Every Business Needs An Answering Service Provider... Yours Included

Pop quiz, your small business is beginning to pick up but you still can't afford to hire any extra hand much less a secretary who could pick up the phone and entertain customer inquiries. Getting swamped with calls for job orders, shipment, deliveries, appointments and what-not has never been an issue – until now. Customers both existing and potential are getting annoyed at the seemingly nonchalant treatment of their concerns and are threatening to no longer patronize you. What do you do?

(Theme from Jeopardy plays in the background)
The answer is surprisingly simple. Get an answering service provider. Contrary to popular belief, it is not that expensive. Of course, good service is hard to come by nowadays and it's perfectly understandable that if you do come across one, it will force you to dig a little deeper into the company funds. The result will be very much worth the extra cost.

Having this service guarantees a professional standing with customers as well as your peers. Having your own toll-free number is something that not easily over-looked, is basically cheaper compared to having your own answering service done in-house, and gives the illusion of size for your company (it really makes your company look big and fancy). An answering service ensures that all your calls are answered immediately, messages taken down accurately and customers are treated courteously. Hiring a professional answering service business assures that you can take messages, deliver specific messages to callers, provide basic information, clarify the intent of calls and even arrange meetings with customers. It gives the customers assurance that even if your business is closed for the day, there is someone who will still take their calls and handle their concerns. Customer service is on top of an answering service providers list.

You might be tempted to look into the possibility of having an answering machine – don't. Do this and the number of your customers is sure to drop like flies. Normally, nobody wants to talk to machines. It's quite hard to make a point when talking to one. In other words, answering machines and IVR's or whatever you call it equates to lost business opportunities.

Nothing beats a personal touch or a personal approach to running your business and it can mean the difference in obtaining or keeping a client.