Customer service has always been a focal point for any successful business. With the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), businesses now have access to AI tools for customer service that render support quicker, smarter, and more effective.
AI tools for customer service completely change the dynamics of customer interaction, enabling a faster resolution of problems and personalizing experiences.
In this article, we’ll discuss the 10 best AI tools for customer service on the market; what they are and why they matter to businesses of every size. These tools help a small business owner or a large enterprise to provide improved customer support and stand out in the market.
What Are AI Tools for Customer Service?
AI tools for customer service employ different types of artificial intelligence in any aspect of automating, organizing, and enhancing customer support. AI solutions can answer customer questions, analyze feedback, and even predict customer needs.
An example is AI chatbots for customer support: allowing real-time communication with customers and responding to frequently asked questions, and guiding them through issues. This saves time for both customers and support teams.
Another example includes AI-operated software where machine learning is employed to help analyze customer data and discern meaningful insights from it. This will allow a business to understand its consumers and improve its services.
Why Are AI Tools Important for Customer Service?
There’s no end to the many transformations AI tools have made to customer service. Responding faster to customers, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction are but many.
One of the greatest advantages of AI tools toward customer service is the provision of round-the-clock support delays. Human agents can’t work without resting or taking time off for sleeping. Nothing stops AI programs from providing the desired support either during the working hours or at evenings or nights.
The personalization aspect too is a great asset. AI tools for customer service personalization can also analyze customer data for furnished recommendations and ideas. The difficulty in treating customers as individuals makes them feel better appreciated and accepted.
They do away with mundane tasks and allow human agents to deal with more complex issues. This way, the support teams see themselves in less busy and improved moods.
Top 10 AI Tools for Customer Service
1. Zendesk
One of the best AI tools for customer service, Zendesk is a ticketing, live chat, and AI-powered chatbot operation in one go.
For instance, Zendesk’s AI chatbots for customer support can deal with common queries, such as tracking an order or resetting a password. This saves time for both customers and support teams alike.
Also, Zendesk brings AI for customer service analytics, which helps businesses to monitor customer satisfaction and discover the points which need work.
2. Freshdesk
Another prevalent AI-based customer service software is Freshdesk. The interface is regarded as user-friendly, while the features are considered powerful.
With AI tools for live chat support, Freshdesk can automate responses and manage multiple chats at once. The implication of this is a better response time and enhanced customer satisfaction.
It also offers AI for customer feedback analysis, helping businesses understand customer needs and improve their service.
3. Intercom
Intercom is a prominently branded AI tool focused on customer service personalization. It applies AI to recommend and provide solutions directed at customerson a personalized basis.
Intercom’s AI chatbots for customer support, for instance, can analyze customer data and offer personalized recommendations about productsthey should purchase. Customers feel recognized or understood in this way.
Equipped with omnichannel AI-enabled customer support tools, Intercom integrates email, chat, and social media across a single platform.
4. Drift
Drift is a powerful AI tool for live chat support and engagement in real-time with the customers. The Drift AI chatbots for customer support enable the handling of multiple chats simultaneously, thus providing quick and accurate responses, which improves the customer experience and minimizes waiting times. It also provides AI for customer support analytics, wherein the customer interactions are tracked to improve customer service by businesses.
5. LivePerson
LivePerson is a top choice for the best omnichannel customer service software using AI tools. In one platform, the software incorporates email, chat, and social media.
The AI-powered customer service platform provided by LivePerson monitors the customer interaction over all channels so that consistent responses can be given. This enhances the experience of the customer while also minimizing confusion.
The AI solution also applies to the analytics of customer service, enabling businesses to perceive trends and enhance the quality of services offered.
6. Ada
Ada is the leading AI tool for customer service automation: handling repetitive tasks and aiding in freeing up human agents. The Al-powered customer support chatbots developed by Ada can efficiently respond to frequently asked questions, guide customers through any processes, and obtain feedback. This way, both customers and support teams save time. It also has AI for customer service personalization that offers customized suggestions and solutions.
7. HubSpot Service Hub
Nestled within the confines of HubSpot’s Service Hub is all of the powerful AI-empowered customer service software, with ticketing, live chat, and analytics in the feature-laden fold of that software solution. The AI tools for customer service analytics in HubSpot track customer satisfaction and find out areas for improvement; how do they help businesses make their decisions based on established data? Customer feedback can be analyzed through AI, according to these features in HubSpot.
8. Tidio
Tidio is a popular AI tool for live chat support. It’s known for its ease of use and powerful features. Tidio’s AI chatbots for customer support can automate responses and handle multiple chats at once. This improves response times and customer satisfaction. It also offers AI for customer service personalization, providing tailored recommendations and solutions.
9. Zoho Desk
Zoho Desk is a leading option for small businesses that are using AI tools to manage customer services. It is affordable and easy to use. Zoho Desk AI is capable of ticket routing and data entry in customer service, saving time for support teams and providing better efficiency. Also includes customer service analytics with AI to help businesses provide better services by monitoring the way customers interact.
10. Kustomer
Kustomer is an AI omnichannel customer service solution that combines email, chat, and social media into one seamless experience. The AI-assisted customer service system of Kustomer enables tracking of customer conversations as they occur across channels and provides consistent replies to customers, thus enhancing customer experience and minimizing confusion. The other aspect is customer service analytics aided by AI built right into Kustomer, which helps businesses spot trends and improve their services.
Benefits of Using AI Tools for Customer Service
The use of AI tools in customer service has many benefits for companies. Here are a few notable ones:
1. Faster Response Times
AI tools respond to customer inquiries in the span of seconds. This decreases the time a customer waits for a reply and eventually boosts customer satisfaction. For example, AI chatbots for customer assistance can handle multiple chats with a variety of instant answers to many frequently asked questions.
2. Cost Savings
AI tools will automate repetitive tasks and create a low need for large support teams. This saves businesses money while keeping service levels high.
For instance, AI could handle items such as ticket routing and data entry with the effect of freeing up human agents to deal with the more complex issues.
For instance, AI-based tools could thus be of assistance when it comes to various programmed tasks like ticket routing and data entry so that their presence would free up human agents to deal with more complex concerns.
3. Improved Customer Experience
Personalized recommendations and solutions from AI tools make customers feel really valued and appreciated by companies. AI tools for customer service personalization, for example, can make use of customer data to make recommendations for products or support options that suit the customer best.
4. 24/7 Availability
Unlike their human counterparts, AI tools can work 24-7. Now, customers can get help any time they need it.
24-7 customer support with AI may now work outside business hours to handle customer queries better and to ensure higher customer satisfaction with the support.
How to Choose the Best AI Tools for Your Business
Today, you can find plenty of options for AI tools in customer service, making the task rather challenging for most to pick out the best fit. Here’s a list of some tips that would be of help while making the right choice:
1. Identify Your Needs
Identify the business needs for which you require the tool. Would it be chatbot support, live chat support, or analytics? For example, if you run an e-commerce store, AI tools for e-commerce customer service like Tidio or Zendesk might be a good fit.
2. Consider Your Budget
AI tools come at a range of prices. You need to choose an AI tool that is affordable and meets your requirements in terms of features.
For example, affordable and easy-to-use AI tools for customer service for small businesses include Freshdesk or Zoho Desk.
3. Check for Integration
Ensure integration of the tool with the already-existing systems, such as CRM or email platform, for example, a feature of AI-powered customer service software like HubSpot’s Service Hub, which means it can easily work with other HubSpot tools.
4. Look for Customization Options
Search for customizable options.
For instance, AI tools for call center automation, such as LivePerson, provide customized workflows and scripts that best fit your business needs.
Real-Life Examples of AI Tools in Action
Many businesses already use AI tools for customer service to make their support smoother. Here are some real examples of their application:
1. E-commerce Stores
E-commerce stores are using AI tools for e-commerce customer service to handle extreme volumes of inquiries by the customer.
An example in a store could be, using a chatbot for questions on shipping or returns. This lessens the burden on the support teams and increases customer satisfaction.
