Ratnam Sinha Blog: Author at Acefone Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:17:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://www.acefone.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/favicon.png Ratnam Sinha Blog: Author at Acefone 32 32 0800 & 0808 Free Phone Number Benefits for Your Business https://www.acefone.com/blog/benefits-0800-0808-numbers/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/benefits-0800-0808-numbers/#respond Fri, 01 Dec 2023 07:30:15 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=1645 Doesn’t it feel good to call a company and not have to pay for it? We’re more likely to call a free phone number that’s free, such as 0800 or 0808 numbers. It’s good to think that the businesses we reach out to are willing to pay for our time.  And that is exactly what […]

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Doesn’t it feel good to call a company and not have to pay for it? We’re more likely to call a free phone number that’s free, such as 0800 or 0808 numbers. It’s good to think that the businesses we reach out to are willing to pay for our time. 

And that is exactly what a customer thinks about your business when you own a 0800 toll free number!

What is an 0800 and 0808 number? 

0800 and 0808 numbers are called toll free number, as they don’t charge the customers for calling. The business, however, pays for the call on the customer’s behalf. 

0800 and 0808 numbers have fantastic options for enterprises too. You can even get a Vanity Number to make your business more attractive and recognisable for the customer. 

Vanity numbers are free phone numbers that include alphabets as part of their number string that represent the nature of vision of the business. Such as 0800-SHOE-STORE can used as a shoe selling company’s marketing campaigns making it easier for the customer to understand the nature of the brand. 

What are the benefits of a Free 0800 & 0808 number for business?

Businessman-views-profits-on-computer-by-0800-numbers

Free 0800 numbers can contribute significantly to a business’s image, accessibility, and customer communication strategies. This contribution potentially leads to increased sales and improved customer satisfaction. There are many other benefits that come with 0800 and 0808 free phone numbers. Let look at some of them listed below: – 

1. Easy to remember

Free 0800 and 0808 numbers are easy to recognise as they contain number sequences that are easy to remember. You can also select several numbers of your choice, considering that it might cost you a little more. Purchasing multiple 0800 numbers also depend on the availability of the free phone numbers a service provider has to offer you.

2. Professionalism

Having a 0800 or 0808 number enhances your business’s professional look. Customers relate 0800 numbers with big organisations, which can help you connect with more people if you’re a growing business. Using such phone numbers has potential to build credibility amongst customers for your business. 

3. Powerful marketing tool

0800 and 0808 free phone numbers hold great value as marketing tools. They allow you to track and record each call, providing critical call metrics and insight to the prospect’s requirements. They also allow you to run multiple campaigns for different audience segments based on the captured data for higher ROI. 

4. Separate business and personal calls

It can be a little annoying when you get business calls during your personal time. And sometimes, it’s difficult to tell between business numbers and personal numbers. With the help of cloud telephony services, modern businesses have begun using creative and tailored numbers. 0800 or 0808 free phone numbers allow you to easily separate professional life by defining business hours on the cloud calling portal.

What’s more? You can redirect your business calls to your personal device too. This way, you are always connected to your customers, never missing any calls. You can do all that while keeping your personal and professional life separate.

5. Highly scalable

Let’s say you are planning to expand your business to different locations. You might need a separate phone number for that location to keep track of business more accurately. With a 0800 number or a 0808 number, you can create as many extensions as you want. 

Let’s say your free phone number is 0800-456-4561. You can add an extension to it in the following sequence: 0800-456-4562. This feature provides you a different number in a different location, but your customers will still recognise you as the same entity. 

Do you need 0800 numbers for your business?

Who doesn’t want to improve their business performance, provide exceptional customer experience and gather vital lead data? 

0800 numbers give your business credibility while improving your marketing campaigns, giving a boost to your ROI. When a customer sees your free business phone number anywhere, say a billboard, or on the tv, it becomes easier for them to recall it. 

Acefone 0800 Numbers for businesses

Acefone offers a variety of 0800 and 0808 numbers for UK businesses with 24×7 support, customisable features and integrations. Acefone’s cloud telephony suite allows you to easily manage each free phone number you purchase alongside real time metrics displayed in one view. 

You can also incorporate the 0800 numbers in your cloud phone system and assign them to departments for different use cases. 

If you’re looking for 0800 Free Phone Numbers for Your UK Business. 

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The Best Acefone Blogs on VoIP You Must Read Right Now! https://www.acefone.com/blog/top-10-acefone-blogs-voip/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/top-10-acefone-blogs-voip/#respond Mon, 25 Oct 2021 13:01:38 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=5549 VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol has seen a rise in popularity over the past few years. Although the global pandemic has played a role in the technology’s demand, VoIP had already taken over business communications, owing to the advanced tools it offers. As the technology grows in popularity and offerings both, so do the […]

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VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol has seen a rise in popularity over the past few years. Although the global pandemic has played a role in the technology’s demand, VoIP had already taken over business communications, owing to the advanced tools it offers.

As the technology grows in popularity and offerings both, so do the blogs that explain its various features, use-cases, benefits and the likes. 

How is then one to determine which blog fulfils their purpose and offers the information they’re looking for? More importantly, how does someone who does not have much free time on their hands learn about VoIP without getting lost in the sea of information?

Fret not, this is where your VoIP journey begins.

We at Acefone, a top-rated VoIP phone provider in the UK, have curated a list of VOIP blogs that will help you get an understanding of the ever-evolving technology, its trends and business benefits. 

Here are some excerpts from our top VOIP blogs, read them now to learn how you can make the most of the technology to thrive in the new normal:

Blog 1: What is a VoIP Phone System? A Beginner’s Guide for 2025

Even those who aren’t very familiar with the technology may have heard of the term ‘broadband phone service’ in reference to business communication systems.

The standard terminology for such services is VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol. VoIP offers cost-effective communications by facilitating phone calls through the Internet.

It has several other benefits too, such as increased flexibility, security, scalability, and more. These can help you redefine your business communications and internal processes. 

Before you go ahead and subscribe to the service for your business, read this VOIP blog to know the 20 most common VoIP terms. The best part? The blog has kept the technical jargon to a bare minimum so that you can comprehend exactly which phone system you need and how it will work for you.

Blog 2: Why every business needs VoIP solutions

VoIP is an innovative technology that has drastically changed the way businesses communicate. But just because it is trending, doesn’t mean you should get it.

As a business owner, you should understand the importance of VoIP for your business and how it will benefit your business operations. But more than that, you need to consider various aspects such as a high-quality Internet connection, available bandwidth, employee training, and so forth. 

After all, upgrading your business communications is not an easy task. 

This blog offers some quality insights on how VoIP enhances productivity and helps businesses generate more leads. Moreover, now that you understand VoIP terminologies, you will have a better understanding of how they help your business grow.

Blog 3: 9 benefits of VoIP phone system for small business

Now that we have discussed the benefits of VoIP for a business, you may be thinking—technology as advanced as this must be for enterprises. 

No, that’s not the case.

Recent research shows that more than one-third of all businesses now use a VoIP phone system, with the vast majority of those being teams with fewer than 50 employees.

This VOIP blog is for small businesses. 

It explains how even a small business, just starting out, can benefit from VoIP features.

Furthermore, it helps managers understand how VoIP can help them foster long-term customer relationships, improve workflows, boost productivity and stay secure from cyber attacks without spending exorbitant amounts.

Blog 4: Use VoIP services to improve your team performance

Your team is going to be the key to the success of your business. A productive team needs smart tools in their arsenal to make sure their work is streamlined. 

One such smart tool is a hosted phone system that can help your workforce communicate effectively. 

In this VOIP blog, we discuss how a VoIP-powered phone system enhances flexibility, efficiency, productivity, and collaboration in your team. 

It also tells us about some amazing features a hosted phone system offers you. These features eliminate manual effort and redundant processes, connect with customers quicker, and help you build more meaningful relationships.

Blog 5: The benefits of VoIP for different industries

It is often hard to determine if a service will work for your industry or not. It might be doing wonders for other sectors but may not work at all for your target audience.

For instance, XYZ software might get excellent results for the travel industry, where most interactions take place online via different social media platforms. 

In contrast, the same software can be entirely useless for the construction industry, wherein all the work happens on the field. Similarly, you could be from the finance industry, hospitality sector, or maybe working at a cloud contact center software.

This blog explains how the various aspects of VoIP cater to the different needs of various industries. 

Read it to learn how you can get the most out of your hosted solution and make a name for yourself in your industry.

Blog 6: What CxOs should know about VoIP

By now, you’ve probably read through these blogs and maybe hoping for a VoIP phone system for your team.  

This blog has some insightful VoIP facts that are sure to help you make up your mind. Even better—these attributes will even help you convert any skeptics in your team (your colleagues or even your boss)

It covers everything you need to tell your coworkers when you present the idea of upgrading your business communications system. You can successfully explain the reliability, cost-effectiveness, simplicity and more to them.  

No matter what the management’s goals are, they are sure to be sold on your presentation when you include these arguments.

Blog 7: VoIP providers—which one to choose?

While you decide on the right solution for your business, you also have to pick a suitable VoIP phone provider. 

Let us put it this way, having the right provider is just as important as selecting the right solution. If you get either right and the other wrong, you may be left with a partly effective cloud communications solution

So, how do you decide which VoIP provider is the right one for you?

This question isn’t as tough as you might think it is. 

This VOIP blog will walk you through the dos and don’ts you need to keep in mind while selecting a provider. It is a must-read before you start skimming through all the VoIP service providers available in your area.

Blog 8: Latest trends for VoIP phone systems—2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way businesses function. Remote working has become the new normal, and businesses have adopted advanced customer interactions tools and strategies. 

With such industrial enhancements, VoIP is now at the forefront of technology. In fact, it is growing faster than ever in terms of usage and revenues. 

Therefore, being aware of the latest trends can help you make the best out of your VoIP solution.

This blog revolves around the major VoIP trends in 2021 and explains how you can make your business future-ready.

So, keep up with these trends and leverage them to gain customer satisfaction, increased efficiency, and more.

Blog 9: 25 important VoIP stats you need to know

There’s a lot that an organisation needs to think about before making a decision. But, the good news is we can help you with this one!

In this blog, you’ll discover the 25 most important statistics about the use of VoIP technology. Whether you’re exploring what is outbound call center setup or considering other communication tools, these figures depict just how popular VoIP is and how it can enhance the productivity and profitability of your business.

These figures depict just how popular VoIP is and how it can enhance the productivity and profitability of your business.

This blog is a part of our must-read list because it is hard to think about a business that doesn’t like numbers. The higher the numbers, the better the product, right?
Even though by now you know a lot about VoIP solutions, these stats will certainly help you understand it better.

Blog 10: Here is what smart offices will look like with IoT and VoIP

Besides being an excellent communication tool, VoIP has several measurable benefits that make your business communications simpler and quicker.

In fact, VoIP phone system, when integrated with IoT, can create unparalleled opportunities for you and your business. You can work from the comfort of your home without any complications. 

This VOIP blog talks about the incredible integration of both the technologies and their advantages.

Furthermore, it explains innovative ways to ensure effective and real-time collaboration between employees, whether at home or in the office.

Conclusion

Technology is ever-evolving, and you should grow with it too. 

VoIP is one such technology that is sure to see a lot more advancement in the coming time and will also help your business grow. No matter the size, scale, or domain of the business, VoIP will impact it positively. 

We hope our ‘must-read’ list helps you decide what’s best for your business. 

However, if you still have doubts, our team of experts is here 24x7x365 to guide you and your business to a better communication solution. 

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Top 9 CRM Software You Can Integrate With Acefone https://www.acefone.com/blog/9-most-useful-acefone-crm-integrations/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/9-most-useful-acefone-crm-integrations/#respond Wed, 08 Sep 2021 11:51:07 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=5280 Integrations seem to be the new buzzword in the business world. Everywhere you turn, there’s someone talking about third-party apps and CRM (customer relationship management) systems that you can use with your cloud telephony solution to take your processes and workflows a notch higher.  While a telephony solution provider like Acefone will allow you to […]

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Integrations seem to be the new buzzword in the business world. Everywhere you turn, there’s someone talking about third-party apps and CRM (customer relationship management) systems that you can use with your cloud telephony solution to take your processes and workflows a notch higher. 

While a telephony solution provider like Acefone will allow you to connect with leads and customers, a CRM system will help you build long-lasting relationships with them. What’s even better is that you can do all this without burning a hole in your pocket. 

But with so many fish in the sea, how do you decide which one is the one for your business?

Let’s first take a brief look at what a CRM system is.

A CRM or customer relationship management software helps you nurture relationships. It records business-client interactions; allows agents to keep track of follow-up actions and note preferences and dislikes; and provides actionable data for performance improvement. When integrated with hosted call center solutions, all of this is possible not just for existing customers but for leads too.

Now that you know why CRM systems are fast gaining popularity, here are nine CRM integrations (in no particular order) you can get with your Acefone solution.

1. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is one name that you will often hear when you start looking at CRM solutions for your company. It lets you convert more leads, engage with customers better, and grow your revenue multifold.

Along with the basic features and the capability to use it on multiple devices, Zoho CRM comes with its own AI assistant, Zia which helps you identify and resolve issues proactively. This way, you’re able to mitigate minor concerns before they snowball into serious problems. 

Zia also helps you identify potential conversions, updates you with smart alerts and reminders, and provides suggestions that improve agent-customer conversations. 

2. Salesforce

Salesforce CRM

Salesforce is arguably the most popular CRM provider out there in the market. It offers you a wide range of CRM categories and systems to choose from. Whether you’re looking for an integration for your sales department, marketing team, or any other vertical, Salesforce has you covered. 

Its CRM systems offer deep data insights and smart automation that augment a business’ customer retention. They also automate email reports, predict conversions, and anticipate customer interactions, thus, empowering your agents with all the information they can get.  

You can constantly keep track of your business on any device of your preference.

3. Hubspot CRM

Hubspot CRM

Hubspot is another popular name when it comes to business solutions providers. 

Hubspot CRM is one of the few free solutions that provide your business with all the essential tools needed for superlative customer service. You can also opt for paid versions dedicated to your marketing, sales, operations, and customer support teams to enhance the experience even further.

When you integrate Hubspot CRM with Acefone, you will be able to place calls with just a single click on any device, improve your teams’ collaboration, and keep track of campaign and agent performance.

You will also get access to some of the best performing email templates, CTI pop-ups that display detailed customer information, reminders and follow-up notes during live calls, and much more. 

The system also lets you sync all your customer interaction data on both platforms and stay updated with scheduled reports. This gives you complete visibility of your sales pipeline in real-time.

4. Pipedrive

Pipedrive CRM

Pipedrive is one of the most popular sales CRM software. It visualises your sales pipelines, organises your leads in a better fashion and eases agent workload by simplifying even the most complex of tasks.

By integrating Pipedrive and Acefone together, you get access to quick dialling, easy call handling, real time reports, and a visually streamlined workflow. 

Automate your processes, such as tracking customer interactions or sending follow-up emails, with an AI-powered assistant while getting a bird’s eye view of every activity. 

Work on any device any time with a robust, user-friendly interface that keeps you up to date.

5. Freshdesk

Freshdesk CRM

Freshdesk CRM can extend the capabilities of your support team in providing hassle-free customer service. 

The CRM system automates all mundane and repetitive tasks and streamlines your workflow so you enjoy enhanced productivity.

Integrated with Acefone, the Freshdesk CRM offers a ticketing system that improves collaboration by letting your agents automatically tag, categorise, and assign tickets on any device of their preference. These tickets are not limited to just calls but can even be created for email interactions. 

The integration provides regular data visualisations and scheduled email reports that let you optimise your processes. You can also deploy Freddy AI, which can deliver accurate answers for quick query resolutions. The AI assistant also gives your agents suggestions for better handling of customer queries and helps distribute workload evenly.

6. Zendesk

Zendesk CRM

The Zendesk CRM provides your customers with a self-help portal that lets them solve their own issues. Essentially, it enables quick query resolution while cutting down your agents’ workload. 

The user-friendly CRM comes loaded with valuable features such as call records, intuitive and actionable insights, contact management, multi-device access, and automated calls among others. It also gives you suggestions to augment lead generation.

Not just that, you can send emails to your clients with customised templates and get notified each time they open that email. 

With the integration, you’re truly able to track and manage all your interactions from end to end.

7. Microsoft Dynamics 365

Microsfot Dynamics 365

Another big name to join the list of integrations is Microsoft Dynamics 365 is innovatively designed to make sure your team delivers exceptional customer service every time. It combines a CRM and an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). 

An ERP is an application that receives data from separate departments of a business and simplifies work processes in real-time. It can track anything—cash, raw materials, orders, production capacity, and payroll software functionalities. The combination helps businesses better manage customer databases, engagement, new leads, and customer query resolution.

With a unified portal that tracks all contact center operations on every device and AI-backed insights, you’re able to optimise all your resources and capitalise on each customer interaction. You also get access to custom templates that help you widen your social media reach and improve your email campaigns.

The integration’s intelligent technology will also keep you up-to-date with the latest trends and empower you to make better business decisions.

8. Bitrix24

Bitrix CRM

The Bitrix CRM solution is also one that’s meant to fit all budgets—you can get the free version or op for the paid plan, depending on the size of your team and business needs.

In addition to being a cloud-based CRM, Bitrix24 can also be self-hosted on your private server with an open-source code, giving you the power of customisation.

The Acefone-Bitrix24 CRM integration lets you automate tasks, run and track multiple campaigns, use your preferred device, get deep data insights, place calls with a single click and so much more. You’re also able to build customisable invoices not just once but as many times as you want to add that personalised touch.

Bitrix24 offers a user-friendly platform that you can use to add contacts or notes even during live calls, add follow-up activities, and generate leads. 

Create your own web pages without any coding, connect with as many social media channels as you like, access popular form templates (or build your own)—do whatever it takes to kick up your customer service a notch higher.  

9. Sugar CRM

Sugar CRM

SugarCRM automates all your marketing, sales, customer service teams’ tasks to help you get a better analysis of each customer interaction. Sugar’s AI analyses historical data to help your agents provide optimal customer experiences. The tool also helps you create a behaviour model for each client. 

After integrating SugarCRM with Acefone, your teams can build seamless communication channels. When they get instant access to all customer data, they provide smooth customer service and boost productivity significantly.

Your agents will have access to complete interaction history, including the most recent ones, to be able to provide contextual solutions. They will also be able to access their portal from any device that they like. This will also help you gain better customer insights and build more robust strategies. 

To sum up

For a business, connecting with customers and providing exceptional customer service is the only way to remain in the game. Acefone, with its cloud-powered features and integration capabilities, makes doing both easy.

All you have to do is assess your team’s needs and your budget, and then pick a CRM system that fits these bills. Let us know and we will be more than happy to integrate your Acefone telephony system with the CRM of your choice. 

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Acefone + Pipedrive Integration: What it Brings to the Table https://www.acefone.com/blog/read-about-the-acefone-pipedrive-integration/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/read-about-the-acefone-pipedrive-integration/#respond Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:48:29 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=5189 Laser-focused. The kind of approach that customer interactions require in a highly competitive landscape. Today, every organisation ensures a sophisticated experience for all its customers. They also find new ways to streamline their work processes for the same. Thus, every now and then you’ll hear about new tools and technologies being introduced in the market […]

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Laser-focused. The kind of approach that customer interactions require in a highly competitive landscape.

Today, every organisation ensures a sophisticated experience for all its customers. They also find new ways to streamline their work processes for the same. Thus, every now and then you’ll hear about new tools and technologies being introduced in the market to polish customer service and experience. 

In this race to succeed, businesses not only need to provide their customers with an excellent experience every time but also have to equip agents with all the necessary tools. 

This is where integrations, like the Acefone and Pipedrive one, comes into play. But before we talk about its combined power, let’s see what both of them offer individually.

Acefone

Acefone, a leading cloud communication provider, delivers consistent, uninterrupted and seamless communication with customers. Its cloud phone system comes loaded with essential features like IVR, analytical reports, multiple call routing strategies, multi-device access, data security, 99.99% uptime, and more to elevate your business communications. 

With its budget-friendly plans, Acefone caters to every business—regardless of their industry or size—that requires solutions like hosted phone systems, toll free numbers, or contact centre solutions.

Pipedrive

Pipedrive is one of the few customer relationship management or CRM software designed for the growth of salespeople along with the organisation. With its intuitive and intelligent portal, it automatically tracks and organises calls and emails, and even syncs them with your calendar across multiple devices. 

It is a great tool to visualise your entire sales process, analyse each customer interaction, and get a lot more done with your sales team. It not only makes sales more efficient for the agents but also provides deep data insights to measure your company’s performance against set goals.

So, what happens when you bring these two giants together? You get an integration like never before!

You will be able to harness the power of the cloud in each of your sales interactions. You wouldn’t only be making better business decisions but will elevate your productivity to new heights. 

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits that this integration will bring you.

1. Just one click to call your customers

Click-to-call, as it is commonly referred to, is a convenient feature that you can provide your sales team with. While you look at the customer’s details on your Pipedrive CRM, you don’t have to pick the phone and dial the number manually. Instead, just press the click-to-call button and connect to them with the reliability of Acefone’s communication.

2. A schedule for your follow-ups

Most times, one call is not enough to satisfy your customer. A follow-up can ensure the best solution to their problems. While Pipedrive’s easy-to-use portal helps you to schedule a call based on your customers’ preference, Acefone’s intelligent solution will save all the details for the follow-up. Your agents will never miss out on any details, even if the follow-up is taken by someone else.

3. Lightning-fast setup

Setting up your phone system can be tiring. Installing the software and making sure everything is in sync is even more hectic. Well, fret no more. Acefone is completely cloud-based. This means that there is no need to set up any physical hardware at your premises, and you can use any device of your choice. To add to it, Pipedrive integration with Acefone also takes just a few simple clicks. You will be ready to serve your customers within minutes.

4. As smooth as butter

Gone are the days when managing your leads and contacts was a dedicated task. Your agents will thank you when they will be able to add or update contacts, switch screens and save follow-up details after every call with just a few simple clicks. Help them save time and improve your organisation’s productivity significantly.

5. Eagle’s eye on activities

Worried that you will not be able to keep track of everything when there is so much going on? Well, just don’t. With the Acefone + Pipedrive integration, both managers and agents can easily keep track of all call activities. You can even retrieve critical records from your detailed CRM call logs to evaluate campaigns and make better decisions.

6. Pop-up to success

To add a cherry on top, you also get CTI pop-ups with your Acefone and Pipedrive integration. So, if your agents are busy working and don’t hear the phone ringing, they will be notified on their screens as well. In addition, these little pop-ups will also provide your agent with all the information they need before picking up the call. This includes, but is not limited to, customer name and phone number, history of previous interactions, call notes if any, who attended the last call, etc

A powerful duo

Both Acefone and Pipedrive are excellent additions to your arsenal of business tools. So why settle for one when you can have both? 

A cloud communication system and a CRM are both necessities of any business with the aim of providing unforgettable customer service. Your interactions need to stand out if you want to stay in the competition to be the best. To do that, you must ensure that your agents are equipped with the right tools.

Unlock the full potential of your sales team and provide your customers with an experience that they remember. This is the reason why the Acefone + Pipedrive integration exists. It is a deal that you should not miss out on. 

We’ve already told you about the benefits of the Acefone and Pipedrive integration. Now you have to make a choice. Or someone else will.

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Significance of Pre-Call Planning Templates for Your Sales Team https://www.acefone.com/blog/significance-of-pre-call-planning-templates/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/significance-of-pre-call-planning-templates/#respond Fri, 06 Aug 2021 11:26:04 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=4941 A sales call is arguably the most important call for any business. Converting a call into a quality lead is a skill that needs to be mastered by every successful sales agent. Whether it is cold calling or contacting new leads, starting a conversation nervously helps no one. Even a ‘wing it’ attitude won’t always […]

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A sales call is arguably the most important call for any business. Converting a call into a quality lead is a skill that needs to be mastered by every successful sales agent. Whether it is cold calling or contacting new leads, starting a conversation nervously helps no one. Even a ‘wing it’ attitude won’t always help them. 

One has to consider the fact that an agent’s body language and facial expressions, no matter how convincing they are, contribute nothing in an audio call. The only way to succeed in an audio call is (insert drum roll)… planning. 

On average, only 1 in 18 calls will connect to an actual customer. To persuade a stranger to purchase something from you, your agent will have to connect with them psychologically over an auditory medium. And to help you execute this call perfectly, you will have to take the help of pre-call planning templates.

So, what is a pre-call planning?

Let’s take a step back in our lives and imagine we are in school again. You have just been told that you have a test tomorrow. What do you do?

Unless you’re Sheldon Cooper––a genius who knows and remembers everything, you’ll go home and prepare for the exam. 

This is exactly what pre-call planning is. It is the research that you do before making a sales call.

In other words, pre-call planning is the blueprint of an ideal sales call. It is the foundation of your sales strategy and will help you reach your eventual goal—a sale!

Steps before making a pre-call planning template

Creating a template for your sales team to follow is probably the best way to execute pre-call planning. But how do you create a pre-call template?

Just like preparing for a test, there are certain steps you should follow before creating your own pre-call planning template.

  • Research

Research

This one seems obvious, yet it’s the most important step. Whether you are calling an individual or a business, it is always a good idea to dive deep and gather as much information as possible.
Try to read up on your customers’ history or their clients’ background. Some of the questions that you can ask in your research are: 

  • If they are a company, try to find out if they are doing good, or failing to meet their goals 
  • Are they already using similar software?
  • Any issues they may be facing and how your product can help them

The purpose here is to develop an understanding of the kind of customer you’re dealing with. Doing due diligence on their business also helps you come up with an excellent conversation starter, allowing you to build a positive rapport with them. Moreover, with detailed information on their issues, you can guide your clients to your products that can serve their purposes.

  • Know your customer

I hope you can agree that a conversation with an executive and one with the CEO of an organisation are not the same. Hence, you should always know who your point of contact is. Try to gain as much information as you can about their role in the company and their decision-making capabilities.

Platforms like LinkedIn are a great way to do this. You can find out how long they have been a part of the company, their major contributions, and achievements, and so forth. You can even see if they have given any interviews or written any blogs to gather information.
There is a lot of data that such platforms offer. You can determine a person’s personalities, likes and dislikes, level of expertise, and many other things.

Such valuable information will help your sales team have elevated interactions. They can gauge the technical knowledge of a person and demonstrate the product accordingly. You can even decide the tone you will use to talk to them. Most importantly, you can decide on the points you need to stress on.

  • Establish the goal

It is crucial to establish beforehand what you want out of the call. Remember, not every call you make will convert into a sale. This shouldn’t weigh you down. You can expect various results from your conversations based on where the customer is in the sales cycle.

It is always important to speak to the right person. Rushing into making a sale to the wrong point of contact will not only hamper the conversation but might also affect your chances of reaching out to the same company in the future. In the worst-case scenario, the reputation of your company can take a hit too.

Additionally, one must know about the nature of the call. Maybe, the lead only needs some information on your product at this stage. Or you might have made the call to know more about your point of contact. It can also be a call to simply make an appointment with a person with more authority.

Thus, establishing a goal before making a call is vital––it will guide your entire conversation.

  • Prepare some questions

Should you prepare a script? The answer— a big NO!

Reading from a script makes you sound robotic and monotonous. No two people you converse with are the same. To ensure a natural flow of conversation, you cannot stick to the same script with both of them.
So, what do we suggest? For a sales call, you should prepare some thoughtful questions beforehand. Let these be open-ended questions with the possibility of follow-ups.

Also, during your research, noting down the issues faced by customers can help you assist them much faster. This not only presents you as being professional yet empathetic but also shows you as an employee well-versed with the product or service.
For example, let’s assume you once spoke to an executive of a company and they mentioned a problem they were facing. Whenever you speak to them next, you may bring up the issue with, “During our previous conversation, you mentioned (the problem). I hope the issue has been resolved.”
This way your customer will know that you paid attention during the previous call and care about their satisfaction and needs, and will be much likelier to do business with you again.

What should your pre-call planning template look like?

After covering all the points we’ve just discussed, you can draft a pre-call template for your sales team. Given below are a few points that every template should include. You can include or modify it to suit your requirements.

Pre-Call Planning Template

  • Contact name: Your point of contact—either for the initial call and or for a follow-up call with someone higher up the ladder
  • Role: Their role in the company and the duration of their tenure
  • Influence: The level of their impact on the deal (depends on their decision-making capabilities)
  • Previous conversation: Keep a track of all your previous engagements with the company
  • Socials: Try to get information about the company and the Point of Contact from different social media platforms—LinkedIn, Facebook, etc
  • Existing relationship: Has the client interacted with your brand before? Do they have a positive or negative image of your organisation?
  • Responsibilities: Try to gather information about the contact’s responsibilities in the company
  • Business issues: Make note of the challenges the business might be facing
  • Call goal: Pin down the goal of the interaction—is it to exchange information or to close a deal?
  • Questions to ask: Make a list of all the questions that you want to ask during the call

To sum it up

Try to follow this three-pronged approach: Be brief. Be brilliant. Be gone.

  • Be brief in your conversation: Don’t try to drag it for hours. No one wants to listen to a sales pitch for hours on end
  • Be brilliant in your interaction: Make your point, ask the right questions, and show the value of your product to them. Don’t deviate from the topic and stick to the agenda.
  • Be gone when you have put your points and heard theirs. Again, there is no point in stretching a conversation longer than it needs to be. 

It is true that pre-call planning might take some time owing to the tedious task of collecting information. But it is worth the time you invest. Having the right information about your clients, their company, and their challenges will surely give you an edge during your sales call. 

Thus, it is better to cover all your bases before you pick up the phone and make your next sales call. Be prepared in the best way you can, and ace every interaction. If you are looking to enhance your customer interactions further with a cloud-based solution, you can reach out to us at Acefone and explore the variety of services we offer. Our experts are always ready to answer all your questions. 

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Lord Of The Rings: Reimagining It With The Cloud https://www.acefone.com/blog/lord-of-the-rings-but-with-cloud-communications/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/lord-of-the-rings-but-with-cloud-communications/#respond Mon, 26 Jul 2021 13:51:23 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=4544 “…And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men—who above all else, desire power,” said Galadriel.  Now, what if one of those nine rings came with the power of cloud communication? Lord of the Rings is considered to be one of the greatest stories ever told. While the setting of Middle-Earth is everything […]

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“…And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men—who above all else, desire power,” said Galadriel. 

Now, what if one of those nine rings came with the power of cloud communication?

Lord of the Rings is considered to be one of the greatest stories ever told. While the setting of Middle-Earth is everything that fans could have asked for, still their imagination knows no boundaries. 

Thus, here we are. Reimagining the story of Frodo Baggins, and how he saved Middle-Earth from the wrath of Sauron. However, our rendition brings a little twist to this evergreen story. 

So, let us dive into the world of LOTR and see what change would cloud communications have brought to this fictional world. 

Isildur might not have lost the ring

At the beginning of the series, we see how King Isildur loses the ring he got from Sauron in the water. It is this unfortunate incident that helps Smeagle secure the ring in the first place. 

But, what if Isildur was connected to the cloud? Could he have contacted Elrond, the half-elven warrior? Could the wielder of Vilya, the most powerful ring among the elves, have helped the King?  

If only they were connected via UCaaS. This would have allowed them to interact with voice, video, or even chat messages and keep Elrond updated about the location of the ring at all times. Thus, when Isildur dies and loses the ring, the elves could have initiated a recon mission to find and destroy it.

The Great Eye could blink

The Great Eye Could Blink

The Great Eye of Sauron was the form taken by the Dark Lord in the third age. Now try to imagine the magnitude of this task on Sauron? Imagine the pressure of tracking everything in Morder.  All this stress—and he couldn’t even blink!

Tracking the activity of over 10,000 soldiers is tough for anyone, no matter how powerful of a dark lord you are. However, it would have been a bit easier if Sauron decided to deploy cloud communications to his aid. He could have tracked the activity of every soldier under his command, that too in real-time.

Additionally, he could have even assigned them different levels of authority. Thus, establishing a chain of command where higher ranking Orcs could watch the foot soldiers below them. Cloud solutions might have even made catching Frodo and Sam that much easier. 

Gates could have been easier to open

Gates Could Have Been Easier To Open

The gates in Middle-Earth never let anyone pass. They always came with a puzzle that not even the smartest being could solve. Even if you were welcomed inside the gates, what’s the point if you cannot pass through?

The gate to the Mines of Moria was equipped with a password too. A puzzle that was solved with the word ‘friend’ in Elvish. And speaking of gates, let us not forget the entrance to the Lonely Mountain where the Dwarves used to live. It would only open at a very specific time during a very specific season. 

Opening the gates in Middle-Earth was tougher than living in Middle-Earth! 

The solution? The cloud, of course! 

It would have been easier to open the gates if they had multi-factor authentication instead of awkwardly easy puzzles. 

And it would make them a lot safer too.

Imagine every high-ranking dwarf receiving an OTP whenever someone requested a password at the gate. No unwanted creature could ever dare enter. Moreover, one would not have to spend hours working out the answer to the puzzles. Just a four-digit pin, and that’s all! 

Additionally, to boost up the security more, they could place different kinds of encryptions. This would make the gates truly impenetrable, like the doors of Gondor, where not even the Grond would be able to enter. 

Why wait for insects to come?

Remember when Gandalf was held captive in Isengard by Saruman? He had to wait for a month to fly in so he could call upon the ‘mighty eagles’. What if the moth didn’t come? Or worse, what if it was eaten by something on the way? Would the message never reach the eagles? 

It is, without a doubt, the most unreliable way to call upon something so important. So, why not deploy a solution that would guarantee your message will reach them instantly?

I present to you the helpline—IVR. Not only will it ease the process significantly, but it is also very easy to remember. With special vanity numbers, you just have to dial 0800-EAGLES, and voila! They are on their way. 

With IVR, the possibilities are endless. You dial 0800-Eagles then select 1 for a single eagle, or 9 for an army. Or another number 0800-Animals. Where you dial 1 for eagles, 2 for bunnies, and 0 for Fellbeasts. You know—the Nazgul dragons. Why leave the bad guys out of the equation, right?

Stop travelling for days just to talk

Stop Travelling For Days Just To Talk

“There is a matter of great concern that needs to be discussed immediately”. Great, why not travel for three whole days just to converse for 15 minutes? 

If only cloud communications were employed, residents of Middle-Earth could have many unnecessary commutes.

Want to talk to someone? Have a video conference. Everyone is available instantly from anywhere around Middle-Earth. They don’t even need the same device as you, their preferred device would work.  Need to pass on some crucial information without revealing yourself? Just use an audio conference. 

I don’t think Rohan had to waste 3 days gathering up an army, going to every kingdom and asking for help if they had just done a conference call. 

Nor would the Wizards have to gather from different locations to discuss a matter that took 5 minutes in total. Middle Earth residents can resort to so many different communication methods and none that require walking for miles. 

Moreover, it’s not like the server is going to be down and the calls won’t connect. Most cloud providers, like Acefone, offer 99.99% uptime, allowing you to make calls 24x7x365. 

One does not simply set up an Orc factory

One Does Not Simply Set Up An Orc Factory

Saruman had set up a factory of Orc for creating soldiers for battle. The factory was destroyed by the Ents in a matter of minutes, but what was worse was that Saruman didn’t have any backup for his research. So much for creating the perfect warrior. 

The cloud may not give you the power of creating your own Orc army, but at least you don’t have to spend your hard-earned money and time on physical set-ups. More importantly, your data will be backed up on multiple servers, so when the Ents come and try to destroy everything, you can get it all back. 

Never mind the fact that turning to the Cloud is a greener option. This would turn the Ents to your side, helping you destroy your competition. 

The beacon of Amon Dîn is…slow

If you are in dire need of help, you would want your message to reach your allies as quickly as possible. While the beacon of Amon Dîn is pretty cool and has a wide range, you wouldn’t say it is the fastest solution out there.

Firstly, it takes 2 men to light the fire at the post. After the fire is seen by the men at the other post, they light their own fire. And so on. In a life and death situation, a process like this can take too long and your allies might not be able to save you. 

However, when we have the power of the Cloud, why bother lighting fires? You can just send all of your allies a voice broadcast and they would immediately know that you are in trouble. You can even customise your message about the kind of trouble you are in and include that in your voice recording. If your allies are not responding to your calls, then you can just send an SMS broadcast. 

Before we destroy the ring…

Cloud communications would bring an interesting twist to the ‘greatest story ever told’. While these technological advancements would help the enemies too, why not give everyone equal opportunities? 

If the Lord of the Rings was set in the current era, the Elves would surely be the ones to develop cloud communication first. Also, the benefits of cloud communication will not be limited to the ones I’ve mentioned. Like I said, with cloud communications, the possibilities are endless!

I wonder if Frodo would even go on an adventure to save Middle Earth. 

While I have spent considerable time making the magical realm of Middle Earth match the current era, if you are looking to get a cloud-based solution for your business and boost your chances against Sauron’s forces.

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Things You Should Look for in a Partnership Programme [Infographic] https://www.acefone.com/blog/things-to-look-in-partnership-programme-infographic/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/things-to-look-in-partnership-programme-infographic/#respond Thu, 15 Jul 2021 06:19:42 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=4484 A good partnership programme is a win-win for both parties. While one party gains in popularity, customer base, and validation, the other reaps the rewards for their efforts in the form of profits.  Before getting into such an alliance with another entity, the parties must carefully consider the fine prints. A successful symbiotic relationship is […]

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A good partnership programme is a win-win for both parties. While one party gains in popularity, customer base, and validation, the other reaps the rewards for their efforts in the form of profits. 

Before getting into such an alliance with another entity, the parties must carefully consider the fine prints. A successful symbiotic relationship is built not only on the basis of what both parties obtain out of it but also on how they contribute to each other’s growth. 

Thus, if you’re considering getting into a partnership with a cloud provider, you’ll have to go beyond the profit margins you’ll incur and look at how they enable you to perform better and earn a name for yourself.

Here are some factors you need to keep in mind before partnering with a cloud provider: 

Things You Should Look for in a Partnership Programme

Simplicity and efficiency

One of the first things you should look for is the simplicity of the product. Since you will partner to sell that product, it should be easy for you and your team to understand and explain its usage and advantages. If it is an Internet-based product, you should be able to fully access and use the features, even if you aren’t tech-savvy.

The product must also be easy-to-use and efficient for other users, only then will you find credible buyers for it. So, if the product is good, simple to understand and boosts user performance, you will have a beneficial partnership. 

Steady and persistent

To make sure you can maximise your profits with the partnership programme, you must ensure it offers a steady revenue model. If the company ensures a stable and consistent profit stream, then the partnership is a good idea. 

Always remember that partnerships are most beneficial if they are made for the long term. This ensures a constant revenue stream for your business and it also helps you grow in the process.

Broad target audience

You might want to make sure that the programme you are entering isn’t for a very niche market. The wider the target audience, the easier it becomes to sell.

If the product offers something for businesses of all sizes––small, medium and large—you will not struggle to find buyers for the product. Moreover, since the audience is broad, marketing strategies can be planned more efficiently. 

High-profit margins

This one doesn’t require much explaining. You must always look for a partnership where you can get the highest profit. The bigger the profit margin, the better it is for you. It is as simple as that!

Easy to onboard

Neither you nor your customers would want a lengthy and drawn-out onboarding process. A tedious set-up might end up in you losing customers and receiving bad reviews, rather than making a profit. 

Thus, you must get an understanding of the service and onboarding process beforehand. It should be quick and easy so you can induct new customers swiftly without having to invest a lot of your precious time.

Effortless

Look for a partnership programme where you have to put in the minimal effort for maximum returns. Believe us, these do exist! With the right businesses, you will be able to cut deals that offer high margins along with quality support and ask for the least time investment.

Engage and learn

It is okay to not know everything about the product from the beginning. What is not okay is for your partner to not lend you the support for learning. 

Thus, it is important to partner with someone who is willing to give you training sessions and a wide range of marketing collateral. They should never hesitate to engage in a productive conversation that helps you understand the nuances of the product better.

Dedicated support

No one will expect you to be a master of the product just as you start. A good partner will know that you will be needing assistance from time to time, and thus, shall offer you consistent and quick support. 

Ensuring that your partnership programme has dedicated 24x7x365 support is crucial for your success. Not only will this help you perform better, but it will also facilitate a smoother relationship between you and your partner. 

Conclusion

Think of it this way––like you prioritise your customers, your partner should make you their top priority. After all, you’re not just making a profit for yourself, you’re also giving your partner a boost in popularity and business.

This is why you should always be treated equally and given complete assistance. A great partnership programme is one where both parties benefit each other, without any complaints.

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Hosting A GIG Isn’t What It Used To Be. It’s Online Now! https://www.acefone.com/blog/hosting-gigs-online-with-cloud/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/hosting-gigs-online-with-cloud/#respond Mon, 26 Apr 2021 04:57:59 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=4196 The show must go on! We’ve all heard that statement at least once in our lives. However, when CoVID-19 hit the world, it seemed to no longer hold true––after all, everything came to a complete standstill.  This was especially true for the entertainment industry. Shows and events that were scheduled way in advance were cancelled […]

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The show must go on! We’ve all heard that statement at least once in our lives. However, when CoVID-19 hit the world, it seemed to no longer hold true––after all, everything came to a complete standstill. 

This was especially true for the entertainment industry. Shows and events that were scheduled way in advance were cancelled in an instant. Public gatherings became prohibited and not only were performers locked in along with everyone else, they suddenly had no means of earning a living. 

Despite all the roadblocks though, the show did go on. 

Cloud communications, powered by the Internet, enabled artists across the globe to take their gigs online and entertain their fans without leaving the safety and comfort of their homes. Considering the Internet is already a huge part of our daily lives, this solution seemed natural.

Cloud technology offers not only a great way to connect with people but helps artists communicate with the audience better. 

Let’s take a look at some features that make online gigs possible and are guiding the industry through this situation.

1. Audio and video conferencing

One of the most popular features of cloud communication is conferencing, both audio and video. With audio conferencing, the artist can initiate a group call with the selected audience and deliver performances such as stand-up comedy shows even without a video. 

Video conferencing takes these capabilities a step further. Audiences can enjoy musical performances, dance shows, comedy acts, and even virtual parties with unique games and magic shows. The possibilities are endless. 

Cloud conferencing was one of the first features to come to artists’ aid. Even when they couldn’t get on a stage, they could still perform for a live audience.

These gigs emerged like saviours, raising everyone’s morale. There was a way to connect and communicate seamlessly again. Not only could people see and talk to each other in an almost lifelike manner, but they could also hold one-on-one conversations via in-meeting chat during ongoing events without disturbing others. 

2. Secure virtual waiting rooms

Suppose you want to host a gig for a special audience––an exclusive event. You obviously wouldn’t want someone uninvited to join your show. The cloud has you covered. You can share invite links with the people you want to include and keep everyone else out. 

And if they invite someone you don’t wish to include, there’s a solution for that too. 

With virtual waiting rooms, every participant will join a waiting channel or room at first, and only after the host’s approval will they gain access to the real event. This eliminates the chances of anyone misusing the link. Even if someone unwanted joins, you can filter them out with just a click of a button and the show remains unaffected. 

3. Screenshare

It is not uncommon for artists to include a presentation in their events. They often present some photos and videos or even add a light show (which is very cool honestly) to their gig. However, CoVID-19 seems to have made all this cool stuff impossible. 

Although light shows still have to wait a little longer, with screen sharing performers can present visual media during their gig. Additionally, with unlimited meeting duration, even if the gig doesn’t conclude in the allotted time, artists can stretch their shows a little longer to entertain their audience without any interruptions.

4. Reminders for upcoming gigs with SMSes and voice broadcasts

Cloud technology offers various ways to make sure your audience never misses out on any of your virtual shows. Schedule reminders, block calendars, and send notifications via emails, texts, or even missed calls, in a jiffy. 

Voice broadcasting allows you to connect with a large number of people at once. You can personally record an exciting message and automate the delivery process to save time and labour.

Also, out of sight does not have to mean out of mind. Stay connected with your audience online to deliver timely updates and keep the connection going. This is especially helpful for people who anticipate a gig but never get to know the when and where. 

Use voice broadcasting or SMSes, quick and easy ways, to communicate and ensure your audience never feels left out or ignored.

5. Easy transactions and identification with OTPs

Providing your customers with a safe portal for transactions is crucial for the success of any event and, eventually, the business. If people don’t trust your payment mediums, they will hesitate to take any monetary action. 

Cloud offers various security features, such as end-to-end encryption and Bcrypt hashing that enable safe transactions. Also, a part of this list is One-Time Passwords (OTPs) that help with identity authentication. Coupled with  24×7 availability and 99.99% uptime, these features make your portal trustworthy and customer queries can be handled like a breeze.

Another easy way to safely communicate with your audience is via email. Provide them with a booking link within the email or instructions to guide your customers straight to the payment gateway. This will help avoid any possible frauds. 

Not to forget, emails are a more professional and organised way to communicate that can help make events look more white-collared and well-curated. 

Wrapping up

The global pandemic has been a phase of suffering for artists and audiences alike. Going online was the only option left for many to even survive in the industry. However, cloud technology came in like a ray of hope in dark times, offering a plethora of features that enabled seamless communication and helped keep spirits high. 

People like to watch gigs on their laptops and mobiles now more than ever. That would explain all the specials Netflix is churning out and the number of concerts being held online. Even magicians have found ways to virtually entertain people with their tricks and games.

This just shows the power of the cloud and how it has redefined our world.

If you also wish to take your business online and remain connected with your customers even through the toughest times, look no further than Acefone. We provide the best-in-class cloud solutions, customisable plans, and features that are unique to your needs at unbeatable prices. 

Connect with our experts today at 1888-859-0450 and explore the realm of possibilities on the cloud.

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What is Co-Browsing? Is It Something You Need For Better Customer Interactions? https://www.acefone.com/blog/co-browsing-for-seamless-customer-interaction/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/co-browsing-for-seamless-customer-interaction/#respond Fri, 09 Apr 2021 07:34:19 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=4142 How easy would customer support be if you could be on the same page as the customer, literally? Imagine, you’d be able to guide them to a solution while seeing the exact problem.  What once seemed like a dream too good to be true is now absolutely possible. So, what is co-browsing? In the literal […]

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How easy would customer support be if you could be on the same page as the customer, literally? Imagine, you’d be able to guide them to a solution while seeing the exact problem. 

What once seemed like a dream too good to be true is now absolutely possible.

So, what is co-browsing?

In the literal sense of the word, you’d conjure up an image of an agent sitting side-by-side with a client, surfing the same page together. However, that wouldn’t be quite accurate.

Co-browsing is actually short for collaborative browsing, which allows agents to navigate the same page as the customer––virtually. It is also a secure way of support as only the customer controls the navigation and the agent simply supervises. Moreover, clients can hide other applications on their devices by only sharing a specific tab or window.

How does co-browsing work?

Based on Web Real-time communication technology, or WebRTC for all you tech-savvy people, co-browsing requires no downloads, installation, or even plugins to work with its full potential. Unlike online streaming, it is actually a browser-based technology that transmits simple HTML codes to initiate a session between two browsers and deliver instant communication.

Since it is based on the cloud, the technology doesn’t require any on-premise hardware. It is the use of HTML, to pass data between customers and agents, that makes it instant. And a one-time install javascript that can render the customer’s browser HTML inside an iframe for the agent helps to do away with plug-ins. 

We know what you’re thinking––if multiple people are using the same page at the same time, the website might slow down. But it doesn’t! This is because no data is transferred to the agent until the co-browse session is initiated. 

Why should you be using co-browsing?

Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic made it hard for businesses to retain the same quality of customer service as before—even more so with the sudden shift to a remote working environment. Agents at home lacked the resources and proper equipment to accomplish tasks. This definitely made customer satisfaction suffer. 

An article by Forbes states that co-browsing shoots up the customer satisfaction rate to up to 89.3%, which is six points higher than the average.

The reason? Quite apparent—agents are able to know exactly where the customer is stuck, which leads to an effortless conversation and quicker resolutions. With constant visual cues, agents can guide the customer to the solution with ease. 

Another trouble businesses ran into during the pandemic is the crunch of funds. Many firms hit an all-time financial low, and yet needed superior technology to help perform better than their competitors. 

A report by Aberdeen Group shows how co-browsing helped reduce support costs while also increasing the customer satisfaction rate. It can be a pivotal technology for any support center, being easy to use and quick to the solution. 

How does co-browsing empower your agents?

Collaborative browsing is loaded with useful features to help agents in most situations. It gives your team full insights into customer problems, ensuring that the process is carried out smoothly. Let’s take a look at a few unique features that agents are entitled to.

  • Remote control: Customers can grant system control to agents anytime during the session. This lets them perform certain actions which the customer might not be able to, thereby reducing the time and effort involved in the task. 
  • One-click request: It only takes a single click for the customer to send a co-browse request to an agent. This makes the process effortless and smooth for the customer and easy for the agent to explain. No downloads, no wait time, no lag.
  • Simultaneous browsing: While the agent and the user are in the co-browse mode, any URL that the customer accesses is also accessible by the agent. Thus, while co-browsing is limited to one tab, it is not bound to a single page. As long as the customer stays on the same tab, the agent is able to monitor every single activity, providing him with the information required to solve the problem.
  • Co-scrolling: With co-scroll, both parties move on the webpage, or scroll through it, in real-time. So, they can hover over different web elements for effective communication.
  • Live annotations: Agents also have the option to take notes or highlight certain elements while they are in the co-browse mode. They can even draw, like encircling or drawing an arrow to point something out, to lend clarity to the customer and handle the issue with ease. 
  • Live chat: During the session, both parties can communicate via the chat option. This enables the agent to address any additional issues faced by the customer or explain the solution more thoroughly. 

How does co-browsing empower the customer?

In addition to the agents, co-browsing offers many handy features at the customers’ end too. While the agent is able to see the customer’s screen, the customer is also capable of knowing what the agent is doing. This develops mutual trust, enabling the agents to perform better. Let’s look at some of these features:

  • Session control: The user can give the client complete control of the co-browse session. They can then decide to give the agent partial control or dictate when to give or restrict access anytime during the conversation. They can even restrict the agents from switching to other tabs.
  • Mask data: Many customers have cyber-security concerns. Co-browsing allows them to mask their data and hide confidential information that they don’t want the agent to see.
  • Multi-device compatibility: Another major advantage for customers is the ability to access co-browse mode across various devices. This ensures that the agent is able to provide support to the customer 24×7 irrespective of the device they are on.
  • Marking tools: Providing visual cues to the agent can be crucial when trying to explain a complicated problem. Customers can take advantage of various marking tools such as the highlighter pen, pointer, drawing brush, etc. to explain and highlight key elements on the webpage.

Can different industries use co-browsing?

No matter what industry you work in or how you tend to your customers, customer interaction is always going to be vital for your business. And hence, co-browse technology can be a huge advantage. Let’s take a look at a few industries and how they benefit from them.

  • Banking sector: One of the most common issues customers of the finance industry face is filling up forms. With co-browsing, however, the task is barely an inconvenience. With the help of a skilled agent, the user can be guided through the entire process in a jiffy. The agents can also help customers upload the right document and avoid minor mistakes that delay the process.
  • Retail industry: Not only can the agents help the user identify better products while browsing together, but they can also upsell and cross-sell to increase the revenue.
  • Medical industry: Patients and customers of the medical industry might not be very tech-savvy. So, when we introduce the co-browse facility to them, agents can guide them through the portal, helping them generate their reports or to fill forms before their medical exam.
  • Travel and hospitality industry: Providing your clients with too many options is a problem in itself. However, with an agent surfing by their side, clients can quickly choose the best suitable package. Additionally, agents can also help with the ticket booking and hotel reservation processes.

Final words

To conclude here would still leave a lot about co-browsing left to explore. Stay tuned for more updates on this amazing feature ahead. 

As of now, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that providing an exceptional customer experience will lay the foundation of your brand. With so many people opting to go online for everything, including queries and support, adopting technology such as co-browsing will definitely elevate your customer interactions. 

Needless to say, it will also put a long-lasting impression on your clientele while providing you with a good return on investment. 

 

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Things You Need To Know About Acefone+Zoho CRM Integration https://www.acefone.com/blog/everything-about-acefone-zoho-crm-integration/ https://www.acefone.com/blog/everything-about-acefone-zoho-crm-integration/#respond Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:18:11 +0000 https://www.acefone.com/blog/?p=3048 Opting for a hosted business phone system is always a good idea. Getting it from Acefone is even better! Acefone is the leading cloud communication service provider in the UK, offering tailored solutions to meet all your business needs. From measuring agent performance to monitoring each call, we’ve got it all covered. Similarly, Zoho CRM […]

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Opting for a hosted business phone system is always a good idea. Getting it from Acefone is even better!

Acefone is the leading cloud communication service provider in the UK, offering tailored solutions to meet all your business needs. From measuring agent performance to monitoring each call, we’ve got it all covered.

Similarly, Zoho CRM provides the best-in-class omnichannel communication platform that unifies all your business processes and helps you streamline your work. Detailed insights on the portal help you manage all customer interactions from a single platform.

Both Zoho CRM and Acefone provide with powerful features. As robust as they are separated when combined, they can take your operations further up a notch. This would be one of the best decisions for enhancing your business communications! 

Here are a few things about the Acefone and Zoho integration that you absolutely need to know.

1. Click to call

Why not make your agents’ lives much easier? This service, as the name suggests, allows you to initiate a call with a single click straight from the Zoho CRM platform. 

Once the Zoho PhoneBridge is enabled, all your Acefone contacts will be synced with the CRM. With click to call service at hand, your staff will save time otherwise spent on manual dialling and switching devices and apps. Agent productivity also witnesses a boost. 

2. Caller information

Once your agents connect on a call through the Zoho CRM platform, a business card will pop up on the screen. This card will show all the relevant information about the customer, including details of the previous interaction—if they have made a purchase before, any issues previously faced, etc. 

The business card helps your reps prepare for the calls better, and in turn, provide an excellent customer experience. This not only boosts agent performance but also improves your firm’s quality of service, thereby boosting your brand reputation.

3. Follow-up

After successfully integrating Acefone with Zoho CRM, agents can create a new contact for the lead during the call. This means they don’t have to wait for the call to end and then retrieve the information shared by the customer. 

Additionally, agents can also add follow-up activity detail for the lead to ensure appropriate actions are being taken to help the client. Even if the agent that added the follow-up detail is not available on the date requested by the customer, other agents can easily access the stored information. This leads to maximum customer retention, and therefore,  increased profits.  

4. Lead management

With this seamless integration, you can view the entire call log from Acefone on your CRM platform. As one of the leading cloud contact center providers, Acefone helps maximise your conversion rate by enabling agents to pick out quality leads from the ocean of data When your reps get deep insights into the customers, they can connect with them better. If the same lead is connected again, all the details of the previous conversation can be retrieved immediately.

5. Real-time analytics

Acefone and Zoho integration brings one of the most useful features for businesses—real-time analytics. And why is it so important? It lets you monitor each call just as it is happening. You can check on every agent that is on call and even listen to their conversations to assess the quality. 

If needed, you can enter an ongoing call using whisper or barge features to aid your employees with efficient query resolution.  Moreover, the dashboard is updated in real-time with useful insights. You can check the average call duration,  first call resolution, the number of missed calls, the average duration of each agent on call, and other such metrics on the Acefone dashboard.

In a nutshell

After integrating Acefone with Zoho CRM, you can easily manage all your business activities and simplify your work processes. You get the benefit of two, in one single platform. This allows you to boost your business results and increase agent satisfaction as well. 

With simpler ways to build connections and crucial information in hand, your staff performs better and converts more leads into loyal customers. As a result, there is a boost in your business productivity as well as agent performance. You can take your business to new heights and become the top provider in the industry.

 

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