SINGAPORE, (DWDD) — The use of social media and mobile apps for customer service has doubled since 2011, but according to Nice Systems’ (NASDAQ: Nice) Global Customer Experience Survey, 88 percent of customers still elect to pick up the phone and call.
In South-East Asia, the phone is even more important than it is in the rest of the world. Populatio1ns here have more than 100 percent mobile phone penetration — more mobile phone subscriptions than people — but a significantly smaller percentage of internet penetration.
Nice surveyed consumers between the ages of 18 and 65 to assess their satisfaction and use of various customer service channels and how they influence brand loyalty. Following are key results from the survey:
* Phone is king – 88 percent choose to speak with a live rep over the phone. Connecting with a customer service representative over the phone is in fact the most used channel, with website self-service following closely behind (83 percent). In addition, no matter what channel they are using, customers like having the option of turning to a live phone rep as their next choice.
* Social media, live chat, and smartphone app use has doubled since 2011. Seventy-three percent of customers have used multiple contact methods over the past six months to reach a customer service provider. While more customers are turning to emerging channels, they still prefer “live” interactions. For example, 64 percent of the people using a smartphone app want it to facilitate connection to a live rep.
* Emerging channels need more work. Despite the increase in channel use, social media has a 29 percent success rate in resolving customer service issues as compared to 69 percent over the phone. Also, only one percent of respondents found social media to be the most satisfying channel, signifying that these modes of customer service still need improvement.
The Global Customer Experience Survey also underscored the need to make service effortless for customers. Continuity of service across channels is key with customers wanting companies to remember their past three to five transactions. The rewards are huge for companies that can deliver with 96 percent of respondents who expended little effort while resolving a service issue reporting high levels of loyalty.
