Already have a phone system for business hours but nothing for after-hours calls? Talkroute can help. It works as a complete business phone system for daily calls, but you can also use it just for handling after-hours calls. This way, you won’t miss any important calls, even when your office is closed.
In this post, we’ll teach you how to set up Talkroute as your after-hours phone system, why you need one, and more!
How to Set Up Talkroute as Your After-Hours Phone System
You can use Talkroute as your after-hours phone system in a few ways, depending on how your current system is set up. Here’s how to get started in three different scenarios:
1. If You’re Already Using Talkroute as Your Primary Phone System (One Account)
You can use the same Talkroute account for both regular business hours and after-hours calls.
During regular hours, all account features work as usual. For after-hours, you can keep it simple:
- Play a custom message for after-hours callers and then send them to voicemail.
- If you prefer, you can skip the greeting and send callers straight to voicemail.
2. If You Want Separate Accounts for Business Hours and After-Hours
This option is best if you want full control over both your business and after-hours calls. With two accounts, you can set different features for each one, making it easier to manage calls during and after business hours.
Since there’s no built-in automation for switching between these accounts, here’s a workaround:
Step-by-Step Setup for Two Accounts
- Account 1: Normal business hours
- Account 2: After-hours calls
- Set both accounts to “24/7” mode (delete all time slots).
- Add the virtual phone number from account 2 as a forwarding number on account 1.
- Set account 1’s virtual number to forward to account 2’s virtual number.
- Create a custom forwarding schedule. This will let account 1 handle calls during business hours and automatically forward calls to account 2 after hours.
Recommended reading
How to Add a Custom Schedule to Call Forwarding
Paid vs. Free Call Routing: Which One Is Right for You?
3. If You Want to Use Talkroute Only for After-Hours Calls
If you already have a phone system for regular business hours, you can use Talkroute just for after-hours calls. This setup lets you take great care of customers who reach out when your business is closed.
With Talkroute, you can:
- Play a custom greeting for after-hours callers
- Offer voicemail options for questions or follow-ups
- Never miss a chance to connect with potential customers
After-hours calls are a big opportunity. Without a system in place, you might miss out on sales or important messages. By setting up Talkroute for after-hours, you can keep your business open to new possibilities, even when your doors are closed.
If you need help setting things up, our support team is happy to assist! Chat, email, or call us at 1.800.747.2140
Why Your Business Needs an After Hours Phone Service
Different businesses use after-hours phone service for different reasons. Here is what after-hours answering service can offer your business:
Better Customer Support
Customers want fast responses, no matter what time it is. After-hours phone service makes sure someone is always there to answer their calls. This makes customers feel heard and valued, which helps build loyalty and keeps them coming back.
No Missed Opportunities
Some calls after business hours can turn into new customers or urgent requests. If no one answers, you could lose those chances. An after-hours phone service makes sure every call is taken so you don’t miss out on important opportunities.
Protect Your Reputation
When customers can’t reach you, it can lead to frustration—especially during emergencies. Answering calls after hours shows you care about their needs and helps you maintain a good reputation.
Reduce Employee Burnout
Your employees shouldn’t have to be on call 24/7. With after-hours phone service, they can focus on their work during regular hours and avoid extra stress. This keeps your team happier and more productive.
Handle Emergencies Quickly
Emergencies happen. For businesses like property management or healthcare, some calls need immediate attention. After-hours phone service makes sure urgent situations are prioritized and handled without delay.
How Does an After Hours Phone Service Work?
An after-hours phone service keeps your business reachable when your team isn’t around. When a customer calls outside regular hours, their call is routed to a service provider that answers on your behalf.
Depending on the setup, calls can be handled by a live agent, an automated system, or a combination of both.
Here’s how it works:
Call Routing
When someone calls after hours, the system automatically redirects the call to the service provider. The caller won’t even know it’s happening—everything feels seamless.
Call Handling
The call is managed according to your preferences. The service can provide general information, take a message, or even transfer urgent calls to the right person.
Message Forwarding
For non-urgent calls, the system sends messages to your team so they can follow up later at a convenient time.
Types of After Hours Services
There are also different types of after-hours answering services available today:
Live Agents
Real people answer the calls, providing personalized service. They can respond to customer questions, take detailed messages, and prioritize urgent calls. This option feels the most personal and professional for customers.
Automated Responses
An automated system offers pre-recorded options and instructions. It’s useful for giving basic information like business hours or handling simple requests. However, it doesn’t offer the human touch of a live agent.
Call Forwarding
Calls can be forwarded to another number, such as a team member on call or a backup phone. This setup is common for smaller businesses that want to manage after-hours calls themselves.
Common Industries That Use After-Hours Phone Services
Many businesses rely on after-hours phone services to stay available and keep their customers happy. Here are some of the top industries that benefit from these services:
Healthcare Providers
After-hours phone services are a must for healthcare providers. Patients might need urgent help or have questions about their care after regular office hours.
A dependable after-hours service helps prioritize emergencies and handle routine calls properly. This keeps patients safe and gives them peace of mind, knowing help is always available.
Property Management Companies
Property managers need to be available 24/7 for maintenance requests and building emergencies. Problems like plumbing leaks, heating issues, or security concerns can pop up anytime.
An after-hours phone service lets tenants report issues right away, helping property managers respond quickly and keep residents happy.
IT Support Services
IT support can’t afford downtime. System failures and tech issues often happen outside business hours and need immediate attention.
After-hours phone services help IT teams offer 24/7 support so clients can get quick help and avoid long disruptions.
Legal Services
Legal problems don’t stick to a 9-to-5 schedule. Law firms often provide after-hours phone services for urgent matters like arrests or disputes that need fast advice.
This service gives clients support when they need it most and ensures they can always reach someone in critical situations.
Trades and Home Services
Contractors, plumbers, electricians, and other service providers deal with emergencies all the time.
Burst pipes, power outages, or broken heaters can’t wait. An after-hours phone service lets these pros respond quickly, helping customers and managing emergencies right away.
Stay Connected After Hours with Talkroute – Simple, Reliable, and Always On
When your business is closed, you still need to stay connected. Talkroute makes after-hours phone service simple and reliable. Whether it’s forwarding calls to voicemail, routing them to team members, or playing automated messages, Talkroute gives you complete control.
Custom Schedules
Decide when your phones ring. Set specific times for after-hours and make sure callers get the right message or reach the right person.
Voicemail-to-Email
Get voicemails sent straight to your inbox with transcriptions and audio attachments. No more digging through apps—listen or read them on the go.
Automated Messages
Share important information like business hours or emergency contacts without needing a live person to answer.
Multiple Call Paths
Forward calls to different devices, team members, or departments—even after-hours.
Talkroute helps you stay responsive and professional, even when your office is closed. It’s easy to use and works with your existing devices.
Sign up for Talkroute today and keep your business connected 24/7!
FAQs About After-Hours Phone Service
What is an after-hours phone?
An after-hours phone is a phone line businesses use to answer phone calls outside of regular business hours. It helps handle incoming calls when staff isn’t available, making sure urgent calls get attention. This is especially helpful for businesses that need to be reachable 24/7. An after-hours phone can be managed by an on-call employee or through call answering services.
What is an after-hours answering service?
An after-hours answering service helps businesses answer calls when the office is closed. It keeps you connected with customers by ensuring no phone calls are missed. These services often use virtual receptionists to handle incoming calls, take messages, and even forward urgent calls to the right person. Using a service like this improves customer satisfaction because it shows your business is always available to help.
How much does an after-hours answering service cost?
The cost of an after-hours answering service can vary. It depends on how many customer calls you need them to answer and the level of service you choose. Some call center services charge per call or per minute, while others offer monthly plans. On average, you can expect to pay between $50 to $300 per month for basic services, with more advanced options costing more.
What is the script for after-hours phone messages?
An after-hours phone message should be short, polite, and clear. It should give callers important details and tell them what to do next. Here’s an example:
“Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed. If this is an urgent call, please press 1 to be connected to our after-hours answering service. For non-urgent matters, leave a message, and we’ll return your call during business hours. Thank you.”
This type of message sets the right expectations for callers while offering them an option for urgent calls.
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.
