Digital customer service means providing support to consumers through digital channels like chat, email, text (SMS), social media, messaging apps, and more. The number of digital channels now outnumbers more traditional channels like phone, mail, and face-to-face, and digital channel options will continue to grow as new technologies are introduced. Customers that use digital customer service are able to interact with businesses using smartphones, computers, and tablets.

Why do consumers value digital customer service?

Digital customer service fits into people's lifestyles. Globally, there are 3.5 billion smartphone users. In the US, 81% of people have smartphones. These smartphone owners use them to text, post on social media, FaceTime their friends, shop online, and so much more. It only makes sense that they also want to use their mobile devices when they need customer support. It's a digital world and people are used to being able to run their lives with phones.

Consumers also value the convenience and speed offered by many digital channels. As an example, say you noticed some unusual charges on your credit card and you're worried your number has been stolen. Time is of the essence in this scenario, but you're in a noisy train station, not conducive to a phone call. So you initiate a chat session with your credit card company and their agent not only responds immediately, but also cancels your card and issues a new one while your chatting. That's both convenient and fast.

Now, let's say you ordered a new night stand from an online retailer and it arrived with a damaged top. Time isn't really a consideration for you, but you do want to be able to provide a lot of information, including photos. In this case, you might send an email to the company and include a couple of photos of the damage. You're OK with the timing when the company responds the next day with a satisfactory resolution. It may not have been a fast method, but it was really convenient. You, as an empowered consumer, got to choose the method of digital customer service that met your needs.

Why do businesses offer digital customer service? What's in it for them?

First and foremost, businesses should offer digital customer service because of the consumer demand discussed above. Organizations are increasingly competing based on customer experience, making their customer service execution more important than ever. This includes offering communication options.

Additionally, digital channels are potentially a lower cost way to support customers, especially if they include self-service options. A well-designed website support section or a company app that supports self-service tasks can help organizations reduce labor costs. Additionally, channels such as chat can be a more efficient method of agent-assisted support because agents can work multiple chat sessions simultaneously.

Transform your customer service approach with cutting-edge digital solutions!

Whether you're looking to streamline processes, enhance responsiveness, or deliver exceptional experiences, our tools are designed to meet your needs. Ready to see the difference firsthand? Watch the free demo now and discover how our solutions can empower your team and delight your customers.

Webinars

Your Digital CX is Broken—And Your Customers Know How to Fix It

Despite all the talk about “digital transformations” and “omnichannel engagement,” 80% of companies are not delivering seamless, end-to-end journeys. Their digital interactions are impersonal and fragmented, leading to high customer effort and low customer satisfaction.

White Papers

Harnessing Digital Channels and WFM to Provide the Best Service for Every Customer

Contact centers have more challenges than ever due to the introduction of new generations to the workplace, lasting effects of the pandemic on consumer and employee behavior, and the need for resiliency amid economic uncertainty.

Webinars

The Digital Experience That Customers Want: How Leading Brands Manage Digital Channels for Happy Customers

In this session, Aberdeen will share their findings on the strategies that top-performing companies use to build and nurture a customer-oriented yet efficient mix of digital channels. We’ll demonstrate why brands must abandon the traditional notion that each channel is reserved for specific issue types or customer profiles.

Any digital channel

Your customers are trying to reach you for service on digital channels – even if you’re not there yet. How many SMS text messages go to your call center phone number with no response? Who’s trying to find you on Facebook, Twitter, or WhatsApp and not finding you? Now with CXone it is easy to provide digital-first omnichannel service in all the channels your customers expect.

  • Personalized digital interactions: deliver native experiences in each of 30+ messaging channels, such as rich media, emojis, and other collaboration tools.
  • Simple to Activate: pre-integrated channels make it easy to offer to customers and agents.
  • Easy to Say “Yes”: simple packaging removes barriers to offering all channels to customers and agents.
CXone digital channel
Empowered agents

With CXone, omnichannel interactions are managed holistically, from agents to supervisors and beyond. Integrated workforce optimization, analytics, automation and artificial intelligence across digital and voice interactions ensure complete management across contact center operations.

Holistic management

With CXone, omnichannel interactions are managed holistically, from agents to supervisors and beyond. Integrated workforce optimization, analytics, automation and artificial intelligence across digital and voice interactions ensure complete management across contact center operations.

Contact us

If you would like to know more about our platform or just have additional questions about our products or services, please submit the contact form. For general questions or customer support please visit our Contact us page.

×

NICE named a worldwide Leader in 2024 IDC MarketScape CCaaS report

Get the excerpt
IDC Logo