7 Best Answering Services for Small Business in 2023

Are you a small business owner seeking the best answering service to aid in the expansion of your enterprise? Customer service excellence is essential for success in today's cutthroat industry. Answering services can help with that. These services guarantee that every customer call is swiftly and effectively handled, freeing you up to concentrate on other crucial facets of your company. This post will examine the top 7 answering services for small businesses in 2023 so you can choose one that best suits your business's requirements.

At a Glance: The Best Answering Services

Let's quickly review the top 7 answering services for small businesses in 2023 before delving into the specifics of each offering:

1. AnswerConnect

2. Ruby Front Desk Staff

3. VoiceNation

4. Smith.ai

5. MAP Communications

6. AnswerFirst

7. Vgrow

These services have been chosen based on their reputation, attributes, cost, and feedback from customers. Let's now examine each service in greater depth to decide which is best for your company.

Which Telephone Answering Service Is Best For Your Company?

The best answering service for your company will rely on a number of variables, including the type of your industry, call volume, budget, and special needs. Here are some important things to remember:

1. Industry-specific knowledge: Some answering services have experience in particular sectors, such as e-commerce, healthcare, or the legal sector. If your company works in a specialist field, it's advantageous to select a provider with sector-specific knowledge.

2. Handling call volume: Assess your call volume and select a service that can effectively handle your anticipated volume. Make that they have sufficient capacity to manage high call volume without sacrificing service quality.

3. Multilingual assistance: To serve a broad customer base, take into account using an answering service that provides multilingual support if your company serves clients who speak different languages.

4. Integration abilities: Verify that the answering service interacts effectively with your existing systems if you utilize customer relationship management (CRM) software or other technologies. Workflows can be streamlined and overall efficiency can be raised with this combination.

We can now thoroughly examine the top 7 answering services as we have a better understanding of the factors to take into account.

The Top Ten Virtual Answering Services And Receptionist Services

Small businesses are increasingly using virtual receptionist services. With the help of these services, you may have a capable receptionist manage your calls from a distance, giving your clients first-rate support. Let's explore what distinguishes these services:

What Does A Virtual Front Desk Agent Do?

A virtual receptionist assists your company with a variety of functions, such as:

1. Incoming call answering: A virtual receptionist takes care of all incoming calls, making sure that each one is quickly and professionally addressed.

2. Call screening and forwarding: They are able to filter calls using predetermined criteria and forward crucial calls to the proper individual or division within your business.

3. Appointment setting: Virtual receptionists may arrange appointments on your behalf and manage your calendar, which can help you keep organized and save you time.

4. Customer service: They offer fundamental customer service by responding to frequently requested queries and taking care of client issues.

What Distinguishes A Quality Virtual Receptionist Service?

The following characteristics should be considered while selecting a virtual receptionist service:

1. Professionalism: A good virtual receptionist service should offer polite, extremely professional receptionists who effectively represent your company.

2. Options for customization: Seek out a service that enables you to alter the call handling instructions in accordance with your unique requirements and preferences.

3. Flexibility: As your business expands or during peak times, make sure the service can handle your call volume and adjust its offerings accordingly.

4. Multichannel support: To offer thorough help across numerous channels, take into account a solution that can manage calls, emails, and even live chats.

Let's now examine the top virtual answering services and receptionists for small businesses in 2023.

Best Virtual Answering And Receptionist Services

1.  AnswerConnect:

Features:

24/7 live call answering

Multilingual support

Custom call scripts

Pricing: Starting at $239/month

Reviews: AnswerConnect has received positive reviews for their professionalism, responsiveness, and reliable service.

2. Ruby Receptionists:

Features:

Live virtual receptionists

Appointment scheduling

Call forwarding and screening

Pricing: Starting at $309/month

Reviews: Ruby Receptionists is highly regarded for their friendly receptionists, exceptional customer service, and seamless integration options.

3. VoiceNation:

Features:

Customizable call scripts

Bilingual receptionists

Lead capturing and qualification

Pricing: Starting at $149/month

Reviews: VoiceNation is praised for their affordable pricing, knowledgeable staff, and efficient call handling.

4. Smith.ai:

Features:

AI-powered chatbots

Lead intake and qualification

CRM integrations

Pricing: Starting at $140/month

Reviews: Smith.ai is recognized for their advanced technology, excellent customer support, and seamless integrations.

5. MAP Communications:

Features:

24/7 live answering

Customizable call scripts

Call routing and transfer

Pricing: Customized pricing based on business needs

Reviews: MAP Communications is known for their professionalism, reliability, and ability to handle high call volumes.

6. AnswerFirst:

Features:

Call routing and transferring

Message taking and delivery

Appointment scheduling

Pricing: Customized pricing based on business needs

Reviews: AnswerFirst receives positive feedback for their responsiveness, accuracy, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

7. Vgrow:

Features:

Customizable call handling instructions

24/7 live answering

Compliant options for healthcare businesses

Advanced message delivery options

Pricing: Customized pricing based on business needs

Reviews: Specialty Answering Service is highly regarded for their attention to detail, flexibility, and industry-specific expertise.

In 2023, increase productivity with a phone answering service for virtual assistants.

A virtual assistant phone answering service is another beneficial choice for small businesses in addition to virtual receptionist services. Let's investigate what it is and how it can help your company.

What Is A Phone Answering Service For Virtual Assistants?

The benefits of a virtual receptionist are combined with additional administrative help in a virtual assistant phone answering service. Professionals with extensive training in virtual assistance are able to manage a wide range of activities remotely, including taking calls, managing calendars, organizing papers, and offering general administrative help.

Why Are Phone Answering Services For Virtual Assistants Vital For Businesses?

For businesses, virtual assistant phone answering services have a number of significant advantages, including:

1. Better customer service: By having a virtual assistant answer your calls, you can make sure that your clients get timely, competent support, which will increase client satisfaction.

2. Time savings: By delegating administrative work to a virtual assistant, you free up time that can be used to concentrate on key business operations like expanding your firm and providing excellent customer service.

3. Economical solution: Employing a full-time administrative assistant or receptionist in-house can be costly for small organizations. A quality alternative that is more affordable is a virtual assistant phone answering service.

4. Enhanced productivity: Virtual assistants can quickly perform administrative work, freeing you and your team to concentrate on high-priority activities and projects and enhancing productivity as a whole.

5. Scalability: A virtual assistant phone answering service may readily scale to match an increase in call traffic and administrative requirements as your business expands, guaranteeing a seamless client experience.

Benefits of Using a Phone Answering Service for a Virtual Assistant

The following advantages are available to you when you use a virtual assistant phone answering service:

1. Don't Ever Miss A Call

Every call is handled by a virtual assistant, lowering the possibility of lost chances and guaranteeing that your clients always get a response.

2. Always Be Available To Your Customers

With 24/7 help from virtual assistants, you can be accessible to your clients at all times, including after traditional business hours.

3. Help that is Expert, Competent, and Knowledgeable

Virtual assistants are skilled individuals that are capable of handling a variety of jobs, from responding to simple questions to giving thorough information about your goods or services.

4. Save Cash

As you just pay for the services you use, hiring a virtual assistant is more affordable than hiring a full-time receptionist or assistant.

5. Improve Your Company's Reputation

Every client connection is handled professionally thanks to a virtual assistant phone answering service, which improves your company's reputation and fosters customer trust.

6. Boost Productivity

You and your team can concentrate on essential business operations by giving administrative work to a virtual assistant, which will boost productivity and efficiency.

7. Benefits of Experience Built-In

Call recording, call monitoring, and thorough call logs are common extras offered by virtual assistant phone answering services that offer insightful information and data for analysis and improvement.

How Can A Virtual Assistant Who Answers The Phone Assist You In Expanding Your Business?

A virtual assistant for answering the phone can help your company expand in a number of ways:

1. Increased customer satisfaction: Your consumers are more likely to be pleased with their encounters with your company when a virtual assistant offers courteous and effective customer support. This may result in customer loyalty, glowing recommendations, and repeat business.

2. Better time management: By delegating administrative work to a virtual assistant, you can devote more of your time and effort to strategic company endeavors, innovation, and other growth-promoting activities.

3. Scalability and adaptability: A virtual assistant phone answering service can readily adjust to suit an increase in call traffic and administrative requirements as your organization increases, assuring smooth operations as you expand.

4. Cost savings: Especially for small firms with limited resources, hiring a virtual assistant is frequently more affordable than hiring a full-time employee. As a result, you can commit resources to your company's other investment-required sectors.

What Should One Keep In Mind Before Using A Virtual Assistant Phone Answering Service?

Think about the following things before employing a virtual assistant phone answering service:

1. Determine your needs: To ascertain the degree of assistance you require from a virtual assistant, evaluate your call volume, administrative responsibilities, and particular requirements.

2. Professionalism and quality: Do your homework and study reviews to make sure the virtual assistant service you select maintains a high standard of professionalism and provides excellent service.

3. Customization options: Look for a solution that enables you to modify the duties and responsibilities of the virtual assistant to meet your company's needs.

4. Integration capabilities: To improve productivity and optimize workflows, see if the virtual assistant service interfaces with any other products or CRM software you use.

A Virtual Assistant Phone Answering Service Is Available Where?

You can employ a virtual assistant phone answering service from a number of reliable websites and businesses. Here are a few well-liked choices:

1. Upwork: Upwork is a freelance marketplace where you may locate virtual assistants who are skilled at taking calls. To make a wise hiring choice, look over their profiles, prior work, and evaluations.

2. TaskBullet: TaskBullet is a virtual assistant service that offers administrative assistance and phone answering. Depending on how many hours you require assistance, they offer different price plans.

3. Virtual Assistants: Many businesses focus on offering services for virtual assistants. To select the greatest fit for your business, do extensive research, read reviews, and compare price and offerings.

To make sure they match your unique demands and are consistent with your company's beliefs, don't forget to thoroughly vet and interview any prospective virtual assistant service providers.

Seven Advantages of A Virtual Answering Service

After learning more about virtual assistant phone answering services, let's focus on their main advantages:

1. Never Miss a Call: With a virtual phone answering service, every call is promptly returned, lowering the possibility of lost chances.

2. Be Available to Your consumers Around-the-Clock: With a virtual service, you can offer round-the-clock assistance and attend to your consumers' needs whenever they arise.

3. Professional, competent, and knowledgeable assistance: Virtual phone answering services offer highly skilled personnel who handle client enquiries with professionalism and experience.

4. Save cash: Compared to hiring full-time workers, using a virtual phone answering service allows you to deploy resources more effectively.

5. Strengthen Your Company's Reputation: A virtual service guarantees dependable, top-notch customer support, which improves your company's reputation and encourages trust.

6. Increase Productivity: By giving virtual assistants responsibility for phone answering, you and your team can concentrate on key company operations, increasing productivity.

7. Benefits that are Already Built In: Virtual phone answering services frequently include extra features like call recording and thorough call logs, which offer helpful information for business improvement.

Conclusion