What is an AI receptionist and how does it work for a trade business?
An AI receptionist is software that answers your business phone and messages in a natural voice. It's set up with your services, area, hours and the questions you'd ask, so it can capture the job details, answer common questions, book work into your diary and send you a written summary. Urgent or unusual calls go straight to you.
What happens on a call
The customer rings. The receptionist answers in your business name, asks what the job is, where and how urgent, checks your diary, and books a time or takes the details. You get a text or email with everything.
What it's set up with
Your services and the ones you don't do, the suburbs you cover, your hours, the questions you need answered to quote, and the rules for what counts as urgent.
Where a person still matters
Emergencies, complaints and anything unusual should come straight through to you or a backup number. The receptionist handles the routine, so you're only interrupted when it's worth it.
How to test one
Ring it yourself as a customer with a simple job, a tricky one and an emergency. If it sounds like your business and gets you what you need, it's ready.
Common questions
Does it sound robotic?
Modern AI voices are natural. Be upfront with callers that it's AI.
Can it answer texts and web messages too?
Yes. The same setup can reply across calls, texts and website chat.
What if it doesn't know the answer?
It should take a message and pass the question to you, not guess.
Does it replace my mobile?
No. Calls can ring you first and go to the receptionist when you don't answer.