A virtual receptionist is a modern service that offers you everything professionally. It majorly helps add a professional touch to your business. Professionals like HVAC contractors, plumbers, electricians, technicians, and general contractors majorly depend on a virtual assistant. Choosing a wrong staff or receptionist can put your business image at stake.
To hire the best version of virtual assistant you must remember a few critical questions to ask them at the time of hiring. Without these questions it would be confusing to learn if you are hiring the right system for your business/project. The best thing about a live receptionist for general contractors is that they do not use your electricity, space, and cost.
7 Logical questions to ask before hiring a virtual receptionist:
- How many clients do you presently handle?
Someone that is handling several clients reflects their ability to handle business pressure. However, it could be the opposite as well; it may mean that these professional systems may not be able to efficiently deliver results due to the work pressure on them. You may have to be smart in making a choice.
- What system do they follow to take calls efficiently and effectively?
Those call waiting periods and hold time can be frustrating for customers. It is one of these reasons you are switching to a virtual receptionist to experience a perfect call management system. With their support, no single call gets wasted. Choosing a provider that records calls, transfers, answers, and closes the calls can be a boon.
- What services you can offer me?
Ask your live receptionist the list of services offered by them. You no longer have to carry your cellphone, diary, and pen along at the site while working. These professionals manage your daily admin work and a list of other services along. By managing your diary, business calendar, meetings, missed called, online presence, and social media posts they relieve you from business stress.
- How many hours can you work for me?
Virtual receptionists are hired by business owners, contractors, and freelance professionals due to their flexible working hours. Some even offer round the clock services across the locations to the customers. Ask your virtual receptionists the number of hours they can devote to you and whether they work on weekends too.
- How do they handle business pressure?
Virtual receptionists handle pressure more than an in-house receptionist that works for limited hours. They are trained to handle several types of calls even during heavy business hours and peak season. These professional services deliver patience, professionalism, and efficiency in their call handling. Thus, they have the capability to work under pressure, but you must confirm once with them.
- Do you handle social media accounts too?
Some agencies offer you limited services such as call management, whereas some handle social media accounts of the client too. A virtual receptionist creates posts, manage the time to post time, and respond to complaints, comments, and feedback of customers on behalf of the client. Someone that can manage these accounts also can help you grow your business or service to larger areas.
- What do you charge for your service?
A virtual assistant charges a service fee or a monthly rental charge from their clients in return of their services. It would be wise to ask their expectations or service fee for your services. Do not hesitate to discuss your budget with them and check if they are open to negotiate on the final cost.
A live receptionist for general contractors is the answer to all your business goals.