Call Answering Service

A call answering service is a service provided by a third-party company that handles incoming phone calls on behalf of another business or organization. Instead of the business managing their own phone calls in-house, they outsource this task to a call answering service provider.

Here’s how it typically works:

  1. Phone Call Handling: The call answering service provider receives incoming calls on behalf of the client.
  2. Customized Greeting: Callers are greeted with a customized message or script provided by the client.
  3. Message Taking: The call answering agents take messages from callers, recording relevant information such as the caller’s name, contact details, reason for calling, and any other pertinent information.
  4. Call Forwarding: In some cases, the call answering service may forward urgent or important calls directly to the client or specific members of their team.
  5. 24/7 Availability: Many call answering services offer round-the-clock availability, ensuring that calls are answered even outside of regular business hours.
  6. Appointment Scheduling: Some call answering services also offer appointment scheduling services, where they can book appointments on behalf of the client using an online calendar system.

Businesses often use call answering services to improve customer service, ensure that all calls are answered promptly, and to free up their own staff to focus on other tasks. It can be particularly beneficial for small businesses or those with limited resources who may not have the capacity to manage their own phone lines effectively.

 

UK Call Answering Service

UK Local Virtual Numbers

A virtual telephone number, also known as a virtual phone number or virtual number, is a telephone number that is not directly associated with a specific phone line or physical telephone device. Instead, it is typically hosted in the cloud and can be routed to any existing phone line, mobile device, or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Number Assignment: A virtual telephone number is assigned by a service provider. This number can have a local area code or toll-free prefix, depending on the needs of the user.
  2. Call Routing: Calls made to the virtual telephone number are automatically forwarded to a designated destination, such as a landline, mobile phone, or VoIP service.
  3. Flexibility: Users can easily configure call routing settings for their virtual number, such as forwarding calls to different numbers based on the time of day or day of the week.
  4. Portability: Virtual numbers are not tied to a specific physical location or phone line, making them portable and easy to transfer between different service providers or locations.
  5. Features: Depending on the service provider, virtual telephone numbers may come with additional features such as voicemail, call recording, call forwarding, and IVR (Interactive Voice Response) menus.

Virtual telephone numbers are commonly used by businesses for a variety of purposes, including:

  • Establishing a local presence in different geographic areas without having physical offices there.
  • Providing toll-free or vanity numbers for customer service or marketing purposes.
  • Separating personal and business calls by using a virtual number exclusively for business purposes.

 

UK Virtual Numbers