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Originally Posted On: https://findansweringservice.com/small-business-answering-service-benefits/

 

How much productivity can you gain if you hire a live answering service for your small business? A live receptionist can help you stick to your budget while growing your business.

Each year, approximately $62 billion of business is lost due to poor customer service. With 74 percent of customers reaching out to companies via phone, it’s clear subpar answering policies, long wait times and similar issues are impacting businesses in many ways.

Unfortunately, small businesses don’t always have the manpower needed to handle a large influx of customer calls. As a result, this element of customer services falls to the wayside.

The good news is, there is an affordable solution – utilize a live answering service.

When you use an answering service for small business, you will be privy to a number of benefits. However, before diving into all the benefits, it’s a good idea to learn what an answering service is.

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What is a Live Answering Service?

Modern answering services connect your customers with live, real operators each time they call. Additionally, the professional operators answering the calls are able to empathize with your valued customers.

This means the people handling your calls and your customers respond in a meaningful way, your customers remember. In addition to the upgrade in customer service provided, an answering service can also help you capture more leads and assist in the growth of your business.

Keep in mind, it’s important to find the right type of answering service to gain any benefits.

Some of the specific benefits offered by utilizing a live answering service for your small business are found here.

1. Save Money With an Answering Service

The operators of live answering services are employed by another company. This means you don’t have to pay their salaries. You only pay for the time spent handling your calls.

Additionally, you don’t have to worry about people calling in sick, providing benefits or paid vacations, office supplies and more. All this adds up to significant cost savings for your company.

Even better, you can have confidence your customers are receiving the high level of service they deserve.

2. Maintain and Improve Your Reputation

For many customers, if they want to know more about a certain business, the first thing they will do is make a call. A great first impression is critical.

The customer needs to feel like they are important and a priority. They also want to know they are talking to the right business.

Additionally, customers want to speak to someone who understands your industry. Professional call center workers are trained to use proper etiquette and to always be polite to your customers. As a result, these individuals will help build and maintain your business’s good reputation.

3. Eliminate Missed Calls

If your customers have to wait in a queue, or they have to listen to the phone continue to ring, they are going to become unhappy. When you use the services of a live answering company, this isn’t an issue.

Your customers are automatically connected to a live person who is ready and able to provide the assistance needed, without making your customer wait. This helps with a great first impression and increased customer retention.

4. Improved Staff Efficiency

With live answering services being used, it’s the operators at these locations, rather than your staff, answering all the incoming calls. This means that your staff can continue to concentrate on their tasks.

With a third-party handling your calls, you don’t have to worry about a loss of concentration or productivity among your employees, either. Your business has a much higher likelihood to thrive when you and your employees can focus on what you do best, rather than constantly stopping to answer the phone.

5. Seamless Integration

There’s no technology to bring into your business when hiring a live answering service. This means you can start using these services without having to make an investment in hardware of any type.

The operators will have the equipment needed to handle the job. All you have to do is sign up for service and forward your calls to the company you have chosen.

6. Ability to Grow with Your Company

Right now, you may only need limited services. However, what happens in the future? If your company grows, you need a call service that can grow with you.

With a live answering service, you will find that regardless of how big you become, this company can scale to fit your needs and the demand of your customers.

All you have to do is let your account representative know about your growth, and they can customize the ideal plan for your needs.

7. Have a Specialist Answer Every Call

One of the best things about hiring live operators is that they are professionally trained. This means they know how to provide respectful, compassionate and helpful service for each customer who calls in.

This high level of service and consistency can help to elevate any business to all new levels. Also, the experts who are answering the phone have prior experience with your industry. This means they can tackle any question that may come their way.

Is a Live Answering Service Right for Your Small Business?

Have you been toying with the idea of hiring a third-party live receptionist? If so, then a live answering service may be a smart option for your small business.

As you can see from the information above, these services offer quite a few benefits.

If you are searching for a quality, reputable and affordable live answering service provider in your area, use our search service. Regardless of where you are located, we can help you find the right service provider.

We understand how challenging running a business can be. With our help, you can take some of the stress and burden off your employees and gain access to professional receptionists for your company.