In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses are turning to customer experience automation to elevate the consumer journey in increasingly larger numbers. That being said, what is automation, exactly? And more importantly, what automation benefits can be unlocked by weaving such technologies into the customer experience (CX)?

The answers to those questions — and everything else there is to know about customer experience automation — can be found below.

What Is Automation?

Automation involves the use of technology to perform tasks with little human intervention, instead calling for the application of software, machines, and other technologies to carry out processes that were traditionally manual in nature. As such, automation works to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce errors by executing repetitive and time-consuming tasks quickly and accurately.

Businesses in many different sectors use (or seek to use) automation technologies, including manufacturers, logistics companies, finance firms, and customer service providers. CX automation, in particular, is designed to remove friction from various customer touchpoints, including checkout and post-purchase support.

How to Use Automation in CX

There are numerous ways to incorporate automation into the customer experience, and when automating workflows, you can pursue partial or complete automation. Partially automated workflows require some input from your team, whereas processes that are completely automated only require input from the customer.

Modern chatbots are an example of a completely automated process, capable of engaging with customers in real-time on websites, social media platforms, or messaging apps. They are programmed to understand and respond to common customer queries, such as tracking orders, providing product information, resolving common issues, or even booking appointments.

Furthermore, chatbots allow your customers to receive instant assistance at any time of the day without the need for human intervention. Offering around-the-clock support through chatbots significantly enhances the CX, as customers can get the help they need when they need it.

Personalized email marketing campaigns, in contrast, are an example of partial automation. Your team sets up the campaigns themselves and customizes lists of email recipients, and automation technology takes over. It will collect and analyze customer data, such as past purchases, browsing behavior, and engagement history, to deliver personalized emails like product recommendations, reminders about items left in their shopping carts, and special offers.

By tailoring the content to meet the unique preferences of your customers, automation technologies significantly improve engagement and nurture feelings of loyalty toward your brand.

5 Automation Benefits

Automation benefits include the following:

1.    Personalized Customer Interactions

Automation tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can analyze vast amounts of data to deliver personalized experiences to customers. E-commerce platforms, for instance, use automation to recommend products based on a customer’s browsing history and past purchases, creating a shopping experience that can boost sales.

Suppose that a customer has recently purchased home gym equipment and accessories, such as resistance bands and a yoga mat. Thanks to AI, your e-commerce platform will recognize that they have probably just started a home workout routine and recommend related products like athletic wear and supplements.

2.    24/7 Customer Support

One of the biggest perks of automation is its ability to provide 24/7 customer support. As mentioned, chatbots and virtual assistants can handle a wide range of queries, from simple FAQ responses to more complex transaction interactions, ensuring customers receive immediate assistance at any time. You can use chatbots in multiple stages of the consumer journey, including post-purchase support and consideration.

Even if a chatbot is unable to resolve a customer’s problem, its underlying software can gather valuable information, such as the nature of the issue, and verify the customer’s account details. When they get routed to a support agent, they won’t have to re-explain the issue from the beginning.

3.    Streamlined Operations

Automation streamlines various operational processes, from order processing to inventory management. By automating these backend operations, you can ensure that your customer-facing services run smoothly.

For instance, when an order is placed online, automation ensures that your inventory is updated in real-time and the order is processed efficiently. In turn, the customer will receive their order sooner, and you’ll be able to use the up-to-date inventory data to avoid stockouts and align sock management with consumer demand.

4.    Improved Accuracy and Reduced Wait Times

In addition to their time-consuming nature, manual processes are prone to errors. Automation minimizes human error and speeds up processes, leading to more accurate and faster service delivery.

That is particularly evident in areas such as billing; automation ensures that invoices are generated correctly, promptly enhancing the overall customer experience, all while allowing you to reallocate that time and capital to pursue growth opportunities and enhance other areas of your business.

5.    Enhanced Customer Feedback Collection

Your business strategy must align with the needs, wants, and preferences of your customers. Automating workflows helps you do just that by accelerating feedback collection processes.

By automating surveys and leveraging sentiment analysis tools, your business can gather insights into customer satisfaction and pain points. In turn, you’ll be able to gauge how consumers feel about the direction of your brand based on what they are saying on social media platforms and review forums.

Challenges of Automating Workflows

While automating the customer experience opens the door for some exciting benefits, it can also bring new challenges to light. Some of the most notable barriers to be aware of when rolling out the technology are as follows:

• Data Privacy Concerns: You’re going to need lots of data, but you must be respectful of consumer privacy as you collect it
• The Need For Human Interaction: Sometimes, customers just want to talk to a real person, not a bot
• Choosing the Right Level of Automation: Don’t force customers into automated loops; give them the ability to make a choice

Implementing these technologies takes time and planning; decide what you will automate, what you hope to achieve, and how these choices will impact your customers. As long as you keep the customer experience at the forefront of your decision-making process, you’ll be able to implement automation in a way that drives your business forward.

Embrace Customer Experience Automation

Customer experience automation is a critical part of the digital transformation of any business, and yours is no exception; embracing automation by way of AI and ML technologies will allow your brand to deliver a higher level of service to its customers and enhance operational efficiency. The businesses that best leverage automation to enrich customer experiences are those that will thrive in the increasingly competitive digital landscape.