Why Great Customer Service Matters More This Holiday Season

The rise of artificial intelligence in the United States has had adverse consequences for customer service in businesses across America. Human connection is on the decline. With automated responses via phone and email, it’s easier to solve a Rubik’s Cube than get ahold of an actual human being.

While many dreamed that AI would be an efficient tool to streamline business processes, in most cases, it has done the opposite. This can be especially frustrating around the holidays when stress is high and customer support is needed. As a business, you can go against this downward trend and stand out in a really obvious way, simply by being there for your customers.

Build Long-Term Loyalty with Availability and Kindness

Taking the time to provide exemplary customer care while focusing on offering high-quality goods and services seems like a no-brainer, but many businesses have taken a step back and are more interested in churning out as much product as they can while forgetting about services altogether. When’s the last time you waited on hold? It feels like decoding a bomb to get someone on the line. Build long-term loyalty with availability and kindness before your business implodes.

A Well-Trained Staff

Train your staff to prioritize empathy and patience. Have them get to know your business and its customer base. Provide live agents who stand by with answers to even the most difficult questions, and if they don’t have the answer, representatives who are willing to find it out. Be a guide to your customers; they are your biggest fans. Establish loyalty by going above and beyond to offer them a tailored experience that feels intimate and pleasurable.

Personal Touches

Add personal touches to your marketing, like thank you notes, clever packaging, proactive updates, special discounts or offerings, and lastly, honesty and transparency. We offer some great custom printed products that can help you with this approach.

Clear Communication and Follow-Ups

Remember to follow up with your clients and provide clear communications about shipping, returns, and delays, while offering viable solutions to obstacles that arise. In other words, be prepared for any scenario, and be willing to help!

Streamlined Processes

Ensure your ordering process is streamlined; a user-friendly website, hassle-free returns and exchanges, shipping estimates, and an easy way for customers to track their orders. Plus, a direct way for customers to reach out with inquiries without the use of a chatbot’s vague responses. Offer live chat, a phone number with a live agent, an email inbox that is answered promptly, as well as a strong FAQ Page. Quick responses put customers at ease during the holiday season.

Personalization is Key

Personalization is also key; use names, your customers’’ order history, and any feedback they have provided to tailor responses and suggestions that are valuable to each client. Does your customer order the same thing year after year? Not only can you suggest new products they might like, but you can also have their recurring order set up beforehand for a stress-free process each season.

Respond to Feedback

Feedback is important. Follow up with customers after an order and utilize a thoughtful review process, so you can ensure that what you’re doing is correct and make changes that your customers may want to see. If nothing else, remember this: always make every client feel heard.