Scoring new (or repeat) clients and customers is fantastic – and it’s the obvious goal of running an online business. But knowing how to easily manage your clients and customers so they have a stellar experience, rave about you to their pals and come back for more? It’s not always so clear-cut and simple.
From sending invoices to delivering course login details to securely taking payments, there are lots of “customer management” tasks that can pile up faster than a virtual shopping cart on Black Friday.
The good news is that technology can help relieve the burden quite a bit. But since there are a plethora of moving pieces and tools to choose from, I decided to whip up a quick post and share the top five must-have tools that will help you streamline your customer management – and business in general. Let’s get started!
1) Project Management Software
Tired of juggling multiple tasks and projects without a clear roadmap? If that’s your reality right now, it’s time to say hello to project management software. No matter whether you’re delivering beautiful websites for clients or crafting a new digital product every month, a robust project management tool can easily become your new business bestie.
Most project management systems allow you to do everything from create project milestones to set firm deadlines, store and share files, and more. It doesn’t matter whether you’re live launching your signature digital course to releasing a new digital template product, a project management system can help you create and market new (and old) offers with ease.
And if you’re working with clients one-on-one, you can even invite clients into your project management system. I promise they’ll love how much more transparent and efficient it makes the whole experience.
There are various project management tools available, both free and paid. Explore options like Basecamp or Trello to find the one that aligns best with your workflow. (I personally love Basecamp, but every business has different needs.)
2) Email Marketing Platform
Email marketing platforms are an essential tool in any successful online entrepreneur’s arsenal. But they’re not just for shooting off engaging email newsletters or welcome sequences.
Email marketing platforms can help you a ton if you sell digital products & need to manage customers.
For example, you can set up automations in your email marketing software so that anytime who purchases your digital product gets added to a certain sequence that walks them through (or even delivers) the product. You can also include emails that ask for feedback on the product, or suggest related products they might love.
If you’re working with clients, you can also use it to follow up with them automatically after a coaching session, or check in with them at set intervals.
The options truly are endless–and odds are you’re already paying for an email marketing service anyway!
3) A Reliable Payment Processor
A reliable payment processor is crucial for any digital product creator–or anyone who works online. When it comes to handling other people’s money, you shouldn’t play around.
A reliable payment processor ensures a smooth and secure payment experience for customers. And let’s just say it: When customers have a positive experience purchasing your digital products, they’re much more likely to return for future purchases and recommend your products to others. Basically? A reliable payment processor builds trust with your customers.
It makes sense: Customers are far more likely to trust your brand– and follow-through on buying–when they see familiar and trusted payment options during the checkout process. Plus, most payment processors offer multiple payment options, which means you can accommodate diverse customer preferences and financial needs–increasing the chances of them completing a sale even more. Your customer needs to feel like they’re entering their financial details in a safe place.
Another way a good payment processor makes your life easier? Payment processing software like PayPal and/or Stripe don’t just ensure smooth and secure transactions every time a customer buys from you, they also offer seamless subscriptions and recurring payments. This means you can confidently (and effortlessly) offer payment plans t on your audience, there’s less likely to be billing errors & you (and they) can rest easy that they’ll be charged accurately and on-time.
And last but definitely not least: A good payment processor has clear policies and procedures for handling refunds and disputes. This eliminates potential friction between you and your customer – and protects you both.
4) Online Storefront or Course Management Platform
I could talk about the importance of a high-quality course management platform or online storefront all day, but the bottom line is this: If people are buying digital products online, they want to actually be able to access them–quickly and reliably. A good course management platform will help you host, deliver and manage your digital products and courses in the most efficient (and effortless) manner.
There are quite a few great platforms available, from Shopify to Kajabi. Each platform is packed with its own unique features, from built-in sales pages to student progress tracking and assessments.
5) Customer Support Software
Obviously, I couldn’t wrap up this post without touching on the obvious tool that can bolster your customer experience: customer service software. Exceptional customer service is a cornerstone of any successful online business, and a great customer support software will help you deliver just that.
Tools like ZenDesk, Freshdesk and Zoho Desk enable you to efficiently handle customer inquiries, resolve issues, and provide timely assistance to anybody with issues (like resetting a password or losing access to a program they’ve paid for).
Whether your clients or customers have questions about your products, need technical support, or want to provide feedback, a customer support system ensures their concerns are addressed promptly and professionally.
By offering top-notch support like this – especially when it’s automated through a tool – you not only resolve issues quickly, but also build trust and loyalty among your clients and customers. They’ll appreciate your dedication to their satisfaction, and it can lead to positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals.
So, there you have it—five must-have tools to make managing your customer’s experience online that much easier. And remember that is the goal of these tools: to make your life easier and your business more efficient. You might have to play around with the tools to find the right ‘mix’ for you–especially since some tools might contain the same or similar features. Play around and find what works for your unique business – and watch as your customers leave even more glowing reviews (without extra work on your end).
