Today’s wider access to cutting-edge technology has enabled even smaller businesses to enjoy streamlined processes as well as a wider reach. Such modern conveniences like the Maya Terminal and the ultraportable Terminal Lite have democratized payment terminal machine platforms and all their transformative benefits, putting them within the reach of emerging businesses.
However, in today’s era of digital parity, customer service remains a key ingredient in creating loyalty and sustainable growth. There are, of course, technologies that enable improved customer service. Chatbots and AI, for instance, are now commonly used to enable once-unthinkable service levels, particularly for online channels. Despite this, it’s still the human touch that is the most important, whether in the digital realm or in traditional brick-and-mortar settings.
In particular, the empathy and trust that a positive face-to-face interaction brings is something that all businesses can benefit from. Regardless of whether you run a traditional store, an online shop, or a multichannel operation with both digital and real-world storefronts, the ability to relate and build rapport with customers on a human will still put your business ahead of the competition. Here’s what you can expect once you’ve developed your in-person customer service skills:
1. Builds Invaluable Trust and Loyalty
Trust is the cornerstone of business growth. There can be no conversions without trust, let alone repeat sales. And when it comes to trust-building, nothing beats genuine personal interaction.
Indeed, customers are more likely to be lifelong advocates of your brand if they experience personal attention, not just during their inquiries or when they use your payment terminal but especially after they’ve made their purchase. While you can facilitate this to a degree with technology, there is little substitute for a business relationship that’s actively cultivated by relatable human beings.
2. Differentiates Your Brand for All the Best Reasons
Highly competitive markets like retail or hospitality have thousands of competitors at every level, making it very difficult for regular consumers to tell the difference between them. The aforementioned leveling of playing fields has also minimized technical differences between various offers, often necessitating deep dives for even the most basic comparisons.
In this context, offering customer service that goes beyond what’s expected can make your business stand out. You can create memorable positive experiences that keep your customers coming back. As a bonus, happy customers are more likely to recommend your business to others, reducing your marketing costs and validating the value of your business to otherwise hesitant individuals. Indeed, with better, more personal customer service, you’ll be creating high-value brand advocates that champion your brand and continuously draw new buyers to your store.
3. Encourages Impulse Buying
Related to the previous points, good customer service can also influence purchasing decisions. Friendly and knowledgeable staff can provide personalized recommendations and effectively guide customers toward a purchase, leading to increased sales. Satisfied customers, in turn, may also signal their approval of your business to other potential buyers, increasing their trust and driving them over the emotional threshold needed to secure a conversion.
4. May Solve Certain Problems More Effectively
In certain circumstances, in-person interactions can be more efficient and bring a more satisfying resolution to customer issues. When customers can speak directly to a staff member, it can prevent tech frustration and reduces the chances of escalations. Most importantly, customers feel heard, something that cannot be always said when problems are addressed through rigid automated systems.
5. In-Person Interactions Humanize Your Business
No matter how advanced your systems are, without emotional connections, your business becomes easily replaceable in your customers’ minds. Properly executed in-person customer service helps humanize your business, reminding customers that there are real people behind the brand who genuinely care about their needs. Over time, the emotional ties you create will encourage repeat business, avoiding the need to constantly hustle to keep your operations running.
Build Trust and Lifelong Customer Relationships with Maya
Even as the Philippine business landscape continues to be transformed by new trends and technologies, human connections will remain valuable in keeping your business relevant. Sign up for Maya Business to meet the future of business head-on with industry-defining payment terminal machines and other business solutions,
Signing up for Maya Business qualifies you for a Maya Business Deposit account for facilitating payments made through your Maya terminal devices. With a whopping 2.5% per annum interest rate, your Maya Business Deposit maximizes your fund’s growth, growing it by PHP 25,000 yearly on each PHP 1 million deposit. Your Maya Business Deposit account also gives you free InstaPay and PESONet transfers to partners and suppliers, saving you cash on daily payments.
As a Maya Business user, you’ll also qualify for a Maya Flexi Loan offer valued at up to PHP 2 million within 3 months. You can use your Maya Flexi Loan to further improve your customer service, address business emergencies, and accelerate your organization’s growth to new heights. Simply keep using Maya as your primary processor for all wallet and card payments for even better loan offers moving forward.
Complete and send your Maya Business application to order your own Maya Terminal and enjoy other Maya payment solutions.
