What is an AI receptionist?

An AI receptionist answers your business calls in a natural voice: it answers questions, books appointments, captures leads and hands urgent calls to a person, at any hour. Here's what it can do, what it can't, and how to choose one.

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What it does on a call.

The jobs a front desk does on the phone, without the hold music.

Answers every call: At any hour, several at once, on your number or a new one.
Answers questions: Hours, services, prices and area, from your business details.
Books appointments: Into your calendar, checking real availability.
Captures leads: Name, number and what they need, with a summary you can act on.
Spots urgent calls: A burst pipe or a lockout goes to a person, or you're alerted.
Hands off: Transfers to your team when a caller needs a human.

What it can't do.

Worth knowing before you hand it your phone.

It doesn't replace judgement: complaints, negotiations and sensitive calls should reach a person.
It only knows what you tell it. Out-of-date hours or prices give out-of-date answers.
Some callers will still ask for a human, so make sure one is within reach.
It's not a fit for medical or dental calls unless the vendor signs HIPAA agreements.

Eight questions to ask before you choose.

Questions that separate a clear price and honest behavior from surprises, whichever product you pick.

1
Is the price published, including extra use?
If extra use isn't published, you can't work out a busy month in advance.
2
How is it billed, and is spam counted?
Per minute, per call or per caller, and whether robocalls and hang-ups count.
3
Can I leave month to month?
Annual prepay is cheaper; check the refund terms first.
4
Can I keep my number?
Forwarding keeps it with your carrier. If you port it, ask how you port it out if you leave.
5
How does it reach a person, and what does that cost?
Ask whether handing a call to a person, or to your own team, costs extra.
6
Does it say it's an AI?
Being clear it's an AI is the honest default.
7
How is it tested before it takes real calls?
Ask to see it handle your trickiest calls before it goes live.
8
Does it report something as done only when it's done?
A booking should exist in your calendar, not just in the AI's reply.

See how eight products answer the pricing questions on the comparison page, or how an AI compares with voicemail and a human service on the answering service page.