Only a handful of businesses could not benefit from a telephone answering service if the truth is known. You need to answer if you can be contacted by phone. This might be something the small business owner handles. As they juggle various roles to keep things moving, or for a larger enterprise, directly employing a qualified receptionist is an option, albeit expensive. For example, if we look at a software development company, there are several ways a call-handling provider can help.
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Keeping the Team Connected
Both front and back-end developers need regular dialogue, and the message-taking service that most telephone answering service companies offer ensures everyone is on the same page. If the team runs a cloud-based calendar, a virtual receptionist could have access and keep things updated. Any important messages can instantly be relayed to other team members. With a choice of delivery platforms like SMS, email, or phone calls, your employees will always be fully updated.
General Enquiries
When you factor in the cost of directly employing someone to answer the phones, it becomes impractical, yet people do call. While many inquiries will come via the company website, many prefer the phone to inquire in a business environment. Some software companies are partnerships, and while they are always happy to answer the telephone, it isn’t always possible, and you might miss a critical call, which could come at any time.
While on the subject of call answering, there is an excellent online guide on answering the phone in a business environment with some useful tips.
Promoting Your Products
Every software developer would have programs and applications designed for business or private users. When people call to inquire about their products, the receptionist must know all the company’s products. The call-handling provider would have many qualified receptionists who would be fully briefed on the client’s business and are more than capable of giving out the right information to a caller.
Holding the Fort
Small businesses rely heavily on just a few key staff, and without a regular receptionist, incoming calls are handled by whoever is in the room. This system is somewhat chaotic, and while the company will manage to get by, you are not projecting the right image. For a start, you would have no idea how many unanswered calls there have been. While some people will make initial contact with an online form, the vast majority have questions and would rather speak to someone when enquiring.
A professional receptionist operating your telephone doesn’t cost a lot, and the many benefits make for an attractive proposition. The Internet provides the platform for total global connectivity and today’s call handling provider has all the answers at an affordable price.
