An answering machine just says “no-one is available”. It’s worth it to leave a message directing people to your website for online booking. My message includes my email address and explains that they’ll get an auto response with a booking link.
But most people are using their phones because typing doesn’t work for them - they might be driving for instance.
If it’s been suggested that you get an answering machine - is this coming from clients irritated by their service being interrupted so stylists can answer the phone or from clients trying to book who find the phone just rings and rings and they’d prefer to get a call back?
I’m just about to set up a virtual receptionist service after carefully comparing new client online bookings with the conversion of telephone enquiries. If I have a quiet day and pick up the phone, I’ll often get several new client bookings for high value services, the online bookings that I get from new clients are the basic services. So I’m going to divert my phones to a company that will answer calls, book clients in and take deposits. They will access my CRM software (customer relationship management) and will be able to see client history so that they can book the same service as last time, Just like a real receptionist in other words.
I looked at a number of other companies who offer a slightly less comprehensive service - directing callers to the website or taking their details to pass over for a call back. These didn’t really seem right for me.
I have budgeted £200-£300 a month for this service, I’m taking a package of £70 plus VAT for 40 short calls a month with additional calls on a pay as you go basis. I’m not fully booked atm so I have the capacity to take extra bookings. This means that this service will not be pure overhead, it should hopefully pay for itself. If I just get 2 new clients a month that return 3-5 times over the next year and retain my existing client base it will work well. If I don’t, I can always cancel the service and save my money.
I’m using this company - I can’t recommend them (yet) as I have t started their service.
https://www.thevateam.london/