If you’re operating a startup, providing distinctive assist can really set your enterprise aside. Whereas Intercom has been a go-to for managing buyer relationships, it is time to discover Intercom options that higher match the evolving startup scene.
Intercom provides a seamless mix of automation and personalization to assist startups join with their prospects. However speaking about startups, we want way more than a buyer relationship administration software. To easily handle our workflow, we require one thing that higher aligns with our present enterprise trajectory.
This weblog is crafted with one mission: to information you thru the assorted choices out there, spotlighting the highest options to Intercom which are making a big affect in 2023. Our analysis is thorough, drawing from person opinions, characteristic comparisons, and pricing analyses to make sure you have the data it is advisable to make an knowledgeable resolution.
And why, you may ask, is that this quest so essential?
To provide you extra, based on Hubspot buyer knowledge, a staggering 68% of consumers are prepared to pay a premium for services and products from a model identified for its stellar customer support. Within the startup world, the place all of the interplay counts and each buyer is a possible model ambassador, it is a statistic you possibly can’t afford to disregard.
So, whether or not you feel the pinch of Intercom’s pricing, in search of extra strong integrations, or simply interested in what else is on the market, you are in the proper place. Dive in, discover, and uncover the very best Intercom various assist instruments that might be the game-changers in your startup in 2023.
Undoubtedly, Intercom has set a excessive commonplace with regards to maintaining with fashionable buyer communication challenges. The customer support software program has a collection of instruments that empower companies to interact with their prospects in significant methods. Due to its strong performance, Intercom has grow to be a well-liked alternative amongst profitable companies.
Nevertheless, because the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, some cracks have begun to look within the Intercom façade. That is the rationale you might must discover the very best Intercom options.
Right here is why it’s best to go for an Intercom various in case you are searching for the very best customer support software program for your enterprise.
1. Overpriced and complicated pricing coverage
Let’s be trustworthy; we’re counting pennies right here! Startups function on tight budgets, and each greenback spent must convey tangible worth. Intercom’s pricing mannequin may be on the upper facet, particularly for early-stage startups. The tiered pricing can be perplexing, with prices rising rapidly as a startup grows and requires extra superior options.
Startups want clear and scalable pricing fashions that develop with them with none hidden surprises. Thus, options that provide clear, easy pricing may be extra interesting, guaranteeing startups solely pay for what they want.
2. Weak buyer assist
73% of consumers will swap to a competitor after a number of dangerous experiences. That’s the story out of your buyer’s facet. What number of will you tolerate, particularly out of your customer support software supplier?
Intercom’s G2 evaluate is flooded with poor buyer opinions. Customers have reported experiencing slower response instances and less-than-satisfactory resolutions from Intercom’s assist staff. For startups, a delayed response from customer support can imply misplaced gross sales and annoyed prospects.
In actual fact, whereas beginning up, probably the most required factor is a strong assist system that’s responsive and efficient. Thus, Intercom options that prioritize buyer assist and provide a number of communication channels can present the reassurance startups want.
3. Lacks essential integration
Startups typically use varied instruments to handle their operations. A scarcity of integration between these instruments and the client assist platform can result in inefficiencies and a disjointed buyer expertise. Intercom might not combine seamlessly with all of the instruments a startup makes use of. For instance, Intercom wants a greater two-way integration with Mixpanel. Additionally, it doesn’t provide a clean integration with LinkedIn’s API system.
A customer support platform with in depth integrations can streamline workflows and improve glorious customer support expertise.
4. Unsatisfactory customers’ expertise
The person expertise could make or break a startup’s status. Some customers have reported about Intercom’s complicated person interface and points with notification administration. It might probably result in missed messages and buyer dissatisfaction.
Additionally, a sophisticated UI means it’s a must to prepare your buyer assist staff moreover. For startups, it can take further sources earlier than they’ll truly get used to the appliance. Alternatively, an Intercom various that prioritizes seamless and intuitive person expertise can result in happier prospects and extra environment friendly operations.
How to decide on the very best options to Intercom?
It is easy; it’s essential to take care of the components that matter to you and your enterprise. Speaking about that, there are some primary stuff that it’s essential to test earlier than you say, ‘Aha! That is the one.’
- Ease of use: Each your prospects and your inner staff ought to discover it simple to make use of
- Pricing: The pricing has to justify your startup’s price range
- Some options that you simply assume are completely important to run your enterprise
1. Ease of use: Like a breeze
Whereas operating startups, we’ve to handle with lots on our plates, proper? That’s why you want a software that’s as simple to make use of as your favourite smartphone app. Nobody desires to spend hours determining learn how to ship a message or arrange a chatbot.
Search for customer support software program with a clear interface, easy setup, and possibly even a helpful tutorial to get you began. A free trial? Even higher! Take it for a spin and see the way it feels.
2. Pricing fashions appropriate for bootstrapped to funded startups
80% of startups are bootstrapped. Subsequently, following a decent price range is important for many startups to make sure long-term sustainability and profitability. Whether or not you’re counting each penny or have a bit extra monetary wiggle room, you want a pricing mannequin that is smart in your startup’s stage and price range.
Speaking about price range, it doesn’t imply you possibly can accept any random low cost Intercom various. You could search for customer support platforms with clear pricing and no hidden charges. Choices that provide scalable plans are nice, as they’ll develop with you out of your bootstrapped beginnings to your funded future.
3. Options important for contemporary startups
Trendy startups require a software that goes past primary buyer assist. Startups normally function with small buyer assist groups requiring loads of automation to finish mundane duties with out human intervention.
With that being stated, AI-powered buyer assist chatbots could be a nice answer for startups. AI chatbots can resolve as much as 80% of buyer queries immediately, serving to you retain your buyer assist brokers free for different essential duties.
Other than chatbot capabilities, the very best Intercom chat various for startups ought to give you important knowledge and analytics on buyer engagement so as to create a data-driven assist technique. Additionally, an excellent buyer assist software for start-ups ought to seamlessly combine with a number of messaging platforms so as to simply provide multi-channel assist to your prospects.
1. Botsonic
Finest for: AI-powered buyer interactions
Right here comes the very best various to Intercom, Botsonic! As the most effective AI chatbots from Writesonic, Botsonic stands out as a revolutionary buyer assist answer designed to serve the dynamic wants of recent startups. This AI-powered stay chat assist software is right for companies aiming to automate and improve their buyer communication.
Leveraging superior Generative AI fashions like GPT-4 Botsonic ensures safe and exact responses. Utilizing the AI chatbot builder, you possibly can create a customized AI chatbot that not solely understands but in addition displays your model’s voice, permitting for a excessive diploma of personalization in branding, colours, copy, and pictures. The chatbot can perceive buyer inquiries in 25+ languages and provide human-like responses.
The platform’s no-code setup ensures that even these with out technical experience can simply implement and handle their buyer assist techniques. Botsonic can guarantee seamless omnichannel conversations throughout varied platforms. Merely join it with embeddable widgets in your web site or combine it with WhatsApp, Slack, and Telegram, offering uninterrupted communication.
Furthermore, Botsonic can ingest content material from various sources, equivalent to your essential enterprise recordsdata and any public URL, guaranteeing complete and correct responses. With built-in safeguards, the platform ensures reliable and targeted interactions, eliminating off-topic conversations and deceptive responses.
The perfect factor concerning the AI bot is that it isn’t simply restricted to buyer assist; it provides limitless use circumstances throughout varied industries and functions, revolutionizing eCommerce experiences and supercharging lead technology. It additionally facilitates simple integration along with your favourite instruments, enhancing performance and effectivity.
Botsonic can considerably cut back assist quantity, elevate and enhance buyer satisfaction, cut back prices, and empower self-service. With reasonably priced pricing plans and a devoted buyer assist staff, Botsonic is dedicated to empowering startups with the instruments they should excel in buyer engagement and assist.
Prime options of Botsonic
1. AI-powered answer: For startups, time and sources are of the essence. Botsonic’s integration of superior Generative AI fashions like GPT-4 and NLP transforms the client expertise. The AI-powered chatbot can generate correct and customized automated messages as responses to your buyer queries. This not solely permits customized communication with prospects but in addition considerably reduces the workload on assist groups. Thus, startups can allocate their sources extra effectively.
2. Simple setup: Startups typically function with restricted technical sources. Botsonic’s user-friendly design requires no coding data, making it an excellent Intercom various for startups. Particularly for these trying to rapidly and simply arrange an AI-powered buyer relationship administration system. This ensures that even companies with minimal technical experience can improve their buyer assist expertise.
3. Excessive customizability: Startups want to ascertain a robust model id, and Botsonic helps this by providing in depth customization choices. From tailoring the chatbot’s look to align with model aesthetics to coaching it with particular enterprise knowledge, startups can be sure that their buyer communications are customized and efficient. Other than that, the platform comes with a chat analytics characteristic that permits you to test the chat historical past. So to perceive what conversations your prospects like and regulate your assist technique accordingly.
N.B: Botsonic provides you a straightforward approach to prepare ChatGPT by yourself knowledge!
4. Distinctive buyer assist: Within the fast-paced startup setting, accessing dependable assist is essential. Botsonic excels on this space, offering startups with a wide range of assist channels, together with a Slack group and the choice to request new options. This ensures that startups have the assist they should successfully use the software and adapt it to their evolving wants.
5. Reasonably priced pricing: Price range constraints are a standard problem for startups. Botsonic addresses this by providing a variety of reasonably priced pricing plans, together with a free plan that enables startups to entry one bot with as much as 100 messages. This makes Botsonic the most effective free Intercom options. The associated fee-effective pricing plan is curated for startups trying to delight their web site guests with round the clock stay chat assist with out breaking the financial institution.
6. Seamless integration: For startups trying to create a cohesive tech ecosystem, Botsonic’s simple integration with a wide range of instruments is a big benefit. This integration enhances the platform’s performance and effectivity. With Botsonic, startups can join the AI chatbot to their present CRM techniques, buyer assist software program, and different important instruments with none trouble. Botsonic provides seamless Fb messenger integration together with integration to Whatsapp enterprise chat.
Now, create a Fb messenger chatbot and WhatsApp chatbot with Botsonic in minutes.
Pricing plans:
2. Drift
Finest for: Conversational advertising & gross sales
Drift can rework the way in which you join along with your prospects. As the most effective options to Intercom, the client assist software permits you to make each dialog rely with real-time engagement. It efficiently stands out as a conversational AI advertising and gross sales platform and is designed to construct significant connections with prospects immediately.
As everyone knows, participating leads after they’re most is the way in which to make sure no alternative is missed. Drift simply permits you to do this. It helps customers perceive when and learn how to method potential leads and ensures that each dialog is a chance to attach and convert.
Additionally, the platform provides simple Salesforce integration and a user-friendly dashboard. For a lot of companies, Drift’s potential to trace “nameless” customers and reveal the businesses behind them comes as a invaluable characteristic.
Nevertheless, the platform isn’t with out its criticisms. Whereas some customers have talked about a decline within the high quality of their buyer assist and transparency, some customers have straight identified the necessity for characteristic enhancements. The chat characteristic, whereas practical, is primary and lacks frequent options. Additionally, it requires you to undergo a laborious setup course of to get the AI chatbot up and operating.
Professionals:
- Permits customers to interact with accounts immediately.
- The platform provides seamless integration with Salesforce
- It comes with an easy-to-navigate dashboard
- It permits you to monitor and establish “nameless” customers.
Cons:
- Noticeable lower within the high quality of buyer assist by way of accessibility and effectiveness
- Chat performance is fairly primary and lacks frequent options
- AI Chatbot wants a laborious setup course of
- Some options want critical enhancements.
Pricing plans:
3. Tidio
Finest for: Stay chat and chatbots for e-commerce
The following we’ve got on our record is Tidio. The platform positions itself as the highest Intercom various tailor-made to work seamlessly as a stay chat widget and e-commerce chatbot for companies. Tidio is particularly designed to boost on-line purchasing experiences, guaranteeing that your buyer inquiries are addressed promptly and effectively. You may also obtain real-time insights and notifications via its extremely praised cell software.
Tidio stands out for its affordability and beneficiant pricing plans. As a free Intercom various, the stay chat platform is accessible to freelancers and small enterprise house owners. And the very best half? You get to test all of the conversations with limitless chat historical past. The platform’s integration capabilities, notably with e-mail suppliers, assist with lead technology and efficient buyer administration.
Learn the way chatbots assist in lead technology and get a listing of the very best lead-generation chatbots.
Nevertheless, Tidio isn’t with out its challenges. Some customers have identified a studying curve in organising chatbot flows and connecting varied nodes. Moreover, the platform might be extra helpful if there are extra default templates for several types of companies. Additionally, there’s house for enchancment within the chat knowledge obtain choices and streamlining the information administration course of.
Professionals:
- Get real-time notifications via Tidio’s cell software
- Has an intuitive interface and provides ready-made templates, making it simple to arrange and navigate
- Reasonably priced with a beneficiant free plan
- Gives integration with e-mail suppliers to make sure efficient Lead Technology
Cons:
- Organising chatbot flows and connecting varied nodes may be difficult for brand spanking new customers.
- The variety of default templates is restricted.
- The obtain choices for chat knowledge should be streamlined for higher knowledge administration.
Pricing plans:
💡
Are you confused about how you’ll be charged? Let’s not stress over it! We’ve got bought our greatest Intercom various in Botsonic. Do not fall for something that begins at free after which ask for an ‘arm.’ Reasonably, go for a way more clear pricing with Botsonic.
4. LiveChat
Finest for: Actual-time buyer assist
LiveChat stands out as an honest various to Intercom, notably for on-line companies aiming to boost buyer satisfaction with stay chat assist. As the most effective customer support instruments, LiveChat provides a strong assist system the place their assist brokers go above and past to teach and help customers. They be sure that each characteristic is maximized for optimum efficiency.
Other than that, with LiveChat, you possibly can manage and see buyer profiles, see chat historical past, and report on-line interactions. It places companies at a big benefit by permitting quick access and customization of knowledge based mostly on varied parameters. You need to use this to establish precedence areas and optimize advertising methods.
Whereas LiveChat provides a plethora of options, some customers have discovered the configuration of sure functionalities, equivalent to gross sales monitoring and Google occasion integration, to be complicated and time-consuming.
Additionally, the stay chat assist software is comparatively costly in comparison with its rivals. Other than that, some customers have reported occasional lags in receiving chat messages via the ticketing system.
Professionals:
- Allow you to guarantee impeccable assist with quick responses and real-time communication
- Seamlessly integrates with third-party instruments like Whatsapp Enterprise and Mailchimp
- Gives complete reporting instruments with customizable knowledge for strategic planning
Cons:
- Some options and functionalities may be complicated
- Require extra innovation, notably within the rule engine
- Lags in receiving chat messages, resulting in potential communication delays
- On the pricier facet when in comparison with rivals
Pricing plans:
5. LiveAgent
Finest for: Multi-channel buyer assist
LiveAgent works finest for companies that want a strong multi-channel customer support platform. The Intercom various combines e-mail, stay chat widget, name, and social media interactions underneath a common inbox. LiveAgent ensures that your assist staff doesn’t miss any buyer question. Plus, it has options like a desk ticketing system and a data base to empower your assist brokers.
The platform’s predefined solutions and canned messages assist resolve repetitive buyer points swiftly and cut back ticket quantity. LiveAgent’s intuitive design ensures a clean person expertise, even for these new to the platform.
Nevertheless, some customers have skilled occasional glitches, equivalent to points with choosing a number of predefined solutions to a ticket. Others have talked about a steep studying curve, suggesting that further coaching supplies might provide a smoother onboarding course of.
Professionals:
- Sturdy automation options to cut back buyer assist tickets and enhance engagement.
- Predefined solutions and canned messages for fast decision of repetitive points.
- Intuitive and user-friendly design.
- Stay chat assist with real-time chat performance and complete CRM capabilities.
- Efficient integrations, notably with Slack, for improved staff collaboration.
Cons:
- Occasional glitches, equivalent to points with choosing a number of predefined solutions.
- The steep studying curve for brand spanking new customers highlights a necessity for extra coaching supplies.
Pricing plans:
6. Helpscout
Finest for: E-mail-based assist & data base
Helpscout is a customer support hub identified for its email-centric assist system and a complete data base, catering to companies that rely closely on e-mail communications.
The assistance desk software program is legendary as the most effective Intercom options, particularly for companies that prioritize a easy and user-friendly buyer assist expertise. The client assist software has a strong platform for organising in depth data bases, enabling prospects to seek out solutions independently.
Plus, you possibly can add a stay chat characteristic for real-time help. This twin method considerably enhances the self-service assist expertise, resulting in greater buyer satisfaction and effectivity in resolving queries.
Assist Scout’s intuitive format and seamless app integrations have been designed with customer support brokers in thoughts. The user-friendly design makes the day by day assist desk ticketing system and dealing with a a lot smoother course of.
Nevertheless, customers have identified that the messaging platform nonetheless appears buggy at instances, making it tough to make sure a seamless expertise in your prospects. Other than that person interface seems outdated and requires enhancements with simple navigation options. Other than that, main options equivalent to integration with Messenger and different messaging platforms are solely out there on the Professional and Plus plans, which loads of prospects discover to be costly.
Professionals:
- Intensive data base setup and stay chat choices for enhanced self-service assist.
- Consumer-friendly design tailor-made to the wants of customer support brokers.
- Environment friendly e-mail administration throughout a number of workspaces.
- Complete assist options with invaluable app integrations.
Cons:
- Restricted number of data base templates.
- Inbox UI might be improved for a greater person expertise.
- The educational curve related to organising workflows, with potential for unintentional mass responses.
- Some options, such because the messenger integration, are restricted to higher-tier plans.
Pricing plans:
7. Zendesk
Finest for: Complete customer support suite
Zendesk Assist Suite works as a complete buyer assist platform. The highest Intercom various permits companies to handle prospects throughout varied communication channels effectively. It provides multi-channel assist, permitting prospects to succeed in out through e-mail, chat, social media, or cellphone. Moreover, Zendesk gives a customizable assist heart, a group discussion board, and a data base, empowering prospects to seek out solutions on their very own.
The client assist platform comes with a user-friendly interface, automation instruments, and customizable workflows to streamline assist processes and enhance response instances. Zendesk additionally gives strong reporting, analytics, and buyer administration options, permitting companies to achieve insights into their buyer assist efficiency.
Nevertheless, the software has its personal share of criticisms. Customers have identified that the platform may be overwhelming resulting from its in depth options and capabilities. Moreover, the price of Zendesk could be a concern for small companies or startups.
Professionals:
- Multi-channel assist ensures no buyer question goes unanswered.
- Intensive integrations with different enterprise instruments and functions.
- Sturdy reporting and analytics assist in making knowledgeable selections.
- Customizable assist facilities, group boards, and data bases empower prospects to seek out solutions independently.
Cons:
- The platform may be overwhelming for brand spanking new customers.
- The associated fee could be a concern for small companies or startups.
- Customers have reported bugs that disrupt their workflow
Pricing plans
8. Tawk.to
Finest for: Multi-website integration
Tawk.to is a flexible stay chat software program that excels in offering real-time communication options for companies. With its functionality to combine chat transcripts throughout a number of web sites, it ensures that buyer interactions are streamlined and effectively managed. This characteristic is especially helpful for companies with a presence throughout varied internet domains, because it permits for centralized administration of buyer chats, guaranteeing no question goes unanswered. If you’re searching for an Intercom’s free various, then this may be your go-to choice.
The person interface of Tawk.to is designed with simplicity and effectivity in thoughts, guaranteeing that even these new to stay chat software program can navigate and make use of its options with ease. The platform provides fast entry to macros and shortcuts, considerably lowering response instances and growing the effectivity of stay chat brokers.
Regardless of all the benefits, Tawk.to isn’t with out its drawbacks. Some customers have reported points with the reliability of notification alerts, often resulting in missed chats. Moreover, the platform’s dashboard may be overwhelming for brand spanking new customers as a result of plethora of options and customization choices out there. The again finish of the chat software program might additionally profit from extra detailed customer analytics, offering companies with further insights to higher perceive and serve their prospects.
It comes as a freemium pricing mannequin, however you possibly can’t actually make use of all of the important options with out paying hefty quantities. For instance, it’s a must to pay $19/month simply to take away the Tawk.to branding out of your chat widget. Now, if you wish to provide customized assist and need to entry the AI chatbot, it can value you $1/hour. That makes issues complicated, for positive.
Professionals
- Tawk.to provides multi-website integration. Subsequently, you possibly can set up it on quite a few web sites.
- Centralized Dashboard to streamline the communication course of for assist groups dealing with a number of web sites.
- The platform is straightforward to navigate, with fast entry to macros and shortcuts.
Cons
- Some customers have reported unreliability within the notification alert settings, often resulting in missed chats.
- The again finish may benefit from extra detailed customer analytics to offer further insights for companies.
- Claims to supply a free plan however isn’t of a lot use and has a fairly complicated pricing construction
Pricing plans
9. Freshdesk
Finest For: Ticketing & buyer assist automation
Freshdesk is understood for its strong ticketing system and automation options, streamlining buyer assist processes for companies of all sizes. A part of the Freshworks suite, this assist desk software program is among the finest Intercom options for startups which are searching for a complete buyer assist answer. This assist software is designed to assist companies handle buyer interactions and assist tickets throughout varied channels.
It comes with a unified platform that integrates buyer assist, gross sales, and advertising instruments. That is how one can streamline workflows and guarantee environment friendly communication with Freshdesk. Along with the automation options, the software program provides strong analytics and reporting instruments, giving companies the insights they should regularly enhance their customer support.
Nevertheless, with regards to customization, the software doesn’t have a lot to supply. Other than that, some customers have additionally reported occasional glitches. Chances are you’ll discover the software pricey, particularly when it’s a must to embody further options and brokers.
Professionals
- Brings collectively varied buyer engagement instruments, together with assist, gross sales, and advertising, on a single platform.
- Reduces guide duties and ensures well timed responses, growing total effectivity.
- Gives in depth integration choices with common instruments and platforms, making a linked enterprise ecosystem.
- Comes with a strong ticket administration system to arrange and resolve buyer queries.
Cons
- Pricing construction to be on the upper facet, particularly as further options and brokers are added.
- There are occasional glitches, equivalent to points with canned responses and lacking emails.
Pricing plans
10. HelpCrunch
Finest For: Built-in buyer communication
HelpCrunch is a flexible buyer communication platform that may rework the way in which your startup interacts with its prospects. This Intercom various seamlessly integrates stay chat, e-mail advertising automation, and helpdesk functionalities to offer you a unified answer. Due to its user-friendly interface and reasonably priced pricing, HelpCrunch is a superb alternative for startups and established companies aiming to enhance their buyer engagement and assist.
HelpCrunch comes with a stay chat characteristic to make sure that companies can join with their prospects after they want it probably the most. That is how one can flip each interplay into a possibility to construct relationships and drive conversions. Moreover, the multilingual data base and cell app integration prolong the platform’s attain, guaranteeing that assist is obtainable anytime, anyplace.
With its customizable chat widget, you possibly can preserve model consistency throughout all buyer communication channels. The platform is very easy to make use of that groups can rapidly adapt and take advantage of out of its in depth options. Nevertheless, it’s not with out its challenges. Some customers have identified the necessity for clearer pricing on e-mail credit and extra superior assist desk functionalities. Moreover, the occasional stability points and the shortage of WhatsApp integration have been famous as areas for enchancment.
Professionals:
- Allow you to join along with your prospects in actual time via the stay chat characteristic.
- Works as a unified communication platform combining stay chat, e-mail advertising, and helpdesk functionalities.
- Simple to navigate, guaranteeing groups can rapidly adapt and make the most of all options.
- Preserve model consistency and improve buyer expertise with a customizable chat widget.
- Multilingual data base and cell app integration prolong assist availability.
Cons:
- Some customers discover the pricing construction for e-mail credit to be complicated.
- The assistance desk options might be extra superior to satisfy all enterprise wants.
- Some customers have reported bugs and stability points.
- At present lacks integration with common messaging apps equivalent to WhatsApp.
Pricing plans
In right this moment’s aggressive startup setting, distinctive buyer assist is essential. Whereas Intercom has been a well-liked alternative, quite a few options align higher with particular enterprise wants and budgets. Botsonic is a flexible, AI-powered answer providing startups a customizable, user-friendly, and cost-effective software to boost buyer interactions.
This information has navigated via varied choices, highlighting their distinctive strengths and areas for enchancment. The choice finally depends upon your startup’s particular necessities and sources. Bear in mind, investing in the proper buyer assist software is a strategic alternative that may considerably affect your buyer satisfaction and contribute to your startup’s progress trajectory. Select properly, and guarantee your prospects really feel valued and supported at each step of their journey.