Article By: April Dodson
Contributing Writer

In today’s fast-paced business world, where competition is fierce and customer expectations are high, answering your company phone is not just a routine task – it’s a critical aspect of success. Surprisingly, many small businesses miss a significant percentage of incoming calls, resulting in missed opportunities and, ultimately, a loss of potential business. In this article, we will explore the importance of answering your company phone, highlight the alarming statistics of missed calls, and discuss how hiring an answering service can be an easy and cost-effective solution.

The Cost of Missed Calls

It’s a fact that many small businesses miss a substantial percentage of incoming calls. Whether it’s due to being understaffed, employees being too busy with other tasks, or operating during non-standard business hours, unanswered calls can be detrimental to your business. Consider these startling statistics:

1. **Lost Revenue**: Studies show that around 80% of callers who reach voicemail or encounter an unanswered phone will not leave a message. Instead, they move on to the next competitor in search of immediate assistance. This results in a direct loss of revenue.

2. **Negative Customer Perception**: Unanswered calls can create a negative impression of your business. Customers may assume you are too busy to attend to their needs or that you lack professionalism.

3. **Reduced Customer Loyalty**: When customers repeatedly experience unanswered calls, they may become frustrated and take their business elsewhere. This impacts not only your current revenue but also long-term customer loyalty.

The Solution: Hiring an Answering Service

Now that we understand the importance of answering your company phone, let’s discuss a practical solution – hiring an answering service. Contrary to common misconceptions, this isn’t a complex or expensive process; in fact, it can save you money in the long run. Here’s how:

1. **Cost-Efficiency**: Employing a full-time receptionist can be costly, especially for small businesses. Answering services offer cost-effective alternatives. You only pay for the services you need, such as call handling during specific hours or overflow support during busy periods.

2. **Enhanced Availability**: Answering services can provide 24/7 coverage, ensuring that you never miss a call, regardless of when it comes in. This level of availability can greatly enhance customer satisfaction and retention.

3. **Professionalism**: Answering services offer trained professionals who answer calls promptly and courteously. This professionalism can leave a positive impression on callers and reinforce your company’s image.

4. **Time Savings**: By outsourcing call handling, you free up your staff to focus on core business tasks. This increased productivity can lead to business growth and increased profitability.

5. **Scalability**: As your business grows, so can the services provided by an answering service. You can easily adjust the level of support you receive to match your evolving needs.

Making the Transition

Transitioning to an answering service is easier than you might think. Here are some steps to get started:

1. **Assess Your Needs**: Determine when and how often you need call answering services. Consider whether you require 24/7 coverage or just assistance during peak hours.

2. **Choose the Right Service**: Research and select an answering service that aligns with your business requirements. Look for providers with a good track record and positive client reviews.

3. **Onboarding**: Work closely with the chosen service to set up call scripts, protocols, and any specific requirements unique to your business.

4. **Monitoring and Feedback**: Regularly monitor the service’s performance and provide feedback to ensure your expectations are met.

In conclusion, answering your company phone is a critical aspect of customer service and business success. Missing calls can result in lost revenue, damage your reputation, and reduce customer loyalty. However, hiring an answering service offers a cost-effective solution that can save you money, enhance your professionalism, and improve customer satisfaction. Don’t miss out on potential business – make the transition to an answering service and ensure you never miss an important call again.