Why An Answering Service Is More Than Just A Virtual Receptionist
Whether you run a small business or a large company, there is one interest you have in common- your customers and their satisfaction.
Most businesses realize that keeping customers happy is a constant challenge. There are no quick-fix solutions to buy their happiness but there are some systems you can put in place to ensure that customers are given the priority they deserve and continue to do business with you for years to come.
One such system is an answering service. An answering service is essentially a virtual receptionist who is on hand to take any calls that may come in for your company. In fact, such a service is more than that as it allows you to delegate much of the customer engagement work to professionals who are trained in processing calls and dealing with a variety of callers with patience and politeness.
Furthermore, there are several additional benefits from availing of an answering service. For instance, if you are a small business or a start-up and do not want to hire a full-time receptionist, but do not want customers to hang up disappointed either, an answering service could fill that space most cost-effectively.
An answering service is also useful if you receive calls after working hours. In a globalized economy that hardly ever sleeps, it is likely that many people have time to make calls only after working hours. When customers know that you can address their queries and clarifications around-the-clock they are most likely to continue to want to do business with you and recommend you to others.
An answering service is also useful if you have to survive particularly busy periods. For instance, if you work in the online retail sector, the holiday season can be the busiest but also the most productive period. With an answering service, you can ensure that customers can always reach you and your employees can work uninterrupted to keep up their productivity.
Finally, an answering service adds a human touch to customer relations. An operator at an answering service is a real person who can greet your customer on your behalf and attend to his or her query in real-time. In contrast, a recorded automated menu that allows callers to choose from a series of options can be a very frustrating experience and callers often have to wait several minutes.
An investment in an answering service is truly an investment in your customers for the long term.
Author: Jason Brickwork
Jason has 25+ years of Executive management experience in the answering service field and has helped doctors, lawyers, contractors, and small business owners avoid missed calls. He teaches business owners how to save on call center solutions by comparing prices and features the the best providers.
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