Tag: "toll free numbers"
Customer Service Secrets: Make it Easy for Your Customer
Nothing’s worse than when a situation is more confusing and complicated than it needs to be, especially when it comes to your customer service experience.
Here’s an example: Say you have just purchased a pair of shoes for a sale price. However, when the item is scanned at the counter, the sale price does not come up. The regular price does.
Now, an easy answer to this solution would be for the customer service representative to already know why this is occurring and plug the sales price in without any hassles.
However, in most cases, what happens is another customer service rep is called over the intercom while you wait in line. Ten minutes later, the two customer service reps will question you and often you will be left to return back to the item and find the price tag with the sales price.
By then you are fed up and don’t even want the shoes anymore.
This is not an easy solution and is the perfect example of poor customer service.
Make sure this doesn’t happen to your customers by always providing them with the easiest methods possible.
- When it comes to your contact informative, ensure that your customers know how and where to contact you. Include your email address, your phone number and your business hours on all websites, emails, directories, business cards, flyers and in the store front.Make sure your customers know that you are there to help them, no matter what.
- Opt for a Toll Free Number for your help desk. Toll free numbers do not collect unwanted costs for your customers. Sometimes customers choose not to call simply because there is no toll free number available.Give you customer the option of calling Toll Free to make their customer service experience as helpful as possible.
- Offer a Simple Refund Policy. Sometimes a refund is necessary and there is nothing worse than having to jump through hoops in order to return a product.Ensure this doesn’t happen by providing an efficient refund policy where your customers do not have to prove their purchase with several pieces of documentation.
Instead, keep records of purchases, especially large ones, in a computer system. This will simplify the process for the customers and keep them coming back for more.
- Answer the phone yourself rather than using a large phone service system. Although they may be convenient to you, often times your customers will disagree.A confusing phone service will leave your customer frustrated and annoyed at the lack of personal care.
Instead try to answer the phone or hire a cheerful receptionist who can effectively transfer the calls without your customers being subjected to the dreaded automated service.
The most important thing to remember is that with a simple and efficient customer service policy comes a loyal customer base.
Want to learn more? Check out Customer Service Profits for your all-access pass to how to ensure your customers are 100 percent satisfied and guaranteed to return for more.
Ethical Internet Marketing Practices – How to Create an Exceptional Customer Service Program
Have you ever tried to contact a business that has an automated phone service? By the time you finish pressing all the buttons to talk to a real person, than placed on hold for 30 minutes, you’ve forgotten what you called for in the first place.
Automated customer service programs are generally a frustrating experience. People want to talk to a human being and get their issue resolved. They don’t have time to press buttons and be placed on hold.
One of the fastest ways to success is to create an exceptional customer service program. Not only do you want your customers to be able to speak to a real person, you also want to resolve their issue promptly and efficiently.
While it is impossible to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you can still offer superior customer service by investing in features that allow your customers to reach you round the clock.
One important feature is to allow out-of-state customers the ability to call you without incurring long distance charges. This can be accomplished by investing in an 800 number. There are many reputable companies that offer low-cost toll-free numbers for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Other toll free prefixes include 866, 877 and 888 numbers.
When using a toll free service, oftentimes you can choose a number that is easy for your customers to remember. For instance, you might be able to purchase a number such as 800-LIVWELL or 866-HEALTHY.
You do not have to have a separate phone line to have a toll free number. You can redirect the number to your regular phone line.
If you are unable to be available to answer customer service calls, consider hiring a virtual assistant or call center. Call centers offer 24-hour customer service and can answer calls on your behalf every day of the week.
Virtual assistants can help with customer care calls, as well as other administrative duties. Generally, virtual assistants are not on call 24 hours a day; but they can handle your calls for you during normal business hours.
Another option is to install Live Help on your website. Live Help is similar to a call center, except they respond to customer care via the Internet. Customers can instant message with a live help operator and receive prompt answers to their questions.
You will want to post your customer care information on your website. Create a separate page and include your hours of operation; time zone; customer service phone number; and email address.
If your customer service program states that you will respond within 24 hours, than make certain that you respond within that time frame. It’s always best to under promise and over deliver. Whenever possible, get back with the customer as quickly as possible.
Many people shy away from doing business online because they are concerned that they might be handing over their money to a fly-by-night organization. You must build trust with people who are doing business with you and respond to them quickly and efficiently. Let them know how to reach you and be available to handle their inquiries.
Discover more valuable tips for creating an exceptional customer service program in “The Honest Marketer.”
