If you are a small business owner thinking of outsourcing receptionist duties including telephone answering appointment scheduling, message taking and other front desk tasks then there are a few things that you should consider. There is also a downside to virtual; staffing that should be considered before you make a decision, while outsourcing receptionist duties to a receptionist company or individual contractor is great way to both cut down on the expense of office space and the payroll budget.
In hiring a virtual receptionist through another company is becoming more popular as technology allows business people to stay connected with their clients whether they are in the office. The easy access to a new staffing options can also lead to abrupt, misinformed decisions.
You should understand exactly what they are and what kinds of duties they perform before you consider hiring a virtual receptionist. The bulk of their duties will be to answer the phone and field all kinds of different calls from clients and prospective clients. They can answer common questions about the business which will save time. They can also take messages, type up reports and e-mails, schedule appointments, answer business e-mail that does not require your attention and other tasks that can be handled remotely.
It is also easy and affordable to hire because you can hire an individual receptionist like through an outsourcing agency and this procedure is becoming much more common as small businesses try to find ways to save money. The biggest advantage to hiring a virtual receptionist is the money you will save on employee benefits, paying by the service minute instead of by the hour and by saving on having to provide office space and equipment for an on site receptionist.
The potentials pitfalls, there are also a few cons to this practice. You make sure that the lines of the communication remain open and that instructions sent to your virtual receptionist company are precise. There is a huge turnover in the business so that it may find your own self having to deal with a number of various receptionist, all with various work ethics and productivity levels. Some clients who come into your office will notice the lack of an on-site receptionist, especially of they are not greeted right away and this may lead them to question your professionalism.Hiring a virtual receptionist services does have its advantages and disadvantages for a small business, however knowing each of them can help you make a more informed decision overall.
REFERENCE:
http://www.eastvantage.com/articles/pros-and-cons-outsourcing-receptionist-duties
