Hi Everyone,
I'm doing some research for a client about virtual receptionist services. I'm wondering if any of you are familiar with some of the bigger service providers that do this such as Davinci, OneBox, eVoice Receptionist or others.

The dilemma is that he does not need actual live answering services but wants someone to check voicemail twice a day and then relay the messages to him and possibly make some call backs. Many of these services offer much more in package deals than what he wants.

He's trying to decide between using one of these services or hiring a Virtual Assistant. It does seem to me that a VA would be the best option for him, but I've agreed to help him research all of his options before he makes a decision.

If you have heard from your clients or others about these services, can you please post what you've heard about the services they provide and how reliable they are to work with?

Thanks!

__________________
Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Can you do this on your own? I have a client who travels 2X month and I do the same for him. He has given my his voicemail information, changes his message to say he is out off office and please contact me in an emergency. I check his VM in the morning and at end of business and email or text him the messages. We then communicate on which calls I can follow up on. Sounds like this person needs the same type of service.

__________________
Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Yes, I can do this myself and I plan on presenting that option as well. However, he is interested in knowing all of his options and I agreed to research all various options for him and present them all.

I'm just looking for possible reviews or feedback that others might have heard about some of the bigger service providers who do the "virtual" receptionist services. I'm researching those providers online and by calling them directly, but I think that sometimes reviews from those who've heard or used certain service providers can also be helpful.

__________________
Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

I have a client that pays for my long distance calls to check his voicemail once a day and then I email his messages to him. I think the programs above, and others like it might be too much for what it seems he is looking for. Good luck.

__________________
Dawn M. Draper
The Virtual Paralegal
http://www.thevirtualparalegal.com Virtual Blog

One of my clients uses Onebox.com. He has the 4 mailbox option, and I have one of those mailboxes. The system comes with an auto attendant - which can be turned off based for each individual mailbox (mine is off, but his is on, so each caller has to announce themselves). Most calls go directly to him, unless he is out of the country (which is a lot lately) and then he'll add my number to his schedule. Calls that go to voice mail will generate a notification from the system, and even email the actual voice greeting to the mailbox owner as a sound file. If calls go to voice mail, they don't count against the minutes used. Occasionally, someone will press 1 (my extension) for immediate assistance, when they really wanted the client (extension 2). Forwarding to another extension is a little akward, but it works out ok. He seems happy with the service.

Two other clients use FreedomVoice.com. This too can be scheduled to send phone calls to any phone number, and records messages, and emails them. One client has his set up with various sales greetings for his business, giving information about each product or property on a different mail box.

Both systems have a web interface from which you can retrieve the messages.

From the admin side, I'd say Onebox is easier to use and set up, once you get the hang of it.

--Kathy

Thanks for the feedback.

Dawn, I think you are right...most of those services that I've checked into are way more than he needs. I'm really going to be suggesting that he just consider a Virtual Assistant as the simplest and most cost effective option.

Kathy,
I'm glad to get the feedback on Onebox. I talked to someone there yesterday and all he kept saying was, "We can do whatever you want." and wouldn't really address HOW. I think though Onebox is more than he needs. I did like though that they have the option of a services that will send text plus .wav file of each call that goes to voicemail to your email. That's pretty cool. Costs extra though.

__________________
Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

I personally didn't like the text file for the voice mail. The texts that I received were only a fair approximation of the actual message. It's certainly not something that I would pay extra for, unless I didn't have a way to access the .wav file itself.

Something to consider, which helps me keep track of all my clients' incoming phone calls... each of the services have the option to show the incoming caller's phone number OR the number that is dialed, i.e. instead of 310-555-1212 - which could be one of 2 clients, I'll see 888-555-1212 - which is a specific client's number. This way I can answer with a custom greeting for each client. This may not be an issue for you if you only take calls for one client, but it has saved me a boat load of embarassment for a client when I can answer with the proper greeting rather than, "Good Morning, This is Kathy".

I have the name and number of a Onebox Sales Rep that really helped me sort out some issues for one client, and I can pass that along if you want to send me a PM, if this is how you decide to go.

--Kathy