to gain a deep understanding of the diverse range of customers who interact with your brand, product, or service.These profiles should encompass the following:Demographics: Customer personas should include details such as age, gender, income, education, and location. This information helps you understand the varied backgrounds of your customers.Behaviors: Persona development involves examining the behaviors and patterns of your customers, which include online behavior, buying habits, and interaction preferences.Needs and goals: By delving into the specific needs and goals of each persona, you gain insight into the motivations that drive their interactions with your business and help you with product development by utilizing the proof of concept steps.Outline all possible customer touchpointsThis step entails the identification and acknowledgement of all the touchpoints where customers interact with your brand.Identifying these customer touchpoints allows businesses to comprehend and strategically address the various interactions customers have with their brand, understand consumer experience, pointing out problems and potential areas for improvement.These touchpoints encompass both digital and physical communication channels, such as:Social media platformsOfficial websiteEmailsCustomer support servicesPhysical stores (if available)Gather customer dataThis stage involves the process of collecting detailed customer data about customer interactions and experiences.This valuable data can be acquired through the following methods:Customer feedbackSurveys and interviewsReports and analyticsBy utilizing customer information, organizations can gain a better understanding of customers’ specific issues, emotional responses, and underlying motivations at every point of contact.Identify customer emotionsThis involves capturing the emotional condition of the customer at different stages throughout their interaction with your brand.This will allow you to pinpoint and differentiate the moments that cause customers to feel satisfied, dissatisfied, or confused.Therefore, it is essential to identify and understand these feelings to raise the standard of the customer’s experience.Assess the customer journey on your ownThis step involves experiencing your brand from customer’s perspectiveIt helps you gain firsthand insight into the customer’s experience, identify potential pain points, and understand areas for improvement or adjustments are necessary.Determine opportunities and pain pointsThis is the stage where a company will recognize areas where its customers might have experienced dissatisfaction, challenges, or pain points.After a business has identified these areas, it can seek out opportunities to improve the customer experience and create positive interactions with customers through the entire customer journey.Types of customer journey maps and examplesCustomer journey mapping can be modified to fit a specific need and help you better understand your customers’ journey. Below are some types of customer journey maps and the customer journey map examples:Buyer’s journeyThe buyer’s journey maps visualize the customer’s journey from recognizing a need to making a purchase.This journey map highlights on the following stages which provides insights into motivations and challenges:AwarenessConsiderationDecision-makingBy understanding each step, businesses can tailor marketing and engagement strategies to meet changing buyer needs.Use case example: Creating content and experiences that enhance the customer’s journey.Current stateThis type of customer journey mapping represents the way consumers currently engage with your product or service.It starts with the initial awareness or interaction, progresses through the engagement phases, and concludes with a post-purchase scenario.Use case example: Essential for identifying the behaviors, emotions, and experiences of customers at every point of interaction, as well as their frustrations.It also draws attention to areas that need to be optimized or improved.Future stateThe future state journey map outlines the ideal customer experience a company aims to offer in the future.By depicting the customer’s journey and emphasizing the intended interactions, experiences, and touchpoints, businesses can sets goals for enhancing and transforming their customer service.Use case example: Helps companies in strategizing and planning, while giving priority to the demands and expectations of their customers.Day in the lifeThis is a comprehensive journey map that presents a typical day in a customer’s life, encompassing all their daily interactions, transactions, and tasks both within and outside the company.By understanding how and when their product or service aligns with the customer’s daily routine, and tailoring their products and services accordingly, companies can meet customers demand.Use case example: Provides valuable insights into the customer’s everyday challenges, requirements, and behaviors.Benefits of customer journey mappingBelow are some of the benefits a business has when they map their customer journey:Enhances customer service experienceBy understanding the customer’s journey, businesses can identify key touchpoints and the associated pain points.According to Statista, 82% of customers expressed their willingness to recommend a business solely based on outstanding customer service.This helps businesses address these issue and offer a more enjoyable experience for their customers.This could through:Simplifying the purchasing processImproving customer service interactionsPersonalizing marketing effortsHelps in providing proactive customer serviceBy examining the customer experience at different stages, businesses can gain insights into customers’ needs and challenges.This allows businesses to implement proactive customer service such as addressing issues before they become significant problemsThus, reducing the effort customers need to interact with the brand. Implementing solutions and support systems helps organizations identify potential obstacles and areas of difficulty in the customer experience.Fosters better understanding of customer perspectivesMapping the customer journey allows businesses to step into their customers’ shoes and get customer’s perception of the business.This provides a comprehensive view of customer’s experience.This approach helps businesses identify gaps and pain points which can reveal insights about what customers value or find frustrating.Thus, enabling businesses to make personalized improvements.Improves customer engagementWhen consumers perceive a brand to be aware of their requirements and to continuously deliver a satisfying experience, they are more inclined to get involved, talk about their experiences, and develop into devoted supporters.Higher customer engagement is the result of a smooth and tailored relationship strengthening the bond between the consumer and the brand.Ensures a higher customer retention rate and loyaltyWhen customers have a positive experience throughout their customer journey, they are more likely to keep using your brand and even advocate your product or service to others.This ultimately leads to higher retention rates and increased customer loyalty.Boosts the customer lifetime valueCreating a customer journey map in a business aid in expanding the customer base and increasing the market share.Satisfied customers are likely to continue purchasing your products or service over a long period, resulting in higher revenue and profitability.Build a well-structured customer journey map!Every company hoping to provide a first-rate client experience needs to have a customer journey map.It helps companies to see how their consumers interact with them at each touch point, identify areas for improvement, and eventually create a more customer-focused organization.By representing the customer’s journey visually, organizations can recognize chances for enhancement and establish a more favourable and smooth customer experience.To experience the benefits of LIKE.TG in improving your customer experience, try and book a live demo. Additionally, you can initiate a 15-day free trial on BoldDesk. If you require further details, kindly reach out to LIKE.TG support.
9 Great Alternatives to “Happy to Help”
We are excited to announce the latest new features in our December release!The LIKE.TG team is dedicated to providing you with state-of-the-art tools necessary for delivering outstanding customer experiences, and this release further demonstrates our commitment to this goal.This product release introduces a suite of new features, improvements, and optimizations that are a result of invaluable user feedback and the latest trends in customer service.Let’s explore the latest features in LIKE.TG!Ticketing systemThe following updates have been implemented in the ticketing system:Preview the attached images in tickets before downloadingPreviously, users had to download images attached in tickets to view them because no preview option was available.Image previews now open in the browser, eliminating the need to download the file before viewing it.View a ticket worklog editor’s informationWe’ve updated the worklog editor to show a clear indicator when any changes are made. Users can view information about who made the edits within the tooltip of a ticket.IntegrationsAdditional integrations have been implemented to guarantee LIKE.TG works seamlessly with other productivity apps.The highlights include:Slack integrationUsers can now integrate LIKE.TG with the Slack app. This allows users to receive instant notifications within chats and channels in Slack whenever:A ticket is created.A ticket is edited.A reply is added to a ticket.Other events occur on the LIKE.TG site.The following are the key features and advantages of this integration:Users can receive LIKE.TG notifications directly in Slack chats and channels.Support agents can receive notifications for ticket events.Users can customize the notifications sent to chats and channels based on criteria such as brand, category, and status.Microsoft Teams integration updatesThe integration of LIKE.TG with Microsoft Teams has been enhanced to include conversation thread messages that are linked to main ticket messages.Users can view conversions from the Microsoft Teams app whenever a ticket is updated, a reply is received, or a note is added.Knowledge baseThe following new features have been added to the knowledge base software:Support for bulk permanent deletion of articlesWe’ve introduced a new feature that allows for permanent deletion of multiple knowledge base articles at once.This will significantly reduce the time and effort needed to permanently delete a large number of articles.Support for bulk restoration of deleted articlesWe’ve introduced a new feature that allows for the bulk restoration of several deleted knowledge base articles at once.This will significantly reduce the time and effort needed to restore many articles.Mobile applicationThe following new features and updates have been added to the LIKE.TG mobile application.Activity module included in the mobile appThe activity module, which was previously exclusive to the web version of the agent portal, has now been integrated into the mobile app.Agents have the flexibility to monitor and handle their activities from anywhere and receive instant updates on them right from their mobile devices.Improved user interface (UI) for the switch account featureWe’ve revamped the user interface for the switch account feature.It now provides a more intuitive and visually pleasing experience, allowing users to seamlessly switch from one account to another.Reports and analyticsThe following feature updates have been added to the reports module.Inclusion of the activity module’s worklogs in the worklog reportThe worklog report has been updated to not only display worklogs from tickets but also to include information from activity module worklogs.Additionally, the option to choose worklogs from both modules collectively or from individual modules selectively has been added.Export files with hyperlinks for specific fields in the report moduleUsers can now export files from the report module that include hyperlinks.The exported file can include hyperlinks for the following fields:Ticket IDUpdate IDRequesterAgentContact GroupActivity IDSupport for all types of custom fields in the report module’s table viewWe’ve updated the Reports module’s table view to support all types of custom fields.The custom field selection for all data types is now enabled in a dashboard widget’s underlying data to allow users to select the desired custom field types when generating reports.Explore these new feature updates!LIKE.TG is engineered to adapt to your unique workflows, ensuring that every customer support interaction is efficient, effective, and, most importantly, customer centric.The features and improvements in this release further strengthen LIKE.TG to guarantee customer satisfaction and ensure that your customer service remains second to none.Get in touch with usto schedule alive demoto try out these latest features and experience firsthand howLIKE.TGcan revolutionize your customer support. Or sign up for a 15-dayfree trialtoday.Previous releasesLIKE.TG Release: November 2023 New Features Update!LIKE.TG Release Announcement: September 2023 New Features Update!LIKE.TG Release Announcement: July 2023 New Features Update!LIKE.TG Release Announcement: May 2023 New Features Update!Release Announcement—March 2023 New Features