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How customer service can make or break your e-commerce business

Can customer service increase your e-commerce profits? Discover how customer support is vital for success and customer loyalty in this blog post.
Published on
December 7, 2024
Maurizio Isendoorn, Co-Founder at Ringly.io
Maurizio Isendoorn
Co-Founder

When customers have a positive experience with a company's customer service, they are more likely to become repeat customers and recommend the business to others. On the other hand, poor customer service can lead to negative reviews, lost sales, and damage to a company's reputation. In fact, according to a study by American Express, 33% of customers say they would consider switching companies after just one instance of poor customer service.

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Understanding the role of AI in customer support

AI is changing the way businesses do customer support. In the context of customer support, AI can be used to automate and improve parts of the customer service experience.

One of the key benefits of AI in customer support is its ability to provide personalized service on autopilot. AI chatbots, for example, can handle a large volume of customer inquiries at the same time, reducing wait times and improving response times. These chatbots can also be programmed to learn from each interaction, so that they provide better answers over time.

AI customer support: the future of e-commerce

The potential of AI in transforming the e-commerce industry is immense. As technology continues to improve, more and more businesses are adopting AI-powered solutions to improve their customer support. According to a report by Gartner, by 2022, 70% of customer interactions will involve emerging technologies such as machine learning applications, chatbots, and virtual assistants.

The growing trend of AI adoption in ecom customer support is driven by the desire to provide faster and more personalized service to customers. AI-powered solutions can help businesses automate repetitive tasks, freeing up human agents to focus on other high-value interactions. This not only improves the customer experience but also allows businesses to scale their customer support without increasing costs.

The benefits of e-commerce live chat for your business

Benefits of Ecommerce Live Chat Description
Increased Sales Live chat can help customers make informed purchase decisions, leading to increased sales.
Improved Customer Satisfaction Live chat provides customers with instant support, leading to improved satisfaction and loyalty.
Reduced Cart Abandonment Live chat can help address customer concerns and questions, reducing the likelihood of cart abandonment.
Cost Savings Live chat can reduce the need for phone support and can handle multiple customer inquiries simultaneously, leading to cost savings.
Increased Efficiency Live chat can help streamline customer support processes and reduce response times, leading to increased efficiency.


One of the most popular and effective customer support channels in ecommerce is live chat. Live chat allows customers to communicate with a business in real-time, providing them with immediate assistance and support. There are several advantages of live chat for ecommerce businesses.

Firstly, live chat offers convenience and accessibility for customers. Unlike phone support, which often involves long wait times and frustrating automated menus, live chat allows customers to get help quickly and easily. They can access live chat from any device with an internet connection, making it a convenient option for customers who prefer not to make a phone call.

Secondly, live chat enables businesses to provide personalized service to their customers. With live chat, agents can see the customer's browsing history and previous interactions, allowing them to tailor their responses and recommendations accordingly. This personalization helps build trust and loyalty with customers, as they feel understood and valued by the business.

How AI live chat can improve your customer service

AI-powered live chat takes the benefits of live chat to the next level. By integrating AI technology into live chat systems, businesses can provide even more efficient and personalized service to their customers.

One of the key benefits of AI-powered live chat is its ability to handle a large volume of customer inquiries simultaneously. AI-powered chatbots can engage in multiple conversations at once, reducing wait times and improving response times. These chatbots can also be programmed to learn from each interaction, allowing them to provide more accurate and relevant responses over time.

In addition to efficiency, AI-powered live chat can also provide a more personalized experience for customers. By analyzing customer data and preferences, AI-powered chatbots can offer personalized recommendations and suggestions, helping customers find the products or information they need more quickly and easily.

AI phone support: the best customer experience

How customer service can make or break your e-commerce business


While live chat is a popular customer support channel, phone support still plays a crucial role in ecommerce. Many customers prefer to speak with a human agent over the phone when they have complex or urgent issues. AI technology can enhance the phone support experience by providing 24/7 availability and personalized service.

AI-powered phone support systems can handle a large volume of calls simultaneously, ensuring that customers don't have to wait on hold for long periods of time. These systems can also be programmed to understand and respond to customer inquiries in a natural and conversational manner, providing a more personalized and human-like experience. Check out this article on how to automate your customer support entirely using an AI caller.

The advantages of AI scaller for your e-commerce business


AI-powered caller systems offer several advantages for ecommerce businesses. Firstly, they provide efficiency by automating repetitive tasks such as call routing and basic inquiries. This frees up human agents to focus on more complex and high-value interactions, improving the overall customer experience.

Secondly, AI-powered caller systems offer personalization by analyzing customer data and preferences. They can use this information to tailor their responses and recommendations, providing a more personalized and relevant experience for customers.

The impact of exceptional customer service on your business success

Exceptional customer service has a direct impact on the success of a business. When customers have a positive experience with a company's customer service, they are more likely to become repeat customers and recommend the business to others. This leads to increased sales and customer retention, which are key drivers of business growth.

On the other hand, poor customer service can have serious consequences for a business. Negative reviews and word-of-mouth can quickly spread, damaging a company's reputation and driving customers away. According to a study by NewVoiceMedia, 67% of customers have ended their relationship with a company due to poor customer service.

Strategies for having briliant e-commerce customer service

To provide exceptional customer service in ecommerce, businesses should focus on personalization and responsiveness. Personalization involves understanding and anticipating the needs and preferences of individual customers. This can be achieved through the use of customer data and analytics, which can provide insights into customer behavior and preferences.

Responsiveness is another key aspect of exceptional customer service. Customers expect quick and accurate responses to their inquiries, whether it's through live chat, phone support, or email. Businesses should invest in the right technology and training to ensure that their customer service representatives are equipped to handle customer inquiries in a timely and efficient manner.

Using AI for exceptional e-commerce customer service

In conclusion, exceptional customer service is crucial for the success of an ecommerce business. It not only helps build trust and loyalty with customers but also has a direct impact on sales and customer retention. AI technology offers businesses the opportunity to enhance their customer support capabilities by providing efficiency and personalization.

By embracing AI-powered solutions such as live chat, phone support, and caller systems, ecommerce businesses can provide faster, more efficient, and more personalized service to their customers. This not only improves the overall customer experience but also allows businesses to scale their customer support operations without increasing costs.

In today's competitive ecommerce landscape, businesses that prioritize exceptional customer service and embrace AI technology are more likely to succeed and thrive. By investing in the right tools and strategies, businesses can build strong relationships with their customers and drive long-term business success.

If you're looking to improve your ecommerce customer service, look no further than this insightful article on "How to fully automate your e-commerce customer support." This article helps you deliver outstanding customer support in the online retail space at the fraction of human cost. From personalizing the customer experience to leveraging automation, this article covers it all. Check it out here.

FAQs

What is e-commerce customer service?

Ecommerce customer service refers to the support and assistance provided to customers who purchase products or services online. It includes various channels such as email, phone, chat, and social media.

Why is ecommerce customer service important?

Ecommerce customer service is important because it helps to build trust and loyalty with customers. It also helps to resolve any issues or concerns that customers may have, which can lead to increased sales and positive reviews.

What are some common e-commerce customer service channels?

Common ecommerce customer service channels include email, phone, chat, and social media. Some companies also offer self-service options such as FAQs and knowledge bases.

What are some best practices for ecommerce customer service?

Some best practices for ecommerce customer service include responding promptly to customer inquiries, being empathetic and understanding, providing clear and concise information, and following up to ensure customer satisfaction.

How can ecommerce customer service be improved?

Ecommerce customer service can be improved by investing in training and development for customer service representatives, implementing customer feedback systems, and using technology such as chatbots and automation to streamline processes and improve response times.

What are some common challenges in e-commerce customer service?

Common challenges in ecommerce customer service include managing high volumes of inquiries, dealing with difficult or angry customers, and maintaining consistency across multiple channels and representatives.

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