Imagine this, you have an amazing dining experience at a restaurant, and you can’t wait to tell your friends about it. That’s how 73% of customers feel when they receive excellent service from a business. They happily recommend it to others!

Now, think about a time when you had terrible service. Maybe you had to wait too long, your concerns were ignored, or the experience just didn’t meet your expectations. Chances are, you told at least a few people about it. That’s what 66% of dissatisfied customers do—they share their bad experiences with at least six others, which can seriously hurt a brand’s reputation.

Good service isn’t just about making customers happy in the moment, it’s about creating loyal advocates who bring in new customers and keep coming back. Every customer interaction counts, and businesses that prioritize great service will always have the upper hand.

WHAT IS CUSTOMER INTERACTION

Customer interaction refers to the direct and indirect communication and connections between a business and its customers. This includes verbal and non-verbal exchanges, online and offline touch points, and customers' overall experience with your brand. Good customer interaction involves listening, helping, and building relationships to make customers happy and loyal.

Common Examples

Here are some common examples of interacting with your customers:

• Responding to queries and comments on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
• Sending personalized offers or updates to customers via email.
• Providing real-time assistance and guidance to users on websites or software applications.

CUSTOMER INTERACTION CYCLE

The customer interaction cycle is like a journey customers take when they deal with a business. It starts when they learn about the business and ends when they give feedback after buying something. Businesses use this journey to make customers happier and keep them coming back. Understanding this cycle helps businesses make customers happy and want to stick around.

Cycle Components

Let's look at the components of a customer interaction cycle:

• Awareness and Discovery: This is the first stage in which the customers become aware of a product or service through marketing, recommendations, or online research.
• Engagement and Buying: After learning about a product, customers start searching further. They look for details, compare choices, and decide to buy.
• Service and Support: After buying, customers might need more help. Businesses should give good customer service, quickly answering questions and fixing problems. Getting support makes everything better.
• Feedback: Customers share their thoughts based on what they experienced, which decides if they'll stick with a brand. Good experiences make them come back, tell friends, and stay loyal. Businesses should ask for feedback and use it to get even better!

TIPS FOR BETTER CUSTOMER INTERACTION

To improve customer interactions and build stronger relationships with your customers, consider implementing these essential tips:

• Know your customers: Understanding what customers like and don't like is crucial. Get to know them through social listening, observation, surveys, data analysis, and mobile-enabled channels such as USSD or SMS Short code services.
• Prompt Response: Ensure multiple accessible channels for customer support, set realistic response time goals, use automated acknowledgments, create templates for common queries, prioritize urgent issues, and provide ongoing training to your team.
• Personalized communication: Address customers by their name and customize offers based on their preferences and past interactions with the brand. This shows the business cares about each customer.
• Technology: Use technology to analyze marketing trends, add fun through gamification, and automate tasks for smoother customer experiences. This helps streamline operations and enhance engagement.
• Feedback: Collect and act on customer input as it provides valuable insights into their experiences, preferences, and areas for improvement that you might not have noticed.

How Businesses Can Optimize This Cycle

To win customers and retain them, brands need to focus on speed, personalization, and smart technology. That’s where VDL Technologies comes in.

How VDL Technologies Enhances Customer Interaction

At VDL Technologies, we help businesses strengthen their customer relationships through our Short code services,a fast, reliable, and direct way to engage with customers and streamline communication.

With VDL Short codes, businesses can:

• Improve Customer Engagement : Offer quick, interactive experiences through SMS and USSD services.
• Provide Instant Support : Allow customers to access information, make inquiries, or complete transactions within seconds.
• Run Targeted Campaigns : Deliver personalized promotions, surveys, and updates tailored to customer preferences.
• Boost Retention & Loyalty : Create seamless reward systems and subscription services using short code-based interactions.
• The Future of Business Growth Lies in Smart Customer Interaction

The brands that win and scale are those that understand their customers best. A direct, efficient, and engaging communication strategy isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity for long-term success.

If you are ready to take your customer interactions to the next level? Partner with VDL Technologies and leverage the power of Short codes for smarter business growth. Reach out to us at business@vdltechnologies.com or www.vdltechnologies.com