Response time

Hi,

I run a support forum and I think it would be great to have some information what is my average response time on new topics posted by users. This information can demonstrate when the users can expect answer and if the response time is low enough it also shows the quality of such a support forum. What do you think?

If you have a precise algorithm in mind how to calculate it - you are welcome :-)

Well, I don't have. I am simple end-user. Is that so hard to implement it? The date and time of the posts are already there. The algorithm should ignore the topics started by admins or moderators, or certain forum sections like "Feedback", etc.

The response time information would promote this forum as well ;-)

The response time information would promote this forum as well

I could bet if we answer 2-3 times per business day here, it's already a big effort comparing other support boards, where you most likely get a reply within 24-48 hours.

Actually every our customer knows that we are very good at support, if not best ;-)

I simply don't know how useful this algorithm could be precise and useful if we take an "average" math. Let's say we select all admin replies to the topics created today, and calculate the difference between admin's reply to the previous message. There could be a difference of 10 minutes and 120 minutes - but if we take the average, it doesn't mean your response time is
65 minutes.

I am absolutely sure we won't implement it for the default version; however if you would like to have it for your forums, everything is possible if you refer to our paid programming services.

Actually every our customer knows that we are very good at support, if not best ;-)

Okay, but what about potential customers? How would they know?

There could be a difference of 10 minutes and 120 minutes - but if we take the average, it doesn't mean your response time is 65 minutes.

Hehe, yes, that's what I call average.

...everything is possible if you refer to our paid programming services

Well, how many hours it could take?

Count on not less than 4 hours of work... half of it thinking and discussion about the algorithm... and it could be based on cronjob task probably, so couple of hours for testing...

I am not sure actually this is the best way of how to attract potential customers.

Maybe it would be nice to just show today's empty messages count against admin's and moderators replies. Then the quality of the actual support would mean proportional meter between these amounts.

But this also is too tricky.