Many businesses close down for the Christmas and New Year break, particularly in the service sector. This can be frustrating for self-employed people and small businesses that continue to work through the festive period.

For many, nothing creates a feeling of bar humbug more than making important calls to order extra stock or supplies, prepare leaflets or order printing only to hear an answerphone message wishing everyone seasons greetings and inviting them to leave a message that will be returned ‘in the new year’.

One solution to the potential of ruining a hard working Christmas is to use a business telephone call answering service to make sure your customers aren’t left trimming their nails until the new year.

A call answering service with a dedicated call handler can answer calls, take detailed messages, reassure customers and send detailed notes via email to the right person. This means that you can be alerted to any important issues via email, giving you the chance to ensure maximum customer service, even when the office is running to a minimum or closed entirely.

What’s more, with appointment booking and diary management services, you can come back to the office at the start of 2016 with sales appointments and meeting notes logged onto your computer.

A dedicated call handler will get to know repeat customers, develop a rapport with callers and be able to answer basic questions that might be asked personally. If you can’t get back to the caller until the new year, a friendly voice will maintain good will far more than a recorded voicemail greeting.

This Christmas, make sure that your business delivers some festive cheer to any customers or new clients that call and benefit from additional revenue at the start of the new year.