An automated response (also known as auto response) is a message that is automatically sent in reply to an email or other communication. The purpose of an auto response is to acknowledge receipt of the communication and it may also provide information about how and when the recipient can expect a reply.
What is an automated reply?
Automated replies are pre-set messages that are programmed to be sent out automatically in response to a certain trigger or event. They're commonly used in channels such as email, social media and text messaging. And they're exceedingly common in business functions like customer service, where responding to customers as fast as possible is crucial.
When should you use automated responses?
Here are some examples of situations in which auto-replies can come in handy:
- You're of the office and will not be able to reply in a timely manner
- You're unable to reply immediately but will respond as soon as possible
- You're away on vacation or leave
- Your support team is experiencing an unusually high volume of communications and are unable to reply to all messages individually
- A customer has contacted you outside of business hours
- A customer has signed up for your product or service
- A customer has opted in to your newsletter or filled out a form
- You've closed a support ticket
Regardless, having an easy way to automate customer support can save your business time and money.
In this article, we'll cover the pros and cons of using auto reply messages and thirty sample auto-reply messages for customer service that you can use in various situations.
Auto reply pros
%20(1).png)
There may be some debate over whether customer service automated responses are helpful or not, but there are certain advantages to using them. We list a few of the pros below:
- Can be used to quicken response times
- Can be used to provide clear communication
- Can help support agents save time
Can be used to quicken response times
66% of buyers expect a response within 10 minutes to any customer service inquiry. An automated response can be sent almost immediately after a support ticket is created. In some cases, this may even be faster than if a support agent were to reply manually. This is especially useful for businesses that experience a high volume of support tickets or when support agents are unavailable.
By sending an automated response, you can at least let the customer know that their support ticket has been received and is being worked on.
Can be used to provide clear communication
Using an auto reply message can help to set customer expectations from the start. This is especially important if you cannot reply to support tickets immediately. For example, you can let customers know how long they can expect to wait for a response or the next steps that need to be taken. This can help to avoid any confusion or frustration on the customer's part.
Can help agents save time
As we mentioned before, automated responses can help to save time for support agents. In some cases, support agents may even be able to use a template or pre-written message when replying to support tickets. Again, this can help free up time so support agents can focus on more complex issues or tickets.
Auto reply cons
While there are some benefits to using auto reply messages, there are also some potential drawbacks that businesses should be aware of. These include:
- Customers prefer speaking to people
- Can cause frustration
- Not suitable for all situations
Customers prefer speaking to people
It's important to remember that customers generally prefer speaking to people over machines, even if that means they need to wait in a queue.
In fact, 86% of consumers prefer to interact with a human agent, and 71% said they would be less likely to use a brand if it didn't have human customer service representatives available.
When you invest in auto-reply, you take away the human element of support.
Can cause frustration
Unfortunately, not all automated responses are well-received. In some cases, they can cause frustration for customers. This is often the case when support agents use generic or impersonal messages. For example, if customers receive a message that doesn't address their specific issue or question, they may become frustrated and seek support elsewhere or switch to a competitor. This is why it's so important to use auto reply messages that are personalized and relevant to the customer's inquiry.
Not suitable for all situations
While auto reply messages can be helpful for simple support tickets, they are not always suitable for more complex issues. This is because auto reply messages often cannot provide the specific information or help that customers need. For example, if a customer is experiencing a technical issue, they will likely need to speak to a support agent who can offer guidance and instructions. In these cases, assigning these tickets to an agent as soon as possible is a good idea.
30 examples of automated customer service responses
If you've decided to use a generic auto reply message for your business, we've put together 30 support ticket response templates you may want to use. You can use a helpdesk software like Intercom, Zendesk or Salesforce to set automatic replies. Check out their resources on how to do that, as each platform has different rules and ways to set auto responses.
Remember, when crafting your own automated responses, it's essential to be clear, concise, and personal. If you keep these things in mind, you'll be sure to create an auto reply message that provides a positive support experience for your customers.
"Out of Office" auto reply templates
.png)
- Hello, this is [Your Name]. I'm currently out of the office and won't be available for text messages until [your return date]. If it's urgent, please reach out to [alternative contact person's name] at [alternative contact person's number]. Otherwise, I'll get back to you when I return. Thank you!
- Hi there, it's [Your Name]. I'm away from [start date] to [end date] due to [brief reason for absence]. During this time, I won't be able to respond to texts. If you have an urgent matter, please contact [alternative contact person's name] at [alternative contact person's number]. For non-urgent messages, I'll be in touch when I return. Thanks for your understanding!
"Thank you for contacting us" auto reply templates
- Hi there! You've reached [company name]. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out, and one of our support team members will be in touch with you shortly.
- Thanks for getting in touch! We know how important it is to get immediate help which is why we promise to do everything we can to get back to you as soon as possible.
- We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to our team. Don't worry — we've received your request and one of our team members will be in touch shortly.
- Hi there! Thank you for contacting us. A member of our support team has already received your request and will be back with you in a moment.
- We've received your inquiry and will get back to you shortly. In the meantime, check out our knowledge base and community forums for advice and tips on how to use our product.
- We've opened a support ticket in response to your recent inquire. Your reference number is xxx-xxx-xxxxx. Please wait until the next available agent contacts you. This is an automated message, please do not reply.
- Thank you for contacting us. We usually respond within a few minutes, but for more complex issues that cannot be resolved over chat, please check your email or wait for a cobrowsing call from one of our representatives.
- Thank you for your message. We are unavailable at the moment, but a service representative will be in touch soon.
- Thanks for your message. We're away until (insert time) and cannot respond at this time. We appreciate you getting in touch and will get back to you during opening hours.
- Thank you for contact us. Please describe the issue you are having and one of our support agents will be with you shortly.
- Thank you for contacting us. This is an automated response confirming the receipt of your ticket. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible. When replying, please make sure that the ticket id is kept in the subject so that we can track your replies.
"Welcome to product/service" auto reply templates
.png)
- Welcome to [company name]! We're excited to have you on board. Our support team is here to help with any questions or concerns you may have.
- Welcome aboard! We can't wait to start working with you. If you have any questions or need support, our team is always here for you. Thank you for joining us!
- We appreciate your recent purchase and welcome you to our family of satisfied customers. You can contact us here (insert contact Information) if you have any questions or concerns.
- Welcome to the family! We're happy to have you as a customer and look forward to providing you with the best possible service. If you need any assistance, our support team is always here for you.
"We're sorry for the delay" auto reply templates
- Thank you for reaching out to us. We're sorry for the delay, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
- Thank you for reaching out to us. We're aware of the issue, and we're working on it. We'll update you as soon as we have more information.
- Great things take time, and we appreciate your patience while we work on getting back to you. We're sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
- We're currently experiencing a high volume of support requests. Our support team is working hard to resolve all tickets as soon as possible. We apologize for the delay and will get back to you as quickly as we can.
- Thank you for contacting us. We're currently experiencing a high volume of requests. For a faster response, please try reaching out to us by (insert alternative ways to contact your support team).
"Please wait while we connect you" auto reply templates
- Thank you for reaching out to us. Please wait while we connect you to the next available support agent.
- We're connecting you to the next available agent. We appreciate your patience.
- We know how important it is to get support as soon as possible. Please wait while we connect you with the next available support agent.
- Thank you for reaching out to us. A support agent will be with you shortly.
- We're currently experiencing a high volume of support requests. Please wait while we connect you with the next available support agent.
"We're closed but we'll get back to you soon" auto reply templates
- We're closed, but we will get back to you ASAP to address your concern. Thank you for your patience.
- Thank you for reaching out to us. We're currently closed, but we'll get back to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, please check out our library of support articles (link to help center).
- We're closed now, but we'll be back soon to help you with your question or concern. Thank you for your patience! Our operating hours are (insert operating hours).
- Thank you for reaching out to us. Our support team is currently unavailable, but we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
- Thank you for contacting our team! We'll do our best to get back to you within 24 hours.
- Thank you for reaching out to us. Unfortunately, our chat is currently closed. For immediate support, please give us a call at xxx-xxx-xxxx.
- This is an automated reply. You've reached out to us outside of opening hours. Our chat is open every day from 8 am to 6 PM. We'll get back to you during business hours.
- Thank you for reaching out but we're away right now and unable to respond to your request. We'll be back on xx-xx-xxxx, so please try again at that time.
"Thanks for opting in" auto reply templates
- Hi there! Thank you for opting into our newsletter. You'll start receiving exclusive content and updates from us soon. Confirm your subscription by replying with Y.
- Thank you for joining our mailing list! You'll start receiving special offers and news from us shortly. Feel free to text STOP to unsubscribe at any time.
"Thank you for visiting" auto reply templates
- Thank you for visiting our website. We hope you found what you were looking for. If not, please reach out to us and let us know how we can help.
- We're glad you stopped by our site! If there's anything we can do to help you, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your interest.
- We're so thrilled you decided to visit us online! How can we help you today? Let us know, and thanks for choosing (Your Company)! Have a Great Day.
- Thank you for contacting us! We really appreciate it. To show our appreciation, here's a coupon for 20% off your next purchase.
"Sorry for the inconvenience" auto reply templates
- Apologies for the delay in delivering your order. We're actively working on it and will update you as soon as we have more information. Thank you for your understanding.
- Sorry for the late delivery. We're on it and doing our best to get your order to you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience.
- Regretfully, your order is experiencing a delay. We're actively working to resolve it and get your items to you soon. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
"We've received your complaint" auto-reply messages
.png)
- Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We've received your complaint and are investigating it promptly.
- Hi, we're sorry to hear about the issue. Your complaint is important to us, and we'll look into it right away.
- We appreciate you letting us know about the problem. Our team is reviewing your complaint, and we'll follow up with you shortly.
- We've received your complaint and take it seriously. Rest assured, we're working to resolve it. Thank you for your patience.
- Your complaint is received, and we're committed to resolving it. We'll keep you updated on our progress.
"Please give us your feedback" auto reply template
- Hello! We value your input. Please take a moment to share your feedback by clicking this link: [Insert Feedback Link]. Thank you for helping us improve.
- Hi there! Your opinion matters. We'd love to hear your feedback. Click here: [Insert Feedback Link] to share your thoughts with us.
- Thanks for choosing us! We'd appreciate your feedback. Please use this link: [Insert Feedback Link] to let us know how we're doing.
- Hello, we're always striving to serve you better. Share your feedback by clicking this link: [Insert Feedback Link]. Your insights are invaluable to us.
- Your feedback matters! Help us improve by clicking this link: [Insert Feedback Link] to share your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you for choosing us.
"Please rate your experience" auto reply message template
- Hello! If you enjoyed our service, please consider leaving a rating. Click here: [Insert Rating Link] to share your feedback.
- Hi there! Your opinion matters to us. Leave a rating by clicking this link: [Insert Rating Link]. We appreciate your support!
- Thanks for choosing us! If you had a great experience, we'd love to hear from you. Click here: [Insert Rating Link] to leave a rating.
- Hello, your feedback helps us grow. Leave a rating by clicking this link: [Insert Rating Link]. It only takes a moment, and we'd be grateful.
- Your satisfaction is important. Share your rating by clicking this link: [Insert Rating Link]. Your input helps us serve you better. Thank you!
Wrapping things up
Auto-reply messages play an essential role in customer service and support, but businesses should be thoughtful about how they implement them.
While good customer support auto replies can help businesses improve response times, communicate more clearly, save time and stay consistent, too many can become a nuisance and reduce customer satisfaction.
And in conclusion: Thank you for visiting our website. We hope you found what you were looking for. If not, please reach out to us and let us know how we can help.
.png)
.svg)
.webp)
%201.svg)
-min.png)
.webp)
