Outsourced phone answering services are typically provided by call centers specialized in handling incoming business calls. These services can be customized to meet the specific needs of each business. Services can include 24/7 call answering, message taking, call forwarding, and outbound calls.

There’s also a lot to consider when hiring a third-party call-answering service because not all of them are on the same level. A reputable live receptionist service like Global Messaging Network, for instance, has huge advantages over an average, run-of-the-mill provider. Experience across diverse industries, customized services in keeping with specific client needs, and the ability to handle high volumes and complex situations are just a few of them.

In this article, we will explore the difference between virtual receptionists and outsourced phone answering services in detail. We’ll also look at what makes Global Messaging Network’s services the best choice for business owners.

What is a Virtual Receptionist?

A virtual receptionist does the same job as an in-house receptionist, the only difference being that the former works remotely. In other words, they work off-site to provide customer service and administrative support for your business.

Virtual receptionists can perform various tasks, including answering calls, scheduling appointments, taking messages, and forwarding calls to appropriate departments or individuals.

If you’re independently hiring an employee to serve as your virtual receptionist, you can choose a full-time or a part-time worker, depending on your business needs.

Although this employee works remotely, they are on your payroll as a part of your team of employees. That means that they must be fairly compensated with either a full-time salary or part-time wages, besides employee benefits per your company policies.

Finally, a virtual receptionist will have fixed working hours like the rest of your employees, and may not be able to answer customer calls around the clock.

What are Outsourced Phone Answering Services?

Outsourced phone answering services are third-party providers you can hire to answer customer support calls on behalf of your business or company.

Such services, like the Global Messaging Network, work alongside your company as partners. They are not considered employees and do not expect a full-time salary or employee benefits. Instead, you can pay them an agreed amount of money for their services.

Outsourced phone answering services are typically provided by call centres specialized in handling incoming business calls. These services can be customized to meet the specific needs of each business. Services can include 24/7 call answering, message taking, call forwarding, and outbound calls.

The Key Differences Between Virtual Receptionists and Outsourced Phone Answering Services

What difference does it make for your business if you outsource your phone answering services or choose to hire your own virtual receptionist?

Here are some key differences that you should be aware of before making a final decision:

1. Cost: One of the most significant differences between virtual receptionists and outsourced phone answering services is the cost.

Virtual receptionists are typically hired part-time or full-time and require a salary or hourly wage. On average, they charge between $10 to 20 an hour for part-time service, while annual full-time salaries can range from $29,000 to $54,000 a year.

In contrast, outsourced phone answering services are typically charged on a per-minute or per-call basis, making them more cost-effective for businesses that receive high volumes of calls.

Hiring a third-party call-answering service like Global Messaging Network, for instance, doesn’t require you to pay benefits or bonuses, unlike a virtual worker. Our plans start at just $9.95 per day for a 24/7 live receptionist team.

1. Flexibility: Virtual receptionists work regular working hours or shifts. This arrangement means they may not always be flexible to work odd hours, collaborate with other teams, or provide additional administrative assistance.

With a third-party provider like Global Messaging Network, on the other hand, your virtual receptionists can answer calls 24 hours a day, and even on weekends and holidays. This means you have much more flexibility with your reception services and don’t have to miss a single customer call ever again.

Finally, since we work directly for your business, our virtual receptionists can be trained to handle specific tasks and can work to a schedule that suits the needs of your business.

1. Quality of Service: Another significant difference between virtual receptionists and outsourced phone answering services is the quality of service.

Virtual receptionists work directly for the business and are trained to understand the company’s culture, products, and services. They are often seen as an extension of the business and can provide a more personalized experience for callers. However, like any other employee, they might not have superior training or experience in handling customer service calls.

In contrast, a professional phone answering service like Global Messaging Network has a team of competent and professionally trained virtual receptionists who excel at what they do. They might not have in-depth knowledge of your business, but they answer every call professionally and politely and provide excellent overall support to your customers.

Why Choose Global Messaging Network’s Virtual Reception and Phone Answering Services?

Now that we’ve understood the basic differences between virtual receptionists and outsourced phone answering services, it’s time to talk about why Global Messaging Network’s services are the best choice for business owners of all types.

Here are some specific reasons why you should hire us:

1. Professional and Personalized Service: Global Messaging Network provides virtual receptionists with top talent trained to provide professional and personalized service to callers. We take the time to understand each business we work with to make sure we can provide accurate information and answer any questions that callers might have. Every call will be met with a polite and helpful virtual receptionist, and every customer will leave with the feeling your business values them and genuinely cares about their needs.
2. 24/7 Availability: Half of all customers expect service helpline availability to be round the clock. Global Messaging Network’s services are available 24/7, so you never have to worry about missing an important call, no matter what time of day it is. This will help you better serve customers from different time zones as well.
3. Customizable Services: Global Messaging Network’s services are customizable to meet the specific needs of each business. Whether a business needs help answering calls during peak hours or needs assistance with scheduling appointments, Global Messaging Network can provide the support they need.

You can select a time slot, number of hours, or the number of calls you want to be answered and only pay for the service accordingly. That way, you can save on costs and deploy resources more efficiently. For instance, one of our clients reported savings in reception services to the tune of $120,000 in 5 years.

1. Multi-Lingual Support: Global Messaging Network’s virtual receptionists are fluent in multiple languages, making it easier for small businesses to communicate with callers who may not speak English as their primary language.
2. Cost-Effective: As we mentioned above, Global Messaging Network’s services are more cost-effective than hiring a full-time receptionist. Businesses only pay for time spent on the phone, which can save them money in the long run.
3. Scalable: Global Messaging Network’s services are scalable, meaning businesses can easily adjust the services as their needs change. Whether a business is experiencing rapid growth or needs to cut back on expenses, Global Messaging Network can adapt to meet its needs. In contrast, just imagine how challenging it would be to hire and fire individual virtual receptionists according to changing business needs.
4. Integration with Business Tools: Global Messaging Network’s services can be integrated with various business tools, including customer relationship management (CRM) software, appointment scheduling tools, and more. This integration can help businesses streamline their operations and provide a better experience for their customers.

In conclusion, hiring a virtual receptionist or using outsourced phone answering services can significantly affect how customers perceive a business. While both options have pros and cons, Global Messaging Network’s virtual reception and phone answering services stand out as a better choice for business owners of all types.

Our professional and personalized service can help your business stand out among its competitors for your exceptional customer service. Hiring a service like ours will help you satisfy and retain your existing customers while attracting new ones.

Check out our live demos to get an idea of how we work. Feel free to get in touch with Global Messaging Network if you want to learn more about how we can help your business.