If your business is in the East Bay Area, it’s a great time to be alive because you have an array of options for a Virtual Answering Service. Knowledge really is power.  A good place to start would be to contact the local executive office centers in your area and ask about their virtual answering services.

The following provides a list of questions to ask the prospective service providers.

• Do you provide a local number?
• Do you provide an 800 number?
• What is the price?
• What is included in the price?
• Is there a price per call?
• Is the price a flat rate per month? Are there additional charges?
• What happens to calls to my number?
• Do calls to my number go to a voice mail?
• Do calls to my number get transferred to my land line/cell phone?
• How will calls to my number be answered?
• Will calls to my number be answered by a live receptionist?
• How will I be notified of calls to my number?
• Are there set up fees for services?
• What are the terms and conditions of your services?
• What is the minimum period of time I must agree to use your services?
• What happens if I’m not satisfied with the service I receive? How do I terminate our agreement?
• Are calls to my number answered 24/7?
• Are calls to my number answered 8 – 5?
• What happens to calls to my number nights and weekends and holidays?
• Do you send me an email with a voice wave attached of voice messages to my number?

By asking many of the above questions and visiting a phone answering service provider in person, you can gain a full perspective on just how well the service provider will represent you and your business.