In these days when outsourcing has become the norm, and many sole proprietors and start ups are relying on virtual assistants to carry out many office support functions, it is no surprise that a phone answering service offer a remote receptionist service to handle this vital office support function. A remote receptionist can handle virtually all of the functions of an on-site receptionist and can offer phone coverage even during off hours for a business of any size. Many sole proprietors who do not have a physical office or cannot afford to hire a receptionist find using a remote receptionist an invaluable service and a way for their business to receive phone calls and customer inquiries constantly. Having a remote receptionist means your phones are covered whether you are available or not and you never have to miss out on crucial messages again.

The idea of a remote receptionist came when answering services were looking for ways to expand their offerings and gain more customers. When they saw the need and that companies were outsourcing their phone operations for other reasons, they realized that the time for a remote receptionist service had come and were able to offer it to customers because they already had the infrastructure in place. Sole proprietors like consultants, business coaches, doctors and lawyers found that they had the need for such a service and many entrepreneurs who are just starting out can also benefit from a remote receptionist service.

Starting a business has many expenses, and many people cannot afford to hire and train a receptionist for a variety of reasons. They may not have a business location that can accommodate a physical receptionist, or they may only need coverage during certain times of the day. Telephone answering services realized this need and created this service so calls can be routed to a call center and handled by a professionally trained operator who can act as a virtual receptionist and relay messages back to the business or individual through a variety of avenues including text message, email, voice mail, or having the live operator call the individual with their messages and a summary of phone calls received.

Sole proprietors are not alone in seeing the benefit of having a remote receptionist. Many businesses that are trying to trim operating costs are opting for a remote receptionist service provided by an answering service with a call center. It’s a way to efficiently have the phones handled while not having to go to the expense of hiring and training an individual to do the job.