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Don’t get us wrong. That is before you judge this post by its title, we’ll have you know that there are advantages to physically present receptionists, too. However, the benefits described in the guide below might make you consider getting a virtual receptionist for your business instead.
Why’s that, you ask? Well, to start with, it reduces the spread of COVID-19, boosts the efficiency/convenience of your visitor check-in process, and might even cost less than in-person receptionists.
But don’t just take our word for it. Read on to learn all about these benefits in full detail.
1. Reduce Person-to-Person Contact at Your Business
This is one of the most important ways a virtual receptionist improves your visitor registration process in the age of COVID. With a virtual receptionist, there’s no need for all visitors to interact with a physically present human.
Instead, they can interact through a speaker or a screen. You can even get individual check-in kiosks for this purpose. The end result is less face-to-face contact at your workplace.
2. Virtual Receptionist Hubs Are Easy to Clean
Additionally, it’s hard to keep your check-in area sanitized when several visitors per day touch and breath all over:
- The front desk
- The sign-in pens
- The pen holder
- The card-swipe keypad
- The receptionist
- The receptionist’s workspace and computer
- Etc.
Virtual receptionist kiosks are much easier to clean. Namely, spend 10 seconds wiping down the screen and buttons and you’re done.
3. 24-Hour Service at One Flat Fee
It’s not always practical or affordable to have a human physically present at the front desk of your building 24 hours a day. But your business might require this nonetheless. Fortunately, virtual receptionist services make this both easy and affordable.
4. Prompt Service
As implied by that last point, your virtual receptionist is always, and immediately, available whenever needed. Case in point, your visitors will never have to wait for your receptionist to come back from the bathroom or his/her lunch break. Plus, if you have enough kiosks, visitors won’t have to wait in line as they would for a single in-person receptionist.
5. Virtual Receptionists Are Software-Enhanced
The software that’s uploaded into your virtual receptionist kiosk does more than write messages on a notepad. It can record all relevant information to a digital database.
Anyone in your company who has authorized access to this database can immediately view this data. That is, you don’t have to wait for your receptionist to walk down the hall and pass you the note.
Also, your kiosk can include features similar to the automated message provided when someone calls your business. For example, guests can be briefed on your current safety protocols for preventing the spread of COVID-19. You can also have the live virtual receptionist instructed to relay this information.
Do You Need Virtual Receptionist Services?
So then, what’s the final verdict? Is it better to have an in-person receptionist or a virtual receptionist?
You now have the information you need to decide that for yourself. To do so, remember and consider the benefits listed in this guide.
Next, are you wondering, “What is a brand message and why does it matter? And how can you maximize your company’s ROI?” Find out these answers and get more invaluable business guidance on our Business blog.
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