Glossary
What is an answering service?
An answering service handles incoming calls on a business's behalf — answering, taking messages, and relaying them to the team. Traditionally staffed by remote agents and billed per minute, answering services are increasingly automated with voice AI.
Traditional vs. automated answering services
Traditional answering services use call-center agents and charge by usage, which can spike during busy months. Automated, AI-based answering services respond instantly, scale to any call volume, and bill a predictable flat rate. Both aim to make sure no call goes unanswered.
Who uses an answering service
Home services, medical and dental offices, law firms, salons, and other appointment-driven businesses use answering services to capture calls when the line is busy, after hours, or overnight — so leads and bookings aren't lost to voicemail.
See also
Related terms
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