In a post-COVID world, private and independent school enrolment has shifted.  While some schools are back on track, many are struggling this year to reach numbers that are necessary to maintain programs and faculty.  Based on our own experience at SchoolAdvice, live chat has been the best tool for driving engagement and growing our business.  This blog offers private and independent schools some strategies for implementing live chat for their schools. ​If you wish to connect to learn more, schedule a free 30 minute consult.

ONE – REAL-TIME SUPPORT:

Live chat allows visitors to the school’s website to receive immediate assistance and support. It provides an instant connection between the school and its audience, enabling quick responses to inquiries, concerns, or issues. This real-time support enhances student/parent satisfaction and engagement.

TWO – IMPROVED COMMUNICATION:

Live chat facilitates seamless communication between prospective students, current students, parents, and school staff. It allows for direct interaction, enabling individuals to ask questions, seek guidance, or request information without the need for phone calls or emails. This enhances communication efficiency and helps in building stronger relationships.

THREE – PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE:

Live chat enables personalized assistance tailored to individual needs. School representatives can have one-on-one conversations, understand specific requirements, and provide customized guidance or support. This personalized approach can lead to higher levels of satisfaction, builds confidence in the school, and a better overall experience for website visitors.

FOUR – INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY:

Live chat provides a convenient and accessible means of communication for website visitors. People can reach out to the school’s staff from anywhere, at any time, as long as they have an internet connection. This inclusivity ensures that individuals with different schedules, time zones, or accessibility needs can engage with the school easily.

FIVE – EFFICIENT ISSUE RESOLUTION:

With live chat, issues and concerns can be addressed promptly. School staff can provide step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting guidance, or relevant resources in real-time, minimizing delays and frustrations. This efficiency in issue resolution can improve customer satisfaction and prevent potential problems from escalating.

SIX – ANALYTICS AND INSIGHTS:

Many live chat platforms offer analytics and reporting features. These tools can provide valuable insights into website visitor behavior, commonly asked questions, popular topics, and other metrics. Schools can leverage this data to identify trends, improve their services, optimize website content, and enhance the overall user experience.

SEVEN – COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION:

Live chat can be a cost-effective communication solution for schools. It reduces the need for extensive phone support or additional staff, as representatives can handle multiple chat conversations simultaneously. This efficiency helps in managing resources effectively and may result in cost savings for the school

ONE – SCHOOL HOSTED APPLICATION:

There are many live chat applications available today.  Some are free to install but most come at a monthly cost.  If the school has a dedicated in-house web manager or web service provider it can be fairly straight forward to set-up. Hosting one’s own live chat service means staff members must be available 24/7 to respond.  And for schools attracting international families, language may be an issue. For many schools this may not be a practical or workable solution. 

TWO – LIVE CHAT SERVICE PROVIDER (LIVE ADMINS):

Live Admins, a SchoolAdvice Partner, provides 24/7 personalized live chat solutions for a large number of businesses, schools, and universities.  This can be the ideal solution for schools looking for all the advantages of live chat without having to dedicate staff and additional resources. Available 24/7 in multiple languages, Live Admins  can be a cost-effective communication solution for schools. Click here to request a 30 day free trial.