How to Find the Best Answering Service Software
The software you choose to handle calls for your answering service business is absolutely crucial to the success or failure of your business. There are several things for you to consider when choosing the best answering service software for your business. As with any software program you might buy, you will want to find something that is user friendly. No matter how many wonderful high-tech applications your software program can run, they are of no value if the average employee cannot learn to use them easily and efficiently.
The software you choose should be able to be fully integrated with your current telephone service. Also it should, ideally, have one page that will display all pertinent information to the call operator. They should quickly and easily be able to determine who the call is for, who is calling and what the protocol for handling calls for this client is. With just a few clicks, the operator should be able to answer the call and either record the message or route the call to its proper destination.
Among the other high-tech innovations, the latest technology allows you to do things like instant message over the internet with your clients customers. One operator can easily handle several instant messages simultaneously, allowing you to have fewer employees and reducing your bottom line. Your operator should also be able to take an incoming call and participate in an instant message at the same time. In today's fast-paced world multi-tasking is absolutely vital in your answering service software as with everything else.
It almost goes without mentioning that cost is an important consideration when choosing your answering service software. You will need to consider the capabilities you desire and justify the cost accordingly. If you are running a small operation you may even be able to download some free software to help organize your business and help with billing, while a larger business will need the fully integrated variety, including billing and payroll.
I would strongly suggest checking out each of the many different answering service software packages and after determining which meet your qualifications and budget, download a free trial of each and see which feels most comfortable to you. I would not recommend experimenting with any free trial on live customers, however, since any errors or malfunctions will reflect poorly on you and possibly lose clients for you.
Finding the right software to help you run your answering service business is vital to your success, so it is important not to rush into a decision. You should read reviews of the software online as well as seeking a positive referral from another answering service company (call those not in your immediate area, so they are not your competition).
In summary, the most important things to consider when looking for answering service software would be: ease of use, the ability to be fully integrated with your phone service, a simple one-page interface for answering calls and billing and payroll options.
