What is Omnichannel Customer Service: Definition, Benefits, Strategy, and Examples

Today’s customers expect to be able to engage with a company through various channels, at any time and from any location.

As customer expectations continue to rise, companies look for new and innovative ways to provide an exceptional customer experience.

Omnichannel customer service offers a solution, bridging the gap between traditional customer service and the demands of the modern customer.

What is Omnichannel Customer Service?

Omnichannel customer service is a strategy that aims to offer a seamless and consistent experience for customers across multiple channels (e.g., phone, email, live chat, social media, and in-person interactions).

It provides customers with a unified and integrated experience regardless of the channel they choose to use and helps them achieve their desired outcomes quickly and efficiently.

The omnichannel platform integrates customer service channels and enables businesses to access all customer information, improving the quality of customer service.

Also read: What is Omnichannel - Everything You Need to Know

Omnichannel Vs Multichannel Customer Service

Multichannel and Omnichannel customer service are two ways businesses communicate with their customers.

Multichannel

Multichannel customer service uses different ways of communication, such as phone, email, and live chat, but they need to be connected.

Customers who switch from one channel to another might have to repeat information or start over.

Omnichannel

On the other hand, Omnichannel customer service connects all the different channels into one system, giving customers a smooth and consistent experience no matter which channel they decide.

This system also helps businesses access all customer information and better track of customer interactions, leading to improved service and happier customers.

You can learn more about the differences between omnichannel Vs multichannel here.

How Does Omnichannel Work for Customer Service?

Businesses often use different applications for customer service, like WhatsApp, call center software, Instagram, etc.

Omnichannel software brings these different channels together in one unified platform, so all customer interactions and information from these channels are stored and managed in one place.

The customer service team can easily access this information to provide better customer service.

On the other hand, the team can keep track of all customer interactions across different channels using just one dashboard.

Also read: The Complete Guide to Omnichannel Contact Centers

Why is Omnichannel Important for Business?

Omnichannel customer service makes it easier for businesses to communicate with customers by integrating all communication channels into one system.

This helps create a smoother and more connected experience for customers, as all their information and previous interactions are stored in one place.

An example is using WhatsApp Omnichannel, where WhatsApp is integrated with other applications like CRM system.

This omnichannel CRM allows customer service teams to easily access a customer’s purchase history and respond to their problems faster.

With the best omnichannel system, customer service teams can also view all channels in one dashboard, making it easier for them to keep track of customer interactions and improve the quality of their service. As a result, customer satisfaction increases.

Also read: How to Integrate WhatsApp API into Your Business

The Benefits of Omnichannel Customer Service

Here are more detailed explanations of each benefit:

1. Improved customer experience

Omnichannel customer service provides a consistent and seamless experience across multiple channels.

This means that customers can start an interaction on one channel and then move to another without repeating information or starting over.

This leads to a better overall experience and higher customer satisfaction.

2. Increased customer engagement

Omnichannel customer service encourages customers to interact more frequently with a brand through multiple channels.

This can increase engagement and a stronger relationship between the customer and the brand.

Additionally, customers may feel more comfortable reaching out through various channels, leading to increased touchpoints and opportunities for businesses to engage with their customers.

3. Increased efficiency

Omnichannel customer service enables businesses to respond to customer inquiries more quickly and efficiently.

With all customer information in one system, businesses can provide faster, more personalized solutions to customer issues.

4. Increased customer retention

Providing a positive customer experience through omnichannel customer service can increase customer retention and reduce customer churn.

Customers who receive quick and efficient solutions to their issues are likely to remain loyal to a brand and recommend it to others.

Also read: Understanding What is Customer Retention

5. Competitive advantage

By offering omnichannel customer service, businesses can differentiate themselves from competitors and gain a competitive advantage.

Customers are increasingly looking for brands that provide a seamless, personalized experience across multiple channels, and businesses that can deliver on this promise will stand out from their competition.

6. Better data insights

Omnichannel customer service enables businesses to gather data from multiple sources to understand customer behavior and preferences better.

By analyzing customer interactions across various channels, businesses can gain insights into what customers want and how they prefer to interact with the brand.

7. Improved customer satisfaction

Omnichannel customer service provides quick and efficient solutions to their issues, increasing satisfaction and loyalty.

Customers who feel heard and valued are likelier to remain loyal to a brand and recommend it to others.

Additionally, by providing a consistent and seamless experience across multiple channels, businesses can exceed customer expectations and create positive brand associations.

Also read: What is Customer Satisfaction and How to Measure It

How to Create an Omnichannel Customer Service Strategy?

If you want to start creating your omnichannel customer service strategy, here are the first steps to take:

1. Understanding your customer

To provide a great customer experience, companies must understand how their customers behave and what they need.

To do this, they can collect data, define their audience segments, and talk directly to customers.

2. Plan your omnichannel approach

Companies need to have an overview of their omnichannel so that all channels work together seamlessly.

All customer data should be stored in a customer database or CRM system so that it can be easily accessed.

Integrating customer service with the omnichannel contact center can help align processes and increase revenue.

3. Offer self-service options

Some customers prefer to find answers and solve problems independently, so companies can provide self-service options such as a comprehensive FAQ or an online helpdesk.

4. Use WhatsApp to provide close service to your customers

Nearly everyone uses WhatsApp, so companies can connect with customers through the platform they use every day.

The WhatsApp Business API has many benefits, such as having multiple administrators and easy integration with other apps.

Also read: WhatsApp for Customer Service - A Guide for Businesses

5. Track your progress

Once you have implemented an omnichannel strategy, it’s essential to track how it’s doing by measuring data and analytics.

Conducting customer satisfaction surveys can help you understand what’s working and what needs improvement.

Analyzing the data collected will help ensure your company is on the right track and meet customer needs and expectations.

Omnichannel Customer Service Examples

Omnichannel customer service is when a company uses different channels to interact with its customers, but all the interactions are connected and integrated.

Omnichannel allows companies to connect with their customers through different channels and provide a consistent and seamless experience across all touchpoints.

Here are some omnichannel customer service examples:

1. A customer calls a company, but the call is transferred to a live chat session

Customers may be directed to a live chat session for further assistance when they contact a company via phone.

This allows the customer to continue their inquiry or complaint in a written format, which can provide a more efficient and effective method of communication.

The transfer to a live chat session also lets the company have a written record of the interaction, which can be helpful for future reference.

Also read: 11 Ways to Handle Customer Complaints

2. A customer chats with a company on their website and gets a follow-up email

Customers can reach out to a company via a live chat function on the company’s website.

Once the chat is completed, the customer may receive a follow-up email with a summary of the conversation and any additional information or resources discussed.

This allows the customer to refer to the discussion and provides personalized and efficient communication.

3. A customer asks a question through social media and receives a response

With the rise of social media platforms, customers may use these channels to contact companies with inquiries or complaints.

If a customer poses a question on a company’s social media page, they may receive a response from the company’s social media team.

This provides a public platform for communication and can help the company address customer concerns while showcasing its responsiveness to other potential customers.

4. A customer returns a product in-store and gets additional support through a phone call

If a customer needs additional assistance when returning a product in-store, they may receive support through a phone call.

This can allow the company to provide more personalized and thorough assistance, such as walking the customer through troubleshooting steps or discussing alternative options.

This additional support can help resolve the issue and improve the customer’s experience.

5. A customer reports an issue through a mobile app and has a phone call for personal interaction

When using a company’s mobile app, customers may have the option to report an issue or reach out for further support.

If the case requires personal interaction, the customer may receive a phone call from a customer service representative.

This can provide a more personal and efficient method of communication, allowing the customer to explain the issue in detail and receive immediate assistance.

6. A customer uses multiple channels and gets a consistent experience from the company

Customers may interact with a company through multiple channels, such as phone calls, emails, social media, or live chat.

To provide a consistent experience for the customer, the company should ensure that their customer service representatives are trained to provide the same level of service and resolution across all channels.

The company may also use a centralized customer service system to track customer interactions and ensure that information is easily accessible across all channels.

7. A customer receives a text asking for feedback and can reply by text or follow a link to complete a survey

After a customer completes a purchase or interacts with a company, they may receive a text message asking for feedback.

The text may include a link to a survey, or the customer may have the option to reply via text message.

This provides an easy and efficient method for the customer to provide feedback, which can be used to improve the company’s products or services.

Additionally, this can help the company improve customer satisfaction and loyalty by showing that they value their customers’ opinions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, omnichannel customer service is crucial to any successful business strategy.

By providing a seamless and consistent experience across multiple channels, businesses can improve customer satisfaction, increase engagement, and gain a competitive edge in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace.

To take advantage of the benefits of omnichannel customer service, consider using Mekari Qontak.

With its powerful omnichannel platform, you can integrate your customer service processes, manage interactions across multiple channels, and provide a consistent, high-quality customer experience.

What are you waiting for? Get your free trial now!