Small business software basics

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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’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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

Learn how you can easily send calls straight to voicemail. Find out the best options for business owners and professionals.

Learn the key differences between cold transfer vs warm transfer. Discover how to best implement each transfer for your business.

Find out what factors influence live answering service pricing. Discover methods that help reduce costs.

Learn all about phone trees and how they can benefit your business. Discover best practices and real-world examples that you can use.

Learn how you can use a Google Voice answering service to manage calls for your business. Explore the benefits and the drawbacks of Google Voice, as well as other options that may be better for you.

Learn about practical ways you can reduce annoying spam and robocalls. Combine different methods and get some peace from unwanted calls.

Learn what call screening is, how it works, and why businesses need call screening services. Find out how you can use it in your business and save yourself time.

Learn what self-service IVR is and how it can benefit your business. Discover how to use it to your advantage, and find out how it's evolving every year.

Learn exactly what a phone menu system is, the different types, and how to set up an effective menu. Avoid three common mistakes that people make with their phone menus and improve your service.

Discover why follow-up emails are important for growing your business. Learn how to craft the perfect follow-up email after phone call and use them to grow your business relationships and land more clients.

Discover what conversational IVR is and how your small business can benefit from it. Learn how it differs from traditional IVR and implement it into your business.

Learn how you can record business phone calls right on your phone. Discover the different types of call recording for business, legal requirements, and benefits.

We analyzed 5,000 negative customer reviews to identify key pain points and surveyed 255 consumers to find solutions.

Learn what AI phone numbers are, how they work, and why businesses are using them. Explore benefits, use cases, and more in this comprehensive guide.

Discover the key traits and skills that make an outstanding customer service rep, ensuring superior customer experience and brand loyalty.

Find yourself missing a lot of calls? Want to transfer voicemail to email? Follow this step-by-step guide.

Explore how conversational AI enhances customer service with generative AI, virtual agents, security, and integration capabilities.

Explore how to deliver outstanding customer service over the phone. Improve communication, resolve issues effectively, and build stronger customer relationships.

Explore these 6 practical tips for call reduction. Learn how to improve efficiency, and boost customer satisfaction by leveraging AI and more.

What is a virtual call center? Discover how this service operates, the technology that powers them, and the advantages they bring to your business.

Discover strategies to build meaningful connections with customers through empathy, personalization, and diverse communication channels.

Explore the advantages of using an outsourced phone answering service, including real-time resolution, 24/7 availability, and cost savings.

What is call forwarding and how can it benefit you? Understand how call forwarding works and why it’s essential in modern communication.

Keep your business voicemail greetings fresh and effective! Explore scripts and helpful tips for after-hours messages, holiday messages, and more.

Stop measuring your call center by call times and start measuring what matters. After speaking to call center managers and reps on the floor, here are the battle-tested strategies that actually improve customer satisfaction.

Drowning in a sea of incoming calls? Discover strategies to manage high call volumes and improve customer satisfaction.

Can't keep up with all the calls your business gets but can't afford to hire someone either? A virtual receptionist is the answer.

Learn what an outsourced phone answering service is, and how businesses are benefiting from them.

Learn what inbound calls are, their significance in customer service, and essential metrics for effective call center management.