Answering Service vs Call Service: Which is Right for You?
As a business owner, you understand the importance of providing excellent customer service. One way to achieve this is by ensuring that your customers can always reach your company when they need to. However, it’s not always feasible to have someone in-house available to answer every phone call. This is where call services and answering services come in. But which one is right for you? In this blog, we’ll compare answering services and call services to help you make an informed decision.
What is an Answering Service?
An answering service is a company that provides telephone answering services on behalf of your business. They typically offer a range of services, including taking messages, forwarding calls, and providing information about your products or services. They can also provide basic customer service, such as answering common questions.
Benefits of an Answering Service
- Cost-effective: An answering service is usually cheaper than hiring a full-time receptionist.
- Professional image: An answering service can provide a professional image for your business, which can help to build trust with your customers.
- 24/7 availability: An answering service can answer calls 24/7, ensuring that your customers can always reach your business.
- Increased productivity: An answering service can free up your staff to focus on other tasks, which can increase productivity.
What is a Call Service?
A call service, also known as a call center, is a company that specializes in handling high volumes of phone calls. They can provide a range of services, including answering customer inquiries, taking orders, and providing technical support. Call services can also provide outbound calls, such as telemarketing and customer follow-ups.
Benefits of a Call Service
- Scalability: A call service can handle a large volume of calls, which makes it ideal for businesses that receive a high volume of calls.
- Expertise: Call services typically have highly trained staff who can handle complex inquiries and provide technical support.
- Cost-effective: A call service can be more cost-effective than hiring a team of full-time staff to handle calls.
- Multilingual support: Call services can provide support in multiple languages, which can be beneficial for businesses with an international customer base.
How to Decide if an Answering Service or Call Service is Right for You
Now that we’ve looked at the benefits of an answering service and a call service, let’s compare the two to help you decide which one is right for your business.
- If you’re a small business that receives a low volume of calls, an answering service may be the best option for you. It can provide cost-effective support for your business while still maintaining a professional image. An answering service is also ideal if you need someone to take messages, forward calls, or provide basic customer service.
- If you’re a larger business that receives a high volume of calls, a call service may be a better option for you. A call service can handle a high volume of calls, which can free up your staff to focus on other tasks. It can also provide technical support and handle complex inquiries, which can be beneficial for businesses that offer technical products or services. A call service can also provide multilingual support, which can be helpful for businesses with an international customer base.
In conclusion, both answering services and call services have their benefits, and the right choice depends on your business’s needs. If you’re not sure which one to choose, consider the volume of calls you receive, the complexity of inquiries you receive, and the level of customer service you want to provide. Remember that both options can provide cost-effective support for your business while maintaining a professional image.
The Cost of Hiring an Answering Service vs a Call Service
When deciding between an answering service and a call service, the cost is an important factor to consider. Let’s take a closer look at the cost of hiring an answering service vs. a call service.
Cost of Hiring an Answering Service
The cost of hiring an answering service can vary depending on the provider and the services you need. Many answering services charge a monthly fee, which typically ranges from $50 to $200 a month. Some services also charge a per-minute fee, which can range from $0.50 to $1.50 per minute.
The cost of an answering service also depends on the level of service you require. For example, if you only need someone to take messages and forward calls, the cost will be lower than if you require a higher level of customer service, such as providing product information or processing orders. Overall, hiring an answering service can be a cost-effective solution for small businesses that receive a low volume of calls.
Cost of Hiring a Call Service
The cost of hiring a call service is typically higher than hiring an answering service. Call services are charged based on the number of agents required, the volume of calls received, and the level of service required.
Some call services charge a per-hour rate, which can range from $20 to $50 per hour. Others charge a per-call rate, which can range from $2 to $5 a call. The cost of a call service can also increase if you require additional services, such as technical support or outbound telemarketing.
Despite the higher cost, hiring a call service can be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time staff to handle calls, particularly for businesses that receive a high volume of calls.
Additional Factors to Consider
When deciding between an answering service and a call service, it’s important to consider the cost in relation to your business’s needs. If you only receive a low volume of calls, an answering service may be the more cost-effective option. However, if you receive a high volume of calls or require additional services, such as technical support or outbound telemarketing, a call service may be a better option, despite the higher cost.
Level of Service
It’s also important to consider the level of service you require. If you require a higher level of customer service, such as providing product information or processing orders, the cost of an answering service may be higher than you initially expect. Similarly, if you require technical support or multilingual support, the cost of a call service may be higher than the basic per-hour or per-call rate.
In conclusion, the cost of hiring an answering service vs. a call service depends on several factors, including the level of service required, the volume of calls received, and the additional services needed. While an answering service may be a more cost-effective option for small businesses that receive a low volume of calls, a call service may be a better option for businesses that require additional services or receive a high volume of calls. It’s important to carefully consider your business’s needs and budget when deciding between the two options.