In today’s fast-paced, competitive world, businesses need to be available to their customers around the clock. Whether it’s doctors, dentists, electrical contractors or plumbing companies, answering services provide the support they need to ensure that their clients receive assistance when they need it most. Answering service companies offer multiple levels of call handling and can customize their services to meet your specific needs.
Many small businesses and even large corporations struggle with call volume and may not have the manpower to handle all the calls they receive in-house. That’s where call answering service come in, with virtual receptionists that greet your callers with their name and a greeting of your choosing. They can then relay the message to the appropriate person in your company, either through a recorded voicemail or text-to-speech, reducing your hold times and giving your clients a warm, personal customer service experience.
For those who prefer to speak with a live person, answering services offer that option as well. Calls are answered by trained agents that are familiar with the client’s company and the specific procedures and policies for handling each type of call. Callers can ask questions, place orders or check on the status of a shipment. The answering service agent can also dispatch information to drivers and technicians for field work and other services or even provide payment information.
The cost of call answering services varies depending on the level of service you need and how much use you get out of it. Some services are flat-rate per month, while others charge a certain amount for each call handled on your behalf.