Why we’re going back to assisted channels

One of the most striking findings from CCMA’s Voice of the Contact Consumer 2022 research (supported by Odigo) is how consumer preference is reverting away from self-serve and back to assisted channels for more complex queries.

A year ago, Voice of the Contact Consumer 2021 showed that consumer acceptance of self-serve had measurably grown since 2020. The preference for human assistance is stronger for more complex queries such as complaints and invoicing, but even these queries showed an uplift in acceptance of self-serve compared with the prior year.

There can be no doubt the push to roll out self-serve capabilities during the pandemic accelerated consumer familiarity and acceptance.

Figure 1: Prefer assistance versus happy to self-serve, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fast forward to 2022, and while acceptance of self-serve continues to grow for simple transactions such as delivery updates, it has actually decreased for more complex ones such as refunds and complaints.

Perhaps consumers have become savvier in identifying the most appropriate use cases for self-serve. And with another 12 months of experience under their belts, have become more familiar with self-serve’s limitations.

There is also evidence that recent increases in cost of living have created more urgency and a greater need for reassurance that is driving consumers back to assisted channels. When getting that refund or bill adjustment could be the difference between making ends meet this month versus not, the need to interact with a human is more important than ever.

Figure 2: Prefer assistance versus happy to self-serve, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For information and to download the full Voice of Contact Centre Consumer report: https://www.ccma.org.uk/voice-of-the-contact-centre-consumer-research-2022/

Stephen Yap – Research Director, CCMA

Stephen Yap is the Research Director for the Call Centre Management Association (CCMA), where he designs and delivers bespoke research on topics of interest to the contact-centre sector, encompassing themes such as customer behaviour, advisor experience, operations management and technology transformation.

Prior to this Stephen spent almost 20 years with two blue-chip research firms: Kantar and Ipsos. For more than 20 years Stephen has helped some of the world’s most recognisable brands uncover and satisfy their customers’ wants and needs.