Support

How to Provide Proactive Customer Support with Live Chat Scripts

13 min read
Jun 12, 2024
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Pre-written chat scripts enable you to deliver warm and effective replies quickly. They save time and cut costs, all while providing proactive customer service. 

In this article, you will learn chat scripts for various scenarios you may encounter when interacting with customers. 

What are live chat scripts?

Live chat scripts work as templates for online customer service conversations. They allow agents to reply to common questions quickly with pre-written messages.

Put simply, these scripts make the support team's work more effective, enabling them to handle more requests.

Although sometimes called "canned responses," live chat scripts are often more effective and empathetic than manual messages. They also show how particular cases should be handled.

For example, a busy support agent might get overwhelmed by an angry customer and send a hurried response. However, with live chat templates, an agent can simply select and send a pre-written reply, preventing a bad customer experience.   

Live chat script examples

The following are examples of chat scripts support teams use in customer service situations. These message templates can be further tailored depending on the issue.  

Greeting scripts

It is important to make every customer feel welcome from the first message. This starts the conversation on a good note and increases the likelihood of a positive interaction.

When it comes to returning customers, most of them expect agents to have access to their previous interactions and purchase history.

Therefore, customer service reps should at least use the customer's name and reference past interactions if possible.

Above all, welcome messages should be friendly and match the style of your brand voice.

Buying time scripts 

Sometimes, responding takes longer than the customer service agent would hope. Often, this occurs when the customer’s request requires the agent to speak to their supervisor, look up information, or contact the technical team.

With the average response taking just 40 seconds, agents must warn customers when they need more time.

A message like this ensures the customer understands why you need more time.

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Information-gathering scripts 

Effective information gathering is crucial for prompt resolution of customer queries.

When possible, use open-ended questions. This encourages customers to provide the right answers quickly.

Troubleshooting scripts 

Providing proactive customer service is essential for quickly resolving customer issues. The faster an agent can solve a customer’s problems, the better the customer experience.

This can only happen if agents understand customers' problems.

Such responses show that you're committed to helping the customer.

Scheduling sales call scripts 

Agents should set up sales calls quickly and efficiently. This reduces friction and maintains the purchasing momentum.  

Remaining flexible, patient, and enthusiastic while booking a sales call is key. 

Upselling and cross-selling scripts 

Customer support agents can boost sales by recommending additional products or extra features.

Clearly explain why you are upselling or cross-selling a product to show you're listening to your customer’s needs rather than just pushing for sales.

Promoting sales scripts 

A support team that uses live chat scripts to guide sales is more likely to hit its sales targets.

Using these live chat response examples helps agents promote products in a friendly and informative manner.

Reaching out proactively scripts

Customers who spend a long time on a specific page may need assistance. 

Similarly, abandoned carts or extensive browsing of different pages can signal that they need help from the support team.

By personalizing messages to customer's actions, customer support agents are more likely to grab the attention of customers at the right moment and influence their purchasing decisions.

FAQ scripts 

Most brands have a frequently asked questions (FAQs) page on their websites. However, providing answers through live chat support ensures customers get their questions answered faster or more precise. 

Such scripts can cover many topics, including order status, billing information, product availability, account issues, and return policies. 

As these live chat examples show, FAQ answers should help customers reach their goals quickly.

Transferring conversations scripts 

Sometimes, live chat agents need to pass the conversation on to someone more experienced or knowledgeable. Transferring the live chat session to the right customer service team member will improve their experience. 

Alternatively, you may want to transfer a conversation to the colleague who handled the customer’s previous chat and is familiar with the issue.

Transf erring a live chat conversation ensures the customer request is dealt with quickly and stops customers from repeating themselves to multiple agents.

Replying beyond chat hours scripts 

Often, companies can’t run their live chat 24/7.

When customers contact a company outside of business hours, it’s important that they still feel heard. Acknowledging their query, informing them of the next available chat hours, or providing alternate contact information helps them understand their options.

From there, you can easily continue the conversation, using chat summaries and AI-enhanced live chat scripts to answer fast.

Dealing with unhappy customers scripts

Scripts are especially valuable when dealing with disappointed or angry customers. By using set responses, agents can avoid reacting with anger, ensuring a pleasant interaction even in difficult situations.

While the internal training process should prevent negative responses, having additional preventative measures in place will ensure more live chat interactions are successful.

Feedback request scripts 

Do you want to improve your customer service and grow sales? 

Then you must collect customer feedback.

Asking customers how they experienced your product or customer service helps you gather data and insights to optimize performance.. 

Closing chat scripts 

Sending a simple and warm thank you message at the end of a chat ends the conversation on a positive note. It's also a chance for the business to show it values the customer, which may encourage customers to contact the business in the future.

Connect with customers

LiveChat is a complete customer service platform that delights your customers and fuels your sales.

Trusted by 36,000+ companies

Free 14-day trial

Requesting live assistance scripts

If a customer interacts with a chatbot but can’t find the right answers, they should speak to a human agent.

These scripts ensure a seamless transition from automated assistance to human support.

Apologizing to the visitor scripts

Most companies want to deliver excellent customer service and offer flawless products. Unfortunately, this is impossible, so sometimes agents need to apologize.

When mistakes and issues crop up, the best thing agents can do is offer an honest apology.

Putting the customer on hold scripts

Customers often become frustrated when they have to wait for issue resolution.

It's no surprise. Many people have bad experiences of waiting hours for agents and even being forgotten by them.

The best way to manage customers’ disappointment is to let them know you can't assist them right away, but assure them that their problem is being looked into. In addition, you should give an honest estimation of the wait time.

For on-hold message scripts, empathizing with the customer’s wait is key. Agents should also focus on shorter wait times to reduce customers' frustration.

Sending promotional info scripts

These live chat templates are an easy way to tell customers about special deals you’re running. Often, customers won't know about an offer and will be pleasantly surprised. 

When possible, personalize these offers to fit the products the customer is browsing or their past purchase data.

Thanking the customer scripts

Customers make a business. It's crucial to thank them for their time, especially if they’ve been left on hold or have communicated a genuine issue.

These live chat examples ensure customers know the business values them.

Sharing informational resources scripts

Few things frustrate customers more than scouring a website for information and finding nothing. That’s where live chat comes in. Customers can message agents and ask for needed information. Then, agents can share a link to, for example, a knowledge base.

Thank customers for waiting scripts

Scripts for thanking customers for waiting are crucial in maintaining a positive customer experience, especially during busy times or after long delays. Thanking customers shows you appreciate their patience and sets a positive tone for the conversation.

Suggesting an alternative script

When the product a customer wants is unavailable, it’s proactive to suggest an alternative. After all, a good recommendation can turn a disappointed customer into a satisfied one. 

By using proactive messaging and recommending an alternative in a customer support script, you can help customers find a solution while they are still shopping.