Discover how an Omni-channel and Multichannel marketing model creates very different experiences for your consumers.
But what does omnichannel marketing mean? And more importantly, how is it different from multichannel marketing?
According to Core DNA, it’s not uncommon to see the words omnichannel and multichannel marketing being used interchangeably. Both words seem to be carrying a similar meaning – except that they’re not.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at the differences between the two words and clear your confusions once and for all.
Let’s start with multichannel marketing.
Multichannel marketing definition
Sas.com defines multichannel marketing as follows:
“Multichannel marketing refers to the practice of interacting with customers using a combination of indirect and direct communication channels – websites, retail stores, mail order catalogs, direct mail, email, mobile, etc.”
Take a look at this infographic for a better picture.
Basically, it is when a company is communicating with a customer through a number of different channels.
It can be through the website, social media messaging, a customer service rep, email, or in a physical store.
However, the catch here is that the communication isn’t integrated.
Let’s take Company Pearl as an example.
As a customer, I check their website, found a few things I liked and decided to purchase it.
My first purchase goes through, but my second purchase fails.
I call up the customer service. They seem to have no record of any of my transaction. I give them my details all over again. They still fail to track my transaction. The person said she’d check and call me back, but I never received the call.
As a result, I leave a negative review on their Facebook page. Their social media representative reaches out to me and wants to know the reason for my negative review.
Again, I have to give them my details and recount my negative experience – because this person has no idea about my experience with their company.
As you can see, I have had interaction with Company Pearl at different touch points – website, phone, Facebook – and none of them are integrated.
This resulted in me having to give my details three different times.
As a result, I do not feel appreciated as a customer. I am frustrated and it is very unlikely that I will engage with this brand again.
When your multichannel marketing is not integrated, you’re giving customers a disconnected user experience. Which means they will be having the same conversation over and over again at different channels – and that’s frustrating.
Customer journey should always be seamless, not choppy and all over the place.
Which brings us to omnichannel marketing.
Omnichannel marketing definition
Omnichannel marketing is where a company is having a conversation with a customer using many different channels but they are all integrated.
The customer can reach out to the company via various channels – Facebook, email, phone call, physical store – and they’re all saying the same thing.
We’ll repeat that; every channel is saying the same thing.
Let’s use Company Diamond for example.
I visit their website, found some things I liked – and the same things happen.
But this time, about five minutes later, I receive an email from them stating the reason that my transaction has failed. They tell me that someone will be calling me shortly to help me out.
Not too long later, someone from customer service calls me and volunteers to help me reset my account so I can try again.
My password is reset, my transaction goes through, and I’m now a happy customer.
I get another email confirming my transaction, along with information about delivery.
See how I had multiple touch points with the company – and the communication was seamless?
All their channels are unified to give me a smooth customer experience.
I did not have to repeat my details at any stage and everyone at every channel was aware of my journey as a customer.
Why omnichannel marketing is the way forward
Omnichannel marketing is extremely important is this day and age simply because of technology. To be more precise, smartphones.
This study also found that 73% of consumers actually use multiple channels to engage with their favorite brands when provided with the option to do so.
People don’t just show up at a store anymore. There are a few things that take place before that.
They will check your website for product specifications and reviews. They might call up to confirm certain details like timing. They will also check out your Facebook and Google pages.
As a retailer, your job is to make sure that they are receiving consistent messages from all channels – especially if you have both an online and a physical store.
Make sure your customers receiving a consistent message from all your channels with Eber.
The key takeaway here is ‘consistency’
To summarise, the main difference between multichannel and omnichannel marketing is consistency.
Multichannel has various touch points – but they are all disconnected and run separate conversations. A, B, and C are saying three different things to the customer.
Omnichannel has various touch points – and they are all integrated. A knows what B is doing, and C knows exactly what A and B said to the customer.
In order to achieve this, make sure all your departments are working together – not in separate silos.
If you treat each channel differently, you risk losing customers who are hearing different things from different channels. Do you want an omnichannel experience for your customers?
Reach out to us at hello@eber.co and we’ll be happy to help you out.
