Most Useful AI Receptionist Features for Small Business Owners

Managing a small business often means juggling multiple roles. With limited staff, it becomes increasingly problematic for owners and entrepreneurs to oversee everything. However, one thing that should always remain a priority is customer support. Hiring more people may not be feasible for your startup, but you can certainly choose an AI receptionist. Signpost currently offers AI answering services for small businesses and contractors in the US, which uses natural language processing and voice synthesis to process and respond to calls. Signpost’s services are extremely flexible, and the entire onboarding process can be completed in less than an hour. Before you choose an AI receptionist, here are some features you need to be aware of.

24/7 Call Answering: One of the prime reasons why many companies, including corporate firms, are choosing AI is availability. If you are using an AI voice agent instead of a regular team to manage the front desk, you have to ensure the system is on around the clock, even beyond work hours, on weekends and holidays.
Real-Time Lead Capture: Manually processing data from callers is prone to risks and mistakes. When you select an AI receptionist, ensure it is capable of collecting data, such as names, contact details, and services. Many models even generate call summaries, which ensures all leads are captured. Even if you cannot help a prospective client now, they can always follow up later.
Intelligent Call Routing: Will AI replace the front desk? Not entirely! While AI can tackle routine calls and repetitive requests, humans are still necessary for some callers. If you are comparing AI virtual assistants, ensure you look at the call routing feature. The feature shouldn’t just exist, but must be accurate so that your team only gets the important calls.
Calendar Integration: Many providers, including the one we shared, can sync with existing CRM systems and calendars. This is a great advantage, because you don’t have to worry about duplicate bookings or mistakes. AI can book service calls, meetings, consultations, and other things in real time.
Script Customization: The next thing to consider is script customization. You should have complete control over AI responses. The knowledge base is the control hub, where you can update scripts, messages, offers, and other details, including FAQs, which AI will use to respond to callers. Ensure the process of updating information is a simple one that your team with limited technical knowledge can also manage.
Multi-Call Handling: One of the key reasons to choose AI is to handle multiple calls simultaneously. Even if you scale your team and hire more front desk staff, there is always a risk of missing calls, as one person can only attend to one lead or customer. When you choose an AI receptionist, check how many calls it can handle simultaneously.
Additional Features: Many AI answering agents also come with proprietary features, such as marketing automation. Not all providers offer the same options, and it is best to choose one that makes the most sense for your business needs.

Final Word

Pricing is certainly a factor for choosing any service, but for AI answering, you are likely to pay a fixed amount every month, depending on the package you choose. It is best to check whether the selected solution is scalable. For instance, if yours is a pest control business, you are likely to receive more calls before spring and fall for inspections. Your AI model should be available to take calls, and for that, switching between packages should be an easy task.

With AI leading many domains, it is not surprising to note the sudden demand for AI receptionists for better and enhanced customer care. Sign up today!