So you've been thinking about hiring an answering service... but how do you know which to choose? You know you can get the basic coverage from most companies, but you want the best. To find the service that is best for you, you want a company that can customize a plan unique to your needs. Here are five important things you should consider.

1.  What type of customer service does your industry require?

We live in the age of golden customer service. People expect to speak to a live person, which can be challenging to provide at all times. Industries such as healthcare, legal, towing, HVAC, funeral, property management, real estate, plumbing, and emergency dispatch all require 24 hour customer service to thrive and excel above the competition. If your business is in an industry that requires 24/7 phone coverage to provide customer service, respond to emergencies, and catch potential sales before your competitors, an answering service will be a huge help.

One of our favorite mottos at Alphapage is, "opportunity knocked - did you answer the door?" Every call that goes unanswered can be a potential lost sale. For example, if the heat in Jimmy's office isn't working, he likely won't wait to receive a call back - more likely is that he will hire the company that responds to him the quickest. In any industry where emergency services are the norm, an answering service is essential to earning more business. If you are looking to ramp up your customer service and stay ahead of the competition, an answering service may be what you need to get the competitive edge. Remember, missed calls often equal missed opportunities. Stay ahead of the game.

2. What services are you looking for?

Are you hoping to have your phones answered and the messages relayed to you in a timely manner? Or are you looking for something more advanced? The technology that accompanies call centers has grown tremendously and the possibilities are virtually limitless. For example, Alphapage offers many web-based enhancements such as online order fulfillment with secure credit card transactions, appointment scheduling, employee check-in/verification services, and much more. If there is something specific you are looking for in a service, never hesitate to ask if it exists - there is a good chance that someone is already using it for their business!

3. Are you trying to grow your business? Need to cut costs?

An answering service can improve your professional image, branding, and overall customer service. In general, customers don't like being sent to an automated voicemail box. They want to know that someone is paying attention and providing the assistance they are looking for. A live voice gives customers the confidence that they are being taken care of, and they are more likely to refer you to their friends and family. Additionally, an answering service can save you money. Hiring a full-time receptionist means you are paying salary, benefits, vacations, sick time, and more for another employee. An answering service can cost 1/10 the price of an in-house receptionist. And all of your calls are guaranteed to be answered in a timely, professional manner.

4. When do you need your phones answered - 24/7, afterhours, seasonally?

Are you away from your office for most of the day? Or maybe you are busy in meetings and simply can't get to the phone? There are a multitude of things that come up in any given day that require our attention. Many times, it is simply not feasible to get everything done without a little assistance. An answering service can alleviate the pressure of answering your phone, giving you have more time to focus on the other areas of your business that need your attention.

Do you need help scaling customer support to accommodate seasonal fluctuations? For many landscaping, HVAC, glass repair, and other contractor services, each season brings different demands. If your business is quiet in the spring, yet the phone rings off the hook all summer, maybe consider using a service just during your busy seasons.

Perhaps you don’t necessarily need your phones covered 24/7. But what about after hours? Weekends? Holidays? Vacations? An answering service is a great thing to have in your back pocket when you want to whip out some phone coverage. You can rest easy knowing that your customers are taken care of any time of day or night.

5. References

Any answering service provider should be able to provide you with references in your industry. Never hesitate to call a few of their customers when deciding which service is right for you. Sometimes, the most helpful people in the decision making process are those who understand your industry best and have first-hand answering service experience. References are a great resource when choosing your answering service.

Looking to increase the efficiency of your business? Need your calls answered any hour of the day? Whatever you are looking for, we have the solution! Give us a call today to discover the multitude of services we can provide to you!