4 Reasons Your Company Needs to Implement Live Chat

In a digital world, speed is vital. Customers want products and services as soon as possible, and this expectation has become the standard. One aspect of the market that hasn’t quite caught up to this is customer service. The average response time for a customer service request received via social media is ten hours, with those received via email taking longer than 12 hours. It’s crucial to respond to your customers quickly to prevent a loss in business, and implementing a live chat software and staff can help with this. It can also help your company:

Provide a Better Website Experience

Live chat allows your customers to immediately have their questions and concerns addressed by a live person. Forrester Research found that 57% of customers will abandon their purchase if their questions aren’t answered quickly. They also found that 44% of online consumers find live chat to be one of the most vital features a website can have.

Prevent Unnecessary Costs

Calling customer service hotlines costs time for the consumer and money for the company. The longer a customer is on hold, the more time one support representative is spending on a single call. Live chat typically runs more smoothly, is easy to set up, offers more transparency, and is a low investment method that increases customer reach.

Increase Sales

A customer who visits your website is likely already interested in what your company has to offer. Live chat has become popular because it allows representatives to nudge customers toward other products without being obvious with a hard sell, and by making contact during the decision-making process, you increase the chance of your customers making a purchase. Research reflects this, with one group finding that customers who use live chat services are three times more likely to buy a product or service.

Gather Data

Live chat software collects data, and adds an extra layer to your tracking tools. The data gathered varies by platform, but some common information received includes:
• The link that referred the customer to your site
• If the customer is active or idle
• How long (and how many times) the customer has been on the site

This information can help you establish a better relationship with and experience for your clientele.

For both consumers and companies, the advantages of live chat software ring loud and clear. Live chat leads to increased customer satisfaction, which results in increased sales and profits.