Well, we’ve all been there. It’s annoying, confusing, and sometimes feels like a dead end.

Hey, don’t you worry. It’s not as bad as it seems.

In this blog, we’ll explain what it is, why it happens, and how to fix it step by step.

So, are you ready to deal with the error? Let’s dive in.

What does ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error mean?

The ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error is a common issue in Google Chrome that occurs when the browser cannot access or retrieve cached data for a webpage.

Normally, browsers store cached files—like images, scripts, and other website elements to speed up loading times. So, instead of downloading everything again, Chrome pulls these files from local storage. But when something goes wrong, this error appears.

There are several reasons why this might happen.

One common cause is outdated or corrupted cached data. If a website updates its content but your browser still tries to load the old version, Chrome might fail to fetch the correct files.

This results in a mismatch, causing the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error.

Another frequent trigger is form resubmission. If you fill out a form and then hit the refresh or back button, Chrome may block the page from reloading to prevent duplicate submissions.

That’s why you often see this error with a message like “Confirm Form Resubmission.”

It’s not a bug. It’s actually a built-in feature to stop unintended duplicate actions.

Sometimes, browser extensions or misconfigured settings can also interfere with caching. Certain extensions modify how Chrome handles stored data, which may lead to conflicts.

In some cases, even website-side issues, like incorrect cache settings or coding errors, can contribute to the problem.

Well, there are several variations of this error, but they all essentially mean the same thing.

Let’s overview the variations.

• ERR_CACHE_MISS

• CONFIRM FORM RESUBMISSION ERR CACHE MISS

• NET::ERR_CACHE_MISS

• NET ERR_CACHE_MISS

• ERR_CACHE_MISS FIX

Let’s explain ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error in the simplest example possible.

Think of it like using an expired ticket to enter a movie theater. The system expects a valid ticket (cache), but when it doesn’t match the records, you’re denied entry.

Similarly, Chrome expects to load a site from cache, but when it can’t, it throws the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error.

How to fix ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ in Chrome (10 proven tactics)

Here comes the most crucial section of this blog: 10 proven tactics to fix the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error.

We’ve explained each tactic simply and straightforwardly, so even if you’re not technically inclined, that won’t be a problem.

Just move forward boldly without hesitation.

1. Reload the page

In most cases, a simple page reload is all you need to fix the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’.

Your Chrome browser might have temporarily failed to fetch the cached data, and a quick refresh can fix that. Click the refresh button or press F5 (Windows) / Command + R (Mac) to reload the page.

If that doesn’t work, try a hard refresh.

This forces Chrome to ignore cached files and fetch fresh data from the server. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + R (Windows) or Command + Shift + R (Mac).

This is especially useful if outdated or corrupted cache files cause the error.

If a simple refresh didn’t work, don’t panic. There are still plenty of fixes to try. The next logical step is to restart your browser and see if that helps.

2. Restart your browser

Sometimes, browsers get stuck with minor glitches. Perhaps a fresh start could clear things up and resolve the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error.

First, completely close the Chrome browser (don’t just minimize it). On Windows, right-click the Chrome icon in the taskbar and select “Exit.” On Mac, click Chrome in the top menu and choose “Quit Google Chrome.”

For a more thorough restart, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows) or use Command + Option + Esc on Mac to bring up the Force Quit window. From there, close all Chrome processes. You can also use Activity Monitor for deeper cleanup if needed. This makes sure Chrome fully shuts down in the background.

Now, relaunch Chrome and try loading the page again.

Note: If you don’t want to deal with all these steps, you can easily restart your Chrome browser with a URL. Just type “chrome://restart” in the address bar and hit Enter. (Boom, Chrome restarts on its own.)

If any of these steps fixed the issue, you’re all set (and can breathe easy). If not, you may go one step further to delete and reinstall the Chrome browser (not recommended, though).

3. Clear cache and browsing data

Still seeing that ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error?

It might be your browser cache messing things up. Let’s investigate whether your browser cache or data is the culprit.

Chrome stores cached versions of websites to load them faster. But if those files get old or corrupted, they can cause weird issues like ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ or others.

In that case, by clearing the browser cache and data, you could erase those old files and give your Chrome browser a fresh start.

And don’t worry. It won’t remove your saved passwords, bookmarks, autofill data, or other essential elements. Instead, it’s likely to fix the error you’re experiencing.

To do this, click the three dots at the top right of your Chrome browser. From the dropdown, select “Delete browsing data.”

If “Delete browsing data” doesn’t appear directly, follow this: Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data.

On Mac you will also have another way: Click on Chrome from the top-left of your screen, then select “Delete browsing data” directly from there.

If you prefer shortcuts, use Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows, or Command + Shift + Delete on Mac.

Or, directly paste this URL: chrome://settings/clearBrowserData

Now, when the “Delete browsing data” pop-up appears, you’ll see two tabs: Basic and Advanced. Stick with Basic for now.

From the Time range dropdown, choose “All time.” This ensures that all cached data is completely cleared (no leftovers).

Must check the box “Cached images and files.” That’s the one we want. You can leave the others unchecked if you don’t want to lose history or cookies.

Click Clear data and let Chrome do its thing. It just takes a few seconds.

Now try reloading the page again. If it still throws the same error, don’t worry. We’re just getting warmed up. Up next, let’s check that internet connection of yours.

4. Disable the browser cache system

Disabling the browser cache system is another simple trick for dealing with the browser cache and resolving the ‘ERR_Cache_Miss’ error.

Clearing the cache manually isn’t enough in some cases. Chrome might still try to load parts of the site from memory. To avoid this, you can turn off caching temporarily using DevTools.

Here’s how to do it:

• On Windows, press F12 to open DevTools.
• On Mac, press Command + Option + I.

Once the DevTools panel appears, follow these steps:

• Click on the Network tab in DevTools.
• Check the box that says “Disable cache.”
• Don’t close DevTools (this part is super important).

Okay, refresh the page (hard refresh is recommended). Chrome will now skip using cached files and fetch everything from the website’s server.

It’s the best way to ensure you view the most up-to-date version of any page.

Reminder: As soon as you close the DevTools panel, caching will start again. So, make sure to keep it open during testing or troubleshooting.

5. Disable browser extensions

If the cache fix didn’t work either, something else might be the reason. Maybe it’s the Chrome extensions that you’ve installed.

Well, even handy tools (extensions) can sometimes cause problems.

Some of them might interfere with website loading, especially ad blockers, privacy tools, or security add-ons.

And, this could trigger the infamous ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error.

Now let’s figure out how to deal with these extensions to fix the error.

Simply, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of Chrome → hover over Extensions → click Manage Extensions. Or type this in your address bar and hit Enter: chrome://extensions/

After this, you will land on the extension page. From here, toggle the switch off for each installed extension. This disables them temporarily.

Now, refresh the page that was showing the error. If the page loads fine now, bingo! One of those extensions is the culprit.

To determine which one it is, re-enable your extensions one by one and refresh the page after turning each one back on.

To figure out which one it is, re-enable them individually and refresh the page after activating each.

If the error reappears after enabling a specific extension, you’ve found the troublemaker. Consider updating, reinstalling, or removing it entirely.

And if nothing changes, no worries. Let’s move on to the next step in your ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ fix journey.

6. Check for Chrome updates

Well, it might be time to upgrade Chrome (if you’re using an older version).

Outdated versions of Chrome can have bugs or compatibility issues that mess with the cache’s functionality. So, checking for updates is a quick win.

Let’s look into how you can update your Chrome browser (or check for updates).

• Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.

• Hover over Help and click About Google Chrome.

• Or click Settings and scroll all the way down. At the very bottom, you’ll find “About Chrome”. Click it to land on the update page.

• You can also go straight to the update page by entering this in the address bar: chrome://settings/help.

• Chrome will now check for updates automatically. If an update is available, it’ll start downloading right away.

• Once done, click Relaunch to finish the update.

That’s it.

Updating the browser will ensure you’re running the latest version with the newest fixes and performance improvements.

Now, open the same web page you were trying to access. If an outdated Chrome version caused the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error, it should be gone.

What if it persists? No stress. We’ve got four more fixes lined up.

Let’s move on.

7. Reset your Chrome settings

When nothing else works, resetting Chrome might be one of the solutions.

Over time, extensions, plugins, or even accidents might change your Chrome settings. A reset clears out all the weird (and possibly unwanted) changes and restores Chrome to its clean default state.

You need to try it out now. So, get straight to the process:

• Click the three-dot menu at the top right.

• Go to Settings.

• From the left sidebar, select Reset settings.

• Then click ‘Restore settings to their original defaults’.

• You’ll see a confirmation box. Hit Reset settings again.

Simple. 

Want to get there faster? Just copy and paste this into your address bar: 

chrome://settings/reset

No worries.

Resetting Chrome settings will not delete your saved passwords, history, or bookmarks. It will just reset things like the homepage, new tab settings, and search engines.

After the reset, restart your browser and give that page another go.

Still seeing the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error? Hang tight. We’ve still got more solutions to try next.

8. Reset your network settings

Sometimes, Chrome is not the real troublemaker. Your system’s network settings might be causing the mess.

Over time, your device may pick up incorrect network settings or store outdated connection information that prevents websites from loading correctly. Resetting your network can help clear out the junk and start fresh.

Let’s reset your network to eliminate any weird configurations or broken connections.

For Windows Users:

1. Click the Start menu (bottom-left corner) and type cmd.

2. Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

3. Now, a black window will appear.

4. Copy and paste (or type) these lines one by one and press Enter after each:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Don’t worry. You’re just telling Windows to forget its old internet settings.

For Mac Users:

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences, depending on your version).

2. Choose Network, then click on your active connection (like Wi-Fi).

3. Hit Details (or Advanced) and go to the TCP/IP tab.

4. Click Renew DHCP Lease. This refreshes your internet connection.

Now that your general network settings are refreshed, there’s one more thing you might want to check — your DNS settings.

A misconfigured or slow DNS can also mess things up. Changing it to something more reliable (like Google’s public DNS) often helps.

So, let’s get straight to the process.

For Windows users:

1. Open your Control Panel.

2. Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.

3. Click Change adapter settings (on the left).

4. Right-click your Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) connection and choose Properties. You will get a pop-up option there.

5. Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Another pop-up will appear for it.

6. Select Use the following DNS server addresses and type in:

• Preferred: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate: 8.8.4.4

7. Hit OK to save.

If you wanna go for even faster browsing, use Cloudflare’s DNS instead:

• 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

8. Finally, restart your computer. That’s it!

For Mac users:

1. Open System Settings > Network.

2. Pick your network and click Details.

3. Head to the DNS tab.

4. Click the + and enter:

• 8.8.8.8
• 8.8.4.4

5. Press OK and then Apply.

Once you’ve completed the network reset and DNS update, relaunch Chrome and visit the page that showed the error.

If it were a network-related glitch, the error should be solved.

9. Use incognito or private mode

Next up: go for incognito or private mode.

Your regular browsing session saves extra stuff, like cookies, cache, or form data, which can cause problems loading a page.

Using Incognito mode (or Private mode on other browsers) helps you test if that’s what’s causing the ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error.

Here’s how to open it:

On Windows: Press “Ctrl + Shift + N”.

On Mac: Press “Command + Shift + N”

Or, click the three-dot menu (top-right in Chrome) and select New Incognito Window.

Now, revisit the same page. If it works here, it confirms that your cached data or browser extensions are to blame.

If this actually happens, at least you’ll know Chrome isn’t the problem. It’s just your browsing session causing issues.

In that case, what should you do?

• Clear your browser cache and cookies.
• Deal with extensions.
• Restart Chrome.

All of these methods discussed above, you know.

10. Consult the hosting provider

If you’ve tried all the browser-related fixes and that ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error still sticks around, your website’s server might be the real culprit.

Sometimes, server-side caching, misconfigured headers, incorrect Content Security Policy (CSP) rules, or broken SSL/TLS certificates can block Chrome from loading a page properly.

This is especially common if the issue only happens on one specific site (like your own) and not others.

So, what should you do?

Reach out to your hosting provider’s support team. Tell them exactly what’s happening and mention the error message. Share details like:

• The exact error you’re getting

• Which page shows the problem

• When it started happening

• What you’ve already tried to fix it (our suggested fix)

• If it happens for all visitors or just you

So, they’ll be able to check your site’s server logs, caching layers (like Varnish or Cloudflare), and other configurations (technical terms they know) that might be messing things up behind the scenes.

If you’re using a managed WordPress host, they might even have built-in caching systems or firewall rules that you can’t control yourself. The support team can adjust those for you.

And once they’ve done their part, revisit your site and check if the issue is resolved.

Wrapping up

And that’s it.

You’ve just walked through all the proven ways to fix Chrome’s ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ error. If you ever face it again, you know exactly what to do.

There’s no need to stress out next time. Just follow these steps, and you’ll fix it like a pro.

Lastly, thanks for taking the time to read this blog.

The post How to Fix ‘ERR_CACHE_MISS’ in Chrome (10 Proven Tactics) appeared first on Fluent Support.

Imagine running your business without ever having to search for a contact, email, or sales history again. Sounds great, right?

That’s exactly what customer database software does. It keeps your customer data neat, organized, and accessible in a few clicks.

In this comprehensive blog, we will discuss the five best customer database systems for your business. Plus, you will get an idea of what this is and what you should look for in the software.

Let’s get started reading the blog.

What is customer database software?

Top 5 things you must look for in a customer database software

Got a pretty good (clear) idea of what customer database software is? We’re confident that you do!

Now, let’s look at five things you need to look for in a customer database software system.

1. Ease of use

First things first: you need to check in a customer database software whether it is easy to use or not.

A customer database software system should have a simple and intuitive interface. It should make finding customer details, updating records, and tracking interactions hassle-free.

Even a tech-savvy guy could easily get overwhelmed by a complex or cluttered interface. Just think how newbies or seasoned users would feel.

Of course, a complicated system can slow you down, frustrate your team, and could lead you to several mistakes. The point of using a customer database software system is to make your life easier and effortless, not harder.

Clear enough?

Again, if starting and using a product requires significant learning phases, that’s worrisome.

You must look for an organized dashboard, a clear layout, and even drag-and-drop features. These will help you effortlessly manage your customer data.

Tips: If you’re just starting out, choose free (or budget-friendly) customer database software with a beginner-friendly interface. If you’re more experienced, choose one that allows deeper customization and advanced automation.

2. Automation

Implementing automated solutions within a customer database management system can drastically enhance your business’s ability to manage customer data.

By executing this correctly, you could easily automate repetitive tasks like sending follow-up emails, updating contact details, or assigning tasks to team members without extra effort (well, well, save hours to focus on other strategic tasks).

Moreover, it could help you minimize human errors.

For example, if a customer fills out a form on your site, automation can instantly add them to your database and send them a welcome email. There is no need to input data or remember to send messages manually.

It’s like letting the software handle it.

Note: Most of these automation features work best when your database system is integrated with a CRM.

So, when picking a customer database management system, consider the presence of automation.

3. Scalability

Scalability is something you definitely want to consider when picking the right customer database software. As your business grows, your database needs to grow with it (more customers, more data, more everything).

So, customer database software needs to adapt to your growing needs. If it can’t keep up, you’ll face unnecessary challenges.

Whether you’re handling an increasing number of customers or managing larger datasets, a scalable system ensures everything stays organized and accessible.

You won’t have to worry about losing data or struggling with a system that’s too slow. And that’s the charm of a scalable system.

That’s why, when choosing customer database software, always check its scalability. Make sure it offers flexible plans or upgrade options to grow alongside your business.

4. Security

Security isn’t optional; it’s a must when handling customer data. Neither you nor your customers want sensitive information to fall into the wrong hands.

That’s exactly why you need to choose customer database software with top-notch security features.

Look for encryption, access controls, regular backups, and 2FA within the software system.

Encryption keeps data safe from hackers. Access controls ensure that only the right people can view or modify the information. Regular backups protect you from data loss due to system failures or cyberattacks.

Lastly comes 2FA-Two-factor authentication (primarily important). This extra layer of security ensures that even if someone gets hold of a password, they can’t access your data without verification.

Also, check if the software complies with industry standards like GDPR or CCPA. This is especially important if you handle customer data globally.

It would be great if you realized the fact sooner: A secure database isn’t just about protecting information—it’s about building trust with your customers.

So, the key takeaway is that security in customer database software should be your top priority, not something you think about later. Pick software that safeguards your customer data so you can focus on turning data into business success (without worrying about breaches).

5. Customer support

No matter how great your customer database software is, there will come a time when you need help (questions or issues).

Maybe a feature isn’t working as expected, or you get stuck when trying to customize something. And when that happens, solid customer service can be a lifesaver (game-changer).

So, think twice about customer support in the software system before choosing any.

Check which support system they’re available in. Look for multiple support channels, such as live chat, email, helpdesk management system, phone, or even a knowledge base. It’s wise to check if the support channel you’re comfortable with is available.

Here, availability matters, too. Some software providers offer 24/7 support. That could be great for you.

On the other hand, some other software providers operate support systems during their business hours. If your business operates outside of those hours, this could cause complications.

Also, see if they offer priority support for paid plans. It could save you when you need fast assistance.

The bottom line is that good customer support ensures you spend less time fixing problems and more time using the software to manage customer data better.

So before making a decision, check how the company stands behind its product.

5 best customer database software

Now, you are stepping into the most crucial section of this blog.

Here, you will get to see our top five picks for customer database software.

Excited to learn?

Let’s get started.

1. Salesforce

Salesforce is one of the most well-known CRM solutions, trusted by businesses of all sizes.

It provides a cloud-based customer database software that helps businesses automate workflows, track interactions, and make data-driven decisions.

Boom to its AI-powered features (Einstein). It not only stores customer data but also predicts future trends and buying behaviors.

Salesforce centralizes all customer details, such as contacts, emails, purchase history, and more, under one platform.

Businesses can manage leads, automate tasks, and integrate Salesforce with hundreds of other tools for a seamless workflow. The platform offers a highly customizable interface, making it easy to tailor dashboards and reports based on unique business needs.

We found it to be excellent customer database software. That’s why we ranked it first on our list.

Key features:

• AI-powered insights with Einstein Analytics.
• Advanced automation and workflow management.
• Scalable for businesses of all sizes.
• Multi-channel customer communication.
• Real-time analytics and reporting.
• Extensive third-party integrations.
• Highly customizable dashboards.
• Mobile-friendly CRM solution.
• Customer segmentation for targeted marketing.
• Cloud-based access for remote teams.

Noted drawbacks in Salesforce

• Significant learning curve.
• Expensive for small businesses.
• Too many features can be overwhelming.

Ratings and reviews

G2: 4.4 out of 5 with 23,000+ reviews.

Software Advice: 4.4 out of 5 with 18,500+ reviews.

Pricing

Salesforce offers a variety of pricing plans, including a Free plan for basic CRM features.

The Essentials plan starts at $25/user/month for more comprehensive tools, while the Professional plan at $75/user/month includes advanced capabilities.

For extensive needs, the Enterprise plan is $150/user/month, and the Unlimited plan at $300/user/month provides extensive support and customizations.

Add-ons and third-party integrations may incur additional costs. Pricing can vary based on region and specific requirements. 

Note: Pricing can vary based on specific requirements, so we recommend that you contact Salesforce for a pricing plan that fits your needs.

These options ensure businesses can choose the right plan for their needs and budgets.

2. Hubspot CRM

The second contender on our list is HubSpot CRM.

HubSpot CRM is free customer database software for small businesses with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface.

It’s perfectly designed for startups and growing businesses that need a reliable way to track leads, manage customer interactions, and automate marketing efforts without spending a fortune.

HubSpot organizes customer interactions, deals, and communication in a highly visual dashboard. It provides seamless email tracking, pipeline management, and real-time notifications when a customer opens an email or interacts with your business.

The best part about Hubspot CRM?

The free plan includes robust features, making it one of the best options for small businesses.

So, if you have a really tight budget and you own a small business, consider it.

Note: Don’t assume it’s only for small businesses. Companies of all sizes can use its advanced features with the pro plans to manage their customer data.

Key features:

• Free forever plan available
• Email tracking and automation
• Integration with marketing tools
• Sales pipeline management
• AI-powered lead scoring
• Call tracking and recording
• Customizable reports and analytics
• Social media monitoring
• Drag-and-drop workflow automation
• Contact and deal segmentation

Noted drawbacks in Hubspot CRM

• Limited reporting in the free plan.
• Limited customer support in the free plan.
• Advanced features require paid plans.
• Limited customization compared to competitors.

Ratings and reviews

G2: G2: 4.4 out of 5 with 12,000+ reviews.

Software Advice: 4.5 out of 5 with 4,300+ reviews.

Pricing

HubSpot CRM offers a Free plan with robust features such as contact management, deal tracking, and email marketing, which makes it a top choice for small businesses.

For businesses ready to scale, the Starter plan begins at $20/month (billed annually) and adds email marketing, live chat, and basic automation tools. This tier is ideal for growing teams looking to streamline their sales and marketing efforts.

The Professional plan starts at $890/month (billed annually) and includes sales automation, custom reporting, and marketing automation.

The Enterprise plan, at $3,200/month, offers predictive lead scoring, custom objects, and advanced analytics.

Note: Add-ons and third-party integrations may incur additional costs. Pricing can vary based on specific requirements, so we recommend that you contact HubSpot for a pricing plan that fits your needs.

HubSpot’s tiered pricing ensures businesses of all sizes can find a plan that fits their goals and budget.

3. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is a widely used solution known for its affordability, feature-rich platform, and user-friendly interface. It provides an all-in-one platform for managing and nurturing customer relationships effectively.

This CRM is designed for businesses that need simple yet powerful customer database software with AI-driven insights, automation, and lead management.

It could meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re running a startup, a growing company, or an established enterprise, Zoho CRM is worth considering for customer database management.

Zoho CRM offers multi-channel engagement, enabling businesses to connect with customers on different platforms. It supports seamless interaction via email, phone, live chat, and social media.

The fantastic thing about Zoho CRM is its AI-powered assistant, Zia. It provides predictive analytics and automation to help sales teams close deals faster.

Especially, you can customize workflows, set up automation, and integrate the CRM with over 100+ apps for enhanced functionality and adaptability.

Whether you’re streamlining sales processes, improving lead management, or automating routine tasks, Zoho CRM empowers you to achieve your goals with ease and efficiency.

Key features:

• AI-powered sales assistant (Zia)
• Social media and email integration
• Customizable dashboards and workflows
• Lead and contact management
• Advanced analytics and reports
• Customer journey mapping
• Integration with over 100+ apps
• Real-time notifications and alerts
• Territory management for sales teams
• Drag-and-drop automation builder
• Mobile CRM for on-the-go access

Noted drawbacks in Zoho CRM

• It can be slow with large data sets
• UI could be more modern
• Some features require add-ons

Ratings and reviews

G2: G2: 4.1 out of 5 with 2,700+ reviews.

Software Advice: 4.3 out of 5 with 6,900+ reviews.

Pricing

Zoho CRM offers a Free plan that includes essential features such as lead management, contact management, and basic automation, making it an excellent starting point for small businesses.

The Standard plan starts at $14/user/month (billed annually) and adds workflow automation, email marketing, and sales forecasting. This tier is perfect for teams looking to scale their operations without breaking the bank.

The Professional plan, at $23/user/month (billed annually), includes advanced features such as Blueprint, CPQ, SalesSignals, Inventory management, Webhooks, Assignment rules, Validation rules, Kiosk Studio, Google Ads integration, and all the features in the basic plan.

For more comprehensive needs, the Enterprise plan is available at $40/user/month (billed annually). This plan includes Zia—AI assistant, Territory management, Custom functions, Journey orchestration, Multi-user portals, Page layouts, Client scripts, Approval process, Sandbox, and obviously all the features in the professional plan.

Lastly, the Ultimate plan, at $52/user/month (billed annually), provides extensive features, including Enhanced feature limits, Extended AI capabilities, Advanced customization, Data preparation, Augmented analytics, Data storytelling, Unified business insights, Advanced administration, and all the features included in the enterprise plan.

Well, Zoho CRM’s flexible pricing ensures businesses of all sizes can find a plan that aligns with their goals and budget.

4. Freshsales

Freshsales by Freshworks is an AI-powered customer database software that helps companies optimize sales and customer relationships.

The software provides an end-to-end CRM solution with built-in communication tools. It allows teams to manage contacts, send emails, and schedule appointments (all from one place).

Even more, Freshsales delivers a 360-degree view of customer data.

You could efficiently track interactions, prioritize leads with AI-based scoring, and automate follow-ups for a streamlined workflow. Well, its Multi-touch customer journey tracking ensures every lead gets the attention it deserves.

Key features:

• AI-powered contact scoring.
• Email and phone integration.
• Built-in sales automation.
• Predictive analytics for lead conversion.
• Drag-and-drop deal pipeline.
• Custom email sequences.
• Multi-touch customer journey tracking.
• Appointment scheduling tools.
• AI-driven chatbot integration.
• Mobile CRM for on-the-go management.

Noted drawbacks in Freshsales

• Limited customization in lower plans.
• Reports can be complex for beginners.
• Requires training for full utilization.
• Integration limits with niche applications.

Ratings and reviews

G2: G2: 4.5 out of 5 with 1,200+ reviews.

Software Advice: 4.5 out of 5 with 600+ reviews.

Pricing

Freshsales offers a Free plan that covers essential features like Kanban views, built-in phone and email templates, and live chat. This makes it ideal for small teams of up to three users, providing the necessary tools to manage customer relationships efficiently.

For advanced capabilities, tiered plans are available starting at $9, $39, or $59 per user per month (billed annually).

The growth plan starts at $9 per user per month (billed annually). It includes Kanban View, Contact Lifecycle Stages, Email Templates, Custom Fields, Basic Workflows, Contextual Collaboration with Slack, Product Catalog, Curated Reports, Freshworks Marketplace, 1 CPQ license, Mobile App, 24×5 Support, and so on.

Freshsales’s pro plan includes everything in growth plus Contact Scoring by Freddy AI, Custom Sales Activities, Advanced custom fields, Auto-assignment Rules, Territory Management, Sales Sequences,  Sales Emails by Freddy AI, and more. And this plan starts at $39 per user per month (billed annually).

Finally, you can explore the enterprise plan starting at $39 per user per month (billed annually). The enterprise plan includes everything in the pro plan plus Custom Modules, Forecasting Insights by Freddy AI, Workflows for Custom Modules, Sandbox, and so on.

5. FluentCRM

Lastly, here is the last software in the rundown that we would like to suggest to you as one of the best customer database software systems, FluentCRM.

This one is a WordPress-based customer database management solution designed for businesses that run their websites on WordPress.

Unlike the earlier CRMs on our list, FluentCRM uses a different approach. It runs directly inside your WordPress dashboard, so you don’t need third-party cloud storage. This setup ensures your customer data stays within your WordPress environment, which could provide you with better security and complete control.

This CRM allows your business to manage contacts efficiently, automate email campaigns, segment audiences, and track customer interactions. Like the CRM we mentioned, this single platform could help you be superbly organized.

With its built-in email marketing automation, you can effortlessly design and execute targeted campaigns to engage with your audience. This software also includes sales funnel tracking and seamless WooCommerce integration.

This makes it particularly suitable for those (might be for you) who have built their businesses on the WordPress platform and seek a robust, nuanced customer database solution.

So, we suggest you explore (must try) FluentCRM as your top pick for customer database management software if you are building your business in the WordPress environment.

Key features:

• Deep WordPress integration
• Email automation and tagging
• One-time payment option
• Contact segmentation and personalization
• Sales funnel tracking
• Built-in email campaign builder
• Seamless WooCommerce and LMS integration
• Drip email marketing capabilities
• Advanced analytics and reporting
• GDPR compliance features

Noted drawbacks in FluentCRM

We found hardly any drawbacks in FluentCRM. Here, the only drawback is that it is only available for WordPress users.

Ratings and reviews

G2: 4.6 out of 5.

WordPress: 4.6 out of 5.

Pricing

FluentCRM offers a Free plan that covers essential features such as email marketing automation, contact management, audience segmentation, and more.

You can unlock the pro plan with a one-time annual payment of $129, $249, or $499. Pick the best one that perfectly aligns with your business and budget,t obviously.

Well, FluentCRM is a versatile and cost-effective CRM solution that could be best for managing customer data if you are in the WordPress environment.

Wrapping up

So, here you come to the end of the content.

Congratulations! You’ve read this comprehensive blog (listicle) thoroughly.

Now, it’s your time to pick the best customer database software for your business. It needs to be perfectly aligned with your needs, budget, and goals.

We suggest choosing from our recommendations. But even if you have other preferences or aren’t selecting one from our list, make sure to consider the key factors we mentioned when choosing a customer database software.

That’s all from our end. Thanks for taking the time to read this blog.

The post 5 Best Customer Database Software to Choose from appeared first on Fluent Support.

Whether you’ve launched a new site or added fresh content, getting Google to notice (index) them fast is key.

That’s why you can’t skip submitting URLs to Google.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to submit URLs to Google using Google Search Console so your pages get indexed quickly and show up where they actually belong (well, obviously, on the search engine result page).

In the first part of this blog, we’ll cover why URL submission is important. Then, we’ll dive into the main topic. Plus, as a bonus, we’ll share five best practices for seamless URL submission to Google.

Let’s get started!

Why submit URLs to Google?

Submitting URLs to Google helps your content get discovered faster.

Google uses clear signals to find and index new pages. You’re essentially waving a flag by submitting your URLs, saying, “Hey Google! Look here!”

If you don’t submit your URLs directly to Google, it can take a while for them to be crawled, sometimes lasting weeks or even months. This is especially true if your site has lower authority or there aren’t many external links pointing to your new pages.

Let’s be real. Why wait when there’s is quicker option available?

When you submit your URLs, Google becomes aware of your new pages. This speeds up the indexing process and gives you more control over which pages are indexed first.

By submitting specific URLs, you can prioritize the most important pages on your site. This means new blog posts, product launches, or key landing pages are indexed faster and appear in search results sooner.

Keeping Google updated with your latest content helps maintain a fresh online presence. Over time, this can improve your search rankings, as Google favors fresh, relevant pages.

In one sentence, submitting URLs to Google is crucial for boosting traffic and improving your site’s visibility in search results. That’s the ultimate purpose for submitting URLs to Google.

Now you know why it’s important to submit your URLs to Google. In the next section of this blog, we will discover how to submit them in one minute by following some easy steps with the help of Google Search Console.

Methods to submit URLs to Google

Submitting URLs to Google doesn’t take expert-level skills. With two primary methods, you can effortlessly submit URLs to Google via Google Search Console.

Let’s explore each of the methods in detail.

1. Use Google Search Console’s URL Inspection Tool

The URL Inspection Tool in Google Search Console is the easiest way to submit your URLs to Google. It’s like handing Google a VIP ticket to your latest content.

Here’s how to use it step by step:

Step 1: Log in to Google Search Console. (If you don’t have an account yet, don’t worry. I’ve included instructions in the note below. It’s totally free and straightforward)

Step 2: Paste your URL into the search bar at the top of the dashboard. Or you can click on the URL inspection and paste it. 

Step 3: The tool will check if your URL is already indexed. If it’s not, you’ll see a “Request Indexing” button. Click it, and you’re done!

A shout-out for Google Search Console. This inspection tool is super efficient. It lets Google know about your pages almost instantly.

Note: How to sign up for Google Search Console and add your site

First, go to Google Search Console. Then click the “Start Now” button and log in with your Google account. Then, add your website with the URL prefix. Now, it’s time to verify ownership by following one of the provided methods: HTML file, HTML tag, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and Domain name provider.

And done! You can now unlock all the features of Google Search Console (well, well, you have hired a dedicated website assistant).

2. Submit a Sitemap

If the URL Inspection Tool is your one-on-one chat with Google, submitting a sitemap is like sending Google a formal invitation with all your website’s details.

With sitemap submission, you let Google discover multiple URLs at once. This could be a great time saver, especially when managing a large site.

Note: A sitemap is an XML file that informs search engines about all your important pages. It helps Google and other search engine crawlers to find and index your content more efficiently.

To submit a sitemap, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Create a sitemap. If you’re using WordPress, plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math can generate one automatically. Or you can create your sitemap with another plugin XML Sitemap Generator for Google.

Again, if you are a non-WordPress user, online sitemap generator tools could be a good option.

Step 2: Locate your sitemap URL. It usually looks something like this: https://yourwebsite.com/sitemap_index.xml.

Step 3: Go to Google Search Console and navigate to the Sitemaps section (it’s in the ‘Indexing’ tab).

Step 4: Paste the sitemap URL into the provided field and hit “Submit.”

And that’s it!

You’ve handed Google a comprehensive map of your website.

Easy-peasy.

5 best practices for seamless URL submission to Google

You’ve got the idea about the URL submission process to Google Search Console. You may wonder, “Okay, that’s the end of my queries; now I can easily submit my URLs or sitemap to Google Search Console.”

Hold on. You have some more stuff (best practices) to check/maintain.

Yes, submitting URLs to Google is easy and can be fun. But you know what? Doing it the right way is crucial and could be challenging.

To do it correctly, you need to follow some essential best practices before starting your URL submission game.

So, in this section, we’ve compiled five best practices for seamless URL submission to Google as bonus tips (well, don’t skip these – they matter) for this blog.

Follow these five best practices to make the process smoother and more effective.

Okay, let’s jump straight into it.

1. Submit only important pages

You don’t need to submit every page of your site.

There’s no question that pages with quality content are Google’s favorite. So you could focus on high-quality pages with quality content. Doing so would improve indexing and ranking while making sure your audience gets valuable insights.

And, of course, avoid publishing pages that are thin, repetitive, or lack quality content. They could easily hurt your site’s reputation and ranking and indexing.

If such pages exist, it’s best to update or remove them to maintain your site’s quality.

2. Fix technical issues

It’s evident that Google wouldn’t prefer to deal with broken links or 404 errors. Before submitting URLs to Google, verify that they’re functional, error-free, and accessible for smooth crawling.

You must avoid long, messy URLs stuffed with unnecessary parameters or numbers.

Google prefers URLs that are simple, descriptive, and easy to read. So, follow Google’s lead and avoid long, messy URLs stuffed with unnecessary parameters or numbers.

A clean URL like “example.com/help-desk” is far better than “example.com/page123?=id56“.

3. Optimize for mobile

Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites due to its mobile-first indexing approach.

Following this approach, you need to ensure that your site adapts perfectly to smaller screens, loads fast, and provides a seamless user experience.

You can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to validate that your site is perfectly mobile-optimized.

4. Use HTTPS for security

HTTPS isn’t just about protecting your website. It’s about demonstrating trustworthiness to Google. Google rewards (values) secure sites with fast indexing and better rankings.

If your site still uses HTTP, it’s not secure, and you’re losing ground in the URL submission process.

First, switch to HTTPS (if you aren’t using it already). Then, start playing the URL submission game.

This small step would make a big difference. Both users and search engines appreciate a site that feels safe and reliable.

Eventually, your indexing process will be smoother.

5. Avoid unnecessary re-submissions

Submitting your URLs to Google once is enough. Hitting that submit button repeatedly won’t make Google work faster. It might even slow things down.

Google has its process for crawling and indexing pages. If you keep resubmitting the same URL, it could look spammy and hurt your site’s credibility.

If your page isn’t indexed after a while, check for technical issues or improve the content.

Avoid unnecessary re-submissions and be patient. Let Google take care of the rest.

Wrapping up

Remember, even the best content won’t shine if Google doesn’t know it exists. So, don’t just create. Submit, index, and let your content do its magic.

If you’ve read this far, you’re officially a URL submission pro. High-five! 

Now it’s your turn. Put these tips into action, let the internet know your content has arrived, and watch your website grow.

The search results are waiting!

Lastly, Big thanks for reading this blog till the end.

The post How to Submit URLs to Google: Done in Minutes appeared first on Fluent Support.

Here’s a stat to grab your attention: 81% of brands use affiliate programs to boost brand awareness and drive more sales (thanks, Bebusinessed, for this statistic). Now, the real question—are you part of that 81%, or are you still on the sidelines?

Don’t sweat if you haven’t launched your affiliate program yet. This guide will help you create and manage a killer affiliate program for your WooCommerce store step by step.

Let’s get started!

What is an Affiliate Program?

Benefits of Adding an Affiliate Program to Your WooCommerce Store

An affiliate program is a performance-based marketing strategy where you partner with individuals or businesses to promote your products. In return, they earn a commission for successful sales.

Let’s explore key benefits in detail.

Enhanced Sales and Revenue Generation

When you implement an affiliate program, you create multiple revenue streams through your network affiliates. Each affiliate is a dedicated sales representative who earns only when they successfully generate sales.

This arrangement naturally encourages high-quality promotion efforts, as affiliates are motivated to convert their audience into your customers. The beauty of this system lies in its scalability.

While your regular marketing efforts may reach a limited audience, a dozen or more affiliates can promote your products to their unique audiences, expanding your sales potential.

Cost-Effective Promotional Strategy

The pay-for-performance nature of affiliate marketing makes it one of the most cost-efficient marketing channels available. Unlike traditional advertising, where you pay upfront regardless of results, affiliate marketing operates on a commission basis – you only pay when a sale occurs.

This significantly reduces your financial risk and ensures a positive return on investment. Consider the numbers: if you set a 10% commission rate and your product margin is 40%, you maintain a healthy 30% margin while effectively outsourcing your marketing efforts.

Strengthened Brand Advocacy and Trustworthiness

Affiliate marketing creates a unique form of social proof for your brand. When affiliates promote your products, they verify their quality with their reputation. 

This third-party endorsement carries significant weight with potential customers, as people tend to trust recommendations from individuals they follow rather than direct advertising from brands. 

The relationship becomes particularly powerful when affiliates create detailed product reviews, tutorials, or testimonials that showcase your products in real-world applications.

Broadened Reach and Growing Customer Base

Your affiliate network can help you access entirely new market segments that may be difficult to reach through traditional marketing channels.

Each affiliate brings its unique audience with established trust and engagement. This diverse exposure helps your brand reach untapped demographics, geographical locations, and interest groups. 

For example, a fashion blogger in Australia can help your US-based store break into the Australian market. And a tech reviewer can help introduce your products to a more technically inclined audience.

Live Performance Tracking

Modern affiliate marketing platforms integrate easily with WooCommerce and provide real-time insights into your program’s performance. This data-driven approach lets you understand which affiliates, products, and promotional strategies are most effective.

You can track metrics such as referrals, click rate, and conversions for each affiliate. This information helps you make informed decisions about commission structures, promotional materials, and affiliate partnerships.

8 Easy Steps to Create a WooCommerce Affiliate Program 

If you are looking for an easy and feature-rich plugin for your WooCommerce site, WC Affiliate can be a good option.

This section will guide you through setting up an affiliate program with this plugin.

Step 1: Install WC Affiliate on Your WooCommerce Site

WC Affiliate has both free and pro versions for WooCommerce. Initially, you must install and activate the free version of WC Affiliate. Once you have activated the plugins, it’s time to set up the plugin for your website.

You need to activate the license from the WC Affiliate >> Settings >> License tab for the pro version. This will enable all the premium features available in WC Affiliate.

Step 2: Complete the Setup Wizard

Click on the Setup Wizard showing on your plugin. It will take you to the WC Affiliate setup page.

Here, you need to set the Affiliate Dashboard, or you can create a new one for your affiliates.

On the next page, click the Next button to configure the commission type, amount, minimum payout, and cookie.

Finally, setting the referral statuses, click the Finish button to complete your setup.

Step 3: Configure the Basic Settings

In this step, we will show you how to set up a commission for your affiliate. In the Basic Settings, you can easily set the commission type and amount according to your preferences.

You can also set other settings if you want to provide a bonus for referral click and set the amount for it. Also, if you want to give a bonus for recurring orders you can do this using WC Affiliate. If any website owners let the affiliate refer themselves, they can enable this within the Allow self-referral.

Step 4: Set up Advanced Settings

In advanced settings, you can set the referral key, token type, cookie name, ReCAPTCHA, and much more. The best part is that this option is also available if you want to credit your affiliate once.

Step 5: Choose and Set Payout Options

For flexible Payout options, you can process payouts using PayPal or Stripe, and also manually. To set the payout feature in your WooCommerce, provide the necessary options with the proper details (Client ID, Secret Key).

Step 6: Set Multi-tier Commission

You can set a multi-level commission from the multi-level commission tab in WC Affiliate. With this feature, you can set the commissions to multiple layers of affiliates. In this, an upper-level affiliate is credited for every referred sale made by the lower-level affiliate he/she brought into your program.

Step 7: Set Emails and Customize the Message

This feature is exceptional. You can set customized emails to welcome and keep your affiliates updated. For this to the Messages and Email tab to customize and set your email.

The email option is available for both admins and affiliates.

Step 8: Create Custom Links

You can create a custom short link with the WC Affiliate Shortlink feature. Not only this, you can provide your affiliate with a beautiful and handy dashboard to create their short link.

Besides with this affiliate dashboard, your affiliates can see every update within their dashboard. Such as visits, referrals, transactions, coupons, banners, etc.

P.S. Do not forget to click the Save Settings button after you make any changes here.

Best Practices for Affiliate Programs

As you have successfully built your affiliate marketing program, you must look into some best practices to get the most profit. Here are some tips to optimize your WooCommerce affiliate program:

Choose the Right Affiliates

Before you onboard any affiliate, ensure they align with your brand and target audience. You can look for individuals or organizations with an engaged and loyal following that matches your ideal customers.

A good fit ensures that their recommendations feel authentic, resulting in better conversions. You should focus on quality over quantity. Having a few committed affiliates can often be more effective than managing a large, less focused network.

Maintain Open Communication

Communication is regarded as the backbone of any strong affiliate partnership. You must keep your affiliate informed with regular updates about campaigns, new products, or upcoming promotions. 

Always share ready-to-use promotional materials, such as banners, links, and content ideas, to make their job easier. You need to be accessible and responsive to their questions or concerns, which helps build trust and a collaborative relationship.

Train and Support Your Affiliate Team

Do not assume that your affiliates know everything about your product or services. It’s better to equip them with the resources they need to succeed, such as detailed product information, insights into your target audience, and tips for effective promotion.

Consider hosting webinars or creating a resource hub for their convenience. Also, provide rewards to high-performing affiliates with bonuses or exclusive perks to keep them motivated and loyal to your affiliate program.

Check Your Competitors’ Affiliate Programs

This part is very important for your affiliate program growth. Studying your competitors can provide you with valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t in your industry. You have to identify the benefits they offer their affiliates, such as commission rates or promotional support, and consider how you can offer something unique or more attractive.

You have to stay aware of your competitor’s strategies to refine your affiliate program to maintain a competitive edge.

Track and Evaluate Your Performance

When your affiliate program is live you have to ensure it is delivering results. Regularly monitor performance metrics like clicks, sales, and conversion rates. Use tools to attribute results accurately and identify top-performing affiliates.

Always analyze your return on investment (ROI) and tweak your strategies to optimize performance. This will ensure you are continually improving and getting the most out of your partnership program.

Stay Ahead of the Marketing Trends

The digital marketing landscape is always evolving, so staying updated on new trends is key. You have to be open to experimenting with emerging platforms like TikTok or interactive content formats that engage audiences.

Don’t forget to encourage your affiliates to adopt innovative marketing approaches and provide guidance on how to apply these trends properly. By being proactive, you ensure your program remains relevant and competitive.

Wrapping up

In today’s world, setting up an affiliate program for your WooCommerce store is a smart move. Affiliate marketing is also a cost-effective solution that can help you boost your site sales and expand your audience.

By following this guide, you now have all the things needed to launch and manage your affiliate program effectively. As you grow your affiliate program with the following method, remember to stay adaptable, leverage marketing trends, and continuously refine your strategies based on data insights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The post How to Add an Affiliate Program in WooCommerce: A Complete Guide  appeared first on Fluent Support.

And, what exactly does a Customer Service Manager do—just put out fires, manage the team, and keep customers happy? Or is there a bit more to the role?

Read the full blog to find out how this all leads to the many hats a Customer Service Manager wears.

What is a Customer Service Manager?

Customer Service Manager (CSM) vs Customer Experience Manager (CEM): Know the difference

Now you have the basic idea of what a Customer Service Manager is. Before delving into it, you need to understand the differences between a Customer Service Manager (CSM) and a Customer Experience Manager (CEM) to avoid confusion.

Basic Idea

A Customer Experience Manager (CEM) is dedicated to ensuring a better customer experience at every touchpoint of a customer’s journey.

A Customer Service Manager (CSM) doesn’t need to touch every interaction in a customer’s journey. He solely focuses on managing customer support operations and whether agents are handling customer issues properly.

Objective

CSM’s role revolves around improving the customer service department’s performance and achieving success.

On the other hand, a Customer Experience Manager puts effort into creating an emotional connection and building customer loyalty through a seamless experience.

Reactive and proactive

A Customer Experience Manager needs to maintain a proactive approach. He needs to anticipate customer needs, collect feedback and act upon it, and craft strategies to deliver a seamless and satisfying experience at every stage of the customer interaction.

On the other hand, a Customer Service Manager is good to go with a reactive approach. He is responsible for reactive communication with customers. Whenever issues arise, his focus should be on reacting swiftly and resolving them as efficiently as possible.

Note: Modern customer service emphasizes on proactive approach to outstanding customer support.

One of our authors covered this topic. You can gain a clear perspective on it.

Metrics

A Customer Service Manager (CSM) focuses on metrics that directly measure the quality and efficiency of customer support, such as First Response Time (FRT), Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR), Average Handling Time (AHT), Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), etc.

A Customer Experience Manager (CEM), on the other hand, focuses on broader metrics that reflect the entire customer journey, like Customer Journey Analytics, Net Promoter Score (NPS), Customer Effort Score (CES), Customer Retention Rate, Customer Churn Rate, etc.

In some cases, both parties need to assess customer service and customer experience metrics.

Customer Service Manager job description

In this section, you’ll get a glimpse of a Customer Service job description. FYI, it may vary from company to company depending on company size and specific customer service needs.

Even so, the primary responsibilities and required qualifications usually stay the same.

Customer Service Manager job responsibilities

Job descriptions are dull and uninteresting to read, so we’ve made this one more enjoyable.

If you are thinking about crafting an interesting job description for Customer Service Manager (CSM), you can take inspiration from this to make it more engaging for your candidates.

Let’s have a quick rundown of a CSM’s job responsibilities. The next section, “What does a Customer Service Manager do?” will cover a broader version of them.

• Lead the dream team: Supervise and guide a squad of customer service stars and team leads to deliver their very best.

• Be the strategy champion: Ensure the customer service strategy is integrated across all levels of the business.

• Bridge the gap: Establish and maintain high-level relationships with key decision-makers.

• Join the big table: Participate in relevant management meetings and share valuable customer service insights.

• Level-up workshops: Host workshops to help service representatives level up their skills and become customer service ninjas.

• Set the bar: Set measurable goals for the team and monitor service KPIs.

• Reports that speak: Prepare and present customer service reports in a way that makes senior management say, “Impressive!”

• Quarterly check-ins: Arrange quarterly meetings with department heads to track goals and make sure everything is on the right path.

• Turn up the friendly competition: Keep things exciting with competitive challenges that inspire your team to perform at their best.

Required Qualifications

Now, let’s discuss the qualifications required to apply for this job role. We will also discuss in detail the required qualifications and skills needed to be a Customer Service Manager later.

• A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communication, Management or a related field.

• Proven experience in managing customer service teams and processes (industry-related).

• Deep understanding of customer service principles and best practices.

• Excellent communication skills both in written and verbal (English or required language)

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to handle difficult customers.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously

• Proficiency in using project management systems, CRM systems and other customer service software.

• Strong analytical skills in interpreting customer service metrics and trends.

• Need to have a strong, positive, and empathetic mindset.

• Excel in leadership and coaching skills to inspire, guide, and nurture team members.

What does a Customer Service Manager do?

Here’s a list of what a Customer Service Manager usually does within the company. We assure you that you will get a comprehensive idea from here and clear up any confusion about this job role.

• Oversee daily customer service operations to ensure excellent customer service.

• Manage, mentor, and even train the company’s customer service representatives to ensure they provide a first-class service experience to the customers.

• Stay informed about industry trends and proven methods of customer service management.

• Regularly analyze customer feedback to identify areas for improvement in service processes and team performance.

• Resolve or handle escalated customer issues and ensure issues are resolved at the appropriate level.

• Collaborate with the development team to resolve complex issues and discuss product improvement.

• Team up with the marketing team when launching a product or discussing some essential technical stuff.

• Foster a customer-first mindset within ther customer service team to ensure every representative prioritizes customer needs at every interaction.

• Equip all representatives with the proper tools and knowledge to resolve issues effectively.

• Boost morale among service representatives to keep them motivated and energetic. (Starc fact: working in customer service is hectic)

• Make hiring decisions with thoughtful analysis and careful judgment during interviews.

• Analyze customer service metrics to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.

• Craft and implement various customer service strategies both for the short time and long term.

• Conduct performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.

• Maintain a deep understanding of the company’s products and services to assist both representatives and customers effectively.

• Develop and uphold a customer service policy that aligns with the company’s goal.

• Administer the customer service budget and make strategic resource allocations.

• Build customer loyalty and increase customer retention by exceeding service experience.

• Develop a mindset of delivering both speedy and high-quality customer service among service representatives to ensure prompt resolutions without compromising customer satisfaction.

• Maintain project management tools to simplify workflows and monitor team activity.

• Cultivate an empathetic attitude among team members to ensure they sincerely understand and resolve customer issues with care.

Customer Service Manager’s salary

Alright! You are getting to the most exciting part of this blog, Customer Service Manager’s salary.

A Customer Service Manager’s salary is influenced by several factors, such as their level of experience, the size and scope of the company, their skill set, educational background, certifications, and even the region they’re working in.

Again, larger companies or those with a more complex customer service structure may offer higher salaries to attract and retain experienced Customer Service Managers.

Now, let’s look at an overview of the average salary for a Customer Service Manager (CSM) in different countries.

A roadmap to be a Customer Service Manager (career path)

With a solid mindset and a passion for solving problems, an individual needs to navigate through a variety of skills, qualifications, and experiences to become a Customer Service Manager (CSM).

Well, in this section, we are discussing a roadmap to becoming a Customer Service Manager (CSM). But first, we would like to give you an early reminder about this job role. Serving as a Customer Service Manager is incredibly hectic and highly challenging.

So, before you step into this role, keep this in mind. Outside of this, if problem-solving excites you and you are passionate about serving customers, you’re warmly welcome.

Now, let’s dive into the main topic.

#1 Fulfill essential qualification requirements

Degree: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree isn’t always mandatory to become a Customer Service Manager. However, having one in fields like Business, Management, or Communications can give you an upper hand for the CSM role and give you a competitive advantage in the recruitment process.

Customer service certifications: Many certifications available focus on customer service excellence, such as Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP), Certified Support Manager (CSM), and ITIL Foundation Certification. These can sharpen your expertise in delivering exceptional service and help you excel in the CSM role.

Leadership training: A Customer Service Manager’s role is synonymous with leadership, and it’s a huge part of this job. Leadership expertise is often a top priority for companies hiring Customer Service Managers. Enrolling in leadership courses or workshops could offer you a solid foundation for your preparation to be Customer Service Manager.

#2 Develop essential skills

Problem-solving skills: To be a Customer Service Manager (CSM), you must be a problem-solving pro. It’s the most essential task you’ll tackle in this career. From tough customer complaints to internal process obstacles, quick thinking and swift solutions are vital.

Communication skills: As a Customer Service Manager, you will need to interact with customers, guide your team, and work with a cross-functional team. So, being able to express yourself well in writing and speaking is essential. That’s why clear and effective communication is a must to be a communicative Customer Service Manager.

Empathy and patience: Customers often reach out when they’re upset or frustrated. Dealing with them as a CSM requires empathy and patience. With empathy and patience, you can connect with customers on a deeper level and better address their concerns.

Customer-centric mindset: You must adopt a customer-centric mindset to prioritize their needs and ensure their satisfaction. Aligning the service team with this approach fosters consistent, high-quality service that builds trust and loyalty.

Adaptability: Customer service is fast-paced and constantly evolving. With strong adaptability, you can effectively respond to unexpected challenges and adjust to new tools, processes, or changing customer demands.

Analytical skills: Strong analytical skills are a key trait of a quality Customer Service Manager. Being able to analyze customer data and service metrics will allow you to make data-driven decisions, identify trends, and streamline customer service processes. That’s why you need to grow it when thinking about making a career as a CSM.

Leadership abilities: A Customer Service Manager is a leader for the whole customer service department. So, working as a CSM, you’ll need strong leadership skills to motivate and guide the department, drive overall performance, and foster a positive work environment. Most importantly, you will need to serve as the glue that keeps the department united by skillfully handling internal conflicts.

Technical knowledge: A Service Manager must be proficient in helpdesk management systems, different types of customer service software, and other automation tools. He also needs to be familiar with key customer service metrics, such as NPS, CSAT, CES, FRT, etc. So, enhance your technical knowledge in these aspects and move forward to be an extraordinary CSM.

#3 Acquire Relevant Experience

Experience in customer service: Start by gaining experience in customer service roles such as customer support representative or supervisor. This hands-on experience will help you understand customer needs and expectations.

Internships or entry-level roles: If you’re starting, seeking internships or entry-level positions in customer service management is a smart move. These roles’ experience will help you understand day-to-day operations and get you ready to take on a full-time CSM role.

Supervisory experience: Search for roles where you can gain real-world leadership experience. Supervising a small team or overseeing projects will help you develop the skills needed to manage larger teams later.

#4 Grow a strong professional network

Engage with industry associations: Join associations like the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) or the International Customer Service Association (ICSA) to stay updated and network with other professionals.

Connect with experts on LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a valuable platform for connecting with fellow Customer Service Managers. Follow industry leaders, engage with their content, and share your insights to build your professional presence.

Attend networking events: Participating in customer service events, webinars, or conferences is an excellent way to learn from industry experts and interact with like-minded professionals.

Wrapping up

We’re confident that you now have a solid understanding of a Customer Service Manager (CSM) and what it takes to succeed in it.

If you aspire to work in this role, be prepared for an exciting, hectic, and dynamic experience. This job role is full of opportunities. Thank us later if you achieve success as a Customer Service Manager with the guidance and motivation from this single piece of blog post.

Important: We repeatedly mention “leadership” in our roadmap section. So keep it a top priority in your journey.

Again, if you are thinking about hiring a CSM, now you know what a CSM can contribute to your customer service department.

Lastly, thanks for your time reading this blog.

The post Customer Service Manager: Key Insights and Career Path appeared first on Fluent Support.

Relax! You have landed in the right place. We’re here to help you make your decision. We won’t overwhelm you with multiple options. This reading will give suggestions about 5 leading video search engines that genuinely help you.

Let’s get started.

1. Google

Google is widely regarded as one of the most popular video search engines. Not surprisingly, it also stands out as a leading video search engine.

Just consider the number:

Utilizing this video search option, you can simplify finding your preferred videos from across the web, including popular video platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, et cetera. Thanks to its comprehensive indexing and advanced search algorithms.

So, it could be your top pick and a reliable choice when searching for video content.

You can easily access Google’s video search feature by clicking on the “Videos” tab. This will show you video results related to your search query.

In addition, Google often displays video content directly on the SERP based on your search query.

This Video tab allows you to filter through various options such as video duration, upload time, video quality, all videos or closed captions, and video source.

An “Advanced Search” option is also available right next to the filter option. This feature gives you more control over your searches to help you find exactly what you need. With it, you can refine and narrow your search results by including and excluding specific words or phrases.

2. YouTube

And it’s the world’s most popular video platform-based search engine with quality content.

Considering the growing popularity of video trends in recent times, just imagine the jump in the numbers.

Is the hype hitting you? Or are you already aware of it? We bet you are!

Chances are, YouTube is the first name that pops up in your mind when you think of searching for a video. Traditionally, this video platform is the go-to place for people who want to find videos, whether for entertainment, learning, or other purposes.

Plus, when you search for videos on YouTube, its algorithm remembers your interests. As you browse, YouTube shows you more videos that match your interests. Yes, it simplifies the process of exploring videos that you would love to explore.

Since Google owns YouTube, it’s no surprise that its search capabilities are some of the best. Due to this, you would get accurate and relevant results every time.

YouTube’s search bar suggestions function is similar to Google’s. As you start typing in the search bar, YouTube’s smart suggestions give you ideas for refining your search terms.

It’s like YouTube’s saying, ‘Here’s what you might be looking for.’

Well, YouTube also offers a search filter to discover content that precisely matches your needs. It includes upload date, video type, duration, features, and sorting.

You can also filter out search results by all videos, shorts, videos, unwatched, watched, recently uploaded, and live videos. This filter option is right under the search bar.

This way, YouTube makes your search experience far better than any other video platform.

FYI, YouTube exclusively hosts its videos. You won’t find videos from other platforms there.

3. Vimeo

Presenting another video platform for you that you must add to your video search engine lineup: Vimeo.

It might not match YouTube’s massive user base and wide range of content. Still, Vimeo stands out for its unique approach to hosting and showcasing high-quality, artistic content.

With video trends booming everywhere, it doesn’t go with the flow. It strongly maintains its quality video content. Sometimes, you may come across the same video on both Vimeo and YouTube, with higher quality on Vimeo.

Vimeo always prioritizes quality video content over quantity. When you start searching for creative and original videos, you’ll appreciate this platform’s charm.

Thanks to Vimeo, it doesn’t overwhelm you with ads like some other platforms do. So, your video search experience will be clean, focused, and uninterrupted.

You can narrow down your search to fit your preferences as you search for videos. On Vimeo, you have the option to choose from different video types, like live events or channels, and you can even filter by categories or video length.

Additionally, Vimeo allows you to sort your results by relevance, upload date, popularity, or title. You can also refine your search by video resolution, HDR quality, and license type.

That’s not the end of the filter option. Vimeo’s filter options let you exclude mature content from your search results. You can easily filter videos by labels like All Audiences, Mature, or Not Yet Rated.

When you hover over a video thumbnail on Vimeo, it displays the upload time, number of likes, comments, and video length. Based on this insight, you can quickly decide if the video is worth watching.

Also, by hovering over a video thumbnail, you can choose the Watch Later option to save videos for later viewing.

That’s how the Vimeo video platform could make your search process efficient and easy. Definitely, you will get a refined and curated video search experience using Vimeo’s video search.

Like YouTube, you can only explore videos hosted exclusively on Vimeo.

4. Facebook

With over 3 billion active monthly users, Facebook is the most popular social media platform globally. Yes, it connects a massive portion of the world’s population.

And guess what? In recent years, Facebook has significantly shifted its focus toward video content.

Can you feel the craze for Facebook’s video content?

Considering this craze, imagine how users or video content creators have been pushing themselves to upload more video content to seize this opportunity. As time goes on, this social media platform is more likely to transform into a video hub.

With this transformation, Facebook is emerging as a self-contained video discovery space, automatically making it a popular video search engine today.

In this platform, you can search, explore, and engage with diverse content in the form of regular videos, reels, live streams, and video stories.

Facebook features a dedicated video tab for easily searching and exploring content on Facebook Watch. Alternatively, you can search for videos using the main search bar.

Simply type in your query and then select the Video filter to see results only for video content.

Facebook’s video search option allows you to perform a basic filter search. Using this filter option, you can refine or narrow your search by sorting relevant/recent content, selecting the posted date, and filtering to show only live videos.

Video searches on Facebook are usually intended for entertainment or social interaction purpose. Where other video search engines like Google and YouTube could help you with a more detailed, expansive, and refined video search experience.

Also, like YouTube and Facebook, video search results only show content available within the platform. This platform doesn’t pull any video content from external sites. You will only see content uploaded by users, pages, or groups.

5. DuckDuckGo

Here comes our last recommendation for video search engines, DuckDuckGo. It deserves a spot in your lineup, especially if privacy is your priority.

Unlike other search engines, DuckDuckGo doesn’t save your search history or track your online activity. 

Your queries won’t be stored and stay between you and this platform. As a result, you will get a more secure and confidential video search experience.

DuckDuckGo doesn’t limit your video search to a single source. It gives you a broader range of video options from across the web. DuckDuckGo fetches video content based on your query from YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Facebook, and other video-sharing platforms.

Undoubtedly, this all-accessible-in-one-place approach would make your search effort more efficient and comprehensive.

To use DuckDuckGo’s video search, type your query into the search bar and select the ‘Videos’ tab.

Speaking of ‘Video’ tab filter option, it’s somewhat like Google. The best part of this filter option is you can view results from all regions or narrow them down to a specific one for a more localized search experience.

Isn’t that cool?

So, next time you are searching for videos, consider trying DuckDuckGo. It might become your go-to option for a secure and reliable video search.

Wrapping up

So, you have the best options for video search engines to choose from. These tools definitely empower you to find the content you’re searching for more efficiently.

Now it’s time to explore and pick from our suggested options that best suit your needs.

Happy searching!

The post 5 Leading Video Search Engines for Advanced Video Search appeared first on Fluent Support.

So, what would keep businesses organized in such situation? That’s where an Issue Tracking System (ITS) steps in. From tracking to managing issues, it keeps the situation well-regulated.

In this blog, we will talk about what an Issue Tracking System is and how it actually works.

Let’s find it out!

What is an Issue Tracking System?

Issue Tracking System (ITS): How does it work?

Let’s explain the matter to you in a step-by-step approach.

Step: 01

Customers or team members submit issues to the platform in the opening stage. The issues could be anything like bugs, feature requests, or problems that need to be resolved.

Commonly, the platform operates through a ticketing process where every issue or inquiry converts into a ticket. Here, the issues can arise from various communication channels like support portal, email, live chat, etc.

Usually, each issue contains a description, priority level, category, and other relevant details. Plus, an Issue Tracking System generates a unique ID (per issue) for easy tracking.

Step: 02

Once an issue is submitted to the platform as a ticket, it’s time for issue categorization. Here, every issue is categorized based on its nature and urgency.

In the issue creation phase, an issue reporter could categorize the priority level of an issue as normal, medium, or critical. After submission, the support or development team assesses an issue’s details and sets the priority level according to their preferences.

Deploying this categorization, your team members could give attention to high-priority issues promptly and handle low-priority issues in a timely manner or schedule them for later resolution.

Moreover, this categorization helps you allocate your resources effectively for issues. For instance, the right person or team can take ownership of an issue.

Step: 03

After successful submission and categorization, it’s time to assign the issue. At the beginning of this step, either an individual or a group of experts see the full picture of an issue.

Then the ownership of the issue is assigned to the right person or a team of experts. Here, the assignment of an issue depends mainly on its simplicity or complexity.

In terms of a simple and well-defined issue, the responsibility is often assigned to an individual team member with the expertise to handle it efficiently.

Again, for a more complex or critical issue, it is escalated to higher-level support or handed over to a team of experts to tackle it collaboratively.

Sure thing—this assignment clarifies responsibilities and quickens the resolution time.

Step: 04

Here comes the fourth step, the investigation phase. This phase sets the stage for issue resolution. It’s a bit like detective work—you need to look at all the evidence (clues) and make sense of it.

To elaborate, the assigned person or team dives into the details of an issue. The main task is to identify the root cause of issues and brainstorm possible solutions.

To ease this step, the assigned party looks at the related documentation, review logs, or error messages related to the issue. Sometimes, they need to collaborate with other team members or departments to gather better insights.

Again, if the issue is technical or software-related, they might try to recreate it within their controlled test environment. Rolling this out will help them better understand the issue’s behavior without disturbing the main system or inconveniencing users.

The whole investigation process needs to be proceeded correctly. A well-planned investigation helps to identify the most efficient approach to solving an issue.

Also, the assigned individual or team documents all the findings or observations. This ensures transparency, future reference, and a clear picture of what’s happening with an issue.

Step: 05

Once the root cause is identified and a possible solution is determined, it’s time for the real action—resolving the issue. In the resolution phase, the assigned party needs to move from detective to resolution maestro.

Like the investigation stage, the issue resolver party might communicate with other team members or the customer to gather more information.

Here, the assigned authority works on developing a fix or constructing a solution to the identified problem. Based on the issue’s characteristics, the solution might involve some code changes, configuration updates, or even tweaking the process for better fixing.

But hold on. It’s not just fixing calling it a day. It’s a back-and-forth process.

Once the resolution tasks are completed, it’s necessary to proceed with testing. Usually, the fix is tested in a controlled environment to make sure it works properly and won’t create any new problems.

If the fix passes the test, awesome! It’s ready for the next phase. If something is still not quite right, the issue is sent back for adjustments and retesting.

It’s all about making sure the problem is completely solved, and the system is running smoothly.

In this resolution phase, the individual or team of experts needs to input the current status of the issue in the tracking system, including progress updates, action taken, test results, and any notes for team communication.

Step: 06

You may label this step as the quality checkpoint. In this phase, an issue needs to undergo the review and approval procedure to make sure the resolution meets the necessary standard.

To begin, a designated reviewer or team assesses the fix to determine whether it aligns with quality standards, checks the necessary documentation, and double-checks every necessary piece of stuff to ensure nothing is missed.

It’s like tuning an instrument before a concert to ensure everything sounds right before the show begins.

If the review is satisfactory, the designated team or individual gives it a final thumbs-up for approval. The thumbs-up suggests that the resolution is approved and prepared for deployment.

FYI, the review phase might need extra steps or the involvement of senior team members in terms of more complicated cases.

Step: 07

After the approval, here comes the 7th step, the end phase. Here an issue gets deployed and officially logged as closed in the system.

While deploying, the fix is added to the main system if its software program matters. This type of fix let’s all users reap the benefits. The designated individual or team might conduct a final review to ensure everything is working seamlessly after the deployment. It’s a wise move!

Again, for non-software issues, the solution is deployed as needed.

Once it’s done, the designated party updates the issue’s status to “closed” in the Issue Tracking System and notifies all the relevant parties. Closing an issue signals that it’s been fully taken care of and has nothing to do with it.

Step: 08

After the end phase—deploying and closing an issue—there is one more step. Consider this step as wrapping up and learning from the experience.

Here, the responsible party documents everything and gathers feedback. This phase ensures continuous learning and process improvement.

Firstly, the responsible party documents all key details of the issue, including the resolution steps and challenges faced by the resolver. Additionally, they gather and record insights gained during the process.

In case of a major or complicated issue, the documentation group or responsible party might go the extra mile. In this regard, they need to conduct a post-mortem analysis for a deeper review.

This type of documentation can become part of the knowledge base. It might serve as a library for future reference for the issue resolver.

Next, the responsible party might contact the reporter or customer who reported the issue to ask for feedback. This is crucial as it shows whether the solution meets the reporter’s needs or whether the reporter is satisfied with the resolution.

Plus, feedback gives the team ideas on how to improve the resolution process.

With documentation and feedback, the process of tracking an issue can finally be closed—that’s it!

Wrapping up

So, we are confident that you do have a clear grasp of the Issue Tracking System. Now it’s your time to pick the best software system for tracking and managing your issues (if needed).

First-rate Issue Tracking Software will surely be a task-simplifying tool for your customer service team, ensuring your business remains organized in such situations.

That’s all for today. Thanks for your time reading this blog.

The post What is an Issue Tracking System (ITS) and How Does it Work? appeared first on Fluent Support.

Constantly, Intercom is making every effort to keep pace with modern customer support demands and realities. Obviously, utilizing Intercom could be a highly effective solution for you to provide exceptional customer support.

Yet, there are multiple drawbacks you could face in Intercom. Not actually drawbacks, users have encountered several major issues.

That’s why individuals, including current users, search for Intercom alternatives. Perhaps you are, too, since you have landed on this blog.

No worries. We are here to give you a deep insight in response to your query.

In the first section of this blog, we will discuss the major reasons why you need to look for Intercom alternatives. 

Then, we will explore five Intercom alternatives for your exceptional customer support.

We have divided them into two categories. Three are WordPress helpdesk plugins, and the other two are cloud-based solutions.

Without further ado, let’s get into this.

4 major factors to look for in Intercom alternatives

1. User Interface and flexibility

In 2018 and 2019, users continuously gave critical reviews for Intercom’s UI/UX. Since then, Intercom has been trying to overcome the issue and is emphasizing it more.

Still, it’s a bit infamous for its complex user interface. In particular, new users are often overwhelmed by the complexity.

Moreover, a new user will encounter a lack of flexibility at the outset while setting up and trying to use it effectively. It’s not that intuitive. 

So, a new user needs to undergo a comprehensive learning curve. Plus, when a user opts to customize personalized customer support, he may experience multiple critical limitations.

2. Poor customer service

A harsh truth about Intercom is that its customer support team often fails to deliver exceptional customer service to the users. It’s one of the best-in-class customer support software. Its users are supposed to get a gold standard in customer service. 

Unfortunately, they aren’t and it’s a big gap for their customer support team.
A large number of users consistently voicing dissatisfaction about their customer service teams. Let’s look at a screenshot of that we context collected from G2.

Ironically, many customer service analysts call it as-

3. Frequent bug and technical issues

Bugs, glitches, and technical issues are common challenges in a SaaS product due to its complexities, ongoing updates, and inclusion of new features. But they can’t be frequent.

Sadly, Intercom have these drawbacks, and these occur on a frequent basis. A fair number of customers are sharing their frustrations regarding these on different review platforms.

The present world isn’t about bug generation; it’s about the effort to fix bugs, glitches, or any technical issues as early as possible.

The worst scenario is that Intercom’s technical support and engineering teams aren’t dedicated and take a long time to fix them. In some cases, customers are overlooked regarding these.

4. High pricing plan with complexity

Users need to come up with a high budget to access this powerful tool and utilize the functionalities. Its pricing plan is too high that hurts the current users also the newcomers who are looking for give it a try to this.

So, a startup or a rising business often needs to break the bank to utilize Intercom for customer support.

Moreover, the pricing structure is way too complex, masked, and designed to trick you. Let’s look at a reference to our commentary.

WordPress Helpdesks plugin as Intercom alternatives

Fluent Support

Let’s lead off the list with an powerful yet affordable WordPress helpdesk plugin, Fluent Support. In 2024, it has become a central focus for customer support head and support agents who are in the WordPress environment.

It’s getting popularity day by day as the best WordPress ticketing system. Just consider the number, Fluent Support is now assisting over 8,000+ businesses with its effective customer support solutions.

The team at Fluent Support engineered the product to make your customer support activity fast, fun, and fluent. It’s jam-packed with all the essential features that your customer support team needs.

To keep you more organized with your support tickets, it has a user-friendly dashboard that is far easier to navigate than you might think. 

Plus, you don’t need a learning curve to use the product, as it is simple and intuitive. The set-up process is also easier, taking less than five minutes.

From beginners to expert support reps, it can be a prominent tool for customer support solutions.
What’s even better is that the technical support team behind Fluent Support is always within your reach to respond to any kind of issue that arises regarding the product.

Pricing

Fluent Support is often acknowledged for its transparent and budget-friendly pricing. Plus, you can enjoy a 14-day unconditional moneyback guarantee.

A free version is also available in the WordPress repository that includes multiple necessary features.

Now let’s look at the pro version pricing plan.

Single Site License: $103/year for 1 domain.

Agency License: $199/year for 5 domains.

50 Sites License: $319/year for 50 domains.

SupportCandy

SupportCandy, another strong contender to be in the list of Intercom alternatives. This Intercom alternatives for customer support is serving its users since 2014.

SupportCandy is the oldest customer support ticketing system available in the WordPress repository. It currently has over 10,000 active installations, and the team is consistently striving to improve it.

It’s simple, secure, and loaded with all the essential features. Its user-friendly interface and powerful functionality let you effortlessly engage with your customers and resolve customer issues.

Everything you get from it for your customer support without making your wallet sad. It’s super affordable.

Plus, just like Fluent Support, the SupportCandy technical support team is dedicated to its customers when any queries or issues arise.

Pricing

SupportCandy offers a free plan for its customers with multiple essential features. To access all their feature, you need to choose a premium pricing plan. SupportCandy also allows 14 days money-back guarantee for risk-free customer experience.

Personal: $79/ year for 1 site.

Professional: $149/ year for 5 sites.

Agency: $299/ year for 20 sites.

You can also explore SupportCandy’s lifetime plan if you ever need it.

Awesome Support

Finally, here is the third one in the rundown: Awesome Support, a WordPress helpdesk plugin. When looking for Intercom alternatives for customer support, it will be wise to add Awesome Support as a potential option.

This WordPress ticketing system has been delivering excellence since 2016. Over the years, it has built a solid reputation for trust. Currently, 10,000+ businesses use Awesome Support for their customer support operations.

It’s like a toolbox with everything you need for customer support. This ticketing system, with its versatile functionality, simplicity, and reliability, could make your customer support process a breeze.

While the functionality is mostly reliable, some users find the dashboard interface a bit dated.

Awesome Support’s setup process is also as easy as Fluent Support’s. You can set it up within five minutes.

​​It’s evident that this plugin could multiply your support efficiency if you have a first-class customer support team. But the dashboard of Awesome Support sucks.

The dashboard design is a bit outdated. As a result, some of your support agents might find the dashboard interface really frustrating.

Other than that, it’s an excellent plugin for conducting your customer support and a considerable alternative to Intercom.

Pricing

Awesome Support offers a free version with limited features. Its premium pricing plan is a bit more pricey and complex than Fluent Support and SupportCandy.

Let’s overview the pricing plan.

Standard: $149/year for 1 site, $199/year for 2 – 5 sites, $249/year for unlimited sites.

PRO: $229/year for 1 site, $299/year for 2 – 5 sites, $399/year for unlimited sites.

ENTERPRISE: $289/year for 1 site, $399/year for 2 – 5 sites, $549/year for unlimited sites, $549/year for unlimited sites without technical support rights.

AGENCY: $409/year for 1 site, $799/year for 2 – 5 sites, $999/year for unlimited sites, $799/year for unlimited sites without technical support rights.

You can also purchase its individual add-ons according to your need.

Cloud-based solutions as Intercom alternatives

Zendesk

Zendesk is a renowned brand in customer support. It was founded in 2007 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and later established its headquarters in San Francisco, California.

Zendesk has achieved huge success in the customer support sector and is currently the most adopted tool. With over 6,000 employees, it’s now trusted by more than 160 million paid customers in 160 countries.

Assuming the hype of Zendesk in the customer support field? You are!

And it’s a far better alternative to Intercom in the SaaS category.

Like Intercom, it has got AI-powered customer support system. Its AI-first customer service will make your customer interactions faster and more personalized.

Moreover, its wide range of features, customizable options, and flawless integration capabilities make Zendesk a compelling tool for customer support management.

As a versatile customer support platform, Zendesk provides a suite of tools for both B2B and B2C customer service. So, whether you are involved in any of these parties, Zendesk could be handy for you to cater to your needs.

Just like Fluent Support, Zendesk’s setup process is easy, and the user experience is effortless.

Pricing

Zendesk offers individual pricing plans for service and sales. Since this blog focuses on customer support, we will look at Zendesk’s service pricing plan.

Let’s look at Zendesk’s suite plans.

Suite Team: $55 per agent/month billed annually

Suite Growth: $89 per agent/month billed annually

Suite Professional: $115 per agent/month billed annually (It’s Zendesk’s most popular plan)

Suite Enterprise: For this pricing plan, you need to talk to the team. Zendesk mentioned that the team will provide you with a comprehensive solution to meet all your needs.

Also, you can enjoy a 14-day free trial to test the service and assess Zendesk for your customer support.

Freshdesk

Freshdesk is a cloud-based customer support solution and a fitting option to be an Intercom alternative. It almost covers all the essential features that a customer support team needs.

This software is a prominent choice for many businesses that are seeking efficient communication with customers for support management. Till now, Freshdesk has reached the milestone of 60,000+ customers.

This advanced ticketing system will help you to streamline your support operations with efficient ticket management and personalized customer assistance.

Freshdesk is often louded for its AI powered automation and workflows. It works amazingly well. So, you can make your customer support operation faster and can save your time for other relevant activities.

Moreover, it’s a super platform for effective team collaboration. If your customer quiries are more complex and you need effective teamwork, then you will be benefited by Intercom, for sure.

When you start exploring Freshdesk, you may find it a compelling alternative to Intercom. In some cases, it can also be considered a direct competitor to Intecom.

Pricing

Fresh includes both free and subscription-based versions. Currently, the are offering three packages for customer service. Let’s look into them.

Growth: $18/agent/month (Intuitive, industry-leading support for growing businesses).

Pro: $59/agent/month (Advanced automation for high performance).

Enterprise: $95/agent/month (Fully featured with bots for enterprise-level support).

Also, you can get Freshdesk’s add-ons to enhance your support experience.

Wrapping up

So, we have introduced our top five picks for Intercom alternatives. Now, it’s your time to choose the best one that most closely aligns with your criteria.

No matter what platform you choose, your support needs to be smooth. So, along with a good support platform, make your customer support team super responsive and brilliant problem solvers.

Lastly, we appreciate you taking the time to read this blog.

The post 5 Intercom Alternatives for Exceptional Customer Support appeared first on Fluent Support.

In this present digital landscape, multiple email service providers are available and advancing rapidly which can give tough competition as an alternative to Gmail. Moreover, these Gmail alternatives have some particular qualities that surpass Gmail’s features in some specific segments.

So, in this blog, we will first look into the reasons why you need to consider Gmail alternatives. Then we will discuss our top picks for Gmail alternatives.

Let’s start reading.

Why do you need to choose a Gmail alternative?

Without a doubt, Gmail has a bundle of top-notch features. You will hardly encounter critical flaws in Gmail. Still, Gmail has a few drawbacks that may not be according to your convenience. Maybe for that reason, you need to migrate from this platform and find your best alternatives to Gmail.

In this section, we will look at some reasons to look for a Gmail alternative. If our below-mentioned points don’t bother you, you may stick to this platform.

Adds and promotions

If you are into the free version, Gmail could clutter your inbox with ads and promotional emails. It will create chaos in your inbox and cause difficulties in finding your important emails. To escape from ads and promotions, you need to go for the premium plans.

If you want your inbox flooded with ads and don’t go for premium subscriptions, you can look for some other email service providers who are providing ad-free email service.

Comparatively less optimized for collaboration

Gmail isn’t a highly optimized platform for collaboration. Typically, it’s widely used for essential email communication but not for comprehensive collaboration. Though Gmail has Google Chat within it, but not that impressive for collaboration compared to some other robust platforms.

If you need to maintain simple collaboration, it’s an excellent choice to be with Gmail. On the other hand, when you need extensive collaboration, real-time document editing, robust chat functionality, more efficient project management, and stellar chat functionality, then move out from Gmail and pick an email service that is entirely focused on team collaboration.

Privacy and security concerns

Honestly saying, Gmail offers decent security for email management. But when you need top-tier security and privacy with your email and data, you need to look for some other platforms that ensure intense security and data protection.

For example, look at Proton Mail. It’s known as the world’s largest secure email service. Its top priority is to keep your data safe rather than other features. We will describe Proton Mail later.

What we are discussing is that if you need to safeguard your communication and personal data to a higher degree, you need to move from Gmail and find an alternative. On the other hand, you may carry on your email management with Gmail. Gmail can provide you with noteworthy privacy and security.

More free Cloud storage

When you are using Gmail, that means you have a Google account. As we know Each account provides free 15 GB of storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. To upgrade your storage quota you need to pay for it.

In case, you have more data to store, you want to enjoy the full benefits of email with expanded data and wish to keep expenses at zero on it, you can explore email service providers that match these criteria.

Just look at Yahoo Mail. With a bunch of features, this email service includes 1TB of free cloud storage for the users.

Introducing 3 best Gmail alternatives

So, you have arrived at the most crucial section of the blog. Here, we will introduce to you the best 3 Gmail alternatives of all time considering their feature, usability, brand identity and most importantly suitability to Gmail alternatives.

Scroll down and read.

1. Microsoft Outlook

Let’s start the listing of Gmail alternatives with Microsoft Outlook, a standalone software in the Microsoft Suite.

Nowadays, both individuals and businesses prefer Microsoft Outlook mainly for its robust email and personal information management system. According to Windows Report, it’s the third most popular email service provider and has over 400 million users worldwide.

The application began its journey as Hotmail. In 1996, Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith established Hotmail as the first web-based free email service. After a year, Microsoft acquired it and later rebranded it as MSN Hotmail and then as Outlook.com.

What makes Microsoft Outlook the best alternative to Gmail

• Outlook isn’t limited to just sending, receiving, and organizing emails. The application can also be used as a calendar, task, contact management, and to-do list. Yes, it’s more than an email service helping users to stay organized and efficient.

• Its calendar is versatile and allows you to manage your time, meetings, appointments, events, etc. It also allows you to manage multiple calendars, such as a work calendar or a personal calendar.

• You can enhance your productivity by streamlining your workflow with this application, as it has a deep integration with other Microsoft Office applications.

• With its advanced search box, you can easily find your stuff in your crowded inbox or folder, even in the most cluttered situation.

• Sometimes, you need privacy and security for your emails. Here, Outlook serves you to protect your emails with its email encryption feature. (not for free users)

• You can send file attachments of a maximum of 20 MB per email.

• In addition to this, you can attach files directly from OneDrive and share links to cloud-stored files. See, this reduces the “attachment of maximum file size” issue and facilitates easy collaboration.

• The free version offers 15 GB of storage, which is separate from your Microsoft cloud storage, and 5 GB of OneDrive storage. Again, if you are in a premium subscription you can extend your mail storage to 50 GB and OneDrive storage to 1 TB.

• Most importantly, the interface of Outlook is well-organized and intuitive. So, you can navigate seamlessly whether you’re managing emails, scheduling appointments, or creating tasks.

Pricing

Outlook doesn’t provide a standalone free version. It is bundled with other Microsoft Office applications. To unlock premium features and plans, you will need a Microsoft 365 subscription.

The pricing plan starts at $69.99/year for one person and $99.99/year for six person. You can also get these plans for a single month.

2. Zoho Mail

Zoho Mail is another viable choice to be one of Gmail’s alternatives. It’s a popular choice for many businesses and individuals who are looking for a top-tier security, reliability, and collaborative email solution.

A report of 2024 by 6 Sense shows over 1,33,396 companies started using Zoho Mail as an email management tool. On Zoho Mail’s 15th anniversary, they revealed that they now have over 16 million active users and almost 2 Billion email processes through Zoho Mail every month.

In 2005, Zoho Corporation started working on a suite of online applications. Eventually, the effort led to Zoho Mail’s inception. Then, in 2008, the company officially launched Zoho Mail as part of the Zoho Office Suite.

What makes Zoho Mail the best Gmail alternative

• Zoho Mail is determined to deliver an add-free email service. So, you won’t be bothered by advertisements and can experience a fully focused environment.

• In Zoho Mail, you can manage your inbox more efficiently. Its email filter option keeps you organized with your incoming and outgoing emails. Its advanced search capability assists you in finding emails, even the smallest information you remember about them.

• Along with efficient email management, Zoho Mail includes a calendar, task module, notes, contacts, and bookmarks. All these tools could help you out and your team to be more efficient and productive. Guess what, all these interfaces are in the same interface right within your inbox.

• If you are concerned about error-free emails, you can tap into Zoho Mail. It provides a sharing option to collaborate with your colleagues for reviewing emails and editing them if needed. That way, you can send polished emails and improve your email communication.

• Its end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and advanced filtering option safeguard your sensitive information. So, you will be shielded, and unauthorized access and cyber threats can’t apply their activity.

• This application has tight integration with other Zoho applications such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, Zoho Creator, and Zoho Docs. This empowers you for seamless collaboration and better workflow management.

• You can improve your email communication with its AI assistance feature. Zoho Mail’s Zia, powered by OpenAI will help you out with producing high-quality content and intelligent replies.

• Most importantly, Zoho Mail allows you to create professional domain-based email addresses. Example: conctact@fluentsupport.com. Here the company name is Fluent Support. This feature is mainly beneficial for business communication as it establishes a trustworthy presence.

Pricing

Zoho Mail offers a “forever free” plan. This plan allows up to five users and 5 GB of storage for every user. If you are running a small business, that plan could work well for you. In case you need more storage or features from Zoho Mail, you can check out their premium version.

Currently, Zoho Mail has three pricing plans.

1. Mail Lite: $1/user/ month billed annually

2. Mail Premium: $4/user month billed annually.

3. Workplace: starts from $3/user month billed annually. This pricing plan is the most popular for their users. Moreover, there’s a broader version of this plan you may explore.

3. Proton Mail

Here is the third contender of Gmail alternative in the lineup, Proton Mail (previously written as ProtonMail).

Proton Mail is mainly designed for privacy and security protection. The other email features come as the second priority for Proton Mail. 

Proton Mail was launched in 2014 by Andy Yen, the founder and CEO of Proton. Over 70 million users and 10,000 businesses worldwide trust this Gmail alternative with their data.

This email service provider is now the world’s largest encrypted email service and ensures you Swiss bank-level security protections. So, if you are looking for the highest level of security, Proton Mail is the best option for you.

What makes Proton Mail the best Gmail alternative

• With a single Proton Account, you can seamlessly access and manage your email, storage, and calendar in one place. Consider it as a convenient way to stay organized.

• Once you join Proton Mail, you will get a free ProtonVPN account. The VPN allows you to have private and secure internet access. That means you won’t be browsing the web directly and via the IP address from one of their servers.

• Proton Mail has zero access architecture. Even the Proton Mail authority can’t access your emails and also doesn’t keep the technical ability for access. That means only you and your intended receipt can decrypt.

• Proton Mail’s password-protected email is top-notch as it adds a layer of security. Here, the receipt requires a password to open it, even for people who don’t use Proton Mail.

• To strengthen your account security, Proton Mail comes up with two-factor authentication with hardware security keys that support YubiKey and other U2F/FIDO2-compliant keys. As it is physical, cyber attackers can’t get a hold of them.

• Proton Sentinel feature is their cutting-edge security system. It combines AI and human analysis to monitor accounts 24/7. It provides strict challenges for suspicious logins and offers comprehensive insights into account changes.

• Proton Mail allows you to send self-destructing messages. Here, you can set the expiry date and when the expiration comes in, the message will be automatically deleted from the inboxes of both sender and receipt.

• Proton Mail is based in Switzerland. That means your data is protected by leading privacy legislation worldwide.

Pricing

Proton Mail offers a free plan with very limited features like 1 GB mail storage, 150 messages per day, limited customer support, etc. You can explore Proton Mail premium pricing with a feature-reach opportunity. Proton Mail offers different pricing plans both for individuals and businesses.

For individuals, Proton Mail is offering:

Mail Lite: €3.99 /month (for a 12-month plan)

Proton Unlimited: €9.99 /month (for 12-month plan). This plan is their top recommendation for individuals.

Proton Family: €23.99 /month (for a 12-month plan)

For businesses, Proton Mail is offering:

Mail Essentials: $6.99 /user/month (for a 12-month plan)

Mail Professional: €9.99 /user/month (for a 12-month plan)

Proton Business Suite: €12.99 /user/month (for a 12-month plan)

Or, in case you are running an enterprise or large company, you can try out their custom plan.

Wrapping up

In this era of digital connectivity, effective email communication is the lifeblood of every individual and business. In this situation, communicating through email positions you ahead. So, leave no stone unturned to be efficient with your email communication.

Suppose, you rely heavily on Gmail for your email communication. If Gmail fails to provide your specific requirements and needs, you need to immediately step out from it and explore for appropriate one.

To streamline your decision-making, we have presented you three best Gmail alternatives. Now, it’s your time to pick according to your needs and be efficient in this connected world.

Lastly, we appreciate you taking the time to read this blog.

The post Gmail Alternatives: 3 Best Alternatives to Gmail in 2025 appeared first on Fluent Support.

Now, you must be wondering about job roles related to customer experience that can turn these efforts into reality. Yes, a skilled Customer Experience Manager (CEM) can make a significant impact on this.

In this blog, you will get a well-rounded notion about Customer Experience Manager (CEM).

What is a Customer Experience Manager

What does a Customer Experience Manager do?

The role of a Customer Experience Manager may vary from company to company, but the key responsibilities remain consistent. For your kind information, the role of a Customer Experience Manager is more general than a Customer Success Manager. Don’t get confused between these.

In this section, we will look into what does Customer Experience Manager really do!

Let’s get into this.

Customer Experience Manager job description

In a Customer Experience Manager’s job description, salary, benefits, and increment period could vary from company to company. Still, the essential responsibilities and job qualifications almost remain the same.

• Snatch every opportunity to improve brand and customer experience.

• Design and execute plans to improve customer experience across all touchpoints.

• Enhance customer retention, decrease customer churn, and boost customer satisfaction.

• Recurringly collaborate with cross-functional teams.

• Map out the customer journey and set service standards to streamline interactions.

• Leverage customer feedback and data analysis to uncover pain points and unlock opportunities for growth.

• Try out new tactics to continually improve customer satisfaction.

• Empower customer support representatives in effective issue resolution and escalation processes.

• Utilize Customer Experience KPIs and CRM tools to make data-driven decisions.

• Build communication pathways between customers and the company for a smooth experience.

• A good grasp of customer perception to accurately understand and address customer expectations.

• Creating a customer segmentation game plan to shape various facets of the company’s operations and performance.

• Stay well-informed with the latest industry trends and best practices in customer experience management.

• Arrange regular training sessions for customer-facing staff to improve service quality.

• Draft and handle the annual budget for CX management.

• Conduct interviews and make hiring decisions with thoughtful judgment.

Now, let’s take a look at the typical qualifications required for the role of Customer Experience Manager.

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management or other related field is preferable.

• A solid foundation of customer experience principles and best practices.

• Having industry-related courses or certifications is a plus.

• Proven experience in managing customer experience processes and implementing CX standards.

• Proficiency in the English language, both in speaking and writing.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends effectively.

• Holding a customer-centric mindset to deliver exceptional customer experience and drive business success.

• Familiar with CX metrics and other related tools.

• Capability to manage multiple projects simultaneously balancing workload.

• Balancing workloads while managing multiple projects in parallel.

• Required to be a cooperative colleague demonstrating love for teamwork.

Note: Many companies consider practical knowledge over educational background, courses, or certifications. So, if you have practical knowledge and other qualifications, you are a strong fit for this impactful role.

Customer Experience Manager’s salary

Okay, it’s time to talk about the numbers (salary figures). A Customer Experience Manager’s salary could vary depending on several factors, such as years of experience, the scope and size of a company, additional skills, education, certifications, etc. Furthermore, geographical location can influence salary structure. 

On top of that, the finance and tech industry usually offers a higher salary range than other industries.

Now, let’s get an overview of the average salary range for a Customer Experience Manager (CEM) in different countries (2024).

Guide to be a Customer Experience Manager (CEM)

With a really strong mindset, an individual needs to go through multiple stuffs to be a Customer Experience Manager. A clear picture: if there were a list of the top five occupations with the most challenges, the Customer Experience Manager role would be on it.

In this section, we will look at an all round guide to be a Customer Experience Manager (CEM).

Let’s dive in.

#1 Build relevant skills

Communication skills: Develop strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with customers, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and communicate with stakeholders.

Public speaking: Fluency in public speaking is a valuable complement to strong communication skills. Throughout their career, CEMs often need to mentor a group of people, lead a discussion, or even participate as conference speakers.

Leadership skills: Leadership skills are vital for a Customer Experience Manager. Be a Customer Experience leader to empower employees, inspire and motivate them, guide cross-functional teams for better CX, or even navigate challenges.

Analytical skill: Be advanced in analytical skills to interpret customer data and feedback,  predict trends, and make drive to make data drive decisions.

Problem-solving skill: Championing problem-solving skills to identify regular and complex issues or form innovative solutions. 

Tech savvy: Be tech savvy with customer experience metrics, CRM tools, customer feedback and survey tools, customer support software, customer journey mapping software, etc.

Project management skill: Be proficient in effective project management. This includes planning, executing, and monitoring projects to implement CX initiatives.

#2 Achieve essential qualifications

Degree: Take a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from any reputed institution in Mangement, Marketing, Communications, or a relevant field. Having a degree related to the CX field will put you ahead in the recruitment process.

Courses or certifications: Courses and certifications directly related to CX will reinforce your fundamentals, providing a strong foundation of customer experience management.

UX principles: Make your attempts to master UX principles. It’s essential to excel in UX principles while you are opting to specialize in Customer Experience Manager. It enables you to create more user-centered strategies. You know, customer-centricity is directly related to the enhancement of customer experience.

#3 Acquire relevant experience

Gain experience in multiple roles: Gather experience in relevant multiple professional roles such as Customer Service Manager, Customer Success Manager, Customer Insights Analyst, UX Manager, Marketing Manager etc. Hands-on experience in these roles provides a solid start to being a CEM.

Consider internship: Seek out an internship in CX management. This will advance your career path by providing practical insights into CX strategies, work operations, industry best practices, etc.

#4 Grow a professional network

Engage with professional associations: Join professional associations like the Customer Experience Professional Association (CXPA) to network, learn, and grow.

Connect with professionals on LinkedIn: Connect with CX experts through LinkedIn and regularly engage with their content. Additionally, join CX groups or communities to share relevant content and have continuous discussions.
Attend events: Participate in CX-related seminars, webinars, or conferences to strengthen networking and gain valuable insights.

Wrapping up

Customers remember the experience. Businesses are realizing this more and more than ever. That’s why they are excited to invest in making every interaction memorable and in a Customer Experience Manager (CEM).

The job role is pretty impactful for businesses and jam-packed with opportunities for individuals. So, if you are interested in it, grab the opportunity and put to use what we have discussed in this blog.

The post What is a Customer Experience Manager (CEM)? appeared first on Fluent Support.