Talking is easier – the traditional voice call

voice call

In addition to the traditional voice call, customers now have a range of ways to engage with contact centers. These include email, instant messaging, apps, and social media. Despite having so many choices, customers still find it easier to talk.

Surveys consistently find that customers are content to use automated systems or chat for simple interactions. However, when they have a problem or a complex question, they prefer to talk. Alternative communication channels are growing in popularity. Even so, customers still call more than they use any other channel, and it is likely to remain so in the future.

This is good news. Person-to-person interactions are a real opportunity to provide a great customer experience. They can build confidence in your brand. Research by BearingPoint found that out of the various communication channels “voice calls have the strongest impact on sales and customer satisfaction.”

Why is it easier to talk?

The average typing speed is about 40 words per minute, while the average conversation rate for English speakers in the United States is about 150 words per minute. So when time is short, it makes more sense to talk on a voice call than to type. Of course, there is much more to communication than words. With video calls, we have facial expressions and gestures, and with audio calls, we have tone, intonation, rate, and pauses. These all contribute to a much richer interaction.

Misinterpretation of text messages can cause confusion. This can lead to frustration and even irritation on both sides of the interaction. When two people are talking, misunderstandings are less common. If they do happen, they become apparent quickly and are easier to resolve. When customers have more complex questions or a problem they feel anxious about, it’s simply easier to explain the context in a call and have a two-way conversation. 

The future of customer interactions

The best contact centers offer a range of communication methods to suit personal preferences and the purpose of the interaction. Automated systems, chatbots, and interactive voice response (IVR) are ideally suited to simple interactions. These can increase customer satisfaction by resolving minor queries quickly and efficiently. 

IVR systems are becoming more sophisticated. Some systems can even replicate human-like conversations between a voicebot and a customer. Soon, customer interactions may begin with a voicebot, and then be smoothly transferred to a real agent when necessary. Certain types of customer interactions will always require the type of assistance that a conversation with another human provides.

To function properly, IVR systems, voicebots, voice user interfaces (VUI), and person-to-person conversations all rely on good audio quality. The voice channel, in one form or another, is here to stay. Therefore, it’s critical to consider it in your overall customer engagement strategy.

Download the voice technology whitepaper

Ensuring your customers have an excellent call experience

The Spearline platform tests call-routes in real-time, as your customer experiences them. In addition to testing that calls connect, we also test the call quality using industry-standard measures. The fact that at least 1 in 25 calls fails to connect or has customer-impacting quality issues may surprise you.

Spearline can help you to manage your brand reputation by ensuring that your customers always have an excellent call experience. If there’s a problem with your call, you’ll be the first to know. Not only can Spearline identify impending issues, but it can also provide the insights you need to optimize and drive improvements in your customer interactions.

New to Spearline?

If you are new to Spearline and would like to find out more about how you can benefit from our platform, we would love to speak to you. Please send us a brief message, and we will be in touch with you shortly.

About us

Spearline is a technology company that proactively tests toll, toll-free and premium-rate numbers for audio quality and connectivity globally. We support business sectors, such as contact centers, conferencing services, and other applications, in successfully connecting with their customers. If you are interested in benefiting from our platform, please get in touch with us.

 

Customer Contact Central

Making Better Connections Video Thumbnail 1

We think you’ll like these too...

Blog

VoIP Quality of Service: The Key to Clear, Reliable Calls

Monitoring VoIP QoS leads to better productivity, improved call quality and enhanced customer experience. Without one, your voice quality is likely to suffer and be less reliable, negatively impacting your customers and employees.

Read More
Blog

Intelligent Use of Alerts in Proactive Number Testing

Alerts allow you to take immediate action to resolve problems, ensure compliance, and maintain good customer service. They save you time and energy by automatically delivering notifications to you.

Read More
Blog

The Critical Role of Outbound Testing in Call Centre Solutions

If you are providing Contact Centre Solutions you need to have a way of monitoring your network and your partners’ performance to ensure the operability …

Read More
Blog

Why Call Quality Matters: Ensuring Clear Communication

Do you ever find yourself struggling to hear clearly during important business calls? If so, you’re not alone! Let me share the most common reasons …

Read More

Not Ready Yet?

Subscribe for updates