Advice, guides, and opinions from Upfirst

Learn how AI call center companies price their 24/7 virtual receptionist services, what small teams typically pay each month, and how to compare different pricing models to find the best fit for your business.

See how small businesses can offer multilingual customer support without hiring bilingual staff, using affordable AI tools and answering services to connect with customers in any language.

Learn how to set up an AI leasing agent with Upfirst to answer after-hours calls for your mid-rise apartments, capture more leads, and stop losing prospects to voicemail.

You can't afford a full-time receptionist, but you also can't afford to miss calls. Here's how virtual receptionist services with overflow call handling and message taking help startups capture every lead without breaking the budget.

Learn how to replace your traditional after-hours answering service with an AI receptionist that determines if a call is an emergency, checks a rotating on-call schedule, and texts the right technician

Compare the top 9 IVR platforms for small businesses, from budget-friendly options to AI-powered alternatives, and see which one fits your call volume and budget.

Get the latest AI in business statistics for 2026 — from adoption rates and ROI benchmarks to hiring trends and consumer trust — so you can make smarter decisions about where AI fits in your business.

Compare the best EchoWin alternatives in 2026 -- AI answering services that offer simpler pricing, easier setup, and better-fit options for everything from budget small-business call handling to enterprise-grade customization without credit-based billing.

Compare 7 Rosie alternatives in 2026 — AI answering services across different price points, feature sets, and use cases, from budget options at $19/mo to human+AI hybrid services for high-stakes calls.

See how property managers use an AI receptionist to handle maintenance requests, answer tenant inquiries, and route emergency calls without being on call 24/7.

See 43+ virtual assistant statistics for 2026, with original data on salaries, AI trends, freelance rates, and industry growth from 8,754 job postings and government sources.

Learn how to set up an AI phone agent for your small business in four simple steps, from choosing a voice and customizing your knowledge base to connecting your existing phone number and never missing a call again.

See how the top small business VoIP solutions compare on pricing, features, and flexibility so you can pick a phone system that works wherever you do.

See which AI appointment booking platforms help small businesses capture more bookings 24/7, from phone answering and text-based scheduling to calendar management and lead qualification.

Compare the best My AI Front Desk alternatives in 2026—AI answering services that offer lower-cost pricing, fewer plan limitations, and better-fit options for everything from simple small-business call handling to unlimited minutes and enterprise-grade customization.

DTMF (dual tone multi frequency) is the technology behind "press 1 for sales" phone menus. Learn how it works, how IVR systems are built, and why conversational AI is replacing traditional phone trees.

See which AI phone answering services work better for small businesses than Bland AI, with easier setup, simpler pricing, and no coding required.

Learn how to hire a virtual receptionist in 6 steps, from figuring out your call volume and budget to deciding between live receptionists, AI services, freelancers, or overseas hires.

See which AI tools small businesses should use in 2026 to answer calls, create marketing content, automate busywork, and manage sales and finances without adding headcount.

See exactly what happens when a customer calls your AI answering service, how it learns about your business, and how to get set up in under 30 minutes.

Compare the best AI receptionist services for handling high call volumes in 2026, see how they differ on features and pricing, and find the right option to help your small business answer every call without hiring extra staff.

Compare 7 legal answering services to find one that answers calls 24/7, handles client intake, and costs a fraction of hiring an in-house receptionist.

Learn how answering services give small business owners 24/7 peace of mind and help capture more customers with professional call handling.

Learn what to look for in a call answering service, including the different types available, must-have features, pricing models, red flags to avoid, and how to choose the right option for your small business in 2026.

Learn how to handle multiple phone calls using AI receptionists, IVR, and call queuing so you can answer every call, capture more leads, and stop losing customers to competitors, all without hiring extra staff.

Compare 7 Moneypenny alternatives that offer better pricing, more features, and transparent costs so you can find the right answering service for your small business.

Explore the top Ruby Receptionist alternatives and learn how AI and live answering services can help your business handle every call, stay within budget, and deliver a better customer experience.

Learn which platforms provide AI voice agents that small businesses can set up in minutes to answer calls, handle questions, and book appointments without hiring extra staff.

Learn the best phone script for scheduling appointments, with simple templates your team can use to book calls, prevent mistakes, and give customers a smoother experience.

See how receptionists manage your calls and how AI tools like Upfirst help small businesses handle every caller without hiring extra staff.

See which CallRail alternatives small businesses are using in 2025 to track calls, manage customer conversations, and make sure every call gets answered, without paying for features they don’t need.

Find out how much an AI receptionist really costs, what you get for your money, and why small business owners are switching to affordable 24/7 call coverage instead of hiring full-time staff.

See which business phone systems let you customize call routing to handle every customer call efficiently, and learn how you can set it up in less than a day with Upfirst.

Learn how an AI voice agent agency can help your business handle English and Spanish calls at once so every customer gets fast, friendly service without extra setup or staff.

Read how phone automation systems help small businesses handle calls, texts, and appointments, saving time, cutting costs, and keeping customers happy without hiring extra staff.

This article explores how AI virtual receptionists help small businesses answer every call 24/7, capture new leads, schedule appointments, and cut costs.

See how law firms can save hours each week by automating scheduling through calls, texts, emails, and their website, so clients can easily book anytime without the back-and-forth.

See how insurance agencies use affordable AI call-handling tools to answer every call 24/7, capture more leads, and save money without hiring extra staff.

See how an AI voice agent can answer every call, book and manage appointments, and help small teams stay organized and available for customers around the clock.

See how visual voicemail helps small businesses stay organized, save time, and never miss a customer message. Discover the best apps that make managing calls easier than ever.

See how automated voicemail systems help small businesses capture missed calls, stay connected 24/7, and how Upfirst's voicemail assistant might be a smarter alternative.

Learn how to set up an AI voice chatbot without code using Upfirst to answer calls, talk naturally with customers, and book appointments for your business.

See how landscaping and gardening businesses can use these 9 proven promotion ideas with tools like Upfirst to capture every call, convert more leads, and keep their schedules full all season long.

See which business phone tools small teams are turning to instead of OpenPhone, and find the best option to handle calls, texts, and customers more reliably in 2025.

Learn the difference between chatbots and virtual agents so you can choose the right tool to handle customer calls, messages, and appointments automatically.

See how AI virtual agents help small businesses handle calls, chats, and everyday tasks automatically—saving time, improving customer service, and keeping things running 24/7.

See how choosing between an answering service vs voicemail can help your small business capture more calls, look professional, and turn missed opportunities into new customers.

Learn the quick 30-second setting inside Follow Up Boss, and how pairing it with Upfirst’s AI answering service ensures every call is answered, so you never miss another opportunity.

See how an answering service can help small businesses stop missing calls, save money, and stay available 24/7, and why affordable AI options like Upfirst make it easier than ever to do it.

See what AI call-handling tools dealerships use to answer every call during busy hours, route customers to the right department, and book more appointments without hiring extra staff.

This guide walks you through the best Google Voice alternatives in 2025, helping you find a reliable, affordable phone solution that fits your growing business.

Learn how an always-on voice assistant from Upfirst can help you answer every Zillow and Apartments.com call, capture more leads, and never miss another opportunity.

Are slow responses and missed calls hurting your Google Local Service Ads ranking? See how you can easily answer every call, even when you're too busy to pick up the phone.

Intelligent call routing automatically directs callers to the right person or department, helping small businesses save time, reduce missed calls, and deliver a smoother customer experience. Read to learn more.

Wondering what to pay someone to answer your business phone in 2025? This guide explains the real costs and options so you can find the best fit for your budget and never miss another important call.

Here are the top 6 business phone solutions for small teams in 2025. Compare by price, features, and ease of use

Here’s a simple guide showing how tools like Upfirst can understand your Spanish-speaking customers, confirm details clearly, and even match local accents—plus easy tips to make every call smoother for your business.

Learn how to easily customize AI virtual receptionist scripts with clear prompts and industry-specific templates to book more appointments and give your callers a great experience.

This guide breaks down the top AI answering services that keep things consistent, route calls correctly, and are easy for small businesses and franchises to set up.

Learn about 5 easy tools that solo attorneys can use today for basic client-intake without hiring staff.

Discover how small businesses can use AI voices in IVRs to capture more appointments and help more customers.

Learn how AI answering services act as a digital gatekeeper for your business and how it prevents spam calls from reaching your team.

RingCentral and Upfirst both offer AI answering services, but they take very different approaches.

Explore how Upfirst and Rosie stack up on pricing, features, and support.

Discover 7 simple ways to improve how your small business handles incoming calls.

Easily support your Spanish-speaking tenants 24/7 with voice AI that instantly recognizes their language and connects them to a bilingual human when needed.

Learn how you can easily route customer calls to the right location every time with an AI voice agent that asks for the caller’s ZIP code.

Learn how property managers cut costs with 9 different automation tools that save them 15–20 hours/week.

Find out what the best AI multilingual receptionist platforms are and how you can get started today.

Learn how to improve your Google Local Service Ads ranking. In this guide, we cover seven steps you can put into action today to boost your rankings.

Learn the key differences between call centers and virtual assistants. Choose the right one for your business depending on what your business needs.

Learn about the cost of a virtual receptionist, the different pricing tiers, features, and more.

Learn how answering services work, how they make it easier to run a business, and what the different types of services are available. Find the right fit for your business.

Discover what sets an answering service apart from an answering machine, and why you should make the switch.

We test over 30 AI answering services to find the best options for small businesses. These 9 stood out for their natural-sounding voices, simple setup, and ability to actually handle real customer calls.

Do restaurants still even need a phone? Find out why the phone still has important uses for a restaurant in 2025.

What makes a great restaurant phone system? Learn what the benefits are of having a good phone system for your restaurant business, what features to look for, and what your best options are.

Learn what makes a welcoming restaurant answering machine greeting. Use friendly scripts that represents your brand and drives bookings.

Is your staff overloaded by tasks that can be automated? Explore simple solutions that help put time back in your hands.

Wondering what is the best vet software for startups? Take a look at some of the top software veterinarians are using in their tech stack.

How much should your receptionist know about medical specifics? Learn what the right balance is, and how introducing an AI answering service can help your vet clinic.

Looking to level up your phone presence? Keep well-crafted scripts ready so you're prepared for any scenario.

Learn all the best apps that electricians use everyday to streamline their workflow. Pair with an answering service and automate like a pro.

Learn and implement simple techniques to handle pushback on pricing for your job. See how an answering service can defuse pushback early.

Discover top AI tools that plumbers use everyday to make running their business easier.

Compare the pros and cons of a 24/7 in-house plumbers on-call rotation. Explore different answering service options designed to reduce on-call plumber burnout.

Learn why qualifying leads matters before you get in your truck and go. Discover a simple vetting process that'll help you filter real emergencies and avoid pointless trips.

Learn how finance and accounting firms can improve their phone etiquette. Build a reputation for reliability and professionalism when you pick up customer calls.

Learn some practical tips you can use today to help deal with call anxiety. Find out how you can become a pro at answering the phone for your accounting firm.

Learn how to develop a simple triage system to help handle high call volume during tax season.

Discover if an assistant or an answering service is right for your real estate business. Learn how to calculate the cost per qualified lead.

Discover simple, but effective strategies to get the most out of your lead generation budget.

Learn how you can develop a simple system to automatically triage showing inquiries after hours. Sit back, relax, and win back much deserved time.

Looking for bilingual assistance at your law practice? In this article, we explore the pros and cons of several different options to help you find a Spanish-speaking virtual assistant for your law firm.

Don't have the budget as a solo attorney for a full intake team? That's okay. In this guide, we explore how you can still replicate the benefits of a client intake team without hiring a full-time person.

Are after-hours calls from clients burning you out? In this guide, we walk you through how attorneys can better manage those late-night and weekend calls for a peaceful work-life balance.

Tired of chasing rent, fielding midnight calls, and drowning in paperwork? These 10 property management apps can take the grunt work off your plate—so you can focus on growing your business (or finally take a day off).

Lockout call procedures for property managers: learn AI call screening, fee policies, and electronic lock options to minimize disruptions.

Tired of tenants who call nonstop but never leave a message? This guide shows property managers how to cut down on missed calls, use voicemail effectively, and offer better ways for tenants to reach out.

Looking for the best live answering service for your business? Our 2025 guide breaks down the top providers—complete with pricing, features, and honest pros and cons.