1. Handwritten thank-you notes
When a customer orders a product online, include a handwritten thank-you note in the package. This is a great customer service example that reminds shoppers their order matters to your brand.
If a note isn’t feasible, you might also send a personalized welcome email or record a brief video welcome. As long as the outreach feels authentic to your company and brand, it can help customers feel connected to the company.
2. Personalized interactions
Train your employees to analyze each customer interaction and adjust their approach accordingly. For example, a sales clerk might offer assistance to a customer who’s carrying several items by asking if they’d like a fitting room or to set some belongings by the counter.
An example of personalized customer service could be when a customer calls a tech support hotline for help with a product. The representative greets the customer by name, mentions their previous purchase and asks specific questions based on their past interactions or issues.
Related: Customer Service Training for Employees: A Complete Guide
3. Awareness of customer emotions
An example of customer service demonstrating awareness of customer emotions could be when a customer reaches out with a complaint about a delayed delivery. The representative recognizes the frustration and responds with empathy. This can help de-escalate the situation and show the company cares about the customer’s emotional experience.
4. Self-service options
Self-service options enable customers to handle simple tasks without employee assistance. The right self-service option depends on your business model but might include:
- Customer portals and online accounts
- Chatbots for common questions
- FAQs and troubleshooting pages for your products
- How-to videos
- Ticketing or ordering kiosks
5. Proactive customer service
Exceptional customer service may happen when your company acknowledges a mistake and offers a solution. For example, you publicly apologize for a product recall. Another example of proactive customer service could be when a company anticipates a potential issue and reaches out to the customer before they have a chance to contact support.
If you act immediately once the problem is discovered, customers may appreciate the transparency and accountability.
6. Informed product recommendations
Employees with a deep understanding of your products are typically better positioned to help customers. They can make recommendations based on customers’ needs, answer questions in detail and provide guidance about product usage.
7. Educating customers
When your buyers are well-informed, they can get the maximum value from their purchases.
Examples of good customer service may include:
- Demonstrating how products work
- Offering additional items that enhance the initial purchase, such as a wireless charging pad for a smartphone
- Sending an informational email or a link to explainer videos following a purchase
- Providing a robust online resource library
- Writing blog posts with detailed feature information
Your customer support department should also be easy to reach when customers need help with technical issues or product setup.
Related: How to Build a Customer-Centric Organization
8. Quick responses
Quick responses can help strengthen customer relationships. Consider ways you can shorten the wait time for customer service calls.
Other ways you might deliver quick service include:
- Providing several contact options, such as email, social media and chat
- Training agents to answer common questions
- Empowering customer service agents to resolve issues without manager approval
Making the return process easy, fast and hassle-free can also go a long way.
9. Leveraging customer service tools
Customer service tools can help you create a smooth buyer experience. The most effective tool depends on your business. If you sell products online, you might integrate your inventory system with your point-of-sale (POS) software. This simple solution can synchronize your warehouse and online store, ensuring customers see accurate stock levels.
Customer relationship management platforms help you track past interactions with customers, which may make it easier to personalize future service.
10. Consistency and follow-through
Consistent customer service may establish a sense of safety and comfort that encourages repeat business. You might also offer warranties so customers can buy valuable items with confidence.
If you make a promise or a claim, it’s critical to make it happen. For example, if all online orders are supposed to be shipped within 24 hours, ensure you have enough employees to meet that deadline.
Related: Combining Customer Support, Service and Success to Enhance Customer Experience
11. Customer loyalty rewards
A loyalty program can help keep customers happy. Consider selecting one of the following program options:
- Accrual system: Customers earn points for each visit or the amount spent. They can redeem points for a discount or free item.
- Punch card: Customers earn a punch for each purchase. When they reach a certain number, their next purchase is free.
- Virtual tracking: Customers log purchases through an app or online account. The system sends rewards directly to the account for redemption in person or online.
FAQs about examples of exceptional customer service
Why is good customer service important?
Customer service generally affects your company’s reputation. When your buyers share positive customer service examples, new consumers may check out your business. Providing excellent customer care can attract new customers and encourage repeat business.
How can you tell if your company offers excellent customer service?
To evaluate the success of your company’s customer service, review metrics such as customer retention, average customer service call length, resolved tickets and number of referrals. You can also track brand mentions on social media and analyze client feedback.
How do you choose which customer service examples to use as inspiration?
Examine customer feedback to identify opportunities for improvement. For each one, look for customer service examples that might help your company provide a better experience. From there, you can customize the strategy to fit your audience.
