Call Answering For Small Businesses
When running a business we all know that customer service or client relations are one of the most important factors in being successful.
This creates a problem for new businesses in the fact they have to employ staff to answer the phone to ensure potential new customers get the type of reception they would expect.
This is where I struggled with my business.
For the first year I didn't makeany money.
The website was being developed and recognition from the search engines was minimal.
However, on occasions the phone still rang though there was nothing but an answer machine to take the call - I was still working at a full time job whilst developing the site.
I started to realise the implications of not having someone answering the phone when I was seeing 10 - 15 missed calls a day.
How many of these people were moving along to the next company, never to return when they hit an answer machine? A lot I would imagine.
Employing a receptionist was just not possible - they would demand more money than I was earning from the business - there must be an answer.
This is where I stumbled across a service that really solved the problems.
It was a virtual office offering virtual reception services.
This meant that as and when I chose, I diverted my office calls to them.
They would then answer in my company name and take a message for me to then call back or email when I could.
Initially this service was quite expensive but when compared to actually employing someone on a full or part time basis is was extremely cost effective - I only had to pay per call received (as well as a small monthly charge).
This kind of service is one that many small businesses will not be aware of - I wasn't until someone told me about it.
It is an ideal solution for any business large or small.
Whether you work purely for yourself and cannot always answer your phone, perhaps when driving or up a ladder - or maybe you are an owner of a small office who needs cover when people are off sick or on holiday or even out to lunch.
You really can make these plans pretty flexible - either let the virtual reception take all your calls or simply use them at the time you need them by diverting your phone when engaged, unanswered or busy!
This creates a problem for new businesses in the fact they have to employ staff to answer the phone to ensure potential new customers get the type of reception they would expect.
This is where I struggled with my business.
For the first year I didn't makeany money.
The website was being developed and recognition from the search engines was minimal.
However, on occasions the phone still rang though there was nothing but an answer machine to take the call - I was still working at a full time job whilst developing the site.
I started to realise the implications of not having someone answering the phone when I was seeing 10 - 15 missed calls a day.
How many of these people were moving along to the next company, never to return when they hit an answer machine? A lot I would imagine.
Employing a receptionist was just not possible - they would demand more money than I was earning from the business - there must be an answer.
This is where I stumbled across a service that really solved the problems.
It was a virtual office offering virtual reception services.
This meant that as and when I chose, I diverted my office calls to them.
They would then answer in my company name and take a message for me to then call back or email when I could.
Initially this service was quite expensive but when compared to actually employing someone on a full or part time basis is was extremely cost effective - I only had to pay per call received (as well as a small monthly charge).
This kind of service is one that many small businesses will not be aware of - I wasn't until someone told me about it.
It is an ideal solution for any business large or small.
Whether you work purely for yourself and cannot always answer your phone, perhaps when driving or up a ladder - or maybe you are an owner of a small office who needs cover when people are off sick or on holiday or even out to lunch.
You really can make these plans pretty flexible - either let the virtual reception take all your calls or simply use them at the time you need them by diverting your phone when engaged, unanswered or busy!