[ad_1]
It's a common business dilemma: you need office help, but do not have the capacity to hire a full-time receptionist. In reality, all you really need is someone to answer the phones and occasionally make phone calls on your behalf. When this is the situation, you have two options that do not involve the hassle of hiring a new employee: enlist the aid of a virtual live receptionist, or a contract with a PBX / auto attendant answering service. This article states why it is better to outsource your answering service to a virtual live receptionist firm.
Before diving into pros and cons, let's define these two types of answering services. A remote receptionist answers and forwards phone calls, takes messages for you, and helps relay information to your clients, all while working from a remote location. The virtual receptionist answering service charges you only for the time when their receptionists were actually on the phone on your behalf.
On the other hand, a private branch exchange (PBX) or auto attendant answering service, employs a digital operator to prompt callers. For instance, the auto attendant may tell callers to dial specific numbers until they reach the correct contact. The PBX organization charges you a monthly fee for their services.
Better Business Long-Term
Many business owners choose a PBX answering system because they believe it is a more economical choice. It is certainly less expensive than hiring a full-time receptionist. Over the long-term, however, hiring a virtual receptionist is a more business savvy choice. The key here is to think about how an automated voice impacts your clients' moods – and the impression it gives to potential new clients. Remote reception gives similar savings over hiring a full-time employee, but with an actual human answering the phone. As detailed below, virtual reception services help you keep more happy clients while winning more new clients – boosting your bottom line more over the long run. Read on for additional reasons why a virtual live receptionist is the better option for an outsourced answering service.
Real Human Contact
A virtual receptionist humanizes your company. With a remote receptionist, your clients will not encounter a prerecorded message when they call your office. Additionally, there are no scripted conversations because, unlike with a PBX service, the person with whom your client speaks is a trained professional who does not need a scripted conversation to help your customers. If you are not available to take a call, a virtual receptionist can relay important information to particular people, send messages via email, phone or text, and / or connect your clients with a voice mail system. All of these options are more personable and positive than sitting through a robotic phone menu.
Customer Satisfaction
Customers often encounter an auto attendant answering service when calling businesses. In fact, most of us are so familiar with the occurrence that we have memorized the typical recording: "Please listen carefully as our options have recently changed. If you know the extension of the person you are calling, please dial it now … "Three minutes later, after twiddling their thumbs through every single menu option, your customers will finally hear:" To leave a message on the general system, please wait for the tone. "
Using a virtual live receptionist means your customers do not have to wait for a message to finish. In this way, a remote reception service eliminates frustration for your clients. In fact, at least 60% of customers report that they become angry or frustrated when they encounter an automated telephone system, and many people hang up as soon as they hear an automated voice. With live reception services, however, your clients and prospective clients will speak with a real, live person right away. This will help ensure you never miss new leads and business opportunities.
Professional Appearance
When you hire a live virtual receptionist service, callers will think you have a receptionist working in your physical office. As a result, your business will seem bigger and more professional. In addition, when you use a service that guarantees their receptionists are cheerful, bright and charming, clients will find their good moods to be addictive. Consequently, you will discover your clients have a more positive and joyful attitude that puts them in a better mood to do business with you.
Additional Services
PBX and auto attendant answering machines offer limited service options; there is only so much an answering machine can do for your clients. Virtual receptionists, however, do not just answer incoming calls. They can also make outgoing calls on your behalf, such as appointment confirmation calls. The best remote receptionist services can relay information to a particular client should you have to go into a meeting, so you can focus on your business while keeping your clients informed and happy. Just like a traditional receptionist, a virtual receptionist is happy to call your clients to gather details for you. For example, if you are an insurance agent and need some background information regarding a claim, a virtual receptionist could gather the information, freeing you to focus on other business matters. How many answering machines can do that?
When clients butter your bread, it is up to you to keep them happy and loyal. A virtual live receptionist can assist you with this goal by making sure you never miss a call while giving your clients a personal, positive customer service experience – and at a lower cost to you.
[ad_2]
Source by Elizabeth L. Robinson