Unless you staff your business 24 hours each day and 7 days of the week, the odds are good that people call you all the time and you never even know about.
When asked, most people today admit that they’d rather text than talk on a phone. When they do choose to call, however, they want to reach a live person and usually choose not to leave a message. Unless you staff your business 24 hours each day and 7 days of the week, the odds are good that people call you all the time and you never even know about. While staffing 24/7 is likely not a viable answer, an after hours call service is, and it’s one that has a host of benefits.
You Won’t Miss New Customers
Studies have shown that as much as 70% of callers will hang up if they reach a voicemail rather than leave a message. If they’re calling because of an emergency situation, like a burst pipe or a fallen tree, they will move on to the next option until they find someone who answers the phone. Even if it isn’t an emergency, a new customer or client will often move on to another option, since they don’t have any established customer loyalty to make them wait for you to be open. An after hours call service can greet that new customer and assure them that they will hear from someone as soon as possible to address their problems or questions.
It Reinforces Existing Customer Relationships
While current customers probably know what your business hours are, that doesn’t mean that won’t have an emergency or need to call during off hours. A live person answering the phone gives a much better customer service experience than a voice-mailbox. While most existing customers probably won’t find a new business if they do get voicemail, knowing that a real person will answer when they call can make them feel better taken care of.
They Can Calm Your Customers
If your customers or clients who call after hours are likely to be stressed – if you handle matters pertaining to their family, health, home, money, or legal needs, for instance – an answering service can calm them down. An automated system will not be able to do that.
It’s More Than A Human Answering Machine
There are answering services available that offer fully trained reps to answer your calls. These reps will have all the skills and knowledge they need to handle basic client questions and even set up appointments.
The Costs Make Sense
While a call service will clearly cost more than an answering machine, the benefits really outweigh the costs. Additionally, most answering services are set up at a very reasonable rate, and some only charge you for the time their reps are actually on the phone with your clients. This makes the return on investment even greater, since you’re not paying for the service when you’re not actually using it, but you won’t miss a call if it does come in.
Contact TeleRep Today!
If you are ready to install a call center service for your business, TeleRep is here to help. If you still have more questions, our trained professionals are ready to answer them. We know how important customer feedback is to you and your business, so let them know that you care with an answering service. To learn how TeleRep can help you today, visit us online or give us a call at 1-800-638-2000. To keep up with our work and to see what we have been up to, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.