How Text Messaging Can Improve Customer Service

A phone number has a huge role in many facets of a business operation, from increasing business opportunities to keeping daily operations running smoothly. As technology improves the way people communicate, businesses need to find solutions that reconcile with their customers' preferences. There are many products and services in the market that aim to enhance the consumer experience and help companies stay a step ahead of the communications line.

Delivering an excellent service regardless of how customers choose to communicate can create more meaningful interactions. Through multi-channel communication, your business can create a pleasant, accessible, helpful, and trustworthy identity. This multi-faceted connection can be further highlighted by text-enabling your phone support. Since customers can use both voice and text channels, it gives you more opportunities to connect with a market that is frequently using various channels.

A Harris Poll carried out on behalf of OneReach shows that approximately 64% of consumers prefer texting as a customer service channel. It suggests businesses have an efficient channel for communicating with consumers on their terms. Truly, text messaging is probably the best way to reach your customers.

Why Text Messaging

Aside from mail and in person communications, most methods of interactions these days rely on modern technology - whether it is through the internet, social media, broadcast media, fax machine, or by phone. There is also some delay in the sending and receiving process, except in telephone calls and face to face communications. For instance, mail deliveries can take longer during the holidays. Fax communication may be faster, but it is becoming out-of-date.

Email can be used to communicate with existing customers and business associates. But the amount of time consumed in email correspondence may vary according to how regularly the recipient logs in online. Broadcast media is instantaneous, but it can be very expensive. It is often untargeted, and it’s hard to personalize your messages. Broadcast media may be convenient if you are unfamiliar with the audience you would like to reach, which negates the fact that one of the first things to do in starting a business is knowing your audience.

These communication channels are efficient in certain ways. But they're not easily transportable. Consumers are only able to take messages once they are at home or in the office. On the other hand, text messaging is immediate and easily accessible. It's a two-way communication that offers a guaranteed way to reach each person that opt-ins to your subscription list.

Here are some SMS statistics I want you to think about:

  • More than 18 billion text messages are sent worldwide daily.
  • 78% of consumers want to communicate with a business through text.
  • It is ten times faster than a phone call.
  • It has a 98% open rate, compared to 20% for email.
  • A study by Hailo, an app for taxi drivers and passengers, shows that sending and receiving text messages are the top two uses of a cell phone. Making a phone call is only at number six.
  • People prefer to use texting in scheduling appointments and making reservations.
  • 97% of Americans use text messaging at least once per day, as reported by Pew Research Center.
  • At present, 80% of professionals use SMS for business use.

Hotels are using SMS to improve concierge services. Guests can simply text to request for new towels or room service. The hotel concierge can respond within seconds, which saves both the hotel and the guests' time. It also helps to avoid delays so everyone can go on and enjoy their day. Guests can make reservations and ask inquiries through text. They no longer have to look for a phone to order food and drinks from the hotel restaurant. By enabling text messaging on their concierge service, hotels can handle requests faster. Guests are happier and more likely to give a better review.

Texting Rights puts text messaging capabilities on landline, toll-free, and business phone numbers. It does not need any additional software or applications. Texting Rights is a great option for businesses that want to text-enable their landlines without having to open another line.

For a free trial, call or text us at (703) 596 - 8989 or complete the form below.