Yes You Can: E-Bill Auto-Enrollment Done Right

Getting customers to switch habits can feel like a ‘mission impossible,’ especially with e-billing. No matter how hard you try, 56% of consumers are still clinging to paper bills.1 It’s easy to feel like your adoption goals are unattainable, but don’t give up! Going digital is not only eco-friendly; it’s cost-effective. Just think, each e-bill costs nine cents, compared to 69 cents for paper. That's a monthly savings of 60 cents per customer. If you have 100,000 customers, that's a yearly savings of about $720,000! Let’s transform your efforts from mission impossible to mission accomplished with an auto-enrollment strategy.

Auto-Enrollment? No Big Deal for Most Customers

If auto-enrollment seemed too bold before, there's some reason for positivity! In 2022, Chartwell’s Residential Consumer Survey reported that 59% of consumers would be ok with e-bill auto-enrollment.2 This is up 3.5% from 2021 and up 25.5% pre-pandemic. As younger generations become homeowners and manage utilities, we’ll see the comfort in auto-enrollment continue to rise. Just ensure you have a smooth transition plan in place so everyone stays happy after the switch. 

Lead the Way to Auto-Enrollment

Clear a path through e-bill adoption obstacles by educating yourself and your organization, starting with understanding why some customers still prefer paper bills. The 2023 KUBRA Consumer Billing and Payment Report found that the top three reasons customers choose to receive a paper bill are:

• 35% think it’s easier to review
• 28% find paper bills an effective reminder to pay
• 21% worry they’ll miss paying digital bills

Pilot Your Way To Successful Auto-Enrollment

A pilot program is your personal test drive for auto-enrollment. Customers get to experience e-billing while still getting paper bills. They can choose to jump right into the e-billing world or stick to paper. It's a great way to help everyone get comfortable with the new setup and might even inspire some to switch entirely to paperless.

Getting It Right Without a Pilot Program

Skipping the pilot program? That can work, too! Just let your customers know they've been chosen for e-billing, making paper bills a thing of the past. Highlight the sweet perks of e-billing: easy payments, handy reminders, quick access to bill history, and top-notch privacy and security. Make it sound as straightforward and beneficial as it truly is so they're on board from the get-go.

Spot the Customers Not Ready for Auto-Enrollment

Know that some customers might not be on board. Try to identify them upfront and skip the auto-signup. Instead, introduce a friendly pilot program. It's a great way for them to try e-billing while still getting paper copies. They can enjoy the benefits of e-billing while holding onto their paper bills. It's a smooth way to ease them into the change and prevent them from being turned off completely.

An Extra Nudge

You're not the only one finding it tough to encourage customers to drop the paper bill habit. Sometimes, no matter how enthusiastically you promote e-bills, some customers will still need a little extra nudge. That's where auto-enrollment can lend a hand and increase your e-bill usage, as long as it's done right. With the tips we shared earlier, you'll also want a platform that guarantees a smooth billing experience. KUBRA is here to help with our omni-channel e-billing solution, offering your customers an easy way to view and manage their bills. Reach out to us today to see how KUBRA can support your e-billing goals.