6 Ways an Answering Service Can Save You Money
The initial cost of an answering service may dissuade business owners from enrolling. However, by partnering with answering services, it will pay for itself multiple times over. Agents can assist with a variety of tasks ranging from customer service, data collection, appointment scheduling, and event registration. Best of all, an answering service delivers additional amazing benefits that will save your company money in various ways. The following list explores six ways you will save money by signing up for an answering service.
One: Around-the-Clock Availability
Due to the huge advancements in mobility, customers now demand immediacy. Answering services provide customers with around-the-clock accessibility to your business, so you can meet client requirements at any hour of the day. In addition to fielding questions and complaints, you can also drive new business and improve retention rates.
Two: Decrease Technology Costs
When incoming calls are outsourced to answering services, your technology and equipment overhead is greatly reduced. This eliminates the need for paying for new phone systems and online systems to distribute, log, and store messages. The best answering services can integrate with existing software such as your preferred payment processor and existing CRM.
Three: Increase Employee Productivity
Are you constantly interrupted by questions that your customers can easily find on the company website, like basic product information or return policies? During the day, it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back into your work after being interrupted. Answering services buffer these calls and can easily answer these types of questions. Customers are only passed along to employees when it is deemed necessary, thus reducing interruptions for you and your team throughout the day. The result is improved focus and an increase in employee productivity.
Four: Lower Training Costs
Most businesses hire a receptionist to manage incoming calls which requires a considerable amount of training. Training a new employee decreases your productivity, costing the company a ton of money. However, by hiring an answering service, you can lower or even skip interviewing and hiring a receptionist.
Five: No Overtime or Holiday Pay
Answering services are available every second of every day of the year, including overnight and holidays. In addition to giving your employees well-deserved time off, you also do not need to be concerned with overtime and holiday pay.
Six: Reduce Customer Service Costs
By using answering services, you can keep the customer service department to a minimum. Answering services can manage appointment booking, customer support, and addressing work emergencies for you. Also, as your company grows, answering services can grow with the organization to meet all customer needs.
The cost of an answering service may appear to be high at first glance, but after reviewing the numerous benefits, it will save your company money in the long run, lower the stress of your employees, and improve overall productivity. The best answering services will be working behind the scenes so you can focus on executing your daily tasks!