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There are six different answering services to choose from in 2022, and they each have one goal: To automate as much of your life as possible. While these companies are all working on similar goals, their methods vary by industry.
Small company answering services may save you time and money while providing excellent customer service. Depending on your demands, the ideal answering service may be a virtual receptionist or a real person attendant. Callers are greeted and routed to extensions in both versions. Human receptionists, on the other hand, are usually more costly than automated services. Dedicated answering services and voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) systems with virtual attendants are among the alternatives we choose to assist you to compare.
You may not think of a VoIP answering service while seeking an answering service, particularly because many of them don’t provide real human receptionists for your staff. Automated attendants, on the other hand, may pick up and accept all of your incoming calls at a fraction of the expense. As a result, we believe that in addition to standard answering services, our readers should consider them.
The following are the top six answering services for 2021:
- RingCentral is the best option for businesses looking for a basic or tiered auto-attendant rather than live services.
- Ruby; The Best Live Answering Services for Small Companies
- MapCommunications is ideal for businesses that want on-demand services and customized scripts.
- VoiceNation is a great option for companies searching for low-cost after-hours phone services.
- Connect with Abby is a great option for organizations that want a dedicated team of receptionists.
- Davinci is the best solution for teams looking for a mix of live and automated services.
How We Assessed Small Business Answering Services
Answering services are available as stand-alone services or as part of all-in-one business phone systems with answering capabilities. We looked at numerous plans to find common VoIP features as well as value-added packages since both kinds meet small company owners’ demands.
Even when contrasted to the advantages of employing a dedicated answering service, RingCentral’s score of 3.58 out of 5 makes it the overall, best answering service for small company owners. Its feature-rich plans, user-friendly apps, and tiered auto-attendant allow you to answer and route calls without the cost of a real receptionist. RingCentral is also a cost-effective alternative, with monthly rates beginning at $29.99 per user with an annual commitment.
15% of the Total Points
We looked at the costs of different answering service plans, as well as the availability of volume-based discounts, free packages, and yearly payment savings.
30% of the Total Points
We compared live and virtual receptionist alternatives, as well as basic features like hold music and call queuing. We also searched at plans that included scripts offered by the firm as well as custom script support.
30% of the Total Points
We evaluated the packages by looking at sophisticated call handling features such as call barge and call whisper. In addition, providers with dedicated live employees, multilingual live receptionists, call overflow, and outbound calling received bonus points.
25% of the Total Points
We used overall features and pricing value to determine our Expert Rating. While accessing ease of use, we also looked at plan and provider popularity.
When evaluating answering services, you may first consider services that allow you to essentially outsource your receptionists to a firm in return for a set fee. However, depending on your normal call volume, these services might be pricey. We’ve discovered that a low-cost VoIP system with automated attendant capabilities, as well as unlimited domestic calling, texting, and voicemail, is much more beneficial to many businesses. As a result, we recommend RingCentral as the best overall answering service.
RingCentral
Overall, the best answering service
PROS
- Plans that are affordable on a monthly or annual basis
- IVR (interactive voice response) system with many levels
- Video conferencing with encryption
CONS
- Setting up a phone tree might be difficult.
- For bigger organizations, per-user pricing may be too costly.
- Some of the distinctions between app and browser use might be perplexing.
Total Points
3.58 OUT OF 5
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Characteristics | 3.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Options | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Rating | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
RingCentral is a VoIP service providing a unified communications platform and a robust automated attendant. With RingCentral, you don’t need a live receptionist. Instead, a virtual attendant automatically answers all calls and routes them to the right department or employee. It offers an IVR (interactive voice response) system with many levels with up to 250 voice menus and submenus per account. Furthermore, you can connect calls to a dial-by-name directory, voicemail, or external phone numbers. Prices start at $19.99 per user, per month for up to 20 users with a yearly payment.
Pricing
- Essentials: $19.99 a month for up to 20 people, unlimited calling and texting in the United States and Canada, auto-attendant, call flip, presence, and call park.
- Standard: $24.99 per month per user for a multilayer auto-attendant, unlimited internet fax, call recording on-demand, intercom, and paging.
- Automatic call recording, call whisper, hot desking, real-time analytics, and call barge are all available for $34.99 per user, each month.
- Everything in Premium plus unlimited cloud storage, device status alerts, and device status report for $49.99 per user, each month.
Features
- Multilayer IVR: The multilevel IVR allows you to add a direct number (DID) for each menu on top of your company number, which is ideal for enterprises with several locations. The user-friendly graphical editor makes creating phone trees a breeze. In addition, you may personalize client experiences with bespoke phone prompts and inbound call routing options.
- RingCentral’s integrated Glip application allows users to have endless one-on-one or group meetings with up to 200 individuals. To share screens, record meetings, or set up team group conversations, you may join conferences using a browser or an app.
- Advanced call management: Screen, transfer, park, or forward calls by customizing your call management and user options online or in the app. Call flip, call log, and present data are also available.
Ruby
Small Businesses’ Best Live Answering Services
PROS
- With live chat and receptionist services, bundled plans let you save money.
- Your callers’ language choices are supported by bilingual agents.
- Personalized answers to commonly asked topics (FAQs)
CONS
- For small company owners, it is too expensive.
- There is an additional charge for custom hold music.
- For individuals who are new to virtual receptionist services, there may be a learning curve.
Total Points
3.56 OUT OF 5
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 2.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Characteristics | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Options | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Rating | 3.44 | OUT OF | 5 |
Ruby is a live virtual receptionist, business phone system, and live chat provider available 24/7/365. It can route and transfer calls, take messages, and schedule appointments using a Calendly integration. Ruby works with you to help you get the most out of your service by deciding how and when you want live support. Prices start at $319 per month for up to 100 receptionist minutes. With a no-questions-asked, 21-day money-back guarantee, there’s no obligation required to try the service.
Pricing
- $349 a month for up to 100 minutes with a receptionist.
- Up to 200 receptionist minutes for $629 every month
- For up to 350 receptionist minutes every month, you’ll pay $1,049 per month.
- Up to 500 receptionist minutes for $1,499 each month
Features
- Mobile app: Ruby puts flexibility in the palm of your hands. Use the Ruby app to update your status, and your live receptionist will adjust their approach as needed. From the app, you can also check messages from clients or receptionists, access call records, or request Ruby to make an outbound call on your behalf.
- Live virtual receptionist: Ruby is trained in empathetic listening and is 100% U.S.-based. The company offers English or Spanish agents, allows for custom greetings, and tightly integrates services, so callers never realize that the receptionist isn’t in the same office as you.
- Custom voicemail: Custom voicemail is included in all options. If you’re unavailable, you may have calls automatically diverted to voicemail, and you can listen to or read messages using the Ruby program.
MapCommunications
Best for On-demand Options & Custom Scripts
PROS
- No credit card is required for a 7-day free trial.
- Scripts with a lot of flexibility
- Integrations with calendars for arranging appointments
CONS
- It might take up to 24 hours for your account to be activated.
- There is no mobile application.
- There is no custom hold music.
Total Points
3.33 OUT OF 5
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 1.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Characteristics | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Options | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Rating | 3.13 | OUT OF | 5 |
MapCommunications provides 24/7/365 answering services for small businesses. Each plan comes with a nationwide toll-free number or local phone number. The U.S.-based bilingual team handles call overflow, qualifies leads, and manages emergencies. Since the service integrates with Google Calendar, Calendly, and Setmore, operators can quickly and accurately set up new appointments. The personalized solutions let you forward any number of personal or business lines to the Map service, and you can choose how you want to receive messages. Pricing starts at $39 per month plus $1.15 per minute, making it an affordable option for on-demand services.
Pricing
- Standard: $39 per month + $1.15 per minute extra
- $149 per month for up to 125 receptionist minutes, plus $1.09 per minute after that.
- Executive: $249 per month for up to 225 receptionist minutes, plus $1.07 per minute after that
Features
- Options for routing, forwarding, patching, and transferring calls: You may construct a customized plan to route, forward, patch, or transfer calls. Operators may give priority to particular sorts of callers and make warm and cold call transfers.
- Lead qualification: Develop standards that define a caller as a lead to save time qualifying leads. The operators will collect the information and send it on to your team as qualified leads.
- Custom scripting: MapCommunications is well-known for its custom scripting options. An account manager works with you to determine your needs and those of your callers. The company offers operators equipped to handle emergencies, technical troubleshooting, and payment processing.
VoiceNation
Best for After-hours Call Services
PROS
- No commitments and a 7-day free trial.
- Reporting and analytics that are robust
CONS
- As a consequence of several transcribing issues, caller names are misspelled.
- Separate fees apply to business phone services.
- Minutes that have not been utilized do not rollover.
Total Points 3.18 OUT OF 5
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 1.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Characteristics | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Options | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Rating | 3.44 | OUT OF | 5 |
VoiceNation is a flexible answering service that provides small company owners with a cost-effective option to manage after-hours emergencies and assure flawless order processing even when they’re not in the office. All monthly plans include unlimited users, custom scripting, and live support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pricing for up to 25 receptionist minutes begins at $69 per month, and you can monitor your minutes using the simple mobile app or web interface. VoiceNation provides a seven-day free trial and does not need a commitment.
Pricing
- Basic: 69 dollars per month for up to 25 minutes of receptionist service.
- For businesses, the cost is $99 per month for up to 50 minutes of receptionist service.
- $249 per month for up to 150 minutes of receptionist time
- Executive: $449 per month for up to 300 minutes as a receptionist
- Enterprise: $799 for up to 600 minutes per month
Features
- VoiceNation offers extensive call reports that make it simple to monitor and analyze call data. Call data is logged by live receptionists so you can see call patterns, kind, location, duration, and volume.
- To remain on top of calls, use the user-friendly smartphone app. Push notifications notify you of missed calls or texts without requiring you to pick up the phone. You may also prioritize your workday by sorting, tagging, exporting, and filtering calls. You may change your status in real-time with a single click, allowing agents to filter calls and accept messages.
- Order processing: VoiceNation is a great way to allow customers to make orders over the phone rather than on your website. To properly manage overflow and after-hours sales calls, live operators may either connect to your site or utilize an online sales order form.
AbbyConnect
Ideal for a Personal Receptionist Team
PROS
- No credit card is necessary for a 14-day free trial.
- Account receptionists that are dedicated to their jobs
- All calls will be transferred effectively.
CONS
- After the free trial, there is a $95 setup cost for new accounts.
- The average fee is quite expensive each minute.
- Extra charges apply for service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Total Points
3.18 OUT OF 5
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 1.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Characteristics | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Options | 2.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Rating | 2.81 | OUT OF | 5 |
Connect with Abby is an answering service that assigns a team of U.S.-based receptionists to your account. You can have unlimited users and choose a toll-free or local phone number. Standard services answer calls Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific Time and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time on weekends. However, you can request 24/7 services for an extra fee. Operators can schedule appointments using Microsoft Outlook and Google integrations, answer custom FAQs and make up to eight outbound calls per hour. Prices start at $279 per month for 100 minutes.
Pricing
- Plan A: $279 per month for up to 100 receptionist minutes, plus $2.79 for each additional minute.
- Plan B: $499 a month for up to 200 receptionist minutes, plus $2.49 for each additional minute.
- Plan C is $1,089 per month for up to 500 receptionist minutes and $2.18 each minute after that.
Features
- AbbyGO mobile app: Make and manage calls from anywhere with this user-friendly mobile app. You can view real-time messages from your receptionists, alter your availability status, monitor minute consumption, and send and receive text messages.
- Voicemail: You can set up a custom voicemail system with a general mailbox for your company or dedicated mailboxes for each employee. Connect with Abby also supports a phone tree set up for transferring voicemail calls.
- Dedicated receptionists: 99.9% of Connect with Abby receptionists work out of the Las Vegas, Nevada, office, and you get a team assigned to your account. If you use Connect with Abby for extended business hours, you get two teams, whereas 24/7 service comes with three groups.
Davinci
Best Combination of Live & Automated Services
PROS
- All plans include an auto-attendant.
- Apps for iOS and Android are available.
- For administrative work, you might hire a virtual assistant.
CONS
- A one-time setup cost of $95 is required.
- The service takes one to two business days to activate.
- Only premium plans provide bilingual services.
Total Points
3.18 OUT OF 5
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 0.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Characteristics | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Options | 2.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Rating | 3.44 | OUT OF | 5 |
Davinci is a live answering service that also provides virtual address services, meeting rooms, and virtual assistant services. All services include two toll-free or local phone lines, or you can use an existing business phone number to relay calls. The real receptionist accepts calls from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and beyond those hours, an automated attendant takes your calls. Davinci has normal and premium plans, but you’ll need the premium subscription for outgoing calls, appointment booking, and order processing. The cost of 50 live answer minutes starts at $99 per month.
Pricing
- Business 50: $99 a month includes up to 50 live answer minutes + $1.25 per additional minute, with most business calls lasting 80 to 100 seconds.
- Business 100: $239 per month for up to 100 live response minutes + $1.25 per minute for each additional minute
- Premium 50: $249 a month for up to 50 live answer minutes + $1.75 per additional minute, with business calls lasting 120 to 150 seconds on average.
- Premium 100: $319 per month includes up to 100 live answer minutes + $1.75 per minute above that.
Features
- Virtual receptionist system: All live receptionist options include an auto-attendant system. It has a single primary greeting and a voicemail box for the firm. Other VoIP services include enhanced call routing, audio conferencing, and online faxing, among others.
- Inbound and outbound calls are handled by Davinci receptionists. Lead generation, follow-up calls, surveys, and subscription renewals are all covered. Additionally, receptionists may arrange and confirm appointments using any web-based calendar.
- Voicemail management: With your customized voicemail system, you may personalize your hold music and transfer messages. It allows you to transmit voicemails to your email as digital files, which you can then forward or read with a single click. Optional voicemail-to-text is also available via Davinci.
Conclusion
Small company answering services may provide the personal touch that your consumers seek. You may also use it to provide additional help during busy seasons, for emergency response services, or to process orders over the phone after hours. Some companies give specialized teams, while others incorporate extra services like a virtual address or an administrative assistant.
RingCentral is the best answering solution for small companies. RingCentral offers the most economical option with a multilayer auto-attendant, enabling you to tailor call routing with up to 250 menus and submenus, despite the lack of human help.
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