There are different types of answering services that can help support a business. Some types are telephone answering services, industry based answering service, automated answering services and general call centers.
Every type has different advantages. This is the reason why the right type of service must be identified before subscription or installation. Choosing one that does not fit the business goals might be detrimental and costly.
The Telephone Answering Service
The most common and used by consumers are the
.The service can come in different formats. Some are provided with work-from-home workers while others employ a receptionist in a call center. Both options provide a professional and a live person to handle incoming calls.
Live services usually provide a 24/7/365 service while others cover after office hour calls. Do not use a 24/7 provider if the need does not cover after store or office hours. A higher premium is paid for all hours availability even if the service is not used.
The objective of a telephone answering service is for better customer service and not to miss calls from clients. Clients would appreciate a real person answering their calls rather than a machine.
Automated Answering Service
This service provides an automated voice that gives callers options to choose from when they call. Directions may be give by pressing a number or leaving a message. This is a more cost efficient type of service but it is an impersonal one that is less appreciated by customers.
This is similar to a recorded message or voicemail. If the installation is a recorded message do not subscribe to an automated service and waste money.
Call Centers
Call centers are more for larger businesses with high volume of calls. They usually provide a 24/7/365 service and may be able to provide technical or product support.
This type of answering service may be expensive due to the staff requirement that is round the clock. However, the customer service it provides can have great benefits.
Industry-specific Answering Service
This type has gained popularity in industries. These service can help in technical support for a website or for a doctor’s office. If the industry requires an answering service that have a certain degrees of specialization then this type is needed.
Among the specific type of niches are:
- Legal answering services
- Medical field answering services
- Beauty and health
- Real estate
- Small businesses:
Answering service providers have other areas that can help businesses. Whether a specific service is needed full time or during certain hours, a business can reap tons of benefits from the service.