AI receptionist vs voicemail: which is better for a small business?
Voicemail only works when the caller chooses to leave a clear message, while an AI receptionist asks the questions you'd ask, answers simple ones and writes the details down, so it's better whenever a missed call could be a new customer who will just ring the next business.
Where voicemail falls short
Voicemail puts all the work on the caller. They have to decide to leave a message, remember to say their number clearly, and explain the job without being asked. Many new customers don't bother and ring someone else, and the ones who do often leave messages missing the detail you need to call back properly.
You then have to listen to each message in turn, often in a van or between jobs, and write down the details yourself.
What a receptionist adds
A receptionist, human or AI, has a conversation. It can ask for the postcode, the make of boiler or the car registration, answer 'do you cover my area?', and offer a time. You get the same information laid out the same way after every call.
When voicemail is still fine
If almost all your calls come from existing customers who know you'll ring back, and you rarely get new enquiries by phone, a well-worded voicemail may be enough. Make the greeting tell callers exactly what to leave and when you'll call back.
Where Pickuply fits
Pickuply replaces the voicemail step: calls you don't answer in 20 seconds are forwarded to your receptionist instead of your mailbox, and you get a summary with the caller's name, number and what they need. You keep your own number and your phone still rings first.
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Questions
Can I keep voicemail as well?
Diverting unanswered calls to a receptionist replaces the voicemail step for those calls. You can turn the divert off at any time to go back to voicemail.
What should my voicemail say if I keep it?
Your business name, when you'll call back and what to leave: name, number, address and the job. Our voicemail guide has wording you can copy.