Small and medium sized businesses, particularly those that are growing rapidly, encounter a number of new expenses that can become problematic if not dealt with. One such expense is phone reception – someone who can answer incoming calls and route them to the proper desk. That's why virtual PBX is such a popular solution for so many companies – providing a number of features such as virtual receptionist services that eliminate the need for such a costly expense for a growing business.

There are a number of reasons why hosted PBX features such as this might be a good fit for your business. Here are some of those benefits.

• Professionalism

Your clients and customers expect a professional, courteous greeting when they call your office. A receptionist having a bad day or who is late getting back from lunch can present the wrong face, however, something an auto attendant does not.

With virtual PBX you can select the style and tone of voice used on the system, create custom greetings for callers, or even implement special greetings depending on the type of year or the seasonality of your business.

• Reduced Costs

A full-time receptionist is a costly investment for any sized business. In addition to a competitive salary based on where you operate, you'll be on the hook for benefits such as vacation, health insurance, and unexpected days off. Virtual receptionist services allow you to eliminate or never incur that cost, providing your business with a professional solution to a common concern without the excessive cost that so many companies are stuck paying.

• Consistency in Response

One of the major issues with a full-time receptionist is that they only work standard business hours. On top of which they will take breaks, go on lunch, get sick, and schedule vacation time just like the rest of your employees.

A virtual receptionist, however, operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even when your office is closed, your virtual PBX system can route calls to the appropriate voicemail inbox, provide automated account information or office hours to a caller, and ensure your client's requests and concerns are routed properly at all hours of the day. For service businesses especially this is vital.

• Increased Efficiency

There are a number of advanced hosted PBX features you can enjoy when implementing this type of system. Many such systems offer third party app-integration to your CRM, off-site and on-site extensions to ensure consistent connection with all members of the staff regardless of the hour or whether someone is working in the office, and more.

As a result, your team can focus on what it does best – providing good service to your customers. You won't have to worry about missed calls, missing information in your CRM or other issues that might result in a loss of revenue or general issues with your customers.

Is a Virtual Receptionist the Right Solution for Your Company?

If you've reached the point at which you need a means in place to answer calls more efficiently in your office, now may be the perfect time to opt for a PBX system. Providing a number of advanced integrations, the ability to route calls automatically, 24/7 operation regardless of office hours or circumstances, and a reduced cost over hiring a full time receptionist, this type of automated system is a perfect fit for almost all small and medium sized businesses.