Why use a virtual receptionist?
In this series:
What are the features of a virtual receptionist service?
How can a virtual receptionist help my business?
What are the benefits of using a virtual receptionist service?
A virtual receptionist is a great option if you want to ensure you never miss out on business calls. Once the service is set up, everything will be taken care of for you.
You can choose when to be away from the phone, comfortable in the knowledge that someone will be there to answer calls when you’re not. The service integrates seamlessly into your current processes, and you can follow-up on any leads or inquiries at a time that is convenient to you.
Getting set up with a virtual receptionist means no more missed calls. This, of course, means no more missed business opportunities. Anyone who calls your business will experience a friendly and professional service at all times.
If you plan to expand your business but feel like you wouldn’t be able to handle the increased demand, a virtual receptionist is a great solution. If a call comes in while you or your virtual receptionist is already on the line, that call will simply be forwarded to another virtual receptionist – something that would not be possible with an in-house receptionist.
A virtual receptionist allows you and your staff to get on with other tasks instead of wasting time trying to answer all calls by yourself – boosting your team’s productivity in the process.
Having a virtual receptionist avoids the pitfalls that come with using voicemail. Most callers who reach business voicemails will not leave a message, meaning they are likely to try one of your competitors instead.
Online alternatives such as apps or email also carry these downsides, as they offer a similarly impersonal service while only reaching a limited customer base. A virtual receptionist ensures callers can talk to your business immediately, so they won’t have to go elsewhere.
Hiring an in-house receptionist comes at a significant cost and offers limited flexibility. If you decide you would like to have your calls answered at different times, you cannot simply change your staff’s working hours at short notice to cover more calls.
Similarly, if you grow or downsize your business, your call-answering needs will change. Downsizing may mean you would prefer to cut the hours of your receptionist, while growing the business could mean increasing their hours, or even having to hire additional staff or rent an office space to cover the demand.
A virtual receptionist service allows you to change your call plan at any time, so you can adjust the service to suit your needs with ease.
Once you have set up your virtual receptionist service, you will start to see the benefits instantly. You will have more free time outside of answering calls, with the comfort of knowing that your customers are experiencing a professional service in the name of your business.
In the longer term, a virtual receptionist will mean an increased ROI through having someone available to answer every call you receive. This will mean you can respond to every lead and eliminate missed calls and opportunities. The generally small expense will therefore pay for itself through the increased leads and new opportunities.