Small businesses have a lot of things to worry about, from making sure the products and services they offer are high quality, to marketing and sales, to customer service. One thing that should be considered is answering the phone. A live phone answering service can take care of all your incoming calls, freeing you up to focus on your business. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the best live phone answering service for your small business.
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Factors To Consider When Choosing Live Phone Answering Service For Small Business
There are a lot of decisions to make when you’re running a small business. One of the most important is choosing the right live phone answering service. It can be tough to decide which provider is best for your company, but there are a few factors to consider that will help make the decision easier. Here are some:
Determine what type of service you need.
Do you need someone to simply answer the phone and take a message? Do you need someone to screen calls and forward them to you? Or do you need someone who can handle customer service inquiries? Think about how much interaction you want your customers to have with the answering service. If you are a small business, chances are you don’t have the time or resources to train someone on your product or services. You’ll want to find a company that will be able to learn about your business quickly and efficiently.
Consider what hours of operation your business has.
If you are a 24/hour operation, you’ll need to find an answering service that operates 24 hours as well. If you only have regular business hours, then you can find a service that only offers coverage during those times. This will save you money, as after-hours calls tend to be more expensive.
Think about how many calls you receive on average.
This will help you determine how many lines you need and how much you can expect to pay. The more calls you receive, the more it will cost. But, if you have a lot of callers during peak times, it may be worth it to have additional lines so that your customers don’t have to wait on hold.
Make sure you consider how much you’re going to spend.
You don’t want to overspend on a service that you’re not going to use, but you also don’t want to skimp and get a service that doesn’t meet your needs. Find a balance between the two and make sure you’re getting what you need for a price you’re comfortable with.
Get quotes from a few different services.
When you’ve determined what type of service you need and what hours you need coverage, reach out to a few different companies and get quotes. This will help you get an idea of what each company charges and what they include in their services. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples, though, as some companies may have hidden fees or charges for additional services.
Read reviews from other small business owners.
You’ll be entrusting this company with your customers, so you want to make sure they’re reputable and have good customer service. Check out their website and see if they have any testimonials or reviews from other customers. Give them a call and see how they treat you. Are they friendly? Do they seem like they know what they’re doing? These are one of the things to consider when choosing a live phone answering service for your small business.
Take your time in making a decision.
This is an important decision for your business, so you want to make sure you’re choosing the right company. Don’t feel like you have to rush into a decision. Get quotes, read reviews, and talk to other small business owners to get their opinion. Once you’ve done your research, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on which company is best for your small business.
Choosing the right live phone answering service for your small business can be daunting. There are so many factors to consider, from the type of service you need to how much you’re going to spend. We’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of things you should keep in mind when making your decision. And if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We want to make sure you find the perfect service for your business and that you feel confident about your decision. Call us today.
Does Your Business Need a Reliable Live 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.
