Live phone answering service: 4 questions to ask your provider

Running a business involves a lot of risk and requires a ton of elbow grease. But unlike what most people think, you don’t need to be hands-on for every single task or hire full-time employees to succeed. The secret is knowing what to focus on, and which tasks can be outsourced to professionals– like delegating your calls to the best virtual receptionist service.

Live answering services are a cost-effective way to capture leads and handle customer calls without overworking yourself or hiring new staff. Calls to your landline, VoIP, mobile phone, or 1300/1800 numbers are routed to operators located outside your office, so you can focus on your highest priorities.

Who answers your calls?

This is the single most important question to ask. Outsourcing your calls doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the quality of the customer experience. These people will represent your business over the phone, becoming the first point of contact for some of your customers. It’s only right to know who will be handling your calls. Choose a service that trains Australian-based operators, so that nothing is lost in translation.

With a telephone answering service, you get to save thousands of dollars a year in recruitment, training, and overhead costs. Don’t be afraid to ask about what type of quality checks your provider does to ensure that you only get the best value for your money.

How are your calls handled?

When people call, they want to talk to a real person—not a machine. Numerous studies have proven that voicemail turns away at least 75% of your callers, with little chance of them calling back. However, having a real person by the phone is not enough. Your service should be an extension of your business, giving callers the same care that you normally do. The best virtual receptionist service picks up promptly, always in a few seconds, using your business name.

Advanced services like Alltel Reception Connect gives you the option to have calls transferred to you, or have a message taken instead. Each message is immediately sent to you via SMS and email. A copy of the message is also posted on your web portal, so you can easily keep track of your usage.

When can you use your service?

The great thing about outsourcing your calls is that you can give 24/7 access and support to your customers without breaking a sweat. Enjoy uninterrupted service without worrying about breaks, weekends, sick days, and holidays. Make sure that you can easily customise and make changes to your service any time your needs change.

How much does the best virtual answering service cost?

Cost-effective, basic answering plans can cost you as little as $25. This price may vary, depending on the features you want. To get the most value for your money, select a fully-customisable service that gives you the flexibility to build and scale your service.

To get started on designing a solution that fits your exact requirements, get an instant quote for your virtual receptionist service here. You may also give us a call at 1300 ALLTEL or visit the official Alltel website at ALLTEL.