Putting The Service Back In Customer Service

The future of customer service is here. Technology has made seeking out support faster and easier than ever. But, has your digital age company sacrificed true service in the name of automation?

Today, finding customer support is as simple as writing an e-mail or picking up the phone. But, even though you're not face-to-face with your customers, you still leave a lasting impression. Do you come across as caring and competent, or menacing and mechanical?

Offering stand-out service on the Internet isn't as hard as it is rare. Take these simple steps towards old-style service in the digital age:

* Give Each Customer a Personal Response

* Be Clear, But Sincere

* Offer Live Customer Support

* Make Sure Your Support Reps Have All the Answers

GIVE EACH CUSTOMER A PERSONAL RESPONSE

When a customer sits down to e-mail your company, it's because he needs help. He chooses e-mail because it's quick, but his request still warrants a satisfying and personal response!

Companies eager to save time and money often take automation too far in their customer support. Each customer has a unique question, and deserves a unique answer. Even if you save time by copying and pasting stock replies, change the opening and closing to make the message sound less robotic.

BE CLEAR, BUT SINCERE

When responding to customers' e-mail, be sincere and to the point. Before sending a message, try turning the tables. Ask yourself, "Would this answer satisfy *me* if I were the customer?"

Take that extra moment to give your customer the help he deserves. It might mean the difference between a satisfied customer and a credit card chargeback!

OFFER LIVE CUSTOMER SUPPORT

E-mail has become an acceptable form of communication. But, live customer support is still necessary. The plethora of information available online can be overwhelming to customers, especially those new to the Internet!

Single your company out from the crowd by providing customers with a real person to talk to. Live phone support is an invaluable way to foster trust. When your customer has reached the end of his Internet rope, and just needs *help*, your toll free number is the answer he's looking for.

MAKE SURE YOUR SUPPORT REPS HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS

The presence of phone support will do no good if your staff doesn't know your product! Customer support reps should be warm and friendly, and willing to help with any aspect of your product.

What a good feeling it is to talk to someone who feels confident in his product. It's even better if he's knowledgeable enough to solve your problem without transferring you all around the company!

PROVIDE STAND-OUT SERVICE; GAIN LIFELONG CUSTOMERS

Too many e-businesses skimp on customer service, hiding behind web sites and message boards. Customer support is an integral part of every company, even those operating solely online. Be one of the few to offer stellar service, and gain customers for life!

Customer Service is becoming a lost art, but Sean Cohen wants to make sure that never happens at AWeber Communications! Find out what service is meant to be: http://www.aweber.com/lcs.htm

---

Writing The Book On Great Customer Service

Q: One of the big chain bookstores recently opened up... Read More

Get Customers to Stop Calling You--12 Easy Ways to Save Money with Online Customer Support

Despite rumors to the contrary, the Web is not dead.... Read More

Customer Service and The Human Experience

Historically, customer service was delivered over the phone or in... Read More

Make Sure You Get The Customer Perspective

Businesses that fail, often forget to seek out the customer... Read More

The Logic of Emotion!

Homebuyers are an interesting study. Watching people make their home... Read More

Setting Up a Customer of the Week Program for a Mobile Car Wash

In a mobile detail or mobile car wash business you... Read More

Aint We Wonderful!

It may come as a surprise to you to discover... Read More

Cultivating the Trust Factor

In today's highly competitive economy, it is difficult to maintain... Read More

Customer Service and Marketing that Works

Go into many businesses today and try and get service,... Read More

Putting The Service Back In Customer Service

The future of customer service is here. Technology has made... Read More

What Every Employee Should Know About How to See Customers Problems from Their Creative Side

Customer Service is a blessing and a curse; a blessing... Read More

How CRM Software Works -- Creating Customer Satisfaction with a Click

When people ask, "What is CRM?" the literal answer is,... Read More

Making The Most Of Newsletters

Newsletters can be wonderful tools for communicating with your customers... Read More

The Consumer Power

While most companies talk about consumer friendliness, customer centricity, customer... Read More

Customer Service Consultants

When all else fails in your company to meet the... Read More

I Wont Tell My Lawyer but I Will Tell You

A general counsel of a large international consulting firm told... Read More

Making Customer Satisfaction Surveys Work

Why bother? Good customer service is the life blood of... Read More

Customer Service, the Internets Primary Neglected Business Concern

Customer service is everything to a business. Just look at... Read More

How to Deliver Exceptional Customer Service

Having been in business a number of years, I'm amazed... Read More

Becoming A Solution To Your Customers Problems

Those of us in home based and small businesses are... Read More

Proofs of Delivery and Logistics: Speeding Throughput and Avoiding Pitfalls

It should be a straightforward business scenario: making sure that... Read More

Renewing Customer Loyalty

Every business loses customers, but not many do much about... Read More

If Everyone Thinks They Give Good Service, Why Do We As Customers Think Its Poor!

First of all let's look at what customer service is... Read More

Increase Sum in Your Check Account with Follow-Ups

We'll be examining what makes follow up to prospects/customers so... Read More

How Do You Create Customer Loyalty?

Another sad fact of life is that these days, very... Read More

Five Ways To Wow Your Client

Running a business is about providing goods and services to... Read More

Develop Loyal Customers for a Lifetime ? part 1 (1 ? 10)

Traditional marketing strategies encourage business owners to continually grow their... Read More

The Added Value - Is YOU!

If there was a restaurant in your town that was... Read More

How to Easily Increase Your Profits

Do you remember the last time you went into a... Read More

The Dissatisfied Customer

We, as small business people, naturally dislike complaints from our... Read More

Moments That Matter

Many years ago, I was a first year apprentice assigned... Read More

Say It With Humor

When you own a business, you may find yourself in... Read More

Add Value - And Kill Mediocrity in Customer Service

There are two kinds of customer service we all experience... Read More