10 Best Answering Service for Small Business (2024)

Answering services provide agents specialized in sales to answer phone calls for your businesses. They can respond to calls at high volume times when your team needs help handling overflow. They can also act as a contact center, eliminating the need for full-time employees. Their services are available in multiple languages both during and after business hours. Answering services also offer live receptionists.

We analyzed 20+ tools to find the top small business answering service. The research took an extended period of 20 hours to ensure we recommended the right tools. Our service selection is based on client satisfaction rates, scalability, features, and value for money. Read more…

Why Trust Our Answering Service for Small Business Reviews?

Guru99 was started in 2008 by a tech enthusiast and expert, Krishna Rungta, who knows the ins and outs of software and its functionalities. He has created a team of experts who are well-versed in all kinds of tools which include answering services for small businesses. Hence, our team has been reviewing tools for over a decade.

It takes us countless hours and several days to dive headfirst into using these tools ourselves for the scoop you can trust. Our team of experts has tested over a thousand tools, so we can assure you that each one goes through a rigorous research process to make it to our list. Let’s take a clear-eyed look at answering services for small businesses, ensuring you can pick the right one with confidence. Read more…

Best Call Answering Services for Small Business

1) Go Answer

Best Affordable SMB’s Choice

Go Answer streamlines the day-to-day operations and ensures business continuity after hours when your team is out of the office. Through my review, I discovered that personalized service for each caller is key to this call center success.

Moreover, the service plans are customizable to fit the business needs. They include month-to-month services with no underlying binding contract. Go Answer supports property management, medical, contractors, attorneys, emergency restoration, hospitality, and financial services.

Features:

• Alert System: Businesses receive real-time email alerts and text notifications on account updates, ensuring they are always informed.
• Appointment Scheduling: The answering service can book appointments directly according to your calendar availability, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
• Sales Support: Includes roles like upselling, cross-selling, and order taking to maximize every customer interaction.
• Instant Customer Interaction: Your gateway to immediate assistance and heightened satisfaction through real-time interaction with our support team.
• Detailed Call Handling: Go Answer agents are equipped to take messages, capture the reason for the call, and collect basic caller information, providing thorough service.
• Professional Greetings: Offers custom, friendly, and professional greetings to address clients, particularly effective after hours.
• Custom Script Development: Allows you to develop a script through the client portal that agents will follow when answering calls, ensuring consistency in communication.
• Direct Call Patching: The service can patch calls directly to the business’s relevant contact points at no extra charge, improving response times and customer service.
• Platform Compatibility: Supports SaaS, Android, and iOS platforms, allowing seamless operation across various devices.
• Multilingual Support: Provides bilingual services in English and Spanish to cater to a diverse customer base.
• Comprehensive Service Support: Includes answering service, call center services, legal intake services, and virtual receptionist capabilities, offering a broad range of communication solutions.

Pricing:

• Billing increment: One-second increments
• Pricing: Plans start at $50 a month.
• Free Trial: Yes – 30 Days

Visit Go Answer >>

30 Days Free Trial

---

2) VoiceNation

Best Smart virtual PBX solution.

In my review process, I discovered that VoiceNation is the best phone answering service for small businesses with USA-based agents. Their agents can begin managing your calls as soon as the sign-up process is concluded.

VoiceNation plans include short message service, email, and message delivery by voicemail. The platform offers custom call scripting and a dedicated account manager. Moreover, it has live chat and answering services 24/7/365 for low pricing with no contracts or setup fees.

Features:

• Advanced Call Handling: Offers call blocking, on-call scheduling, and custom on-hold music to enhance the caller experience and operational efficiency.
• Comprehensive Reporting: Provides online reports that monitor call duration, volume, and location, enabling better management and oversight.
• Efficient Call Management: Features capabilities like call screening, order processing, and appointment setting to streamline communications.
• Lead Management: Employs mobile lead collection to gather caller information and prioritize callbacks, enhancing response efficiency.
• Customizable Interface: Allows users to use the dashboard to customize the call script for their operators, tailoring communications to specific needs.
• Flexible Number Options: Enables businesses to keep their existing phone numbers through porting or to choose new local or toll-free numbers for a broader reach.
• Client Portal Access: Stay informed and in control of your communications through VoiceNation’s client portal, which offers minute tracking and call log access.
• Insightful Analytics: Experience communication clarity with VoiceNation’s portal, empowering you to track minutes, review logs, and maintain complete control.
• Platform Compatibility: Supports Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, ensuring seamless integration with existing business systems.
• Multilingual Support: Provides service in both English and Spanish to accommodate a diverse clientele.
• Service Support: Includes answering service and virtual receptionist capabilities, offering comprehensive communication solutions.

Pricing:

• Billing increment: 30 second increments
• Pricing: Plans start at $70 a month.
• Free Trial: Yes – 7 Days

Visit VoiceNation >>

7 Days Free Trial

---

3) Ruby Receptionists

Best Overall live answering solution.

Ruby is a small business answering service I analyzed that significantly supports the growth process. Operating out of Oregon, they team up with small businesses in education, finance, realtors, healthcare, and law.

With its advanced mobile app, you can take messages in the form of voicemails and forward calls to virtual representatives. The app can also access messages from the in-house receptionist and get all call records. Moreover, you can receive texts and make calls from the business line while keeping the number secure and private.

The Ruby platform has an auto-attendant with a barge and calls whisper features to ensure caller satisfaction. Furthermore, it offers chat services that can bundle chat and set the business status.

Features:

• Efficient Scheduling: Schedule appointments according to your calendar availability to ensure efficient time management and prevent double-booking.
• Smart Connectivity: Offers chat call connections and call routing features to help connect your team with the most receptive prospects efficiently.
• Custom Greetings: Allows businesses to personalize greetings so that Ruby receptionists can represent your business values effectively and warmly.
• Engaging Call Holding: Offers seven on-hold music choices to entertain and engage callers during wait times, improving the overall calling experience.
• Advanced Call Screening: Ruby screens out solicitors and captures new customers by utilizing the lead information collected, optimizing client interactions.
• Accessible Communications: Enables you to receive messages and call notifications on any device via email, text, or the Ruby app, ensuring you never miss important communications.
• Client Connection Tools: Remain connected to clients with real-time usage alerts and voicemail transcriptions, providing ongoing and instant updates.
• Seamless Integrations: integrates with third-party platforms such as Clio, Grasshopper, Nextiva, Rocket Matter, and Mycase, enhancing functionality and accessibility.
• Platform Support: Supports SaaS platforms as well as Android and iOS devices, ensuring compatibility across a broad range of technologies.
• Multilingual Support: Offers services in both English and Spanish to cater to a diverse client base.
• Comprehensive Service Offerings: This includes answering service, live web chat, and virtual receptionist capabilities, covering a wide array of communication needs.

Pricing:

• Billing increment: 30-second increments
• Pricing: Plans start at $235 a month.
• Free Trial: 21 Days Money Back Guarantee

Visit Ruby >>

21 Days Money Back Guarantee

---

4) Davinci Virtual

Best Administrative task assistance

I particularly appreciate Davinci Virtual for its automated answering service designed to streamline administrative tasks. It also offers toll-free 888, 855, 866, and 877 numbers or local numbers with your area codes, which can be integrated with existing phone or fax lines for unlimited long-distance calling.

With Davinci Virtual, callers can reach you anywhere using the virtual phone locating service known as the Find Me Follow Me feature. It also offers solutions like meeting spaces, catering services, and virtual business addresses. Davinci offers customizable Business and Premium packages for businesses.

Features:

• Call Screening Efficiency: Virtual assistants screen callers before they connect with your business, ensuring that only relevant calls are answered.
• Smart Call Forwarding: Screens calls and forwards them directly to the company’s business phone number, streamlining communication flow.
• After-Hours Support: Uses an auto-receptionist with professionally recorded messages to answer calls after business hours, maintaining continuous customer service.
• Real-Time Scheduling: Equips with an online calendar to manage appointments in real-time, thereby increasing the accuracy of booking schedules.
• Order Processing: Enables taking and processing orders through a web-based commerce solution, facilitating efficient transaction handling.
• Conference Calling: Offers the capability to hold audio conference calls with up to 99 participants via the online portal, supporting large-scale communications.
• Advanced Call Routing: Features advanced call routing to direct calls to different virtual office phone numbers, optimizing call distribution.
• Platform Compatibility: Supports SaaS, Android, and iOS platforms, ensuring seamless operation across a wide range of devices.
• Multilingual Communication: Provides service in both English and Spanish, accommodating a diverse client base.
• Extensive Service Support: Incorporates an answering service, live web chat, virtual receptionist, and virtual office space to provide a holistic suite of virtual communication services.

Pricing:

• Billing increment: one-second increments
• Pricing: Plans start at $50 a month.
• Free Trial: No

Link: https://www.davincivirtual.com/live-receptionists/

---

5) PatLive

Best Live answering service.

PatLive, which I reviewed, is one of the best answering service companies offering professional virtual receptionist services. The remote team is US-based and provides flexible month-to-month plans with no contract. PatLive delivers 24/7 customer services from Monday to Friday during standard working hours to increase customer satisfaction.

Every PatLive plan comes with a dedicated phone number and helps customers with frequently asked questions. It offers additional services like customized call scripts, patching, and a history of every call. PATLive allows business status updates on the online website or mobile apps to change how receptionists handle calls.

Features:

• Professional Receptionist Services: Offers live receptionists who record contact information, including the caller’s location, ensuring accurate data capture.
• E-commerce Integration: Uses order processing capabilities to place direct orders from your e-commerce storefront, streamlining online sales.
• Call Screening: Allows users to screen calls and identify callers before answering, enhancing privacy and efficiency.
• Appointment Management: Capable of rescheduling appointments, booking new ones, processing cancellations, and optimizing calendar management.
• Call Transfer: PatLive provides a phone answering service that transfers calls to business representatives when you are available, ensuring a smooth communication flow.
• Message Management: Agents take messages when you are away and inform customers of your availability, maintaining client engagement.
• Lead Collection: Streamline lead capture with adaptable forms, collect vital caller details, and bolster lead management strategies.
• Comprehensive Integrations: Integrates with third-party applications such as Insightly, Zoho CRM, Salesforce, Google Calendar, Shopify, and more, enriching functionality.
• Platform Support: Supports SaaS platforms, Android, and iOS devices, ensuring accessibility across different technological environments.
• Multilingual Services: Provides bilingual services in English and Spanish to cater to a diverse customer base.
• Extensive Service Offerings: This includes live call answering service and virtual receptionist capabilities, covering a broad spectrum of communication needs.

Pricing:

• Billing increment: 6-second increments
• Pricing: Plans start at $205 a month.
• Free Trial: Yes – 14 Days

Link: https://www.patlive.com/

---

6) AnswerFirst

Best Pay-as-you-go services

I recommend AnswerFirst for any small business owner looking for exceptional 24/7 call answering service solutions. Boost productivity across industries (IT, manufacturing, legal, healthcare) with online orders, automated emails and business management.

Moreover, AnswerFirst offers a free Client Web Access (CWA) for every Live Operator account. This account allows businesses to access their information in real-time by securely logging in to the web server. The web interface offers account screen reviews, voice log access, live status updates, and form review.

Features:

• Virtual Receptionist Services: Features virtual receptionists who take messages and transfer calls to your cell phone or office extensions, ensuring efficient call management.
• Direct Call Transfer: Facilitates live call transfer and patching, connecting the caller directly to the appropriate extension, person, or department.
• Message Handling: Virtual assistant staff are equipped to take and deliver customer messages promptly, maintaining effective communication.
• System Monitoring: Maintain peak operational efficiency with our system monitoring services, keeping you informed through phone and email notifications.
• Order Placement: Receptionists skilled in call-answering services for small businesses can place orders directly on your e-commerce platform, streamlining sales processes.
• On-Call Scheduling: Utilizes an on-call schedules feature that books appointments according to your calendar availability, optimizing time management.
• Robust Integrations: Integrates with third-party platforms such as Freshdesk, Zoho CRM, Salesforce, ServiceNow, TimeTap, and Zendesk, expanding functionality and connectivity.
• Comprehensive Platform Support: Supports SaaS, Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS platforms, ensuring compatibility across a wide range of devices.
• Multilingual Capability: Provides services in both English and Spanish, accommodating a diverse client base.
• Extensive Service Offerings: Offers an answering service, a virtual receptionist, and call center services to meet a wide range of communication requirements.

Pricing:

• Billing increment: One-second increments
• Pricing: Plans start at $30 a month.
• Free Trial: No

Link: https://answerfirst.com/

---

7) Abby Connect

Best Streamlined live receptionists

I was impressed by Abby Connect’s capability as a small business answering service with a highly effective manager and team. Their Las Vegas-based operations include customized answering hours and client intake, streamlining your business focus and enhancing ROI.

Each group of Abby’s team includes up to seven receptionists for more consistent customer experiences. Abby Connect offers advanced features like custom tunes, call recordings and client data updates.

Features:

• IP-Based Access Control: This enables you to ban customers or visitors by using their IP addresses, enhancing security and control over your online interactions.
• Spam Call Blocking: Allows the blocking of spam or unwanted callers from reaching company lines, ensuring only relevant communications are attended.
• Integrated Virtual Receptionist: Features dedicated virtual receptionists who function as an extension of your business, providing personalized customer service.
• Pre-Call Information: Empower your agents with caller context through call screen displays, leading to more productive and efficient call handling.
• Appointment Coordination: Team members can schedule appointments via Google or Outlook based on their availability, optimizing calendar management.
• Call Announcement: Includes a call announcement feature that is crucial for answering services, enabling representatives to prioritize and pick the right calls.
• Comprehensive Integrations: Offers connectivity with external platforms like Zapier, HubSpot, Clio Grow, Lawmatics, and Clio, improving service functionality.
• Platform Support: Supports Android, iOS devices, and SaaS platforms, ensuring accessibility across various technological environments.
• Multilingual Services: Provides service in both English and Spanish, catering to a diverse clientele.
• Full-Service Support: Includes facilities such as an answering service, live web chat, and a virtual receptionist to handle a wide range of communication needs.

Pricing:

• Billing increment: 30-second increments
• Pricing: Plans start at $329 a month.
• Free Trial: Yes – 14 Days

Link: https://www.abby.com/

---

8) Answering Service Care

Best Professional answering service

Having explored the services of Answering Service Care, I found it offers reliable 24/7 live answering services from Florida, serving businesses of all sizes with virtual receptionist needs in legal, real estate, medical homes, insurance, and funeral home sectors.

They offer toll-free numbers to local, national, and global businesses to attract more calls and text messages. You can also deliver messages from phone, fax, SMS, or other wireless devices.

Answering Service Care offers inbound call forwarding, voicemail to email, and live call transfer. It also provides multichannel communications and manages calls after hours, on holidays, and on weekends.

Features:

• Client Call Experience: Offers custom on-hold music that plays tunes or relays important information while clients are on hold, enhancing the waiting experience.
• Post-Call Marketing: Provides email marketing services that follow up with phone conversations after the caller hangs up, extending engagement.
• Efficient Call Handling: Enables users to screen calls and direct them to available representatives, ensuring efficient call management.
• Spam Control: Users can filter out spam or robocalls using the advanced spam blocker, maintaining call quality.
• Appointment Management: The team can schedule, cancel, and reschedule appointments with callers on your behalf, streamlining calendar operations.
• Digital Record Keeping: Allows digital recording of telephone calls that can be accessed later for reference, improving record accuracy and availability.
• Staff Scheduling Support: Offers an on-call calendar to update staff about their schedules, ensuring that availability is effectively coordinated.
• Robust Integrations: Offers third-party integrations with Salesforce, Slack, Webex, Google Calendar, MEDX, and Google Suite, enhancing workflow and data synchronization.
• Comprehensive Platform Support: Supports SaaS, Android, and iOS platforms, incorporating a business phone answering service for enhanced communication across devices.
• Multilingual Service: Offers support in English and Spanish, meeting the needs of a multicultural customer base.
• Extensive Service Offerings: This includes answering service, virtual receptionists, and automated services, covering a wide range of communication needs.

Pricing:

• Billing increment: 60-second increments
• Pricing: Plans starting at $35 a month.
• Free Trial: 21 Days Money Back Guarantee

Link: https://www.answeringservicecare.net/

---

9) AnswerForce

24/7 live answering and virtual receptionist services for home service businesses.

AnswerForce’s offers customizable phone answering services for home and field service businesses, ensuring 24/7 availability. I particularly liked how AnswerForce’s virtual receptionists extend your team’s capabilities, allowing for 24/7 availability even when direct engagement is not possible, setting your business up to compete effectively with top industry players.

Features:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Offers 24/7 answering services that include after-hours, weekends, and holidays, ensuring constant availability.
• Customizable Interactions: Provides customizable scripting to meet your unique needs, allowing personalized communication strategies.
• Lead Management: Effortlessly capture, qualify, and prioritize leads, ensuring you focus on the most valuable opportunities.
• Scheduling Efficiency: Utilizes appointment scheduling software coupled with reminder systems to streamline calendar management.
• Real-Time Notifications: Sends instant notifications through mobile and desktop apps, SMS, and email, keeping you updated promptly.
• Seamless Integrations: Integrates with industry-leading software such as ServiceTitan, Jobber, and Zapier, enhancing workflow and data accessibility.
• Proactive Outreach: Incorporates outbound calling for online queries, guaranteeing swift communication with potential clients.
• Multilingual Support: Offers bilingual answering services in English and Spanish, accommodating a diverse customer base.
• Interactive Chat Services: Provides live chat software and answering services, facilitating dynamic customer interactions online.
• Extensive Service Support: Delivers a range of services, including live call answering, after-hours support, virtual receptionist services, call center services, appointment scheduling, live chat support, and call scripting.

Pricing:

• Billing increment: Per minute
• Pricing: Undisclosed
• Free Trial: No

Visit AnswerForce >>

What is an Answering Service?

Answering service companies offer commercial telecommunications services. They are often employed to process and answer incoming telephone calls on behalf of businesses. The professional answering service providers consist of well-trained human beings who act as receptionists. They get knowledge of your products and engage the customers according to your instructions.

By doing so, they can take messages, answer calls, settle customer issues, and increase sales to your company. Similarly, using a virtual mailbox service can help streamline your business operations, making it easier to manage your company’s correspondence, regardless of your location.

What to Look for in an Answering Service for Small Business?

Picking the right virtual answering service for your business can improve customer retention and success. Here are essential factors to consider.

• Type of Operator: The type of agents/operator you require for the business is one of the most critical areas to consider. The agents provide a sense of personal touch to keep the customers satisfied. For instance, funeral home operators are calm and composed, while medical operators need to be lively and energetic.
• User Interface: A professional telephone answering service should offer businesses an easy-to-use online interface. Users should be able to check fax or text transmission of messages online or via a mobile app.
• 24/7 support: The best answering services for small business owners should offer 24/7 coverage for a full day of operations. However, some businesses need comprehensive after-hour services.
• Features: Ensure the answering service features work well with your business structure. Focus on the analytical reports, response time, courtesy, and all dispatching systems.
• Security: A professional answering service should be HIPAA-compliant if it handles medical practices. The call agents should be able to handle payment information for businesses that process orders. While handling client data, the answering service needs top-notch privacy and security.
• Billing increment: Answering service billing structures includes per-minute and per-call billing. Depending on the call volume, choose an answering service with different plans and ensure not to exceed the usage threshold.
• Integrations: The system may need to be compatible with other third-party Software you currently use in your company, making it easy to drive operator information across existing Software, thus cutting the workload.
• Bilingual Support: Top answering services should offer bilingual receptionists. The agents should manage the calls to ensure effective communication with foreign clients.
• Budget: Most services charge based on online activity and do not have a flat rate structure. Depending on the budget and call volume, you can dictate the best pricing model for your business.
• Customization: Outsourced answering services should not use generic call handling templates. Make sure you can customize their call scripting to the specific business needs.

Conclusion

Discover why I believe the Best Answering Service for Small Business is a game-changer!

Exploring these services, I appreciate AnswerConnect for its comprehensive coverage, ensuring businesses are never offline. AnswerForce’s responsive service scripts align well with specific operational demands, while VoiceNation’s efficient start-up is ideal for immediate needs.