Here are the key differences between customer service and customer relations/relationship:
Definition
Customer service is the support provided to customers before, during, and after a purchase. It focuses on resolving specific issues or answering questions in a timely as well as helpful manner.
Customer relations/relationship is the overall management of the interactions between a business and its customers. It involves building long-term relationships while building loyalty through personalized communication and engagement.
Scope
It is usually limited to specific interactions, such as making a purchase, returning a product, or seeking technical support. Customers are often handled by a dedicated team or department within the company.
Customer relations/relationship encompasses the entire customer journey, from the initial introduction to post-purchase follow-up. It involves all departments and employees working together to create a positive overall experience.
Communication
Communication is typically one-way in customer service with the business responding to customer inquiries or complaints. The focus is on providing a solution or answer to the customer’s issue.
However, it is not the same when it comes to customer relations – communication is two-way and ongoing. It involves actively seeking feedback from customers, soliciting their input and engaging them in conversations to build a deeper connection.
Skills
Customer service requires strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities and a customer-oriented mindset. Representatives must be able to handle difficult situations, remain calm under pressure and provide solutions that meet the customer’s needs.
The later one requires empathy, listening skills, relationship-building abilities and a long-term perspective. Customer relation involves understanding customers’ motivations, anticipating their preferences while also creating personalized experiences that enhance their overall satisfaction.
Measurement
The focus is on efficiency and effectiveness in handling customer issues. Customer service performance is often measured by metrics such as response time, resolution rate and customer satisfaction scores.
Here the performance is measured by metrics such as customer retention, loyalty and lifetime value. The customer relation focus is on building strong, lasting relationships that drive repeat business and referrals.
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