Considering AI receptionists for your small business? Here’s a guide!

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere and has positively impacted numerous sectors and industries. AI automates numerous operational tasks for small businesses and growing startups to reduce costs and improve efficiency. If you are looking for a way to enhance customer support, it’s time to select an AI receptionist. Companies like https://www.signpost.com/ offer virtual receptionists powered by AI to transform the way you connect, help, and support your customers. In this guide, we will take a look at what you can expect from AI voice agents. 

Scope of AI receptionists

AI receptionists are fueled by a wide range of technologies, including Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning and Speech Synthesis Technology. The idea is to offer customers an experience where they feel they are talking to a real person and not AI. Depending on the service you choose, your AI receptionist can do the following – 

1. Answer calls 24/7: If you already have a team of customer support staff and receptionists, you know they work for fixed hours during the day. There are no such restrictions with an AI voice agent, which can handle all incoming calls around the clock and often within two rings. Your business will never have to miss a call from a customer or lead. 
2. Responding to FAQs: Many customers have similar questions when they call a business. They may want to know about products or services, location, business hours, and so on. An AI receptionist can respond to frequently asked questions or FAQs with ease. The good news is you can update the knowledge base, and the AI model will have more information to handle more complicated queries and requests. 
3. Schedule meetings/appointments: An AI receptionist can also schedule meetings and appointments, and these tasks can otherwise cost time and money. Humans are more likely to make errors, but AI can reschedule, schedule, or cancel bookings and appointments in seconds. The information is automatically updated for quick access. 

Let’s now answer an important question – Because you can use AI receptionists, should you get away with the customer support team? The answer is a clear no. Keep in mind that artificial intelligence cannot emulate empathy or may not be able to answer certain questions that aren’t included in the knowledge base. The best approach is to have a model where the AI voice agent is handling calls initially, and when required, the virtual receptionist can pass the call to a customer care executive. 

How do you choose a dependable AI receptionist?

We recommend starting with features. Check what a voice agent can do, how it speaks to clients, and whether it is ideal for your business operations. Not all AI receptionists are the same, so capabilities and features matter the most. You should also review the technology and the extent to which you can customize the responses. Many service providers offer easy access to knowledge bases, and you can have the flexibility to continuously train the AI agent to respond better. The pricing is yet another factor. It is best to choose a monthly deal, which allows you to switch between packages and get custom add-on services without the need to stay bound with the provider. Review your average daily call volume, whether you are experiencing growth or expansion, and if there is an expected hike in call numbers to choose the right one. Your requirements should determine the kind of voice agent you need. 

With an AI receptionist, your business can respond to each call without spending a fortune on an around-the-clock customer care team. Happy customers will eventually translate into better brand reputation and more revenue.