AI receptionist for small business
Enterprise97 builds AI receptionists that answer common questions, take messages, and request appointments for small businesses. The receptionist uses the information you provide and hands over to your team when a person is needed.
You provide
Your hours, services, location, and the questions customers ask most
You get
Answers from your information, Message taking, Appointment requests, and more
Timeline
Agreed in the free consultation, once the scope is clear.
Pricing
Depends on scope. The cost factors are below.
What is an AI receptionist for small business?
An AI receptionist for small business is software that greets customers, answers common questions in natural language, takes messages, and requests appointments, using the information the business provides. Enterprise97 builds and tests it, then sets clear hand-off rules so a person handles anything urgent or sensitive.
What are typical uses?
- Opening hours and directions. Visitors get a quick answer without waiting for a reply.
- Taking a message. The receptionist collects the details and emails them to the right person.
- Booking request. A customer asks for a time and your team confirms it.
What does AI Receptionist include?
Answers from your information
Responses use the details you provide, such as hours, services, location, and policies.
Message taking
Names, contact details, and the reason for the enquiry are collected and sent to you.
Appointment requests
Visitors or callers ask for a time, and your team confirms it, or it is added to your calendar where your system allows.
Hand-off to your team
Urgent, complex, or sensitive requests are passed to a person.
Channels that fit your business
Website chat, messaging, or phone, depending on your setup and the rules that apply to you.
Testing and tuning
We test common questions before launch and improve the answers from real conversations.
How does AI Receptionist work?
- 1
Collect your information
You share your hours, services, common questions, and the answers you want given.
- 2
Set up and test
We build the receptionist, connect it to your calendar or inbox where possible, and test it with real questions.
- 3
Launch and improve
We go live on the channels you choose, then review conversations and refine the answers.
How does it compare with the alternatives?
| Aspect | Voicemail | Human receptionist | AI receptionist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Answers outside business hours | Records a message | Only with extra staffing | Yes |
| Answers common questions | No | Yes | Yes, from the information provided |
| Judgment on unusual or sensitive cases | No | Yes | Hands over to a person |
| Setup effort | None | Hiring and training | Provide information and test |
What affects the cost of AI Receptionist?
Enterprise97 agrees a scope and price after a free consultation. These factors decide the size of a project.
| Cost factor | How it affects the project |
|---|---|
| Channels | Website chat is simpler than phone or several messaging channels. |
| Amount of information | More services, locations, and policies mean more setup and testing. |
| Calendar and system connections | Booking and CRM links add work and depend on what your tools allow. |
| Hand-off rules | More teams or escalation paths take longer to design and test. |
Is it right for my business?
A good fit if
- Calls and messages go unanswered while you are with a customer
- Customers ask the same questions about hours, prices, and location
- You lose enquiries outside business hours
- You want to book appointments without back-and-forth messages
Probably not a fit if
- Most enquiries need a person's judgment or an emergency response
- You have no written answers to common questions
- You cannot review conversations or follow up on messages
What are the risks?
| Risk | How Enterprise97 handles it |
|---|---|
| Wrong or invented answers | The receptionist answers only from your information and is tested on real questions first. |
| Privacy and call recording rules | Rules differ by state and industry. We agree data handling with you first and suggest telling callers they are speaking to an AI; check the rules that apply to you. |
| Emergencies | It is not for emergencies. We set it to direct urgent cases to a person or to the right emergency service. |
What do we need from you?
- Your hours, services, location, and the questions customers ask most
- The channel where it should answer, such as your website or phone line
- A person or inbox to receive messages and hand-offs
Common questions
What is an AI receptionist?
An AI receptionist is software that answers customer questions in natural language, takes messages, and requests appointments, using the information a business provides. It hands over to a person when it cannot help.
Can an AI receptionist answer the phone?
It can, depending on your phone provider and setup. We confirm what is possible for your phone system, and the rules that apply to you, during discovery. Website chat is often the simpler place to start.
Should I tell callers they are speaking to an AI?
We recommend it. Rules on disclosure and call recording differ by state and by industry, so check what applies to your business. We are not a law firm.
How much does an AI receptionist cost?
It depends on the channels, how much information the receptionist needs, and the systems it connects to. Enterprise97 agrees scope and price after a free consultation. Ask any provider which costs are one-time and which are monthly.
Is an AI receptionist HIPAA compliant?
Not automatically. If a business handles patient information, privacy rules such as HIPAA must be reviewed for that project. We agree data handling in writing before building, and we do not give legal advice.
Which businesses use an AI receptionist?
Businesses with repeat enquiries and bookings, such as local service businesses, dental and medical offices, salons, real estate, and law firms. Healthcare and legal projects get a privacy review first, and we do not give clinical advice.
Which related services do businesses combine with this?
Guides about AI Receptionist
Industries that use AI Receptionist
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Last updated: 6 November 2026