Almost everyone these days is selling online via chat applications like Messenger and Viber. After all, it's super easy and virtually free to start selling online this way.
On our part, we love talking about how chatbots can make your lives easier as a business owner. Whether you're selling via chat apps or your own online store, we think chatbots are the way to go if you want to make your business bigger and better.
Why?
You get more time to focus on growing your business, not writing down orders. Yes, we all love it when orders come in so fast it's all hands on deck. But if you're just fulfilling orders every day, you're not preparing your business for the future.
Also, your chatbot can answer all the repetitive questions your customers have about you and your product. Let's face it, people will always ask questions even if you have details spelled out on your website or Facebook Page. They like making sure of things. So give them a chatbot to answer their questions for you.
But do you know there are more surprising benefits getting your own chatbot can do for your business?
It Costs Lower to Maintain a Chatbot
...than hiring new staff to answer questions.
We're not saying you shouldn't hire capable customer service representatives and sales people. Your chatbot will lack human empathy, intuition, and ability to process and adapt to the very human emotions your customers will go through. You need great folks on your team when it comes to delighting your customers.
But your talented customer support staff should be working on cases that are complex. Not answering "hm" queries, sending price lists, copy-pasting routine answers.
It's not just your time as a business owner that is valuable--it's your support staff, too. If they don't need to worry about routine questions, they can focus on being extra for your customers who need a little more care and focus.
Chatbots Will Attract a Younger Audience
Want to be more relevant? You might be surprised how "in" having a chatbot is.
Millenials and Gen Z are hyper focused on their mobile phones, but not for calls.
They're texting, they're chatting, they're browsing online.
Faced with the option to call for delivery or use an app or website to order online, they will prefer the app or website. They don't like phone calls--they want to text or chat instead. Many opt to order or buy elsewhere rather than go through a phone call.
Keep your phone lines open by all means--but more often than not, younger, up-and-coming professionals are going to prefer to chat than talk with your business.
Have a United Experience Everywhere
You know how it can be frustrating when you're talking to one agent today, and tomorrow it's someone else and you need to repeat things to the new one?
It's the same for text and chat. People don't like repeating themselves. Most especially on chat when there's history to scroll back and read through!
Good thing there are chatbots like Chatbuddy that can be put everywhere and not lose your customer's history and data.
So if your customer chats with your chatbot on your website to order something, and then hits Like on your Facebook page (congratulations!) and starts placing orders there instead, your customer gets the same experience. They don't need to repeat themselves. It's like they're talking to the same person who knows them very well!
Everyone's Leveling Up These Days -- You Should Too
Did any of these benefits surprise you? They might not be obvious, but they can definitely bring home the bacon.
Don't get left behind in the Old Days. It's a competitive market out there and you'll need more than just a great product. You need to give your customers a great experience buying from you, too. If you can be where they are and answer their needs quickly, you're sure to have customers for life.