Every entrepreneur knows that the success or failure of their business relies on their ability to continue to generate sales. That’s why they invest so much into developing quality products or services to convert their target audiences into loyal paying customers. Although that’s the first step to acquiring new business, companies must also ensure that they provide fast, efficient, and convenient customer service.
If a customer doesn’t feel that your business provided adequate service, their chances of completing a transaction, coming back in the future, or recommending you to others are slim. Unfortunately, small businesses and mom-and-pop shops are at a disadvantage. This is because they don’t have the finances, staff, and resources to pour into customer service efforts like larger companies.
That’s where technology comes into play. Entrepreneurs that invest in budget-friendly yet efficient applications can provide customers with top-notch service. Continue reading for a look at customer service apps that could benefit your small business.
Whether it’s just you and your virtual assistant or a small team of employees, having solid communication is essential to customer service. You need a platform that enables you to make internal and external calls, manage inboxes, send voice, chat, and text messages, and handle customer requests. Though a small business may not need a sizeable phone system, alternative communication and help desk apps like Google Meet or Groove are worth considering.
A quality communication system isn’t the only thing entrepreneurs and their small teams need to serve their customers. They also need collaboration tools to draft documents, store files, and complete other clerical tasks internally and with clients. Cloud-based applications like Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive are essentially ideal for these tasks. Teams can use them to keep up with company projects and collaborate with clients from virtually anywhere.
Most small businesses already use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to market products and services to target audiences. However, most don’t consider the other tools and resources geared towards customer service these applications provide. For instance, Facebook messenger enables businesses to speak directly with customers in real-time. Allowing you to provide more convenient and efficient services. You can also post updates, review, and respond to customer questions, concerns, and complaints.
Although it appears the coronavirus pandemic is ending, many consumers have grown accustomed to the digital platforms businesses integrated. They provide safe, convenient, and fast service. Contactless ordering is one example. Restaurants that shifted to takeout and delivery operations during the pandemic utilized apps. These apps enabled customers to review menus, add items to the cart, make a payment, and have the food delivered to their front door.
While some excellent customer service apps exist for small businesses, the cost is still a factor. As staying within a budget is essential, take precautions when shopping for the best applications. Start by assessing your business operations and daily functions. You’ll also want to analyze consumer needs and tech trends in your industry. Then narrow down your options based on your findings. Finally, use comparison shopping metrics to determine which application provides the best services for an affordable price.
If you’re really tight on cash, there are free customer service apps you can use and upgrade once you have the money in your budget. Integrate technologies strategically and regularly monitor their effectiveness to ensure you’ve made the right choice.
You can have the best products in the world, but if you don’t invest in providing quality services to your customers, you won’t get far. Customers prefer to do business with brands that offer friendly, efficient, and convenient services. Therefore, entrepreneurs must work hard to accommodate their needs. Though you may not have a ton of money or extensive resources like larger competitors, technology is on your side. By investing in affordable yet efficient applications, small businesses can streamline processes. And, you can provide quality services that keep customers coming back.
