In today’s world, an effective customer service strategy is a must for every business. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, you need to consider how to provide consistent and proactive customer support.
If you want your customers to be happy, consider using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) toll-free number. IVR is one of the best ways to provide efficient and cost-effective customer service. With an IVR toll-free number, your customers can get answers 24/7 for free without waiting on hold for someone else to answer the phone or having to talk with someone directly. The cost of the call made by the customers to the company is borne by the companies themselves making it more attractive to customers to interact and buy products.
What is an IVR toll-free number?
An IVR is a series of automated prompts that allow callers to interact with a computer system via a telephone. It’s essentially an interactive menu that allows callers to select options, or direct their call in any direction they choose.
The first thing you need to know about IVRs is what they are not: They are not customers talking directly with someone else over the phone. Instead, IVR systems operate like robots that answer customer calls and provide them with a list of options from which they can choose. The idea behind this was simple; people don’t have time to hold music or answering machines when they pick up their phones. So instead of using real live operators who would take too long explaining things over the phone anyway, companies began using IVRs as a way for customers to navigate through menus and make choices themselves without having to wait around for something better than silence (i.e., dead air).
A toll-free number is a telephone number that can be called, free of charge, from anywhere in the world. These numbers are assigned to organizations, that may use them as part of their public relations strategy. They typically promote products and services that are paid for by consumers; however, they can also be used as customer care numbers or technical support lines.
When we combine these two solutions – IVR and toll-free number together, we get IVR toll-free number which is nothing but a toll-free number for your business with IVR service.
How does an IVR toll-free number work?
An IVR system is a software application that allows you to enter information into a computer by pressing numbers on your telephone keypad, or by speaking to the device. For example, if you have an account at a bank and want to check your balance or make a payment, you can use the bank’s IVR system.
The term “interactive voice response” is used because it enables users to interact with their phones in order to get information or make transactions. The term “voice response” refers to technology that recognizes spoken words as input and converts them into text or commands that are sent back out through an audio interface and/or displayed on-screen as text (and sometimes graphics).
You can take a free IVR service trial to understand how it works. Many companies in India are giving away such services, for instance, SparkTG. At SparkTG, you get a 7-days free trial of IVR solution. Call us on 1800-123-454647 to know more.
Benefits of using IVR toll-free numbers
Here are some of IVR’s benefits:
- It’s easier than typing on your phone keyboard and/or having to use any buttons or switches on your handset.
- You won’t have to worry about misplacing a piece of paper with all of your information on it (especially if multiple people use your phone).
- It saves time because you’ll no longer have callers waiting on hold while someone else transfers them from one department or person to another within their company organization structure (e.g., moving from one departmental extension number to another).
You can think of an IVR system as an automated phone operator. Like a human, the IVR system will listen to your caller and ask them questions to understand what they want. Then it will direct them to the right department or person.
IVRs are often used in customer service and sales roles, but they can also be used for other functions like support or internal communication within an organization.
Conclusion
Now that you know how what an IVR toll-free number is and how it works, why not start using it? Giving your customers a chance to help themselves and learn more about your business is something they will appreciate. They can call in at any time of day or night and get the information they need free of cost.
SparkTG is a leading service provider of IVR toll free numbers in India. Our IVR toll-free number comes with benefits such as call recording, call routing, call monitoring, real-time dashboard, etc.
Also read – 6-Step Guide To NFT Marketing Strategies for Newbie