With over 90 years in the answering service industry, I've learned how critical it is for small businesses to ensure every call is answered promptly and professionally. You can save 40+ hours/month with professional answering services.
At Ambs Call Center, we've helped thousands of small businesses avoid the common pitfall of missed calls—which often translates directly into lost customers and revenue.
In this guide, I'll highlight the best answering service for small business owners, incorporating ratings, reviews, and detailed comparisons to help you make a well-informed decision.
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Provider
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Starting Price
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Free Trial
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US-Based
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24/7 Live Answering
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HIPAA Compliant
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Years Running
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|
Ambs Call Center
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$175/month
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No, Learn Why
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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93
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Ruby Receptionists
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$385/month
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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Yes
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22
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PATLive
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$235/month
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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Yes
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35
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Nexa
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$239/month
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No
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No
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Yes
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Yes
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10
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MAP Communications
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$179/month
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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Yes
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35
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Detailed Reviews of the Best Answering Services for Small Business Owners
1. Ambs Call Center
- Strengths: Personalized customer service, 24/7 live answering, HIPAA compliant, customizable scripts, bilingual support.
- Best for: Businesses needing reliable, comprehensive answering services with high customization.
- Consider: No free trial; however, transparent pricing and strong reliability offset this.
2. Ruby Receptionists
- Strengths: Excellent customer interactions, mobile app access, strong brand reputation.
- Best for: Professional services seeking polished customer interactions.
- Consider: Higher pricing might be a factor for very small businesses.
3. PATLive
- Strengths: Cost-effective, customizable scripts, dependable 24/7 coverage.
- Best for: Budget-conscious small businesses.
- Consider: Less personalized experience compared to premium providers.
4. Nexa
- Strengths: Industry-specific expertise, bilingual support, HIPAA compliance.
- Best for: Small healthcare, legal, and high-volume customer service needs.
- Consider: Mixed feedback on customer support and responsiveness.
5. MAP Communications
- Strengths: Extremely budget-friendly, scalable solutions, specialized scripts.
- Best for: Startups or small businesses needing affordability and scalability.
- Consider: Limited advanced integration options.
Key Features When Choosing an Answering Service
When selecting the best answering service for your small business, make sure they have the following features:
- 24/7 live answering: Vital to prevent missed opportunities.
- Professional U.S.-based agents: Provide reliability and cultural understanding.
- Customizable call handling: Tailored solutions to meet specific business needs.
- Transparent, affordable pricing: Avoid surprises with clearly stated fees.
- HIPAA compliance: Essential for handling sensitive information securely.
Bonus: Make sure your answering service has experience handling your industry's calls! Ambs Call Center has been answering the phones for American businesses since 1932!
Common Concerns About Small Business Answering Services
Running a small business means running a tight ship. If you're looking into getting an answering service, you're probably looking for something that isn't going to hurt you more than it will help you. Here are some common concerns small businesses have when shopping for a answering service.
- Security: Ensure the service uses secure, compliant data practices. Many cheap answering services for small businesses outsource their calls overseas, greatly risking your business' data security.
- Quality Assurance: Select services with strong reputations for accuracy and professionalism. Again, an answering service that's been around for decades understands the best practices for handling calls and applies those proven processes to your account.
- Technical Integration: Choose providers offering seamless integration with existing business systems. Many answering services charge for simple integrations through Zapier. The best answering services offer integrations through Zapier or API for free!
Frequently Asked Questions about Answering Services for Small Business
Can answering services transfer calls after hours?
Yes, answering services like Ambs Call Center offer 24/7 live answering and call routing directly to you for urgent matters.
Is an answering service necessary if call volume is low?
Even infrequent calls can represent critical business opportunities. Affordable plans provide peace of mind without significant expense.
How long does setting up an answering service take?
Most answering services for small businesses are operational within a few days, with advanced integrations taking slightly longer. Learn more about how long it takes to get started with an answering service here.
Why Your Small Business Needs an Answering Service
An answering service for small business ensures your calls never go unanswered. Live answering services provide professional agents to manage incoming calls, appointments, and inquiries around the clock.
Benefits of Using an Answering Service For Your Small Business
- You'll Never Miss a Lead: You'll capture every potential sale or customer interaction
- Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Customers prefer interacting with real people over voicemail—especially an outdated business voicemail greeting
- Improved Productivity: Your team will focus on core tasks rather than constantly fielding phone calls
Should You Get an Answering Service For Your Small Business?
Choosing the best answering service for your small business involves balancing your needs with budget and industry-specific demands. Ambs Call Center excels by offering reliable, customizable, and professional answering solutions specifically designed for small businesses.
Questions you may ask:
How long will it take to get my answering service set up?
What's the most affordable answering service for my small business?
Why is a free trial offered by an answering service a bad sign?
What ROI should I expect from using an answering service?
Ready to get started? Request a quote from us here.