As a business owner, being available for your customers is crucial for your success. But how do you make it happen when you have limited resources? Answering calls and inquiries and running your business can feel impossible.
Choosing the right answering service could be the answer you need, but how do you choose?
Finding the right answering service is like hiring the right employee. You must choose wisely because your business is at stake. Here’s what you should consider.
To choose the right answering service, you must do the following.
Knowing the answers will help you locate the right answering service. For example, do you need an answering service specializing in something particular, such as legal questions, or do you need a generic answering service to take messages and set appointments?
After assessing your business, determine if you need automated or live answering services. Automated answering services don’t give your callers a live person. Instead, they press buttons and talk to a computer; it’s much less personal and often turns callers away.
A live answering service is a human answering the phone, answering questions, setting appointments, and forwarding calls as needed.
Next, consider what features you might want to be included, such as:
So how do you choose the right answering service for your needs? Try these four steps.
Determine what each provider offers, and compare it to your business’s needs. Some answering services will provide more than others, so look at all features.
Take advantage of the information online and see what others say about the service. Pay close attention to testimonials, including the good and bad things people say about each company.
Don't be afraid to ask questions about each service. This is how you fully understand what they offer.
Reputable answering services, like Easybee, will offer a free trial. This allows you to see if the service is worth it.