How to create an AI voice chatbot without code in less than a day

Running a small business means you’re always busy. You're constantly taking calls, helping customers, managing your schedule, marketing your business, overseeing teams, and juggling a hundred other tasks. When the phone rings during a meeting, or after hours, it’s easy to miss important calls.

That’s where an AI voice chatbot can help. Think of it as a friendly, always-on receptionist who never needs a break and always answers with a professional tone (even when a caller might come off a little rude). With the right setup, your business can be more responsive and never let a customer hit a voicemail box again.

Let’s break down what a voice-based chatbot is, and how you can create your own AI voice chatbot with Upfirst in less than a day. No technical experience needed.

What is an AI voice chatbot?

An AI voice chatbot is a smart system that talks and listens just like a real person. Using speech recognition, it understands what your callers say, and then replies using natural language, so it sounds conversational and human.

In simple terms:

Your customer talks → the chatbot with voice listens → it responds right away with helpful answers.

With an AI chatbot with voice, you can:

• Answer common questions about your business (like hours, services, and pricing)
• Book or change appointments
• Take messages and send you summaries
• Transfer calls to the right team member if needed

Imagine it as your own virtual receptionist, handling calls while you focus on running your business. Except, this virtual receptionist is actually affordable.

Why small businesses are choosing AI voice chatbots

For small businesses, it's hard to answer every call, but missing them can mean losing out on opportunities. An AI chatbot with voice solution like Upfirst keeps your phone lines open, so you never miss out.

Here’s why business owners love voice chatbots:

• Available 24/7: Your phone gets answered any time—day, night, or weekends.
• Saves time: Spend more quality time with in-person customers, while your AI handles incoming calls.
• Boosts your image: Every caller hears a warm, consistent greeting.
• Captures leads: Never lose track of an inquiry; every call is logged for easy follow-up.

Real-life examples:

• A landscaping business captures every weekend quote request.
• A vet clinic books appointments, even when staff are helping furry patients.
• A property management company can schedule new leads or take service requests from tenants.

How to set up an AI voice chatbot with Upfirst in less than a day (step by step)

Setting up a chatbot voice assistant with Upfirst is quick and easy. There’s no code, no tech headaches. Just a few straightforward steps.

Step 1: Create your Upfirst account

Go to Upfirst.com and sign up. It's free to try for 14 days, giving you plenty of time to test out the service. Everything is online, so there’s nothing to download or install.

Step 2: Personalize your AI’s greeting

Customize your voice chatbot's greeting every time a customer calls.

Example:

"Hi, you’ve reached Paws & Claws Veterinary Clinic. How can I assist you today?"

A personal touch helps your business feel more welcoming and trustworthy.

Pro tip: Be upfront that it's an AI chatbot with voice. A lot of users go with a greeting like this: 

"Hi, you’ve reached Paws & Claws Veterinary Clinic. I'm the clinic's virtual receptionist, and I can help schedule appointments, answer questions, or help with refills. How can I help you today?"

Step 3: Add your business info

Tell Upfirst about your business. You’ll add:

• Your business name
• Your business hours
• Your services

Add as much information to the chatbot's knowledge base that you think it should know.

If there's a question that a caller has and it's not in the knowledge base, the AI voice bot might relay false information or not know how to answer appropriately. 

So, be sure to add information about your business and services.

Step 4: Add simple instructions on how to handle certain calls

Now, show your AI chatbot with voice how to handle different situations, like whether the caller is a new lead, a returning customer, or someone that wants to schedule an appointment.

For example:

• “If someone wants to book, ask what date and time works.”
• “If it’s urgent, transfer the call to my mobile.”
• “If they ask about pricing, share our standard rates.”

And for anything unclear, you can add:

“If you’re unsure what the caller wants, just take a detailed message.”

These clear directions help your chatbot vocal respond naturally and follow your exact directions for how you want calls handled.

Step 5: Add smart actions (optional)

Upfirst lets your AI do more than just talk. You can:

• Book appointments right to your Google or Outlook Calendar
• Customize and send texts automatically with links to your booking calendar or other information
• Route calls to the right team member based on what the caller says
• Collect leads and send them to your CRM

Example:

“If a caller wants a quote, text them a link to our estimate form.”

Smart actions help your voice based chatbot work like a real assistant.

Step 6: Make some test calls

Call your number to hear how your chatbot with voice sounds and test it out.

With some test calls, you can see how your AI voice chatbot handles various scenarios. Check your Upfirst dashboard to review voicemail transcriptions. You can make tweaks to your voice-based chatbot until it takes calls just how you want it.

Step 7: Forward your calls and go live

Once you're satisfied with how your voice chatbot takes calls, you can forward your calls from your existing business line to your Upfirst AI voice agent. 

You can:

• Forward every call to Upfirst
• Forward just missed or after hours calls 
• Or use your Upfirst number directly for your business

💡 Bonus step: Add a click-to-call tool to your website

Make it simple for website visitors to call you in one click. With Upfirst’s free Click-to-Call tool, customers can reach your AI chatbot with voice directly from your website. It’s great for mobile users and boosts your chances of connecting with new leads.

What your AI voice chatbot can do for you

Once you’re set up, your voice chatbot can take care of tasks that would normally need a receptionist:

• Answer several calls at the same time
• Instantly reply to FAQs
• Automatically schedule appointments
• Collect caller info and text you summaries
• Transfer urgent calls to real staff

Example: If you’re on a job, your AI answers, collects the caller’s info, and sends you a text. No more missed leads or lost business.

How Upfirst keeps things simple

Upfirst is designed for business owners and solopreneurs to have an affordable way to answer their phone calls, all with no technological or coding expertise.

Here’s why it’s so easy:

• No code required: Manage everything from a user-friendly dashboard
• Transparent pricing: Pay per call, not by the minute
• Multilingual: Help customers in multiple languages
• Always reliable: Runs 24/7 with built-in spam protection

You can focus on your business, while Upfirst handles your calls with an AI chatbot with voice.

Tips for optimizing your AI voice chatbot

Your prompts shape how your voice chatbot responds. Here’s how to get the most out of it:

• Be specific about what you want your AI to do. Are you setting up for general intake (collect name and phone), or do you need more complex call handling like scheduling appointments or qualifying leads?
• Keep directions simple and easy to follow
• Use if-then instructions for common tasks
  • Example:
  If a caller wants to book an appointment, ask for their name, phone number, and email.
• Skip vague language like “handle however you see fit”
• Add fallback options: “If you’re unsure what a caller wants, take a message.”
• Review transcripts often and update prompts to improve responses

Clear, simple prompts help your chatbot voice deliver a great experience every time, and makes sure the AI is handling calls exactly how you want it to.

Final thoughts

You don’t need to be a tech expert to improve how your business handles calls. With Upfirst, you can easily:

• Create your own AI voice chatbot for your business
• Choose how it answers and transfers calls
• Automate bookings and follow-ups
• Add a click-to-call button to your website

All without any coding.

Ready to get started? 👉 Visit Upfirst and have your AI voice chatbot answering calls within minutes.