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Self-Service Portals: The Future of Debt Management

Self-Service Portals: The Future of Debt Management

Delia Jones | Chief Operations Officer

Have you noticed how everything these days is just a click away? Thanks to our digital age, we can do almost everything online, and we can do it immediately. And it’s no different when it comes to managing our debt and making payments.  

Self-service portals make this happen. So, there’s no need to phone a call centre or stand in a queue as you can do it all online. 

Here’s why you should consider using a self-service portal for your debt management needs and how conversational AI chatbots can help. 

AI Chatbots and Automation Lead the Way 

Conversational AI chatbots are revolutionising the way customers interact with self-service portals. It’s like having a personal assistant always available to answer your questions and guide you through the process.  

Chatbots provide quick and convenient access to customer service, allowing you to resolve issues without having to wait on hold. And you can even make a payment from within the messaging conversation across multiple channels. 

The AI technology behind chatbots enables them to understand and respond to natural language, making the customer experience more intuitive and human-like. 

 

Why do Customers Like Self-Service? 

24/7 Convenience and Accessible 

Self-service options are available 24/7, allowing your customers to access information or perform tasks at any time, from any place, without having to wait for business hours or wait on hold to speak with an agent.  So, saving everyone time and effort. 

It’s Quick 

When you want to get something done, you don’t want to have to wait for an agent’s help. And with self-service, your customers don’t have to wait as they can quickly find the information they need and complete actions on their own. 

Autonomy and Control 

Many customers prefer self-service because it gives them control over the experience and allows them to take care of their needs without having to rely on an agent.  

Customers Don’t Want to Talk to Agents 

In certain situations, customers prefer self-service options over speaking with an agent, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like debt management. Self-service allows these customers to handle their debt obligations without having to face any emotional or social challenges. 

Conversational AI Chatbots Guide the Process 

Customers can still ask questions and receive help via conversational AI chatbots, which are becoming increasingly common in self-service apps. These chatbots can provide quick and personalised help, making self-service an attractive option for customers who want to stay informed and in control. 

Complete View of Debt Obligations and Status 

These portals give customers a complete view of their debts and obligations, allowing them to stay up-to-date on their financial status. This level of transparency helps customers to make informed decisions about their debt. 

Flexible Payment Options 

Self-service portals offer a range of payment options, including one-time payments, promises-to-pay and payment plans. Your customers can choose the option that works best for their financial situation.  

Efficient Debt Management  

Self-service portals provide a clear and organised view of your customer’s debt, making it easier to manage and keep track of the progress towards becoming debt-free. No more hopping from account to account to keep a handle on things. 

Easy to Use Interface

And the best part? It's all easy to understand, even for those who might not be tech savvy. So, if you want to help your customers get a handle on their debt and simplify their lives, self-service portals are the way to go. 

Why do Companies Need Customer Self-Service Portals? 

Self-service portals are becoming a staple in many companies' customer service strategies. There are a few key reasons why companies are eager to embrace this technology. Let's dive into some of the benefits of using a customer self-service portal. 

Quicker Payments  

One of the biggest advantages of self-service portals is the ability for customers to quickly and easily make payments. Rather than waiting on hold or navigating through a complex phone system, customers can log into their account and complete a payment in just a few clicks.  

This not only saves time for the customer, but it also frees up agents to focus on more complex tasks. 

More Collections 

Not only are the payments made faster, but self-service portals also make it easier for companies to collect payments. With automated payment systems, payments can be processed at any time, even outside of regular business hours.  

Lower Resource Costs as Fewer Agents Needed 

Another major advantage of self-service portals is that they allow companies to reduce the number of agents needed by empowering customers to handle simple tasks such as making payments or checking account balances. 

Better Customer Response Rates 

Self-service portals also offer a more convenient and efficient way for customers to get the information they need. Rather than having to wait for an agent to become available, customers can access information themselves which leads to a better customer response rate and a more positive overall experience. 

Self-Service Portals are Scalable 

Unlike agents, who can only handle one customer at a time, self-service portals are incredibly scalable. This means they can handle many users without compromising on performance or user experience, which makes them ideal for companies with a large customer base.   

Access Data with API Integration  

API connections are handy as they let you easily integrate with third-parties and your own systems like your financial and accounting solutions or CRM. This, in turn, gives your customers a highly personalised experience that they'll love. 


Conclusion 

Self-service is becoming the preferred way to handle customer needs, and your customers now expect this option to be available. With so many organisations offering online self-service, customers are becoming comfortable with this approach and are more likely to choose self-service over speaking with an agent.   

Webio’s Self-Service Studio brings conversational AI
technology into the self-service process.

 

To learn more about self-service portals, see:

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