Co-Browsing Software Guide
Co-browsing software is an innovative technology that allows two users to view the same web page simultaneously in real time. It is a powerful tool that enables businesses to offer their customers better online experiences and solve their problems faster.
At its core, co-browsing technology works by recreating the web page for both users, allowing them to navigate together as if they were sitting next to each other looking at the same screen. As one user scrolls down or clicks on links, both users will have the exact same browser experience—a key component of providing a truly collaborative browsing experience.
With co-browsing software, businesses can provide support agents with an easy way of assisting customers in navigating websites and completing tasks without having to leave the comfort of their own workspace. This means agents are better equipped to resolve customer issues quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively, without needing to be present onsite where there may be security or access concerns.
Furthermore, co-browsing software also offers great benefits for customers. Instead of wasting time trying unsuccessfully to find what they need or contact support staff over the phone or via email, help can be provided instantaneously and accurately through shared browsing sessions between agents and customers with ease.
Unlike screen sharing technologies which require extra steps from customers (such as downloading additional software) and provide limited functionality due to compatibility issues between operating systems, co-browsing is easy for everybody involved: no more waiting for downloads or getting frustrated with incompatible systems; just click a link and you’re ready! Additionally, because it supports bi-directional communication it's much easier for agents and customers alike to communicate during a session - meaning conversations flow more naturally than ever before!
What’s more, advanced features such as session recording enable businesses to review customer interactions and improve customer service processes—ensuring that every customer receives high quality online support every time they get in touch with your business.
Overall then it’s clear why so many companies are turning towards using co-browsing software: it offers improved customer service processes while also reducing costs associated with traditional methods such as call centres or face-to face meetings – creating a win/win situation where everybody benefits!
Features Offered by Co-Browsing Software
- Multi-User Support: Co-browsing software offers multiple user support, allowing customers and agents to access the same web page at the same time. This allows for more efficient customer support as both parties can view the same page on their individual browsers.
- Remote Assistance: With co-browsing software, customers can receive remote assistance from an agent. Agents can take control of a customer’s browser to help them navigate through a web page or assist with filling out an online form.
- Screen Sharing: Co-browsing software allows for screen sharing capabilities, which allow customers and agents to share their respective screens with each other. This helps agents provide better guidance and walkthroughs of complex processes that require users to click across several pages or tabs in their browser.
- Customization Options: Most co-browsing software provides customizability options that allow you to tweak the user interface according to your preferences such as font size/type, colour scheme, etc., as well as customize session settings such as enabling/disabling chat messages or voice calls during a session.
- Data Privacy Management: All data exchanged between a customer and agent over a co-browsing session is encrypted and secure. Additionally, most software also offer anonymous browsing capabilities which mask IP address details and other sensitive information from being shared over an open connection.
- Mobile Compatibility: Co-browsing software is also available for mobile devices, allowing customers and agents to connect over mobile browsers as well. This ensures that customer service requests can be addressed regardless of the customer’s device or browser type.
Types of Co-Browsing Software
- Client-Side Co-browsing: This type of co-browsing software is installed on the customer’s computer. It allows a support representative to take control of the customer’s browser and navigate through websites or web forms together with them.
- Cloud-Based Co-browsing: This type of software is hosted in the cloud, so it does not require any installation on the customer’s computer. It enables users to share their web browsers and collaborate on web applications in real time.
- Screen Sharing: Screen sharing software allows customers to show their screens or specific applications to agents in real time, allowing for a deeper level of collaboration than traditional co-browsing capabilities.
- Desktop Sharing: Desktop sharing technology allows customers and agents to view and interact with each other's entire desktop environment, including applications like spreadsheets and PDF viewers. This can enable more efficient help sessions and allow customers to get a better picture of how they should use certain programs.
- Mobile Co-Browsing: Mobile co-browsing provides support representatives with an opportunity to gain remote control access over mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. By doing so, they can easily troubleshoot problems that cannot be solved by phone calls or emails alone.
- Video Co-Browsing: This type of software combines co-browsing capabilities with video conferencing, which allows customers and agents to see each other's screens as well as their faces. This can help facilitate more meaningful conversations, providing both parties with a better understanding of each other’s needs or objectives.
Trends Related to Co-Browsing Software
- Co-browsing technology is becoming increasingly popular as more organizations and businesses use it to provide customers with better service.
- This technology enables businesses to provide customers with real-time assistance and guidance as they browse a website or use an application.
- It also allows agents to see a customer's screen so they can offer more personalized help.
- It is especially useful for customer service teams that need to troubleshoot technical issues or guide customers through complex processes.
- Co-browsing is being used by businesses of all sizes, from large enterprises to small startups, as it can improve customer satisfaction and reduce costs associated with traditional customer service methods.
- With the rise of mobile devices, co-browsing software has also been adapted for use on smartphones and tablets, allowing users to access assistance from anywhere.
- Co-browsing is becoming increasingly secure, with encryption and other security measures being implemented to protect customer data and ensure privacy compliance.
- As co-browsing continues to gain traction, businesses are looking for ways to make their software more user-friendly, such as adding features like chatbots and AI-powered analytics to help improve the customer experience.
- Additionally, companies are turning to cloud-based solutions to provide more scalability and flexibility for their co-browsing solutions.
Advantages of Co-Browsing Software
- Increased Efficiency: Co-browsing software allows agents to quickly and easily take control of customers’ browsers in order to help them complete tasks, troubleshoot any issues, or answer their questions. This eliminates the need for lengthy back-and-forth communications and time wasted with customer frustration.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: With co-browsing technology, agents can provide support in realtime which can result in quick resolutions and a more positive customer experience in comparison to traditional support channels such as phone calls or emails. Plus, customers feel more connected with the brand because they get to see exactly what an agent is doing on their browser.
- Increased Agent Productivity: Agents are able to use co-browsing tools to streamline the customer service process by allowing them to serve multiple customers at once. This leads to increased agent productivity while simultaneously improving customer satisfaction levels due to faster issue resolution times.
- Improved Security: Many co-browsing solutions are built with security in mind, ensuring that both customer and business data remain safe throughout the entire process. By encrypting all session data, companies can be sure that no confidential information is shared between parties during a co-browsing session.
How to Find the Right Co-Browsing Software
Choosing the right co-browsing software for your business can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you select the best solution for your needs:
- Identify Your Needs: Start by taking a look at your organization and the customer service needs you have. Make sure to consider both current and future goals when making this assessment.
- Research Solutions: Once you’re clear on how co-browsing technology will benefit your business, it’s time to start researching potential solutions that fit into your budget and meet all of your requirements. Pay special attention to any customer reviews or feedback available online about each solution you’re considering—this will give you an idea of what others think of their experience with the product.
- Analyze Features & Functionality: Take a close look at each solution’s features and functionality so that you know exactly what it offers and how it may meet (or not meet) your specific needs. Make sure to ask questions if there’s something unclear or if more information is needed in order to make an informed decision.
- Try Before You Buy: Most reputable vendors offer free trials or demos of their products, so take advantage of those opportunities before making a purchase commitment. That way, you can make sure everything works as expected according to your exact requirements before committing financially to the software solution.
- Consider Security & Compliance: Make sure to ask about the security protocols and compliance standards that each co-browsing solution you’re considering offers. This is an important factor in keeping your customer’s data secure and compliant with industry regulations.
Use the comparison engine on this page to help you compare co-browsing software by their features, prices, user reviews, and more.
What Types of Users Use Co-Browsing Software?
- Customers: Customers are individuals who utilize co-browsing software in order to receive assistance from customer service representatives of companies. The customers’ goal is usually to obtain help that they can’t provide themselves on topics such as product information, technical support, troubleshooting issues, and more.
- Agents: Agents are customer service representatives of companies who use co-browsing software to interact with customers. They utilize the software to provide guidance and instructions to customers on how to resolve their problems at hand.
- Remote Sales Personnel: Remote sales personnel are sales representatives of a company who may not be physically present with a customer but still need a way to demonstrate products or services that their company offers. Co-browsing helps them do this remotely by providing the ability for the customer and sales representative to share the same screen in real time, helping them understand each other better and make the remote sale process easier.
- Product Demonstrator: Product demonstrators are individuals from a company tasked with demonstrating new products or services that their organization has developed. Co-browsing allows them to share their screen with another user so they can both walk through the product together, which makes it easier for potential customers to understand what it does and its purpose.
- Trainers/Educators: Trainers/educators are those tasked with teaching others about certain topics. They use co-browsing software as an effective tool for guiding learners through a topic while allowing them an interactive learning experience where they can ask questions and get answers quickly during the session.
- Collaborators: Collaborators refer to individuals from different teams who are working together on a common goal. Co-browsing provides an interactive platform for them to collaborate easily by sharing documents, notes, and data as well as showcasing their abilities as a team.
- IT Professionals: IT professionals use co-browsing software to provide helpdesk support and troubleshoot other users’ computers remotely. It allows the user to access another user’s computer securely in order to diagnose any technical issues or perform maintenance tasks with the security of knowing that the customer is always in control of their machine.
- Help Desk Representatives: Help desk representatives are customer service personnel dedicated to providing technical assistance to customers. They use the co-browsing software to access a customer’s computer securely and diagnose any technical issues that the customer may be facing. This allows them to provide quick, efficient support in order to get customers back up and running as soon as possible.
How Much Does Co-Browsing Software Cost?
The cost of co-browsing software varies widely, depending on the features and number of users you need. Generally speaking, most basic plans will start at around $50 a month for single user access and up to about $4,000 for unlimited users with premium features.
When it comes to pricing, there are usually two types of plans you can choose from: pay-as-you go or annual subscriptions. With pay-as-you go plans, you'll only pay for what you use; however, these type of plans often come with fewer features than their annual counterparts. Annual subscription plans tend to offer more robust features and customization capabilities in exchange for a one-time payment or recurring fee. Many companies also offer discounts if you commit to a longer term plan.
It's important to note that these costs do not include hosting fees or any additional services such as technical support or custom development that may be needed down the line. Depending on your needs and budget, it may be beneficial to explore different options before making a final decision on which software best suits your business requirements.
Types of Software that Co-Browsing Software Integrates With
Co-browsing software has the ability to integrate with a variety of other types of software. Examples include customer relationship management (CRM) systems, help desk systems, live chat platforms, and eCommerce platforms. Integrating co-browsing software with CRM systems allows customer support agents to quickly access customer information such as purchase history and profile details. Help desk systems can be integrated for ticketing purposes, allowing customers and support staff to view each other's screens and interact in real time. Live chat platforms allow customers to initiate a co-browsing session directly from the chat window, making it easier for support staff to assist customers. Finally, eCommerce platforms can be integrated with co-browsing software to provide customers with a more personalized online shopping experience by allowing the customer and support agent to view each other's screens while they shop together.