More and more companies worldwide are revisiting the way they do business and most are moving from the traditional way of maintaining stock in a physical building and going virtual using web commerce in dealing with clients. E-Commerce is a buzzword that is fast becoming a standard for upcoming and established companies. Businesses that are not yet moving into this kind of online commercial path would be left behind by their competition.

However, just like in a traditional or a physical showroom and office, a web commerce site would require an effective online customer service that would cater to the needs and requirements of their customers. As in any kind of business an effective customer service campaign, whether it is done online or offline can spell the difference in the success or failure of a particular business. In line with this, several tools for online customer service have been developed and introduced into the market to help small, medium and even large businesses and companies.

Current Trends and Tools in Online Customer Service

• One-on-One Live Chat

Live chat is one of the hottest and most in-demand online customer service tools available in the market. Check out http://live247support.com to find out how uniquely different this is compared to the old school customer service that we are accustomed to. With a simple click of a button, a client or potential customer can immediately connect to a customer service representative for inquiries, clarifications and even orders. This service is made possible with a live chat or e-business software, which would allow instantaneous communication between the client and the representative through a simple exchange of typed messages. A live chat software feature in an e-commerce website is beneficial to both the client and the business owner. In terms of operating costs, live chat software would cost the owner a mere 25 cents per transaction, which is a far cry from the $1.25 charge if phone transactions were used instead. This would provide huge savings on operating costs on the side of the owner. On the other hand, some clients are more comfortable with the written instead of the spoken word and would prefer chat than picking up the phone and talking to a representative at the opposite end of the line.

• Web Callback

Another way of immediate and almost instantaneous way of communicating with customers is the web callback features. With this technology, clients can immediately request help online and a customer service representative will get in touch with them in no time. Web callback can be used with other online tools like forms collaboration, browser sharing and screen captures and such tools can improve the quality and accuracy of discussions between the client and the representative as both are looking at the same set of information on their screens.

• Auto Responder Software

A growing and emerging business can be swamped with dozens or even hundreds of emails on a daily basis. The customer service department of that particular company or business would have neither time nor resources to sort through each individual mails and reply to them in a prompt and accurate manner. Failure to do so could be disastrous as impatient clients would find themselves looking for another business who could answer their inquiries fast.

To avoid such a predicament, auto responder software is what the business would need. Since most client or visitor inquiries are of the same nature, an auto responder can automatically answer an inquiry using a pre-written response or set of answers in a timely and fast manner. With this software, the e-commerce business owner is assured that all inquiries are answered promptly and no one is left out.