What should you do if you are a small business, but want to create the perception that you are just as big and powerful as your competitors? A virtual answering service can be a step in the right direction. As suggested in a Big News Biz piece, this solution can provide all the benefits of a standard phone system without the standard phone system price.

Those companies providing virtual answering services offer a variety of cost-effective features for the users, including dial-by-name, dial-by-extension, call transfer with find me follow me call transfer, voicemail and caller ID. The service can make use of existing phone numbers or offer new numbers with the new system.

In a recent MSNBC report, live person answered was referred to as “quaint.” This story covers phone answering service Answer 1 Communications. This company learned to thrive in today’s market by embracing the technology that once threatened to put the out of business. 

 “We're not your daddy's answering service anymore,” said Mary Jones, who has owned and operated Phoenix-based Answer 1 for more than 35 years. “We've come a long way — the agents today are smart. They're multitasking. They're savvy. They have access to so much.”

According to MSNBC, the industry generates more than $2.5 billion a year in revenue and entrepreneurs such as Jones have used each new innovation throughout the years to make work cheaper and easier, all while attracting new customers. The innovation, however, has not always been easy to embrace.
 

 “Voice mail was considered the death knell for us,” Jones said, adding that instead of letting the new technology scare her, she embraced it. “When we installed the voice mail system, the first thing we did is we sent out a blast to all of our clients, telling them 'You can now pick up your messages and never, ever, ever, have to wait on hold.' They all signed up.'
 

One answering service provider capitalizing on the growing opportunities in the market is ReceptionHQ. In 2009, the company reported a great year, upgrading its answering service platform to bring more enhanced services to clients and growing its customer base during a recession.

The company is equally excited about 2010 as the economy appears to be recovering and the company is seeing that directly in customer numbers on the increase. ReceptionHQ also joined forces with AnsweringService.com to help their clients gain tools from ReceptionHQ’s technology and service. 

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Kelly McGuire