The Do’s and Don’ts of Communicating with Your Online Customers
The relationship between a brand and their customers is always changing, but one essential characteristic has stayed the same. There is a need for strong and honest communication. Whether you are a start-up or a well-established company, your customers are the ones that develop your business, grow your reputation, and build your brand’s culture. This is why it is very important to construct and maintain a healthy conversation with such a key audience. Luckily, the internet makes this easier than ever.
Unfortunately, not all businesses do this regularly. This is why today we are going to talk a bit about what you should and should not do when communicating online in terms of public relations and customer service.
Do Offer a Wide Range of Communication Options
The first thing you need to do if you want to improve your relationship with your customers is to make sure that you are covering all communication channels and social media options. If someone who is interested in your brand, products or services makes an inquiry, your PR/customer service team needs to answer it in due time and offer all the required information. Remember that a friendly tone and an honest response can go a long way.
Don’t Make Assumptions about Your Customer’s Tech Abilities
If someone has been contacting you via the web, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she is a tech wiz. Sometimes people who are not that familiar with say Facebook messages or online chats still reach out to a brand online in an attempt to establish a simpler and faster communication channel. Do not get frustrated with them. Never be that type of business; treat all of your customers with patience and care. Also, make sure that you do not use highly technical terms in your communications, thus avoiding confusion and misunderstandings.
Do Anticipate Your Customer’s Needs and Questions
One of the things that makes the difference between a good and a great brand is the ability to always be one step ahead of the game. This means you can anticipate a wide variety of problems, concerns and inquiries coming in from your customers. It is important for the general public to talk with someone that not only understands them, but also has a quick solution for their problems.
Don’t Neglect the Importance of a Website FAQ
Usually, before contacting a brand or business, someone will check out the website to see if the information needed is posted on one of the pages. Sadly, not all businesses have learned the importance of an updated website, a user-friendly design or even a well-constructed FAQ section. If your website offers all the information your customers need, it will save you a lot of time and also improve the relationship that you have with a group that plays such an important role in the development of your brand.
The way you communicate online not only matters, but it can also influence the course of your business development. So make sure that you are doing all the right things in this department. If you want to know how our public relations strategists can help improve your online communication skills or want to know more about the importance of internet communication and customer service, please do not hesitate in contacting us at jessica@janicemccaffertypr.com.