When a business is looking for an answering service, one of the first things they want to know is how much it will cost. This answer can be difficult to determine, as there are many factors that go into the price of an answering service. In this blog post, we will discuss some of those factors and help you understand how pricing works in the answering service industry.

Different answering service pricing models

The most popular pricing model for answering services is a per-minute pricing model. This means that you are charged based on the number of minutes that your calls are handled by the service. There are also other models, such as flat-rate pricing, but they are not as common.

Per-minute pricing

As we mentioned, the most common pricing model is per minute. This means that you are charged a certain amount of money for every minute that your calls are handled by the answering service. The price will vary based on the company you choose, but it is typically around $1 per minute.

There are a few things to consider when looking at per-minute pricing. First, you need to make sure that the service can handle the volume of calls that you expect. If your business experiences spikes in call volume, you may end up paying more than you expected. Second, it is important to note that there is often a minimum number of minutes that you are required to purchase. This means that even if your call volume is low, you will still have to pay for the minimum number of minutes.

Flat rate pricing

Flat rate pricing is another option for businesses that want an answering service. With this model, you are charged a flat fee each month regardless of the number of minutes that your calls are handled. This can be a good option for businesses that have a consistent volume of calls each month.

The downside to flat-rate pricing is that it can be more expensive than per-minute pricing in the long run. If your call volume decreases from one month to another, you may end up paying for services that you don’t use.

Flat-rate is also not as common and may be harder to find amongst leading answering services.

How to choose the right pricing model

So, how do you decide which pricing model is right for your business? It depends on a few factors, such as the volume of calls you expect each month and whether your call volume is consistent or unpredictable.

If you have a high volume of calls that are consistent each month, then flat rate pricing may be the best option. This will give you predictable monthly costs, even if your call volume changes from month to month.

If your call volume is unpredictable or you experience spikes in call volume, then pay-as-you-go/per-minute pricing may be a better option. This will allow you to only pay for the minutes that your calls are handled by the answering service.

No matter which pricing model you choose, make sure to ask the answering service about their minimum number of minutes. This will ensure that you are not surprised by hidden fees.

Conclusion

Answering services can be a great way for businesses to improve customer service and reduce costs. When choosing an answering service, it is important to consider the different pricing models and how they fit with your business. Per-minute pricing is the most common model, but businesses should also consider flat rate and pay-as-you-go pricing.

When choosing a pricing model, it is important to consider the volume of calls you expect each month and whether your call volume is consistent or unpredictable. If you have a high volume of predictable calls, then flat rate pricing may be the best option. If your call volume is unpredictable or you experience spikes in call volume, then pay-as-you-go pricing may be a better option. No matter which pricing model you choose, make sure to ask the answering service about their minimum number of minutes.

About Absent Answer

Absent Answer is the leading provider of live telephone answering services for businesses in the United States. Our experienced customer service representatives are available 24/x to answer your calls, take messages, and handle customer service inquiries. We offer a number of affordable pricing packages and can even tailor a custom package to the needs of your business. To learn more about our telephone answering service pricing and to speak with sales, contact us today!