Attorney Answering Services: Everything You Need to Know
At the core of a successful law practice is strong client communication. The ability to promptly and effectively communicate with both your existing and potential clients can make or break your business. Unfortunately, even the most dedicated lawyer can’t be in two places at once. Between court appearances, client meetings, and tons of paperwork, there are simply not enough hours in a day to answer every phone call that comes into your practice. A professional legal answering service can bridge that gap, providing a live person to communicate with your clients when you can’t be there yourself.
In the past, many attorneys felt that a law firm answering service was an unnecessary expense. However, as the market for legal services has become more saturated, the need to stand out from the competition has become more important than ever. Answering services for attorneys are no longer a luxury – they’re a necessity for any law firm that wants to stay ahead of the curve.
How Does a Lawyer Answering Service Work?
A lawyer answering service is a call center that is staffed with professional, trained operators who can answer calls on your behalf. When a caller contacts your firm, they will be greeted by a friendly operator who can take a message, answer basic questions, or even schedule an appointment for a consultation. The beauty of using an answering service is that you can customize the level of service to meet your specific needs.
Some firms prefer to use an answering service for after-hours calls only, while others choose to route all of their calls through the service. There is no right or wrong answer as it ultimately comes down to what works best for your firm. In most cases, using an answering service is more affordable than hiring a full-time receptionist, and you’ll have the added benefit of having your calls answered by a team of professionals rather than just one person.
How Much Does a Legal Virtual Receptionist Service Cost?
The cost of a law firm receptionist service varies from one provider to another. In most cases, you’ll pay a monthly fee that includes a certain number of minutes, and then an additional per-minute charge for any calls that exceed your allotment. Meanwhile, other providers charge a flat monthly fee regardless of how many calls come in.
Here at AnswerHero, we have a variety of plans that can accommodate any budget. Our most affordable plan starts at just $39 per month (10 minutes of talk time plus $1.49 per additional minute) while our most expensive plan costs $1,595 per month (2,000 minutes of talk time plus $0.85 per additional minute).
It is worth noting that even if you sign up for AnswerHero’s most expensive plan, it is still 50% more affordable than hiring a full-time receptionist with a monthly salary of at least $3,200. This excludes the costs of benefits, office space, equipment, and training which can quickly add up to several thousand dollars more.
Things to Look Out For Before Hiring a Professional Answering Service for Lawyers
Not all legal answering services are created equal, which is why it’s important to do your homework before making a decision. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you compare different providers:
Legal Industry Experience
It is important to choose a provider that has experience working with law firms. This way, you can be confident that they understand the unique needs of your business and will be able to provide the level of service that you expect.
Bilingual Legal Answering Service
If you cater to a predominantly Spanish-speaking clientele, it’s important to choose a provider that offers bilingual answering services at no extra cost. Some firms make the mistake of assuming that all answering services are bilingual, but this is not always the case.
Scalable Service
As your firm grows, you’ll need an answering service that can grow with you. Look for a provider that offers scalable plans so that you’re not stuck paying for more minutes than you need, or worse – not having enough minutes to cover all of your calls.
List of Features
Be sure to ask about all of the features that are included in your plan. Many providers offer a basic set of features, such as 24/7 phone answering but charge extra for features like appointment scheduling, call forwarding, and bilingual support.
Unlock Your Law Firm’s Potential With AnswerHero’s Phone Answering Service for Lawyers
If you’re looking for a legal answering service that ticks all of the boxes, look no further than AnswerHero. Our years of experience in the legal industry, combined with our scalable plans and wide range of features, make us the perfect choice for any size law firm. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a large company with multiple offices, we have a plan that will suit your specific needs and budget.
Why settle for a generic call center service when you can have a team of professional legal receptionists answering your calls and providing the high-quality customer service that your clients expect and deserve? Contact AnswerHero today and take your law practice to the next level.
