If you’re a small business owner, you probably already know how difficult it is to juggle all of your responsibilities. The last thing that any entrepreneur wants to add to their plate is the burden of having to handle an inbound call center.
6 Questions That Can Help Guide Your Decision.  Â
There are many different types of services available, and they all have their pros and cons. The one that is right for your company depends on what kind of company you are, how much time you spend away from the office, and what kinds of calls you receive most often. Below are 6 questions to help decide which type of service best fits your needs.
Question #1 : What type of calls does your business receive most often?
Answering services come in different types depending on what kind of phone lines they are set up with. If you are getting a lot of telemarketing or wrong number calls, then an answering service that is set up for call transfers would be best. These kinds of services have all the main features such as live operators and voicemail messages - but also offer transfer options so those pesky cold-calls can go to someone else's office while you get back to running your company!
Question #2: How much time do you spend away from the office each day?
If your company is in need of a service that can answer calls while you are out and about, then an answering service with live operators will be better for your needs than those which use voicemail messages only. These types of services have something called a 'virtual receptionist'. The virtual receptionists take phone calls just like any other real person would - except they work remotely on their own computer or phone! They receive all incoming calls, greet callers by name if possible, and transfer them as needed; so when someone leaves a message it sounds more personal hearing a generic recording telling them to 'please leave a message'.
Question #3: How often do you need the answering service? What time of day is it used most often?
Different kinds of services charge different rates depending on how many calls they are taking in an hour, and whether or not these are local or long-distance. Before signing up for any type of service make sure that you know what kind of rates will be charged each month so there won't be any surprises! If your business needs their lines answered around the clock then 24/hour live operator services would probably fit best - if only certain hours such as normal office hours work better than others, then look into companies with extended call center hours during those times
Question #4: How many employees can you assign to manage the answering service?
If your company only has a few people who need access to an account, then most services will be fine. If there is more than one person in charge of managing things such as callers' messages and transfers - or if they have multiple clients that all require different levels of transfer options for incoming calls, then having them set up with their own accounts would be best so no mistakes are made!
Question #5: Is your business a seasonal one?
In the summer months many businesses experience an increase in call volume, and some need more than just normal hours of operation when it comes to their answering service. If you are experiencing this then look into companies with extended calling center times such as night or weekend services!
Question #6: How much money does your business bring in every year? What is your budget for an answering service?
It is important to know how much money you will need each month in order to make sure that what you choose fits well into the company's finances. If there are only a few people who use the phone system then most services can be set up with monthly flat rates - and even if they don't have any other options some offer introductory deals so it could save a little bit of money!
We know that it can be tough to decide on the best answering service for your small business. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of 7 questions to help you find an answerer who is right for you and your company! If any of these sound like they might apply to you, give us a call today so that one of our knowledgeable agents can answer all of your lingering questions about how we work with small businesses.
Does Your Business Need a Reliable Virtual Receptionist?
Reliable Receptionist helps small to mid-sized businesses enhance their professional image, improve customer service, manage workload and convert callers to become loyal clients. At Reliable Receptionist, we not only provide simple answering services but you can be confident your company’s incoming calls will be immediately answered by one of up to five trained representatives assigned to your account. Our off-site receptionists are professionally ready to answer questions about your business, provide directions, capture critical lead information, schedule appointments, and forward calls to the appropriate department depending on your set guidelines. One of the many advantages of using an off-site receptionist with advanced call handling technology is that your calls can be privately announced and seamlessly connected to you in real-time on any phone number. Many of our clients provide multiple connecting numbers for us so we always have the best way to reach you. Let's Work Together! For more information or to request a quote and free demonstration, send us a message or call us today at (925) 627-4200.
Enhance Your Professional Image, Improve Customer Service, Manage Your Workload More Effectively.
