What is an AI receptionist?

The short answer

It’s a computer voice that answers your calls in your business name, has a proper conversation, takes the details and passes on what matters. Unlike voicemail, callers don’t hang up on a beep. Unlike a call centre, it doesn’t need a team of people or a big monthly bill.

What Mary does on a call

• Answers in your business name.
• Asks the right questions for your trade: what’s wrong, where, how urgent.
• Takes the caller’s name, number and address.
• Sends you the job, or puts a message on the spike for your ring-backs.
• On the Premium plan, screens and sorts every call: real customers put through to you, your VIP numbers straight through, and time-wasters and sales calls filtered out.
• Gives basic safety advice in an emergency, like the National Gas Emergency Service number if someone smells gas, and marks the job URGENT.

Why trades use one

Because you can’t answer the phone up a ladder, under a floor or behind the wheel, and the person ringing will often just ring the next number on the list. Mary means somebody always picks up, and the job is waiting for you when you’re free.

Is it complicated to set up?

Not for you. We set Mary up and train her on your business. You keep your own number and divert calls to her with a short code on your phone. We’ll talk you through it.

Will callers know it’s AI?

Mary is an AI and doesn’t pretend otherwise. Most callers just want someone to pick up and take their details, and she does that politely and properly.

What does it cost?

With Site Secretary, setup is free and your first month is £50. After that it’s £90 a month, or £900 a year. Premium, with call sorting, is £300 a month. See the prices.