Starting an answering service business is one of the most profitable ideas for people who want to start an online business from home. This low-cost home-based answering service business provides enjoyment in work without much stress.
The only thing you need to invest in this business is time. This business is time-consuming. This business idea requires minimal startup expenses, and great revenues, and the potential for growth and expansion is entirely up to you.
Professionals like doctors, lawyers, life coaches, therapists, real estate professionals, and many others still prefer telephone communication over advanced communication systems like the Internet, emails, etc. These professionals prefer communicating their services through humans rather than machines.
6 Steps to Start Answering Business from Home
1. Skills Required to Start Answering Service Business
Communication skills, organization, and time management skills are extremely important factors to be successful in this business. Listening, speaking and attention to detail are essential to this new business idea. You also need organization and time management skills to convey messages effectively.
2. Legal Requirements
It is essential to register your answering service business for running a legally-compliant enterprise. Every country and state offers a wide range of company formation structures as per requirement.
For example, if you are from the United States, forming an LLC is a preferred choice for many startups as protects personal assets.
In addition, consult an experienced lawyer and obtain all the required permits and licenses.
3. Equip your Workspace
Start small but equip yourself so that you can expand your business in the future. Equip your working infrastructure for your first 10 clients from the beginning. Buy a high-speed computer that will adequately allow you to run several programs effectively. Furthermore, invest in good phones, wireless cards, client retention management software, etc.
You need to create a professional environment for call answering. You need a quiet uninterrupted work area, be it your home or office. Every caller should feel at ease in speaking with you without disturbances and noise.
4. Cost of Starting an Answering Service Business
The cost of starting an answering service business is not much. However, the total investment needed will depend on the number of lines being serviced and the scale of the business. On average, you will need to invest $5000 to $10000 to launch a home-based answering service business on a small scale.
5. Name your Answering Service Business
A catchy and attractive name of any business not only helps in brand growth but also contributes to fetching more customers. You can check our detailed guide to naming a business and learn more.
6. Fix your Working Hours for Better Revenue
Your monthly revenue as your work at home answering phones has unlimited potential. It will be dependent upon the amount of time you can devote to your new business.
Fixing working hours will go a long way in maximizing profits in the answering service business. For example, if you are only available to answer phones in the evening, your income will likely be less than if you were available during normal business hours, weekends, or even 24 hours a day.
With proper planning within a few months, you should be able to recover the cost of your startup expenses and start making money with your telephone answering service.
Answering service business is one of the easiest new business ideas. With a little investment of time and proper planning, you can turn this home-based business into a full-fledged profitable business.