7 benefits of using a Telephone Answering Service
A telephone answering service can significantly boost your company’s image, reputation, and customer satisfaction. Busy phone lines, unanswered calls, and restricted opening times are some of the biggest factors that could turn your customers away.
If your business is struggling to accommodate the demand for incoming calls, you can turn that around by using a telephone answering service. Or if you’re expanding and are about to open your phone lines for the first time, a virtual PA can ensure that you deliver immaculate customer support instantly.
In this article, we’ll highlight 7 key benefits of using a telephone answering service for small and growing businesses.
1. Customers can reach you around the clock
Many customers now expect 24/7 service. These high standards have been set for businesses by large corporations whose lines are open day and night.
Of course, this is unattainable for small businesses with limited resources. Even if you have an in-house team, they can’t work 24/7. So, opting for a telephone answering service means you can compete with these expectations and demands, and make your business accessible at all times.
2. Stand out from the crowd
Growing businesses generally don’t have the resources to host an in-house 24/7 customer service team.
However, with a telephone answering service, micro-businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can stand out from the crowd by offering expert support all day, every day.
What’s more, you can set your company apart by delivering human interaction as opposed to automated call-answering services. A PwC study found that nearly 80% of UK customers want to speak to a real person when they contact a business. Worldwide, 75% of people agreed.
You can use telephone answering services to provide your customers with the high-quality customer care they expect. This will allow you to leave a positive first impression on your clients, build a professional business image, and set your company apart from its competitors.
3. Improved customer retention rate
Using a telephone answering service means you can deliver excellent customer support – a powerful tool that can increase your retention rate. When new customers experience a positive, memorable brand experience, they’re more likely to become repeat buyers.
- See more: What is a virtual call centre?
According to the reward and loyalty platform, Smile, there’s a 27% chance that a first-time buyer will return for a second purchase. There is then a 49% chance that they’ll return for a third and a 62% chance that they’ll return after that.
In light of this, a telephone answering service can help you provide top-quality customer care, and encourage repeat business.
4. Save money
For growing businesses, every penny matters. So, rather than hiring an internal personal assistant and paying them a salary, you can save money (as well as employee benefits and any other expenses your company incurs when taking on staff) by using a telephone answering service instead.
As well as saving money, you’ll get exceptional value. Your dedicated virtual PA will not only answer your incoming calls, they’ll also provide product information, place orders, take and forward messages, transfer calls, take after-hours voicemails, and manage your diary.
By using a telephone answering service rather than taking on a permanent PA, there’s no compromise on quality, and you can use the saved capital to grow other areas of your business.
5. Use your time efficiently
Hiring, onboarding and training a new employee is a major time commitment, with no guarantee of the result. Using a telephone answering service means that you can spend that time more efficiently.
A virtual PA will also optimise your diary. They’ll handle appointment queries, manage your calendar, and schedule meetings, allowing you as a business owner to use your valuable time focusing on your commercial priorities, and deliver excellent service without any delays or obstacles.
6. Never miss a message
Using a telephone answering service means that you’ll never miss an important message. Whether it’s outside your operating hours, or you’re busy with a client meeting, a dedicated PA will answer all your incoming notifications and forward them via your preferred channel.
By ensuring that every message is acknowledged and answered, you can keep customers happy, create strong relationships, and maintain a professional brand image.
7. Boost your business profile
Finally, if you’re looking for ways to boost your business profile, a telephone answering service can help. This is particularly useful if you’re running your business on your own, or with only one or two other people.
A virtual PA will make your organisation appear larger, more professional, and more dynamic. It can also improve your trustworthiness with new customers.
Final thoughts
There are a multitude of benefits of using a telephone answering service for your business. You can significantly reduce your expenses, operate more efficiently, and provide excellent customer care, no matter how small your organisation is.
If you’d like to book a telephone answering service for your company, simply contact the Bizik sales team and they’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible to discuss your needs and objectives.
Claudia Socratous is the Director of Sales at Bizik, where she leverages her expertise to help businesses scale and thrive. She holds a degree in Accountancy and Finance from the University of Birmingham and brings over four years of experience in the company formation sector. Claudia has a deep understanding of the needs of growing businesses and takes pride in supporting their development and success.
