Customer service checklist

One of the first things your support team should do is make sure customers can easily contact them. Customers shouldn’t have to search through pages of FAQs or send multiple emails before getting a response.

Why is an easily accessible support team important?

If customers can’t get in touch with your support team, it will be difficult for them to resolve problems. They may become frustrated and take their business elsewhere if they do not receive assistance when they need it most.

How to ensure your support team is easily accessible?

This will vary depending on your industry. Some companies offer 24-hour phone support while others provide chat features.

Some companies choose not to offer customer service over the phone but instead use different forms of communication like email or social media. The most important thing is that customers are able to quickly and easily get in touch with your team whenever they need assistance.

Don’t forget that different types of inquiries may require more time than others, so it’s important to be transparent with customers about how long they can expect to wait for a response.

Which tools to use for making your support team easily accessible?

• time tracking apps
• employee management software
• CRM tools
• customer support software
• LiveAgent call center software
• LiveAgent live chat software

Your customers need to know what kind of experience to expect when reaching out for assistance.

Why is setting clear customer service expectations important?

Clear expectations guide customers. Misunderstandings can be avoided before interaction between the customer and your team even begins.

How to set clear customer service expectations?

Customer service is expected to be correct, prompt, and pleasant. There are many ways you can set expectations, but the most important is to be consistent.

You want all your customers to have a similar personalized experience when they reach out for help. A clear understanding of what to expect from your business will help you avoid many problems down the road.

Which tools to use for setting clear customer service expectations?

• email ticketing system
• LiveAgent ticketing software
• employee management software
• customer service software
• a set of spreadsheets and charts
• workforce planning app

It is important to notify customers of your business hours. They will know when you are available and what time zone to consider when reaching out for assistance.

Why is specifying working hours important?

Specifying your support team’s work hours explains limitations or delays.

If you are unable to offer customer service during certain times, it’s best to let customers know. They should be able to easily find out when the business will be open for them before they reach out with a question or issue.

How to specify your working hours?

Choosing when you are available for support is your choice. However, you should consider how this may impact customers in different time zones or those who rely on other services at specific times.

If possible, try to be as accommodating as possible in order to provide the best customer service experience that you can.

Which tools to use for specifying your working hours?

• LiveAgent time tracking app
• working spreadsheets
• industry benchmarks

One way to ensure your support team’s quality is by using chatbots, which are computer programs that can mimic human conversations and help customers with their inquiries.

Why is taking advantage of a 24/7 chatbot important?

Chatbots are available at all times and can handle multiple conversations simultaneously. This way you can help more customers at any given time and avoid long wait times.

Chatbots are programmed to answer frequently asked questions, which frees up your support team’s time for more complex inquiries.

There are many different chatbots out there to choose from, but it is important that they align with the type of customer service you want to provide and fit with your business goals.

How to take advantage of a 24/7 chatbot?

You can use a chatbot on your website, social media platforms, or in your email marketing campaigns. You should ensure your team understands how to use the chatbot so that everyone is on the same page and knows how to make the most of it.

Make sure you know how to use the chatbot and onboard your team so that everyone will be on the same page and knows how to best use this valuable asset.

Which tools to use for taking advantage of a 24/hour chatbot?

• chatbot software
• customer service chatbot

Knowing your products and services helps you provide better customer service. You can offer solutions to customers once you understand their requirements.

Why is becoming familiar with your products and services important?

Customers reach out for support because they have a question or issue that needs resolution. If you are familiar with your products and services, it will be easy to answer questions or help resolve issues.

Moreover, you will be able to provide solutions that are tailored to your products and services, which creates a better customer experience.

Get familiar with your product solutions and the different features they offer. This knowledge can then be passed on to customers who reach out for support.

How to become familiar with your products?

You can easily enhance your product knowledge by reading through product documentation and learning the ins and outs of what each service has to offer. If you are not familiar with something, ask a teammate or senior colleague.

It is also important to test out your products and services so you are familiar with them. Additionally, attend webinars and product training sessions to learn more about what your company offers.

Which tools to use for becoming familiar with your products?

• product manuals
• training materials
• webinars
• support forums
• internal knowledge base

When it comes to customer service, putting the customer first should always be your top priority. This means resolving their issues and answering their questions in a timely and efficient manner.

Why is putting the customer first important?

It is key to creating a positive customer experience. It helps your business’s reputation and improves the overall perception of your brand. Furthermore, it will help you create loyal customers.

How do you put the customer first?

Provide quality customer service by resolving issues accurately via an efficient customer service system.

Listen to the needs of your customers and add features to your product or service based on what your customers want. Secure reliable service to them.

Use a goal management method like OKRs (objectives and key results). It is an effective strategy that can help you achieve daily goals while also staying on top of long-term objectives.

Which tools to use for putting the customer first?

• chatbot software
• LiveAgent livechat and call center
• customer service contact widgets

When it comes to customer service, responding quickly is essential. This means resolving inquiries and answering questions as soon as possible.

Why is responding quickly important?

Customers may become frustrated if you do not respond right away, and they may take their business elsewhere. In some cases, they might leave negative reviews which can damage your reputation.

And, if the issue is time-sensitive, not responding quickly can make the problem worse.

How to respond quickly?

You should always have a plan in place for how you will respond to customer inquiries. This includes setting up a process for how you will address different types of questions and resolve issues.

Additionally, make sure that you have the necessary resources in place so you can handle customer requests quickly. Establish a response time for your agents so they can deliver the level of customer service you expect.

Which tools to use for responding quickly?

• live chat software
• email support software
• phone support/call center software
• helpdesk software
• social media monitoring
• customer communication management tool (CCM)

When it comes to customer service, one of the most important skills (in addition to active listening) is being able to match customer needs with product solutions. This means understanding what each customer wants and needs, then providing them with the best possible solution.

Why is matching customer needs with product solutions important?

It may be difficult to provide the best customer service if you are unable to match customer needs with product solutions. This can lead to lost sales, unhappy customers, and an overall negative impact on your business’s reputation.

How to match customer needs with product solutions?

By properly training employees on how to ask questions during conversations with customers, you can gain valuable information on what product solutions customers want. See if you are able to provide these solutions in the future if you do not have them on offer yet. Be frank with your customers on what product solutions you have available.

Which tools to use for matching customer needs with product solutions?

• buyer persona matrices
• customer journey mapping
• feature/functionality matrices
• problem-solution fit matrices
• product roadmap software
• market analysis software

Keeping the customer informed at every stage of the resolution process is essential. This means letting them know what you are doing, how long it will take to resolve the issue, and when they can expect a response.

Why is keeping the customer informed important?

If you do not keep the customer informed, they may feel that their issue is not being taken seriously or that you are ignoring them.

This can lead to frustration and poor reviews which will hurt future sales. In a world where customer experience has huge power, this is the last thing you want.

How to keep the customer informed?

Make sure that you have a plan of the resolution process and how you will communicate it with your customers. Explain how you plan to resolve their issues, an estimate of when they can expect resolution, and what you will do if it cannot be resolved right away.

You should make sure your employees understand the importance of keeping your customers in the loop.

What tools to use for keeping the customer informed?

• email address database
• email forwarding solutions
• CRM
• tracking apps

One of the best ways to provide quick and easy customer service is by having ready-made answers to commonly asked questions.

Why is preparing answers important?

Having ready-made answers for commonly asked questions reduces the number of emails and chats with customers. Therefore, your employees can spend their time on more important tasks, such as solving new customer problems or looking for ways to improve products and services.

How to prepare answers?

Create a list of the most frequently asked questions from customers so that you can prioritize them based on how often each one comes up.

Write detailed responses including possible solutions or next steps. You can then prepare your ready-made answers to ensure that customers are served quickly and efficiently.

Which tools to use for preparing ready-made answers?

• FAQ software
• social media management software
• email autoresponders
• email templates
• chatbots
• voice recognition software

If you’re looking to provide quick and efficient customer service, it’s important to determine a set timeline in which customers can expect answers or solutions to their inquiries.

Why is determining average response and resolution times important?

It allows you to set customer expectations and ensure that they are being met. It also lets you track your performance so you can see where improvements can be made.

Furthermore, it minimizes idle moments within your team and respects your customers’ time.

How do you determine average response and resolution times?

Start by measuring how long it takes you to respond to an inquiry from beginning to end.

Consider how long the customer waits for a response as well as how long it takes to fix the customer issue.

What tools to use to determine average response and resolution times?

• CRM
• time management apps
• tracking apps
• help desk software

One of the biggest challenges you can face when providing customer service is managing your customers’ emotionally charged responses. You need to know what to do when they are frustrated.

Why is managing customer frustration important?

Don’t let your customers’ frustration get in the way of efficiently resolving issues at hand.
It’s important to ensure that you handle customers’ negative emotions with empathy but without letting them take over completely. This will allow for a better resolution as well as an improved relationship with the customer.

How to manage customer frustration?

The first step is acknowledging how your customer is feeling. You should then try to understand why that is and if there’s anything you can do to help resolve it.

It’s important not to dismiss their feelings of anger, but instead work with them so they can overcome their frustrations. Furthermore, you should always apologize for any inconvenience caused and ensure that the customer is satisfied with the resolution.

Which tools to use for managing customer frustration?

• NPS surveys
• customer satisfaction surveys
• empathy training
• listening skills training
• anger management training
• customer service manuals
• complaint handling procedures

After taking the time to understand your customer’s frustration, try and help them resolve their problems as quickly as possible.

Whether it involves solving a billing issue or confirming an order. What matters is that you take care of their problem.

Why is resolving the problem important?

You should ensure that your customer’s questions are answered to their utmost satisfaction. The act of going the extra mile shows your customer that you care about them. It will hopefully lead to them doing business with you in the future.

How to resolve the problem?

There are a few things you need to be aware of. The first is that not every customer’s problem can be solved in the same way and from time to time you may need to get creative.

Secondly, it’s important that you have all the necessary information so you can properly diagnose and resolve the issue. Last but not least, make sure your customer is satisfied with the solution before closing the case.

Which tools to use for resolving problems?

• problem-solving skills
• customer service manuals
• complaint handling procedures
• resolving customer complaints training course

Even when your client is dissatisfied or upset, it’s critical to keep a pleasant and optimistic attitude. You should never blame them for the problem, but instead, try redirecting the conversation towards finding a solution that works best for everyone.

Why is it important to stay polite and use positive language?

When you are trying to resolve an issue with someone who might be feeling uncomfortable or angry, it’s important to keep the conversation as positive and polite as possible.

This can help to diffuse the situation and make your customer more receptive to hearing what you have to say. It also shows that you are willing to work with them in order to resolve the issue.

How to stay polite and use positive language?

It can be challenging, but always stay respectful. Even if the customer isn’t being polite themselves.

Using negative language won’t get you anywhere. Make sure to keep your tone positive and upbeat – this will help set the mood for the conversation.

Which tools to use to stay polite and use positive language?

• polite language skills
• customer service manuals and templates
• complaint handling procedures
• positive attitude training course

It’s perfectly normal to get upset or frustrated when you’re having a dispute with one of your customers, but it is important that you keep those emotions in check.

Why is not getting emotional important?

When dealing with customer complaints and other issues, there are many points where the conversation can get heated. It’s imperative that you keep your composure and stay calm. Getting emotional will only make things worse.

How to not get emotional?

There are a few tips to help you remain calm when dealing with customer complaints at work. For example, take some time for yourself. Breathe, take a short walk, or a sip of water.

This will help you to approach the situation with a clear head and be more receptive to what the customer is saying. You can also try actively listening. Try to understand their perspective.

Which tools to use for not getting emotional?

• emotional intelligence training course
• hands-on approach and skills
• internal policy and guidelines
• customer service manuals and templates
• complaint handling procedures

This helps to create a long-term relationship with a customer.

Why is it important to exceed expectations?

Making your clientele feel truly valued might encourage them to refer their friends and family members to do business with you. Also, it can be a great way to set yourself apart from your competition.

How to exceed expectations?

There are many ways to go above and beyond for your customers. For example, send them a handwritten note thanking them for their business, or give them a small gift as a token of appreciation.

If they have had a bad experience, you could go the extra mile and offer them a discount on their next purchase. Make sure to offer them something that they won’t expect.

Which tools to use for exceeding expectations?

• audience mapping
• social media monitoring reports
• customer feedback
• surveys
• extraordinary customer service skills

One thing we can agree on is that the customer is always right. Next time you’re talking with a customer, be sure to ask for their feedback and suggestions.

As a business outcome, you will better understand what they expect from your business and they will feel more involved in your organization.

Why is asking for feedback important?

When you ask for feedback, it shows your customers that you care about their opinions and want to make changes based on what they have to say.

It gives them a voice, which can be really powerful when it comes to making changes at your company. It goes without saying that this can positively affect customer experience and loyalty.

How to ask for feedback?

There are many different methods for collecting customer feedback and reviews, but one of the best is simply asking them directly.

Send out an email campaign survey or use your social media customer service tools to start a discussion. If you’re face-to-face with a customer, don’t be afraid to ask for their thoughts on your services. By actively seeking and valuing customer feedback, you can continuously improve your services to meet their needs and expectations better.

Which tools to use for asking for feedback?

• customer surveys
• focus groups
• online forms
• social media listening

An audit of your customer service team can reveal room for improvement. You can use metrics to evaluate your performance including product training opportunities and opportunities for customer service representatives skills.

Why is it important to review your customer service performance?

Review your customer service performance periodically. Keep your business on top of its game by making sure that you are always providing the best experience for your customers.

How to review customer service performance?

Keep in mind that the most important aspect of performance reviews is to make sure you conduct them on a regular basis.

You could hold an annual review and see where your team is excelling, as well as what areas need improvement. The other option is to conduct quarterly reviews, which would mean you’re taking a more proactive approach to providing feedback.

Which tools to use for reviewing customer service performance?

• LiveAgent
• call recordings
• customer service surveys
• NPS surveys
• customer service analytics dashboard