Suhaib Zaheer SVP, Managed Hosting at DigitalOcean & GM, Cloudways
It’s fair to say that in the modern business landscape, personalisation is no longer a luxury, but an absolute necessity. Customers will no longer accept one-size-fits-all solutions. They expect businesses to understand their unique needs and provide seamless, personalised journeys that span various digital channels.
Take the rapidly evolving landscape of financial technology. As consumers demand more tailored experiences, fintech companies are recognising the importance of delivering consistent and cohesive support across various digital channels, from mobile apps and websites to chatbots and live agents.
Leaders that have adopted this approach have prompted the rest of the market to rethink their approach to customer engagement. Gone are a reliance on generic FAQs to address the challenges customers face online. These still have a time and place, but when many customer service interactions are complex or emotionally loaded, human interaction reigns supreme, particularly for older or neurodivergent customers.
To ensure website accessibility in a multichannel world, businesses must develop apps, customer support and websites that are intuitive, simple and don’t digitally exclude those who lack familiarity with technology. These are the three strategies that businesses can deploy to keep customers actively engaged, satisfied and ultimately, cultivate loyalty.
#1: Optimise multichannel websites
Optimising multichannel websites and providing seamless integration across digital touchpoints is crucial for fintech companies. Recent research shows that there are around 6.6 billion smartphone users worldwide and this will rise to 7.5 billion by 2026. As more customers access services on the move, businesses must prioritise responsive, mobile-friendly designs that deliver frictionless experiences on smartphones and tablets. Furthermore, customers expect to track transactions and account activity online from the moment of engagement, regardless of the device they’re using.
Additionally, within the fintech sector, clients anticipate the ability to monitor transactions and account activity online from the instant of initiation, regardless of the device they utilise. Even amidst periods of heightened demand, customers depend on financial institutions’ digital platforms to furnish real-time support and updates concerning the precise status and location of their transactions, including projected timeframes for completion.
To effectively manage unexpected traffic surges on their websites, fintech companies must implement technologies purposefully engineered to handle peak loads, ensuring their online platforms remain swift, dependable, and responsive irrespective of the volume of requests. Investing in robust and scalable hosting infrastructure during periods of elevated website traffic is pivotal to optimising performance. The adoption of such solutions transcends mere bandwidth augmentation; it represents a strategic advantage that can differentiate a fintech business from its competitors.
#2: Remember the end user
The optimal approach combines the efficiency of technology with the personal touch of human interaction. Fintech companies must provide the appropriate level of support throughout a customer’s digital journey, regardless of their digital capabilities. This can be achieved by giving clients the choice to interact with live agents and chatbots, especially when they cannot find answers from FAQs. Maintaining a diverse range of support channels not only caters to varying preferences but also acknowledges the unique circumstances and challenges faced by different customer segments, fostering a sense of inclusivity and understanding.
Chatbots can provide instantaneous responses to straightforward queries and work in tandem with live agents, automatically gathering information upfront before transferring customers. Utilising chatbots to prioritise support tickets by asking the right questions can ensure clients receive timely service, enhancing user satisfaction and making them feel valued and heard. This strategic integration of human and artificial intelligence enables fintech companies to deliver personalised, efficient, and empathetic support, ultimately strengthening customer loyalty and trust in the brand.
#3: Embrace Artificial Intelligence
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) serves as a gateway to transforming seamless website experiences and customer service in the fintech industry. Companies utilising AI can enhance self-service tools to speed up the customer service process, proactively addressing common concerns through well-crafted FAQs, and alleviating anxieties with readily available information.
For fintech businesses, the integration of AI presents a unique opportunity to streamline complex financial processes, such as account opening, loan applications, or investment portfolio management. By leveraging AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, customers can navigate these intricate tasks with greater ease, receiving personalised guidance and support at every step.
Moreover, the implementation of AI-driven data analytics can enable fintech companies to gain valuable insights into customer behaviour and preferences, allowing them to tailor their products, services, and communication strategies accordingly. This level of personalisation can significantly enhance customer satisfaction, fostering trust and loyalty in an industry where security and transparency are paramount.
In an industry where trust and security are of the utmost importance, fintech businesses that can establish a strong rapport with their customers and provide personalised, seamless experiences across multiple channels will be well-positioned to thrive. By fostering trust and improving user experience, these companies will not only see increased customer loyalty but also the potential for growth and a stronger brand presence in the dynamic fintech market.
