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Intercom vs Zendesk: What are the differences?
Introduction
In this article, we will explore the key differences between Intercom and Zendesk, two popular customer support platforms. Both Intercom and Zendesk offer a range of features to help businesses manage customer interactions, but there are some distinct differences between the two. Let's delve into the details.
1. Pricing Model:
Intercom offers a unique pricing model based on the number of people you engage with, which includes both customers and team members. On the other hand, Zendesk offers plans based on the number of support agents, making it more suitable for businesses that have a dedicated support team.
2. Communication Channels:
Intercom is primarily known for its live chat functionality. It enables businesses to have real-time conversations with their customers through their website or mobile app. In contrast, Zendesk offers a more diverse range of communication channels, including email, social media, phone, and live chat.
3. Automation and Workflows:
Intercom provides an extensive range of automation tools and workflows, allowing businesses to automate repetitive tasks and streamline their customer support processes. In contrast, while Zendesk does offer some automation capabilities, it may not be as robust and customizable as Intercom.
4. Customer Database:
Intercom offers a comprehensive customer database with detailed profiles, enabling businesses to gather and analyze customer data easily. This helps in providing personalized experiences and targeted messaging. On the other hand, Zendesk's customer database may not offer the same level of depth and richness as Intercom.
5. Real-time Visitor Tracking:
Intercom provides real-time visitor tracking, allowing businesses to see who is currently browsing their website or using their app. This feature enables support agents to proactively engage with customers and provide assistance. Zendesk may not offer the same level of real-time tracking capabilities.
6. Integration Ecosystem:
Intercom offers a wide range of integrations with other popular tools and platforms, allowing businesses to connect their customer support with other systems. Zendesk also offers integrations, but the ecosystem may not be as extensive as Intercom's.
In summary, Intercom and Zendesk have distinct differences in their pricing model, communication channels, automation capabilities, customer database features, real-time visitor tracking, and integration ecosystems. The choice between the two platforms would depend on the specific needs and preferences of each business.
We sell a high-touch, high ASP product (caskets) and have scaled to where we're adding several more customer service agents to our company. Customers often call or chat with us multiple times prior to the purchase and post-purchase, as these are emotional, time-sensitive purchases. Nearly every customer contacts us pre-purchase. We are a Shopify shop. Customer service is our brand.
We need a solution that allows whoever picks up the chat or phone to quickly see the history of that customer, their request, notes, and the status of their order. We need a powerful chat tool that can enable immediate engagement, have some basic automation, and allows users to drop in.
Finally, we also have some B2B customers (funeral homes) and expect this part of our business to grow significantly in 2021.
Hey Joshua,
Would recommend using Freshdesk as your tool of choice. It has a direct integration with Shopify and other tools including powerful B2B customer handling. It also satisfies all the requirements you’ve outlined including order history, interaction history, notes, tickets etc. Along with Omni channel integrations with chat (their own or other chat solutions), email, phone and so on.
My company, JindalX can help you set up your customer service automation and journeys along with helping handle any extra volume through our own customer service reps if required. Can provide you with a free assessment if needed? Let me know, I’m contactable at madhav.garg@jindalx.com
Best, Madhav
ActiveCampaign can do all of this for you. They have really great support. Their automation is second to none. They have a chat bot capability. They also have an integrated capability where you see everything related to the one customer in one spot - all their interactions with you, and can move the customer through your custom stages. If you do go with ActiveCampaign, I HIGHLY recommend that you take their paid training. It will really help you get up faster and understand the product deeper, and not waste time. I think they have the training every month. ActiveCampaign is difficult to learn on your own since it is so full featured. Sign up for a trial through a salesperson and then ask if it is possible to get in the class for less money. ActiveCampaign integrates with Shopify also.
If you don't go with ActiveCampaign, then Zoho would be my second choice. But their support and quality is not as good, they feel like a new product even though they have been in business a while. You keep having to get around their bugs, which you can, it is just annoying. ZohoOne may be less expensive than ActiveCampaign.
Both products are so full-featured that they both take quite a while to learn.
Pros of Intercom
- Know who your users are168
- Auto-messaging115
- In-app messaging as well as email107
- Customer support88
- Usage tracking68
- Great Blog18
- Organized engagement, great ui & service11
- Direct chat with customers on your site9
- Very helpful4
- Onboarding new users3
- Tirman2
- No Mac app2
- Free tier2
- Filter and segment users2
- Github integration2
- Very Useful2
Pros of Zendesk
- Centralizes our customer support135
- Many integrations72
- Easy to setup59
- Simple26
- Cheap26
- Clean12
- Customization7
- $1 Starter Pricing Plan4
- Woopra integration4
- Proactive Customer Support3
- Charitable contribution to SF hospital for $20 plan1
- Full of features1
- Remote and SSO authentication with CMSs like WordPress1
- Integrations0
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Cons of Intercom
- Changes pricing model all the time7
Cons of Zendesk
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