Don’t be a transaction only business

Many of us purchase products and services by simply finding a website that offers that specific product or service.  There is no interaction with anybody in order to complete the purchase.  A decision is made solely on price and availability and the occasional review by someone you have never met.  The limited criteria many customers use to complete their transaction eliminates a major differentiating factor for all businesses, QUALITY!

If you allow your product or service to solely be valued by price, you will ultimately lose that business to someone offering the perceived same product or service, cheaper.  If you allow price and availability to be the only reasons that someone decides to use your product or service the only way to compete with other companies offering the same product or service is to lower your price.  Eventually you are doing the same work or offering the same product at a lesser value which ultimately lessens your value.

One simple way to enhance the transaction only culture that many companies fall in to is to increase your availability and perceived quality by having a person answering your phones live without a recorded greeting.  The impact of having that personal touch, guiding that caller to a solution is a difference maker.  We can answer as your business name without the caller knowing that we are not in your office.  Your caller will not have to navigate through a confusing automated phone system in order to get their question or concern answered on the product or service they are interested in.  Essentially, by simply having an answering service available to answer your calls live, you have added a very important differentiating factor that makes you more valuable that simply price and availability.          

4 Ways a Telephone Answering Service Helps Small Businesses

Running a small business as a contractor often means wearing multiple hats within the same day. In the morning you might be visiting job sites, then meeting with clients around lunchtime, then trying to handle your finances in the afternoon. That’s the life of a small business owner.

One thing you don’t need to be doing is dealing with phone calls all day. That’s where a telephone answering service can become your best ally. Keep reading to learn more about how a professional telephone answering service can help your business.

Focus on Business

As a contractor running a small business, you need to spend your time getting new clients and keeping your current ones happy. That often means making phone calls and sending out what could be a staggering number of e-mails.

It doesn’t mean answering the phone when credit card companies call with special offers or when prospective clients want to inquire about your business. Let a telephone answering service that understands the needs of small contractors handle that end for you.

Appearances Matters

As the owner of a small business, you don’t want to be the one answering the phone. If you have a small staff though, hiring a receptionist may not make a whole lot of financial sense.

Using a professional telephone answering service will give your small company the appearance of being a larger firm. If you do quality work there’s no reason consumers shouldn’t view you as the competent, professional contracting company you are.

On a Job Site?

When you’re out on a job site and nobody is in the office, all of your calls probably roll to voice mail. This looks unprofessional and it might make potential clients turn to your competitors. With an answering service at your disposal you won’t have to worry about that.

After Hours & Emergency Calls

Many potential customers work during the day and will call you in the eveing. With a professional answering service, they’ll still be able to reach a live person.  Emergency calls may not be the bulk of your business, but if a current client or a recent one has an emergency, you better believe they will be calling you. Responding quickly is often very important when you’re a contractor. Having a 24-hour telephone answering service means you dont have to worry about missing emergency calls —even if they are relatively rare.