By David Nicoll
Some business owners find it beneficial to hire call answering service providers who account for incoming calls and provide information, book appointments, pass on messages, etc. These services can be particularly helpful over during the holidays or summer months, but are really useful any time of year when many small business owners need to take some time off. Hiring a virtual receptionist who handles incoming calls can give you and your staff a chance to take a break, while enabling you to still look after the needs of your clients.
Let’s take a look at some of the main benefits of using a call service to take a break from your small business.
Frees You Up
In some seasonal businesses, there are ebbs and flows. At one time of year, you need additional staff to meet the demand, but a few months later, less business coming through the door.This can be quite inefficient if you’re paying your staff to go to work, but unsure of how much work you’ll receive. So many small business owners pick up the slack on their own instead of hiring temporary staff.
A virtual receptionist allows you to reduce the cost of bringing in help while freeing up some of your time. While a third party operator takes care of your calls, you can be at home with the family rather than having to worry about manning the telephone. If it just so happens you do receive a call out for a job, or a meeting, you can schedule the work in at a convenient time.
Provides Regular Updates
A virtual receptionist can inform people calling in about your availability and schedule. This is more professional and preferable for clients compared to the alternative of setting up a voicemail message. Clients can learn where and when you’ll be available to talk or available for a job.
You will also be receiving updates from your virtual receptionist about who has called and what it was regarding, so you can ascertain how important it is to get back to them. This can come in the form of a phone call, SMS or a daily summary via email — however you prefer it — maximizing productivity.
Offers 24/7 Availability
Having a virtual receptionist who is on duty 24 hours a day throughout the year is very advantageous, as you can have peace of mind that all your customers’ calls will be handled professionally. It also means that you won’t be missing out on any potential opportunities that come up when you’re taking a break from your business. Depending on your line or work, providing 24/7 phone service can be a competitive advantage, as people would always rather speak to someone rather than an automated message.
There is a range of different benefits that come with hiring a virtual receptionist – in some case, they may even be able to solve some common customer problems and queries, which means you don’t even need to return the call. Ultimately, it’s all about ensuring that your customer service remains at a high level.
