24 hour phone answering service

[NoxProperty]

Hello,

Im new here and already finding some really interesting threads!

I am in the process of starting up a new Maintenance Management business. One of the key benefits to my business will be a 24 hour emergency hotline.

Looking online there are hundreds of companies offering almost the service I am after but most seem to only take messages rather than have the option to divert emergency phone calls to my mobile or landline at any time of the day.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Moneypenny have excellent reviews and do everything I am after with the exception of being available 24 hours a day (which is the most important part).

In brief I need:

- To use my own local number
- To have call forwarded to phone answering service after hours/ when unavailable
- Accurate messages taken
- When urgent forward calls at any time of day
- Preferably pay as you go billing until I know how many calls to expect
- To phone clients back with messages (although not vital)

Any advice would be most appreciated as I have been googling this topic for days!

Many thanks in advance, Crista

 

[FrancisC]

Hi Cris,

There are a couple of UK sites wherein you can compare portfolio/offers/specs from 3-4 local Answering Service companies. Best to go that route so you can also have a look at what's currently out there and compare (best) offers. Not to mention, you save time/effort sorting out specs, etc.

Let me know if you're open to that idea as we offer a similar service.

Cheers & hope you'll find the right supplier.

Francis

 

[Nomis Connections]

Hi Crista,

A solution that could work for you is using an inbound call management program. The one we offer is cloud hosted and can be accessed and configured through an online portal.

What you could do is port your existing number to this service and then use an auto attendant to greet callers and offer them options - 'If you're calling about our services press 1, if your call is an emergency press 2' and so on. These calls can then be diverted off to different numbers depending on which option the caller has selected.

You can also set up different call plans, one for office hours and one for out-of-office hours, for example. This way emergency calls can always come through to your mobile or landline while non-essential calls go to a voicemail box.

If you'd like to, you can take a look at nomisconnections.co.uk/inbound-call-management/ and there's a video that should explain it in more detail.

If you have any other questions please let me know.

Matt

 

[Jet Virtual]

Hello Crista,

I hope I am not too biased as I run a 24 hour answering service

I would be more than happy to have a phone conversation with you so we can discuss your specific requirements.

You can call the number in my signature or send me a PM

Looking forward to speaking with you,

Daniel

Hello,

Im new here and already finding some really interesting threads!

I am in the process of starting up a new Maintenance Management business. One of the key benefits to my business will be a 24 hour emergency hotline.

Looking online there are hundreds of companies offering almost the service I am after but most seem to only take messages rather than have the option to divert emergency phone calls to my mobile or landline at any time of the day.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Moneypenny have excellent reviews and do everything I am after with the exception of being available 24 hours a day (which is the most important part).

In brief I need:

- To use my own local number
- To have call forwarded to phone answering service after hours/ when unavailable
- Accurate messages taken
- When urgent forward calls at any time of day
- Preferably pay as you go billing until I know how many calls to expect
- To phone clients back with messages (although not vital)

Any advice would be most appreciated as I have been googling this topic for days!

Many thanks in advance, Crista

 

[NoxProperty]

Thanks for your replies. I have not thought of Cloud Hosting (I hope I am using the correct terminology?) before. Something for me to have a look in to over the Bank Holiday.

I hope to be in contact with your companies to discuss things further next week.

Thanks again, Crista

 

[Passive]

Hi Crista,

I've forwarded your post to a company called JAM - they do a range of call answering packages and I've only heard good things about them.

 

[penquanash]

try soho66.

 

[maxine]

Hi Crista

I'm gradually expanding my business to cater for this as I have a few inbound clients that need a support option for time differences around the world and also for emergency callouts.

Having spent quite a bit of time investigating different options with clients and telephony suppliers I agree with the recommendation from Matt at Nomis to use an IVR (auto attend, press 1 for this and 2 for that) as this gives the caller the option of self directing their call.

We use this for example for emergency plumbing callouts, keyholder requirements etc but I'd recommend keeping this to just two or three options if you can as otherwise it can get confusing (and more expensive).

This means you will be in control more of the calls that go to a call answering agency.

You must make sure though that if you are using VOIP that you have reliable internet connections and backup plans in place for if you experience problems with a main supplier (voice of experience here! lol)

I'd be happy to have a chat with you too to see if we can help

Good luck

 

[Jimbo Jambo]

Hi Crista,

I've forwarded your post to a company called JAM - they do a range of call answering packages and I've only heard good things about them.

Thanks for the heads up

We have a couple of options to consider Answer.co.uk - PAYG message taking and pureJAM.co.uk which might be more suited to your requirements but doesn't have the PAYG aspect

 

[Nomis Connections]

Thanks for your replies. I have not thought of Cloud Hosting (I hope I am using the correct terminology?) before. Something for me to have a look in to over the Bank Holiday.

I hope to be in contact with your companies to discuss things further next week.

Thanks again, Crista

Yep that's correct. It's a very versatile system, we use it ourselves - great for call routing, disaster recovery, etc.

Enjoy your Bank Holiday research. PM me if I can help any more/if you'd like a chat

Matt

 

[alice_p]

Try alldayPA, (http://www.alldaypa.com/call-answering-service) they have a one month free offer on at the moment.