The Benefits of Using an Answering Service
An answering service doesn't just operate during business hours. Rather, answering services are 24/7 solutions that can answer your phone at any time of day. These answering services are able to forward calls that your business needs to take while taking down messages for calls that aren't necessary to ensure that your business never misses a beat.
Answering services are particularly useful for doctors and other professionals who may experience emergency calls.
Answering services are also substantially less costly than hiring an on-site receptionist. An on-site receptionist usually makes around $1,400 a month if they're only making minimum wage — an answering service is far more affordable. A receptionist who fulfills more than just phone duties may be more valuable, but they also generally get paid more.
Additionally, receptionists will require training, which can take time from the business, and will need benefits such as insurance and vacations.
Finally, answering services are comprised of trained professionals who are using the best technology to complete calls and take messages. These employees are going to be competent and efficient, thereby making it easier for your organization to communicate with its customers and vendors.
The Drawbacks of Using an Answering Service
Using an answering service does have a drawback: a receptionist isn't available to take care of in-office guests. Still, with the amount of money that can be saved by using an answering service, it could be well worth it to delegate this duty to an office manager instead.
Freeing up your staff members from having to constantly juggle calls will give them more time to perform administrative duties; in cases like these, the lack of a receptionist may never be felt at all.
An answering service may not have personal knowledge of your business or its employees. This is where it becomes important to get the right answering service. The wrong answering service may have random people taking calls each time, unfamiliar with the inner workings of your business. The right answering service will give you a continuity of care.
A Third Option: Using Both Services
Answering services and on-site receptionists aren't mutually exclusive. Since they have different benefits and strengths, some companies actually use both services. A receptionist can be used to field calls during business hours, while an answering service can be used to field calls after business hours. Answering services can also be programmed to take overflow calls, so no call ever goes unanswered.
In this way, an answering service is used so that you don’t have to hire a secondary receptionist. If you find that your receptionist is no longer able to answer and deal with all of your calls, then an answering service could be a solution.
If you find that your receptionist is already valuable for other reasons (such as administrative tasks), then an answering service can be used to augment her existing abilities. This still saves you money compared to hiring an additional receptionist.
There are many advantages to using an answering service rather than an on-site receptionist, or to using them both at the same time. To find out more about the exciting new technologies behind answering services and if an answering system is right for your business, contact Kim's Answering Service today.
