In-Person or Outsourced Receptionist Services?
Receptionists are professional multi-taskers who do it all, from answering phone calls and keeping things organized to scheduling appointments and being your company’s first contact point—but is an in-person receptionist the best choice, or should you go virtual?
Important Considerations
Trying to make the decision about whether or not to outsource your receptionist requires several important considerations.
Cost
If you have one or more existing in-person receptionists at your place of business, you should already know how much they’re costing you. Remember, in addition to their wages, you’ll want to factor in other items that add to your cost, such as:
- Benefits
- Vacation time
- Sick days
Now, compare this to the cost of outsourced virtual receptionists, and you will likely find that they’ll cost you far less than an in-person receptionist does.
Training
You may have recently hired a new receptionist or might be sending your seasoned receptionist for training to upgrade their existing skills.
Training can bring your business infinite value, but it doesn’t come without cost; someone has to take your receptionist’s place while they’re away. If you’re footing the bill for travel and accommodations as well, you’re making a significant investment.
Training may also need to extend past once per year if there’s a lot to learn or if retraining is necessary.
Other Considerations
Cost and training are two major points that business owners must take into consideration. However, another is far less predictable: life. Family emergencies, appointments, and other obligations happen to us all. When your receptionist experiences them, this directly affects your company.
Even if it’s only for a short while, unless a replacement is hired, your receptionist’s absence means you’re not able to provide the level of service your customers have come to expect when they contact your company.
The Benefits of Outsourced Receptionist Services
It’s cost-effective. The incredible affordability of outsourced reception services is a major advantage. When you outsource, you pay only for the service itself. There are no additional costs such as salary, vacation time, or sick days because all of these are covered by the company providing virtual answering services.
Training is provided. The answering service company also provides live agent training, so this is another cost you can eliminate.
Instant access. Virtual receptionist services are ready to provide your company with everything you need, and they are ready to receive and handle customer calls right away.
Seamless integration and expansion. If you’re combining virtual reception with existing employees, you can enjoy seamless integration. Are you expanding your company or in the middle of a busy season? Outsourcing offers instant expansion with no delays.
Someone is always available. You never have to worry about availability with live receptionists, because someone is available around the clock to provide customer service. This is especially useful for plumbers, electricians, and medical professionals, who often have to work beyond regular business hours.
You only pay for the service. With live receptionist services, there are no additional or even hidden costs. Just pay for the service, and receive the service. It’s that simple!
Established Industry-Leading Live Reception
Since 1985, AnswerMTI has been providing business owners with instant access to professional, 24-hour live agent services.
All of our receptionists are U.S.-based, highly skilled professionals who process your customer calls, and:
- Schedule appointments
- Take messages
- Organize callbacks according to urgency
- Answer questions
- Transfer calls
- Offer service to your Spanish-speaking customers
With AnswerMTI, you can choose the level of service you need, exactly when you need it. When you’re busy, scale up to the next level. When things slow down, all you have to do is select the level that works best for you.
Are you a new business owner? Virtual receptionist services from AnswerMTI can be a great way to make that all-important first impression! Just sign up, and you can start taking customer calls right away with a corporation-level call center and professional agents.
Our phone answering services are effective for any company. Business owners in the following industries and more choose AnswerMTI when they want top-quality live receptionist service:
- Legal
- Real Estate
- Construction
- Contracting
- Medical
- HVAC
Also, you can keep your existing phone number!
In-person receptionists can cost your business money and time, but live agents from AnswerMTI offer convenience, cost-savings, and instant benefits to your business, without any of the risks. Start your free trial now!
