A successful online business is determined by not only the amount of traffic to the website but also by the sales that are generated. Sales are mostly from customers that have been satisfied with the service provision. However there may be some unsatisfied customers and this may be due to a number of factors.
A business should build its reputation on certain age old values like honesty. It might come as a surprise that the more trustworthy a business is, the more sales that will be generated. This is because customers value good service especially if it is coupled with promptness. Some businesses do not recognize this which is just one of the problems that should be avoided.
Another problem that faces customer support is the lack of investment. There are some businesses that tend to financially neglect customer support. This is a terrible mistake. Investing in customer service will ensure an increase in traffic to the site. Businesses should understand that the market is ever changing and advancing such that those who do not satisfy the customer lose out.
The live chat is a good communication tool to use on a website. However the success of the live chat depends on the personnel on the team. The personnel have to be properly trained such that they understand the needs of each and every customer and are able to respond satisfactorily. Since this is a live chat service, it has to be available as a 24 hour service, there should be someone on hold to respond to queries by customers at all times. If customers do not get a response, they tend to lose confidence in the company and look for service elsewhere.
Most live chat services ask the customer to provide a few details like personal information. There are some websites which require personalized information that may not be entirely relevant like credit card details. This will raise the suspicions of customers who may be doubtful of your security.
Businesses make the mistake of sitting back and waiting for business when they can go and source it. Some software allows you to track the movements of visitors to your site. All the information from the time spent on your page to what the customer seemed interested in can be used to leer the customer. You can set up a live chat with the potential customer and assist him in his or her choice for the product or service that will satisfy their needs.
A good business is always in touch with the customers, so make sure your business maximizes on customer support as this will tend to maximize your profits.
Microsoft Corporation is one of the most successful computer hardware, software and consumer devices manufacturers in the history of computing. The company has a broad market footprint with 4 key areas of operations: Desktop Computer Hardware and Software, Server and Enterprise Systems, Online Services and Entertainment and Consumer Devices including Music Players and Gaming Consoles. But the company is more known for its computer software business which has products like Windows, the world’s most popular OS and Office Systems which is, again, world’s most popular suit of office related applications, in its arsenal. For such a humongous organization to reach and maintain the status quo it has, providing excellent support options for its customers is one of the most high priority and major goals.
Microsoft, in the past, has received a bit of criticism from media and customers as having a bit arrogant and bullying aspect in the overall stance towards customers, but this has improved a lot in the past few years. Microsoft has done a great job in increasing the quality of its first level customer support, that is, its online customer support. Customers have a wide array of support options available to them online which they can use and leverage to get quick and easy to use solutions for their problems.
Microsoft provides all the usual support options like live chat, ticket system based customer support etc, but what brings them apart from other are some great options like a huge knowledge base of articles that solve queries from the basic to advance levels based on the issues that have been found in the past. This knowledgebase coupled with the Microsoft Online forums provide a great support platform for users seeking self help.
Forums are great in the sense that they let customers not only get support from the company but from other users and expert peoples from MVP (awarded with Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professional award) groups for free. Microsoft also organizes online webcasts and podcasts for resolving issues as well as educating users about the features and tips on how to get the most out of their purchased Microsoft products.
Microsoft development teams also manage their own blogs to update customers of upcoming advances in product technology as well as the fixes they bring out from time to time.
Microsoft customers also have the option to put a request for a phone call from support department using their website to get very hands on assistance from support personnel that is very specific to their requirements.