A virtual receptionist service answers your calls and messages, takes details and books appointments, so you never miss a lead while you work. Choose one by the hours it covers, how calls are handled, what happens after hours and whether you can test it first.
A virtual receptionist service answers your calls and messages so you do not have to. Callers reach a real person, get their questions answered and can book a time. You stay with the client in front of you and still catch the next lead.
Who uses a virtual receptionist service
Clinics, trades, agencies, law and accounting firms and small service businesses often use a virtual receptionist. They are busy with clients and cannot answer every call. A missed call can mean a lost job, so a virtual receptionist service protects that first contact.
What a virtual receptionist covers
- Call answering. A friendly greeting in your business name.
- Messages. Clear notes sent to you by email or in your portal.
- Bookings. Appointments added to your calendar.
- Simple questions. Hours, prices and directions from your approved answers.
- Lead details. Name, number and what the caller needs.
How to choose a virtual receptionist service
- Hours. Which hours are covered, and what happens after hours?
- Call handling. Who writes the greeting and the answers?
- Handover. How do messages reach you, and how fast?
- Review. Who checks quality and calls?
- Terms. Can you change hours or stop without penalties?
Virtual receptionist or AI receptionist?
AI can answer fast and works all night. A person handles tone, upset callers and tricky questions better. Many businesses combine both. Read our comparison of an AI receptionist vs a virtual receptionist.
What it costs
Cost depends on hours and call volume. See our guide to virtual receptionist pricing. At MyRemoteVA, pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour and dedicated plans start from $5.62 an hour. A team lead reviews the work, and AI helps with routine tasks while a person checks the result.
How to start
Write your greeting, your top ten answers and when to book or pass a call to you. Start with the busiest hours for two weeks and read every message summary. Then add more hours. See the virtual receptionist service page for details.
Ready to try a virtual receptionist service? See pricing or start for $1.
Frequently asked questions
What does a virtual receptionist service do?
It answers calls in your business name, takes messages, answers simple questions and books appointments into your calendar.
Is a virtual receptionist better than an answering machine?
Yes, for most businesses. A person can answer questions, take details and book a time, so callers do not hang up and call a competitor.
What should I check before I choose one?
Check the hours covered, how calls are handled, how messages reach you and whether you can start with a small test.
What is doing this yourself costing you?
Doing it yourself: $2,165 a month of your time.
The same hours at our $12/hr pay-as-you-go rate: $520. Dedicated plans start at $5.62/hr.
Simple maths from the numbers you enter. It assumes a VA can take on those hours.
Start for $1Written by the MyRemoteVA team. Search-trend figures come from Google Trends. Prices shown are our current plans. Last updated September 30, 2026. Questions or corrections? Contact us.
Reception & Appointment Setting
A virtual receptionist and appointment setter to answer calls, book meetings, qualify leads and follow up, in your business hours.
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