Customer support

What is meant by customer support?

Customer support is a set of services provided by a company to a customer. It is also a part of customer relationship management. Companies use a Helpdesk to provide customer support. Thus, customers can connect with the company through different types of channels. For instance: Email, Phone, or Live chat.

Companies assist in installation and training. Moreover, they try to resolve customers’ problems and queries. 

What is the difference between customer service and customer support?

The main difference between these two is that customer support provides mainly technical assistance to customers. Thus, helping resolve any technical issue/problem the customer is experiencing with your products/services. On the other hand, customer service is about helping the customer use the product/service to the full potential. This is where you engage with customers and grow customer relations. Thus, providing the best value.

If you would like to learn more details, read Customer service vs Customer support.

Why is customer support important?

Having customer support is important because it creates a loyal customer base. However, there are way more benefits.

Here are a few benefits of having good customer support:

• Higher sales
• Higher revenue
• Customer satisfaction
• Customer retention
• Efficient workflow

What are the most effective customer support channels?

Live chat

Live chat is an important part of every customer support software. It enables your customer representatives to chat or simply approach customers in real-time. It is believed that millenials are the only ones who use live chat. However, there are also other age groups that use live chat. Don’t miss out on live chat and its benefits.

If you would like to learn more, read LiveAgent – Live chat.

Email

Emails are the usual and basic part of every customer support. Some might say, it can be a lengthy form of support channel. Why? Well simply, because it can take longer to resolve an issue/problem. However, the reach via Email is worldwide and it is still a well-used channel.

If you would like to learn more, read LiveAgent – Email.

Phone

The phone is also one of the preferred ways to reach out to your customer support. It is used by customers who might not be tech-savvy or simply just prefer to have a conversation (the human-touch).

If you would like to learn more, read LiveAgent – Phone.

Social Media (SoMe)

Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. These are just a few platforms where customers interact with each other. Moreover, they engage with your brand/company. Answering customer inquiries or helping customers via SoMe is a crucial part these days for every customer support. Customer service software, such as LiveAgent can help you manage SoMe inquiries from one interface. Thus, being able to efficiently answer and engage with all kinds of customers.

If you would like to learn more, read LiveAgent – Social Media.

Customer portal/Self-service

Having a customer portal/Self-service is important to operate 24/7 as a business. Therefore, even though your customer agents are not available, your customers still get the needed support. This could be via Knowledge Base articles that provide; guides, product information, videos, and more.

If you would like to learn more, read LiveAgent – Knowledge Base.

What is a customer support software?

Customer service software, such as LiveAgent creates an optimal workflow for your customer agents that make them more efficient and effective at the same time. The ability that stands out the most is that a customer representative does not have to switch between interfaces while working. Thus, being able to resolve a customer inquiry from all kinds of channels from one place. All of the above-mentioned channels are included in LiveAgent. 

Other LiveAgent features:

• CRM
• Canned messages/ Predefined messages 
• Merge tickets/inquiries
• Rules/SLAs
• Analytics overview
• Video chat with customers and colleagues too

If you would like to learn more, read about all LiveAgent – Features here.