Understanding Answering Service Costs
Hiring a quality answering service can do a great deal to improve the image of your property management business and increase your revenues. It ensures that your potential customers know that they are a priority and will get the service that they need on time. It also dramatically reduces the amount of business that is lost when a live voice does not answer a call. However, many business owners are concerned that they do not have the disposable income to make using such a service worthwhile.
Fortunately, almost every quality answering service understands that each property manager has different needs and can afford different levels of service. The most basic services, which can be extremely beneficial to any company, typically include call answering, message taking, 24-hour service, appointment setting and alerts as desired. While this is basic service, it can be critical when it comes to ensuring that you do not lose any business while you are busy with other tasks that you must attend to.
While the costs of this type of service can vary, a property management answering service typically charges by the minute. This means that you will only pay for the services that you use. In most cases, there is a flat fee that covers a certain number of minutes each month with an additional cost for each minute that exceeds the original contracted amount. The benefit is that you are only paying for the services that you use and you can change your plan as your business needs change and grow.
More complex services can also be offered, depending on the resources of the company that you choose. Some companies will even provide customer service representatives that can walk your customers through your website to make an online purchase or provide other limited technical support. This, of course, is more expensive, but it can still be far less cost prohibitive than hiring a full-time employee of your own. The key is understanding your business needs and how these services can benefit your business on the whole.
Every company will offer different pricing structures and services. The primary goal should be finding a company that will provide you with exactly what you need at a fair price. Take your time to compare your options so that you can find the best answering service available at a price that your business can afford. You will likely soon be expanding these services as you watch your business grow.
