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Virtual Receptionist/Home Working

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gsp1969

gsp1969

Free Member
Feb 14, 2008
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Clevedon, North Somerset
I'm a startup Ltd Company based at home. My company is a Automation Engineering Design/Consultancy. I will be dealing business to business and am concerned that any phone calls I have from customers will sound unprofessional if answered at home with the sound of kids in the background. I want to convey a professional image even though I am a 'one man band' at the moment. Is it worth considering the use of a telephone answering service/virtual receptionist? There are so many out there with such a varying level of service. Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably price one suitable for startups?

My business address is residential. Would that go against me if I'm percieved to be a professional company? If my address was just 4 Something Road, then it wouldn't be a problem, but its 4 Something Close. Obviously residential.

I would be interested in anyone views on this.

Thanks, Glyn
 
My business address is residential. Would that go against me if I'm percieved to be a professional company? If my address was just 4 Something Road, then it wouldn't be a problem, but its 4 Something Close. Obviously residential.

Hiya Glyn, I've done business with many UK companies and especially with one man bands, I've always noticed their websites which clearly states they are small family run business and still manage to get business and prove to be professional..... I don't see why doing business from home makes you feel that you won't be considered professional.

Though I operate from India and provide Telemarketing services to UK businesses I can theow my views through experience. I'm sure being honest will not reduce the amount of business you get or it will not bring your professionalism down. Every one has to start some where and everything boils down to how good you treat your customers and how happy you keep them. You be a good and smart businessman and you will earn your bread...

Not to forget there are lots of people on here who can recommend good VA's and I think there are some on here as well, even I do it from India. I suggest you wait for other to come on and give some ideas....

All the best with your business...

Cheers
 
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Dear Glyn

I think any background noise is to be avoided at all costs. Working from home is not too much of a problem (from address point of view) if you are doing design work and consultancy (its far from unusual) but suggest you have someone to answer your calls when your line is busy or you are out etc. Then you always project reliable image and postal address becomes less of an issue.

How about a postal box?

Regards
Stephen
 
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My business address is residential. Would that go against me if I'm percieved to be a professional company? If my address was just 4 Something Road, then it wouldn't be a problem, but its 4 Something Close. Obviously residential.

Hiya Glyn, I've done business with many UK companies and especially with one man bands, I've always noticed their websites which clearly states they are small family run business and still manage to get business and prove to be professional..... I don't see why doing business from home makes you feel that you won't be considered professional.

Though I operate from India and provide Telemarketing services to UK businesses I can throw my views through experience. I'm sure being honest will not reduce the amount of business you get or it will not bring your professionalism down. Every one has to start some where and everything boils down to how good you treat your customers and how happy you keep them. You be a good and smart businessman and you will earn your bread...

Not to forget there are lots of people on here who can recommend good VA's and I think there are some on here as well, even I do it from India. I suggest you wait for others to come on and give some ideas....

All the best with your business...

Cheers
 
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Hi Glyn

I'm in a similar situation as yourself. I work from home and use a virtual PA company to answer my phones which works quite well. It's just a simple message taking service which was free for the first couple weeks and then I think 0.70p per minute. The downside is you pay for calls which are not really that important to you such as speculative business calls etc. I really don't think working from home is such an issue nowadays and certainly not in your line of work. in fact as long as you present a good business image and your phones and emails are answered promptly then I don't think the customer gives two hoots.

 
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Any quality Virtual Assistant offering telephone answering will work in a quiet place, e.g. an office in the house, and not in the living room with noise from babies, children and animals. In addition they will have cover for those times when they can't be available to do your work - even people providing telephone answering services need food and comfort breaks.
 
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gsp1969 said:
If my address was just 4 Something Road, then it wouldn't be a problem, but its 4 Something Close. Obviously residential.
Click to expand...

Well it not my Close as I live at No. 4! And it's not necessarily true that it must be residential, as I used to have an industrial unit at No. 4A Different Close!

It's quite common for people in the design/consultancy field to operate from home anyway, so I wouldn't worry about the address.

But you are right about the phone, it would be worth using one of the really good answering services who will answer intelligently with your company name. I've been fooled by these and once asked an engineer I use when he had started employing a secretary!

OT: What sort of automation? I do stuff involving both motors and hydraulics. Glad to find someone here who will know what a PLC is!
 
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You could also give your house a name, Ive seen this on another thread, you can apply I think to the local council then you let the post office know. Cant quite remember the details, but I think then you can then refer to your address as for example:

Riverside House
anywhere close
anywhere town
your postcode

You could use virtual especially if you are in and out or out a lot. Or if you are at home a lot, just install a second BT line with a new number that you can use with an answer machine when you are out. Also, if you did this you can use BT text alert service for free. Meaning if you use the BT 1571 message system, and people leave a message, you can set up text alerts which you can then listen to from your mobile phone when you are out. All you pay for is cost of text and call to listen to message. You then choose when to call people back.
 
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Hi Glyn

I work from home mostly and although you think people mind they dont really.

All my clients know I work from home (24/7) and its never an issue. Its all about the way you say it. With the way the world is moving these days (casual office dress, relaxed hours like flexi-time) more and more people are working from home or on the mobile out and about. The stigma isnt there anymore and if it is it is slowly dying away.

To be honest it adds a sense of reality to a person hearing a dog bark or child coo. Its better than having a "london" office with sirens going off and people overhearing the other people slagging other callers off.

Image is one thing but again presentation and how you deal with that are 2 seperate things.

You can be a big company with lots of staff, but if your job is to take the calls and relay the information to the staff or down the chain, whats it matter if you are at home?

It also conveys a sense of that they can get you whenever they need to which is not only reassuring but also a confidence thing....

But that said i have been so close to shooting the neighbours dog with my spud gun recently!! ;)
 
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gsp1969 said:
I'm a startup Ltd Company based at home. My company is a Automation Engineering Design/Consultancy. I will be dealing business to business and am concerned that any phone calls I have from customers will sound unprofessional if answered at home with the sound of kids in the background. I want to convey a professional image even though I am a 'one man band' at the moment. Is it worth considering the use of a telephone answering service/virtual receptionist? There are so many out there with such a varying level of service. Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably price one suitable for startups?
Click to expand...

Hi Glyn

We can provide a suitable service for you. Depending on the number of calls you expect to receive we can charge a monthly fee (which includes line rental, call charges and message taking) or if you think you are likely to get less than 50 calls a month we can charge a line rental and per call charge (which includes message taking).

If you would like any more information please do not hesitate to PM me.

As to your question about your address then something like "XX High Street" (as long as the number isn't followed by a letter - like "21b" when it then sounds like a flat) will sound better than 23 Somewhere Close. However, it doesn't necessarily matter.

When I moved from home to an office that was one consideration, but not the main one.
 
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INDIZINE said:
you can use with an answer machine when you are out.
Click to expand...

Personally I think it's bad form to present an answering machine during office hours, unless you religiously change the message every time you go out.

I don't mind not getting hold of someone, but it's annoying not to know when I can get hold of them, or when my query might be dealt with.
 
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Kent Manufacturer said:
OT: What sort of automation? I do stuff involving both motors and hydraulics. Glad to find someone here who will know what a PLC is!
Click to expand...

I specialise in PLC/HMI and SCADA systems. I've spent 16 years working with PLCs and automated machinery. Check out my website. Its a bit rough and ready. Will be trading from 1st April 2008 and have plans in place to have it all re-vamped. Website: www(dt}re-cs(dt}co(dt}uk
 
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It is better to get a receptionist absolutely, however a virtual office taking the call when you are busy in a meeting and still cant take the call transfer, means the caller still has to leave a message and the receptionist still cant say when you will be free or be able to confirm when you will return their call. All they can say is that they will pass the message straight on.
 
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Hi guys, Thanks for all the replies. I am interested in the VA services. I'm currently still employed full time and would be looking for an overlap if possible. Not sure how realistic that will be, but until I try, I won't know. It may be difficult for me to take calls during my day job, so a VA would be useful. I will mainly be dealing with businesses so it would look bad if there was the sound of screaming kids in the background. I will checkout some of the VA links some of you have provided. If anyone can recommend any others then they would be gratefully received.

I think the address is not really a problem. I'm not interested in a PO Box for the address. There are such negative opinions regarding these. It makes the address very anonymous and makes it appear that you have something to hide.

I have a Geographic VOIP number with Sipgate. They seem very good. VOIP save you having to install a second BT Line. The calls are cheap as well.
 
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Reply to - My business address is residential. Would that go against me if I'm percieved to be a professional company? If my address was just 4 Something Road, then it wouldn't be a problem, but its 4 Something Close. Obviously residential

Why not try a virtual mailing address? Moneypenny can provide you with Business Mailing Addresses for some prestigious city centre locations. You can even use the offices for a truly impressive meeting place. Give them a call on 08000 199 944.
 
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I offer a call answering service. I charge and initial one off set up fee of £5 and a minimum of £5 per month (oncluding your first 5 calls) Calls are then charged at £1.20 per call. Messages are then emailed to you. SMS carries an extra charge of 10p, should you require that.

Check out my website at officebird.co.uk for all my rates etc
 
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I have a company that offers telesales, and a call answering service. I dont charge overpriced rates and I would be able to offer special rates for small companies. I would be happy to tailor packages to suit individual needs and budgets, please pm me thanks

I guarantee a lower price than any other company, I am uk based and am native english with no accent
 
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