subject: Don't fail at first hurdle when starting up in business? [print this page] Don't fail at first hurdle when starting up in business?
Setting up in business is an exciting time but can also a juggling act to get everything up and running in such a short time frame. A key area that can get lost in the process is the ability for business leads to reach you on time and not get forgotten in your voicemail! It is difficult when you have to oversee so many aspects to the business that you find yourself in the most unlikely places and can quite easily miss important calls.
There is nothing worse for a prospect or existing customer to constantly experience the sound of your recorded voice from your answer phone or voicemail. It makes you look unprofessional and gives the impression of a one man band. You can end up spending as much time playing telephone tag trying to call them back hoping that they haven't given up on you and gone elsewhere!
If there is one thing that is a start-ups best friend and that is a good phone answering system' to guarantee all calls get routed to where they need to on time. A great way to solve this problem which doesn't cost a fortune is to use VoIP and IVR (Hosted PXB) telephony.
A great VoIP feature is the find and connect' service which enables you to divert calls to a landline, mobile or soft phone (calls received through headset). This gives you so much flexibility and it is so easy to set up. You can take sales leads calls in the office, at home, on your mobile or pass to a work colleague if you're too busy simply set the phone to divert to where you need it to. No more lost business or time wasting chasing back calls.
VoIP also enables you to receive voicemail in your email so that if you are in a meeting you can at least respond quickly afterwards by retrieving voicemail on your mobile. The good news is that a VoIP phone line costs as little as 5 per month and call rates local or international are so are much lower than normal landline calls!
If your business has a small team then the virtual switchboard' is a god send. You won't need to employ a receptionist or outsource to a virtual call answering service to answer your calls. The virtual switchboard' is the best option and cheapest online call answering service for small businesses. It will make your business look bigger, more professional and won't burn a hole in your pocket. For just 15 a month an auto receptionist recording will answer calls and route them where you need them.
You can have all call messaging customised as well as promote other services whilst the caller is being transferred if you wish. So don't struggle to do everything yourself when technology can give you a helping hand, quick, fast and easy to set up.
