A call answering service is a company that answers your business’s calls for you, enabling you to take on more customers and increase revenue. They typically provide automated and live options, as well as features like call notes, email notifications and integration with CRMs.
Some companies use automated options, referred to as interactive voice response (IVR) or auto attendant systems, that help to lower costs and improve customer experiences. While these options don’t require a human operator to answer your phone call, they do lack context and can’t respond to any questions or requests that aren’t preprogrammed.
The other main type of answering service is a virtual receptionist, which uses a computer to handle inbound calls. While less personal than a human agent, a virtual receptionist can provide more information about your business, including the purpose of the call and details about the product or service you offer. They can also make outbound sales or support calls on your behalf, as well as juggle multiple calls when you’re busy.
A virtual receptionist can help you get your business up and running quickly, letting you focus on day-to-day operations and building your client base. The best answering services can also provide more comprehensive features, including dispatching and scheduling calls, taking orders online and providing customer support on your behalf. They may even have a dedicated local number that can attract customers searching for your products and services in your area. They can also share detailed call reports with you, helping you to track your performance and make informed decisions about how to boost business. call answering service