Let's be clear.

There's nothing wrong with saying, "I'd be more than happy to help." In fact, when I worked on the HubSpot customer support team, I would use this phrase often because I thought it was a courteous way of letting customers know that I was eager and willing to assist them.

But, the more that you use this phrase, the more that you tend to lean on it in your day-to-day vocabulary. I caught myself saying this all of the time to the point where I felt I was overusing it and sounding like a broken record. Every time a customer asked me to do something, I would immediately bark back with, "I'd be more than happy to help," like a trained dog.

This wasn't an issue if the call was brief, or if the customer had an easy question. But, when I had to work with people who needed help with multiple problems, this phrase would gradually feel less sincere as I continued to use it. After the second or third time saying it on a call, customers would think that I was just trying to move the conversation along and that I didn't genuinely care about their issue.

Eventually, I learned that using an alternative phrase not only made me feel like I wasn't repeating myself, but it also made the quality of my service more consistent for my customers. By using different vocabulary and phrases, it kept conversations fresh which showed customers that I was still invested in their problems — even if the call was long.

In this post, we've curated a list of alternatives to the phrase, "happy to help." Share these with your team to improve their communication skills and provide a better service experience for your customers.→ Download Now: Customer Support Training Template [Free Template]

1. "I'd love to help."

It's a small change, but switching the word, "happy" with the word, "love" makes a big difference in this case. You're not just excited to interact with the customer, rather, you're eager to help and are motivated by their success.

2. "Certainly."

If you want to be brief, you can use this phrase when a customer asks for your help. It's a quick response that shows the customer you've listened to their problem and you're ready to provide support. This is a great phrase to use if the customer is in a hurry and wants to get a solution as fast as possible.

3. "It would be my pleasure."

This is a good phrase to use when a customer seems frustrated or stressed about a problem. It shows them that you're confident in your ability to troubleshoot and it neutralizes the overwhelming feelings that the customer may have.

4. "You got it."

If you're looking for a more casual approach, this phrase is great because it empowers the customer to ask for help. It tells them that you're able to provide whatever they need and that they can rely on you for continued support.

I'd recommend using this phrase if you've already developed a rapport with your customer and they don't expect you to be as formal as you first were on the call.

5. "Not a problem."

Be careful when you use this one. While it's a great alternative to "happy to help," some people may think you're not taking their issue seriously enough. They may think that they have a real problem on their hands, and by telling them otherwise, you may add friction to the service experience.

It's best to use this phrase when the customer asks you to do something small like looking up a knowledge base article or directing them to their customer success manager. Since these are relatively easy tasks, most customers won't think twice when you use this phrase.

6. "Please don't hesitate to reach out."

I like to use this phrase when I'm signing off an email or wrapping up a phone call. It lets the customer know that I'm always available to help and they shouldn't worry about contacting me outside my working hours. It also shows the customer that I'm aligned with their needs and that their solutions won't come at the expense of my personal convenience.

7. "At your service."

While it's not for every support team, it may make sense to use this phrase if your customers are expecting a formal service interaction — like at a high-end hotel or a fancy restaurant. As a service rep, this keeps your communication on brand which makes the customer feel like they're interacting with a luxurious company.

8. "I'd be more than willing to assist."

In most scenarios, this phrase can be used interchangeably with "happy to help." It effectively sends the same message, but uses different language like "assist" instead of "help." This is a good phrase to keep in your back pocket if you suddenly freeze with the customer and aren't sure how to respond.

Now that you know what to say to customers, learn which customer service phrases to avoid.New Call-to-action

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Originally published Feb 19, 2021 8:15:00 AM, updated June 15 2021


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