Let’s be honest—missing calls is a headache, especially when you’re running a small
business. According to BT Business, nearly a quarter of calls to UK SMEs go
unanswered, and 85% of those callers never bother to try again. That’s a lot of potential
work slipping through the cracks.
If you’re like most business owners, you’ve probably wondered: is it worth sticking with
voicemail, or should you invest in a professional telephone answering service? Here’s
what we’ve seen working with clients across Suffolk and beyond.
Voicemail: Simple, but Risky
We all know voicemail is easy and cheap. But here’s the rub—most people don’t
actually leave messages. In fact, Forbes reports that about 69% of callers hang up as
soon as they hit voicemail. If their enquiry is urgent or they’re shopping around, chances
are they’ll just call the next business on Google.
And even if someone does leave a message, they’re probably not going to wait around
all day. Research shows that if you don’t get back to them quickly, about 72% will move
on to a competitor. That’s a lot of pressure for a little red light on your phone.
Telephone Answering: Real People, Real Results
Now, imagine every call is answered by a friendly human being—someone who takes
down details, reassures the caller, maybe even books them in for a callback. That’s
what we do at Virtual Ease VA, and honestly, it makes a massive difference.
People are two to three times more likely to leave their details with a real person than
with voicemail. And when someone’s spoken to an actual human, they’re far more
patient about waiting for a callback. It’s not just about capturing leads—it’s about
making a great first impression and building trust from the very first ring.
Here’s How the Two Stack Up
| Voicemail | Telephone Answering Service | |
| Human touch | No | Yes |
| Message detail | Hit or miss | Accurate, complete |
| First impression | Impersonal | Friendly, professional |
| Leads captured | Low (most hang up) | High (most leave details) |
| Callback patience | Short | Longer if they spoke to a person |
| Cost | Low | Higher, but pays off |
If you only get the occasional call, voicemail might do the trick. But if every enquiry
matters—and let’s face it, for most of us it does—a telephone answering service could
be the difference between a lost job and a loyal customer.
Every missed call could be a missed sale. If you want to make sure your business
stands out for all the right reasons, let’s chat about how we can help.
Sources: BT Business, Forbes, Invoca.