Expert Articles

Virtual phone services help businesses operate with efficiency. They are able to streamline the way calls are handled through the use of these virtual PBXs, specifically through auto attendants. Businesses that effectively manage and route calls can reduce call handling time for customers. Some may use virtual phone services and their auto attendants to effectively improve call management practices and the overall customer experience.

Often, the influx of calls during certain periods can overwhelm the staff, if virtual phone services are not in place. A company has to be careful to properly demonstrate professionalism at all times, and the way they handle heavy call volume affects their image. When customers are able to place inquiries speedily through the auto attendant of a virtual phone service, the business is better equipped to handle seasonal spikes in call volume. All successful companies must be able to effectively handle any fluctuation in call volume, which can be effectively facilitated through virtual phone services and auto attendants.

When a customer initially contacts a business for the first time, that customer must be left with a positive first impression. When a customer calls a company, he or she needs to feel that his or her time matters to that company. A virtual phone service auto attendant elps companies ensure that the customer is left with a favorable first impression by answering every call professionally and then directing that call to the appropriate place quickly.

Customers expect a timely response and want to know that the company is a reliable provider for the service or product being sought. A business that is able to handle calls in a punctual, prompt manner assures the customer that they are reliable. It's hard to believe that a company is able to deliver goods and services in a timely manner, when they are unable to even address their call quickly and efficiently.

Customers are pressed for time and often need their inquiries to be answered promptly. If the customer wants to inquire about how a business is able to meet his or her needs, they want to spend as little time as possible on the phone. Virtual phone services prevent a customer from spending time on hold unnecessarily by allowing a company to use hunt groups and time weighting to deliver calls to next available representative.

Callers can avoid being misdirected to several extensions by having clear and concise options for them to choose from in the auto attendant. The customer should not have to contact several departments before finally making contact with the appropriate representative. An individual's time matters and each wasted minute equates to an unnecessary level of frustration. A virtual phone service ensures that a customer's needs are handled with professionalism. Simply put, misdirected and mishandled calls send a poor message to a customer.

Many businesses mistakenly wait for the call volume to increase before considering the impact this can have on productivity. Instead they should be proactive in seeking the proper resources in anticipation of this situation. Virtual phone services can help handle unplanned spikes in call volume. By directing calls through the auto attendant, additional staff can be put in the line up to receive customer support calls on an as needed basis. No company should allow call volume to become a source of disruption, or reduce the level of productivity.

Virtual phone services can help handle and field calls in a cost-effective manner. Some businesses may want to exhaust all options in the area of support for customer inquiries before adding a paid employee. Many businesses are concerned with the potential overhead associated with bringing on an additional resource. If they want to save in the area of administrative resources, auto attendants are often a great alternative to hiring. The automation features made available with virtual phone services allows a certain level of flexibility where staffing is concerned. Virtual phone services employ auto attendants so that a business can quickly route calls to the appropriate parties.

Virtual phone services can be beneficial to a business for several reasons. They can benefit from being able to effectively handle a fluctuation in call volume. This technology can also be an asset to businesses that are concerned with maintaining a certain level of professionalism at all times. Quite frankly, virtual phone services help customers make the most of their time while simultaneously reducing call handling time. When high levels of productivity can occur, then a business can successfully grow and flourish.