Enhancing Customer Service: How Chatbots can benefit your business

Enhancing customer service_ How Chatbots can benefit your business 940x788 px

Enhancing customer service: How Chatbots can benefit your business

 “Customers with the best past experiences spend 140% more than those with the poorest experiences.”

– Harvard Business Review

Great customer service is becoming increasingly important for businesses to differentiate themselves from competitors. Businesses should focus on creating positive customer experiences to drive sales and create a loyal customer base. Customers want to receive services that are quick, available 24/7, and have a consistent level of professionalism. So how can a business succeed in providing quality customer service without breaking the bank?

Chatbots provide businesses with an effective way to enhance their customer service without having to employ additional support staff. Chatbots can improve your customer service in the following ways:

  • 24/7 Support

Chatbots operate 24/7, providing customers with support around-the-clock. Regardless of the time zone or location, customers are able to engage with Chatbots and receive quick support. This eliminates the frustration of waiting for human agents, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. With Chatbots, no inquiries go unanswered and no customer is left hanging. A study by Aspect Software found that 44% of consumers prefer chatbots for their 24/7 availability.

  • Instant responses

Customers no longer have to wait in queues for a human agent to become available, Chatbots provide immediate responses to customer inquiries. Chatbots utilize their programmed knowledge bases to swiftly answer customer inquiries, this not only saves the customer valuable time but also leaves a positive impression of the business’s responsiveness.   According to a survey by Salesforce, 64% of customers expect companies to respond in real time, and chatbots can help meet those expectations.

  • Scalability

Chatbots can handle a large volume of customer inquiries simultaneously without compromising on service quality or response times. Unlike human agents, Chatbots cannot become fatigued and can engage in multiple conversations seamlessly. This allows a business to cater to a large customer base effectively without the need for additional human resources. A study conducted by Oracle found that 80% of businesses plan to use chatbots by 2020, primarily to enhance productivity and efficiency.

  • Consistent and accurate information

Chatbots are programmed with knowledge and can deliver consistent and accurate information to customers. Standardized responses are provided, ensuring that customers receive reliable information and consistent service experiences. Consistency builds trust and reliability in the customer service process, ensuring that customers can rely on Chatbots for accurate information.

  • Chatbots reduce human error

Chatbots eliminate the risk of human mistakes or misinformation because they are programmed to provide information that is accurate and reliable. This error-free environment boosts customer satisfaction and confidence in the business, elevating its reputation and building customer relationships.
Chatbots can greatly benefit your customer service, but how would you know if your business needs one?

There are various signs that indicate that your business requires a Chatbot and these are as follows:

  • The high volume of frequently asked questions

If your business receives a large volume of repetitive inquiries, it may be time for a Chatbot. A chatbot can handle these inquiries efficiently through automated responses to common FAQs.

  • Long response times

If your customer service team is struggling with long response times, you may be in need of a Chatbot. Chatbots provide instant responses, minimizing waiting times.

  • Cost optimization

Hiring additional human agents can be time-consuming and expensive. Utilizing a chatbot can reduce your costs because they are able to handle a significant number of inquiries without the need to hire more human agents.

  • Customer retention and satisfaction

If your business receives negative feedback for your customer service, a chatbot can assist in improving your customer service. Chatbots provide consistent support, ensuring that you can meet your customers’ needs. This improves customer satisfaction, which leads to higher customer retention rates. Reports by IBM

Chatbots are sure to enhance your customer service due to their accessibility, quick responses, and scalability, which raises customer satisfaction and retention rates.

Written by Karla Breytenbach

Marketing Intern at Success by Design