Are you getting frustrated when trying to contact someone when you are interested in their services? Or worse are people getting frustrated trying to contact you for your services or products?  Signing up to a phone answering service allows you to avoid missing potential customers and help your business portray a professional way from the start.

For all business, first impressions are always important. Even if you have an answer machine or voicemail and you work from home, a recorded message is not what a potential customer wants to hear; a friendly helpful voice on the end of the telephone is a better option instead of a plain answer message or a musicical interlude.

Recent surveys have indicated that up to 80% of callers do not leave a message on voicemail and would prefer to talk to a person on the other end of the line. If your calls are answered by a trained telephone operator or PA, they can handle them efficiently and the caller is immediately aware of the fact that there is customer service. This can be beneficial for the future if they are trying to call for an update on your services once they become clients.

Phone Answering Service Requirements.

If you were to itemise all the characteristics you would require from a telephone call answering service, what would they be?

- Never to miss a call again

- Pay for the number of calls you receive

- Continuity of Service to clients

- Get your calls answered when you are travelling or in a meeting

- A tailored service, with calls answered in your company name in a quick and friendly manner

- Is a virtual receptionist service given

These are some of the things to take into consideration:-

- Do you get a dedicated telephone number?

- How are messages communicated on to me?

- Can call be diverted to the service at any time of the day or night?

- Does the phone answering company specialise in 24 hour emergency / business continuity and can they be briefed on company products and services for a more integrated approach?

- Some call handling companies offer extra services like online Diary Management, Appointment management, Inquiry and Order Processing, Risk management, Engineer call out services, media response, call overflow, fault helpdesk management, call escalation services.

- It is important to take into account what is right for your business, no matter how small or large cannot afford to miss out on telephone calls.

- Try out the service before hand. Most phone answering companies offer a trial period. Ask for recordings from the test period so you can be assured that the service is what you want.

Phoenix24-7 Ltd provide professional telephone answer services, in the UK.  With over 25 years experience in the industry Phoenix24-7 work with a wide variety of businesses all across the UK from a wide range of business sectors. For a free no obligation quote call free today on 0800 999 2 247 or email us enquiries@phoenix24-7.co.uk

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Arto