Running a small business means wearing many hats, but answering every call doesn’t have to be one of them.
A live receptionist service makes sure your customers always talk to a real person, even when you’re busy. They can handle overflow calls, manage after-hours inquiries, and provide bilingual support, helping these small businesses stay responsive and organized.
In this blog post, we’ll introduce to you some of the best live receptionist services available today, along with their key features to help you find the right one for your business.
How Does a Live Receptionist Differ From an In-House Receptionist?
Many small businesses struggle to afford a full-time receptionist. Hiring an in-house staff member requires paying a salary, benefits, and training costs. A live receptionist service provides the same level of support without the overhead expenses.
Here is a table showing a comparison between a live receptionist and an in-house receptionist.
| Feature | Live Receptionist Service | In-House Receptionist |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Monthly service fee (affordable) | Salary + benefits (expensive) |
| Availability | 24/7 or custom hours | Limited to office hours |
| Scalability | Grows with business needs | Requires hiring more staff |
| Flexibility | Adjust services as needed | Fixed workload |
| Remote Capability | Works from anywhere | Requires office space |
Based on the table above, a live receptionist service is a great fit for small business owners who want professional call handling without the added costs of an in-house team. It allows businesses to provide excellent customer service while focusing on daily operations.
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Our Top Picks for Live Receptionist Services for Small Businesses
Let’s look at the top companies that offer live receptionist services that are a great fit for small businesses.
1. Talkroute
Talkroute is a business phone system designed to keep you connected—whether you’re in the office, working from home, or on the go. With the Talkroute, you can run your business from anywhere and keep calls, messages, and client interactions organized.
Now, Talkroute has teamed up with Smith.ai to provide live virtual receptionist services to handle inbound calls, screen potential clients, and assist with appointment scheduling, giving businesses a professional phone presence without the need for in-house staff.
Key features:
- 24/7 live receptionists: Never let calls go unanswered. Live agents are available around the clock to handle your business calls.
- Appointment management: Receptionists can schedule appointments and manage call-back scheduling, integrating seamlessly with your calendar software.
- New customer onboarding: Agents can qualify leads, complete client intake forms, and ensure new customer details are recorded in your CRM.
- Outbound calls: Save time by having receptionists make outbound calls for lead follow-ups, work status updates, and more.
- Multi-channel support: Manage business calls, texts, chats, and social messages all in one place.
- Professionalism and efficiency: Give your business a polished image with live agents handling customer inquiries, payments, and more.
With Talkroute and Smith.ai, small businesses can stay responsive, organized, and ready to serve customers—no matter where they are. Talkroute users will also get a $100 discount on their first month with Smith.ai.
2. Grasshopper
Source: grasshopper.com
Grasshopper’s live receptionist service, powered by Ruby, makes sure you never miss an important call. Whether you need a friendly greeting, help with scheduling, or someone to take messages, a live receptionist adds a personal touch that voicemail and automated systems can’t.
It’s a suitable option for small businesses looking to stay connected while saving time and money.
Key features:
- Live call answering: Friendly, professional receptionists answer calls on your behalf.
- Message taking & call routing: Ensure important messages reach you while filtering unnecessary calls.
- Appointment scheduling: Keep your calendar organized without lifting a finger.
- Customizable call handling: Tailor call forwarding, greetings, and availability to fit your needs.
- 24/7 availability: Offer professional support even outside regular business hours.
3. RingCentral
Source: ringcentral.com
RingCentral’s auto-attendant and virtual receptionist services help businesses stay connected and never miss a call. They can route callers to the right department, manage after-hours inquiries, and handle busy call times. Since it’s a cloud-based solution, you can use it from anywhere.
Key features:
- Custom business hours: Set call handling rules based on your operating schedule.
- Interactive voice response (IVR): Choose between single or multi-level IVR for an efficient caller experience.
- Dial-by-name directory: Easily direct callers to employees using name-based extensions.
- Call recording & custom greetings: Record calls and personalize greetings for a professional touch.
- Company fax & SMS support: Assign dedicated phone numbers for fax and SMS communications.
4. Phone.com
Source: Phone.com
Phone.com’s Live Answer-Connect service keeps your business responsive with 24/7 live receptionists. They can answer calls, transfer them, take messages, and schedule appointments. Your callers get a professional experience without the high cost of hiring an in-house employee.
Key features:
- US-based receptionists: Friendly professionals answer calls on your behalf.
- 24/7 availability: Calls are handled around the clock, every day of the year.
- Call transfers & message taking: Ensure calls reach the right person or receive messages instantly.
- Appointment scheduling: Keep your calendar organized without lifting a finger.
- Business phone number & features: Choose a local, toll-free, or custom number with 50+ phone system features.
5. Abby Virtual Receptionists
Source: abby.com
Abby’s virtual receptionist service helps businesses convert more callers into customers, save time, and improve customer service with a dedicated team of professional receptionists. With AI-enhanced technology, our human receptionists provide a smooth and personal phone and live chat experience, keeping your business available to clients at all times.
- Small, dedicated teams: Work with five to ten virtual receptionists who know your business.
- AI-powered optimization: Abby Intelligence enhances efficiency and reduces errors.
- Client success management: A dedicated CSM and solutions engineer helps keep everything running smoothly.
- Live call & chat support: Impress callers and website visitors with real-time engagement.
- 24/7 availability: Never miss an opportunity to connect with potential customers.
What Key Features Should Live Virtual Receptionist Services Have?
A live receptionist does more than just answer calls. Let’s look at what features you can expect.
Custom Call Handling With Personalized Greetings
Receptionists follow custom scripts to match the business’s tone, making every caller feel valued. They also provide answers to FAQs, helping customers get the information they need without waiting.
Call Forwarding, Message Taking, and Voicemail Management
Receptionists screen calls and forward important ones, reducing interruptions. They also take messages and transcribe voicemails, keeping business owners informed without constant phone monitoring.
Appointment Scheduling and Calendar Management
Live receptionists book, reschedule, and confirm appointments, helping businesses stay organized. They sync with Google Calendar, Calendly, and industry-specific scheduling tools, ensuring no double bookings.
CRM Integration and Lead Capturing
Call details can be logged into CRM systems, making it easy to follow up on leads. This helps businesses track customer inquiries and boost conversions without missing potential clients.
Order Processing and Payment Handling
Receptionists can process orders, take payments, and send invoices over the phone. This feature helps e-commerce businesses and service providers complete sales efficiently.
Are Live Receptionists Worth It?
A live receptionist offers many benefits, from improving customer service to saving money. Let’s discuss what virtual receptionists offer your business.
Professional Call Handling for a Great First Impression
How your business answers calls shapes how customers see you. A live receptionist greets callers with a friendly, professional touch, making them feel valued. They also follow custom scripts so your brand stays consistent.
24/7 Availability for Better Customer Support
Missed calls can mean lost business. A live receptionist is available 24/7, helping you stay responsive, no matter the time zone or industry.
More Time for Business Owners
Answering calls all day can be distracting. A live receptionist handles calls, schedules appointments, and takes messages so you can focus on growing your business.
Multilingual Support for a Wider Reach
Speaking to someone in their own language makes customers feel comfortable. A bilingual receptionist helps you connect with more people and build stronger relationships.
Easy to Scale as You Grow
Need more help during busy seasons? A live receptionist adjusts to your needs without the hassle of hiring and training new staff.
Blocks Spam Calls
Tired of robocalls? A live receptionist filters out spam and only forwards real customers, so you don’t waste time on junk calls.
More Leads, More Sales
Missed calls mean lost sales. A live receptionist answers every call, increasing your chances of turning inquiries into customers.
Stronger Customer Relationships
Quick, personal service makes customers feel valued and keeps them coming back. A live receptionist ensures every caller gets a great experience.
Get a Live Receptionist for Your Small Business Today With Talkroute
Talkroute gives your business the tools to talk, text, and meet—all from one platform. Stay connected with your customers and team, no matter where you work.
Start Making Business Calls Anywhere
Use your desktop, browser, or smartphone to stay connected. Keep your personal number private and enjoy unlimited minutes for both toll-free and local dialing.
Engage Customers With Business Texting
Send and receive SMS and MMS using your business number. Easily manage conversations from any device and get text-to-email notifications for quick responses.
Host Video Meetings Without Hassle
Meet with up to 100 participants, share your screen, and collaborate with an interactive whiteboard—no downloads required.
Manage Voicemail With Ease
Access messages from email, your browser, or the Talkroute app. Customize greetings, store unlimited messages, and get voicemail transcriptions for easy reading.
Customize Your Phone System in Seconds
Easily adjust call routing, update greetings, and manage schedules—all from a simple, user-friendly interface.
Everything you need to manage business communications—without costly hardware or complicated setups.
Start your free trial today and see how Talkroute can transform your business!
FAQs About Live Receptionist for Small Business
How much does a virtual receptionist cost?
Virtual receptionist services cost between $50 and $500 per month, depending on how many calls you get and the level of support needed.
Basic virtual answering services are cheaper, while a live virtual receptionist service with 24/7 call answering and personalized service costs more. Businesses with high inbound calls may pay extra to manage customer calls efficiently.
Do people still use answering services?
Yes, many businesses use virtual answering services to handle incoming calls. A live virtual receptionist offers a more personal experience than an automated phone system, improving customer satisfaction. Businesses prefer call answering services over an in-house receptionist for flexibility and lower costs.
How do I choose an answering service?
Choose a call answering service based on how many calls you receive and the support you need. An auto attendant or automated phone system works for basic business calls, but a live virtual receptionist service offers a more personalized service. Look for virtual receptionist services that provide 24/7 support, a business number, and a virtual address if needed.
What is the difference between a call center and an answering service?
A call center manages high inbound calls for large businesses, handling customer calls with scripts. A virtual answering service focuses on call answering for small businesses. A live virtual receptionist provides a more personal touch, managing inbound calls like an in-house receptionist but without the overhead.
Stephanie
Stephanie is the Marketing Director at Talkroute and has been featured in Forbes, Inc, and Entrepreneur as a leading authority on business and telecommunications.
Stephanie is also the chief editor and contributing author for the Talkroute blog helping more than 200k entrepreneurs to start, run, and grow their businesses.
