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Missed business calls could be missed chances at gaining more revenue. It’s possible that you may be too busy with other tasks or that you may be out of the office frequently, preventing you from getting to the phone. Whatever the case, you needn’t have to keep missing calls. Here are a few ways in which you can reduce missed calls.
Switch to a VoIP number
If you often work out of the office but don’t want to give out your mobile number to clients, you could consider looking into VoIP solutions. A VoIP number relies on an internet connection and can be answered on a range of devices allowing you to answer calls on the same number from your PC, smartphone and any other devices. This could allow you to answer calls on the go. VoIP costs can vary - it’s worth shopping around to find the best price.
Use a Bluetooth headset
If you spend a lot of time driving or doing tasks with your hands that make it hard to answer calls, you could consider buying a hand free headset for answering calls. Bluetooth headsets are a popular hands-free option for taking calls on the go - there are many of these devices on the market. Another alternative could be to use your phone on speaker and to use voice command to answer it (you may be able to use your car’s bluetooth system to take calls through the stereo).
Hire a personal receptionist
Hiring a personal receptionist could be useful if you’re regularly inundated by calls to the point that it becomes a major interruption. By having an employee to answer the phone for you, you can ensure that no call goes unanswered. The receptionist can then relay any important information or transfer any urgent calls to you, filtering out the non-important calls. On top of answering calls, a receptionist could also help to handle other admin tasks acting as a personal assistant. Make sure to put in place a thorough recruitment process in order to hire the right person for the job.
Outsource a phone answering company
A cheaper option to hiring a personal receptionist could be to outsource a phone answering company. These are companies with teams of staff dedicated to answering phone calls. Some are even able to provide a 24/7 point of call so that you’re able to answer enquiries any time of the day at any time of the week. It’s worth researching phone answering companies to find one that is reputable and within your budget.
Promote other forms of communication
You may be able to reduce missed calls by reducing unscheduled phone calls altogether. Many businesses promote the use of contact forms on their website, which allows business owners to then schedule phone appointments to work around their schedule. There are form-building software tools that you can look into to create these forms. You may also be able to encourage customers to email you directly to help schedule appointments.