How much does an answering service cost?
We hear this question quite a bit. The answer is not quite so simple, however – and that’s not because it’s so outlandishly expensive that no one wants to say so out loud. But as with most professional services, the price ultimately depends on a customer’s needs, and the packages that are tailored to meet those needs. It’s almost like asking “how much will it cost me to remodel my home?” The price tag hinges on the size and scope of the project – whether you’re focusing only on the exterior or tackling everything, including the kitchen sink.
Whatever the case, remember this: cost-effectiveness is a much more important focal point than cost, alone. When you enlist the services of an outsourced telephone answering service, you will ultimately cut down on the need for multiple in-house receptionists, which can save you hundreds of thousands in payroll, overhead, and wasted time. In the long run, spending a bit more on the benefits an answering service provides can result in the biggest savings you’ve ever experienced.
The first step in hiring a phone service is to determine when you need coverage. When are the phones unrelenting when you’re, kind of, unavailable?
- Normal work hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. receptionist duties)
- After-hours (to provide emergency service and dispatch to on-call personnel)
- Around-the clock (24/7 coverage)
When you hire an answering service, a base rate will be charged which pays for agent or system time – in other words, your vendor’s availability. This fee is typically charged up front, like a telephone bill.
Charges will then accrue for any time or service that exceeds your base package rate and can vary from vendor to vendor.
Additional fees can include add-ons which customize your package. These may include:
- Appointment scheduling
- Automation
- Custom dispatching
- Custom scripting
- Secure text messaging and/or email service
- Voicemail
Of course, there are also incidentals that can impact your monthly invoice, from account maintenance, to portal access that permits a customer to make account changes themselves, to added software that may be required for intended results.
At Focus Answering Service, we pride ourselves on providing custom training for our agents, ensuring that they provide optimal customer service for your company. This saves our customers a tremendous amount of time and hassle that would otherwise be wrapped up in onboarding processes and allows them to focus on far more critical tasks for their businesses.
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is that an answering service is only compensated when they are actively working on the client’s behalf.
So, how much does hiring an answering service cost? It largely depends on how many calls you need us for. But we’re happy to talk it over. Call us at 800-886-6696 to discuss pricing and how Focus delivers “the power of a person,” or request a quote today online.