The Pocket Receptionist Blog
Practical guides for growing a UK service business with better call handling.
AI Receptionist vs Virtual Receptionist: Which Is Best for Your Business?
AI receptionists might be a better option than an in-house receptionist, but how do they compare to trained human virtual receptionists?
29 June 2026 · 5 min read
Why a Call Answering Service Beats Hiring a Single Receptionist (Every Time)
Running a small business means wearing multiple hats, from sales to operations to customer service. But when it comes to answering calls, the decision between hiring a receptionist and outsourcing to a professional call answering service can significantly impact your bottom line, customer experience, and growth potential. Let’s break down the benefits and show why […]
24 November 2025 · 3 min read
How Pocket Receptionist + Zapier Can Automate Your Business and Save You Hours Each Week
Running a small business is all about juggling priorities. From responding to enquiries and logging client details to staying on top of follow-ups, it’s easy for admin to take over your day. That’s where Zapier, a powerful automation tool, comes in. Zapier connects your favourite apps (such as Gmail, Teams, Salesforce, and more) so they […]
21 November 2025 · 5 min read
Top 3 Reasons Why a Tradesman Needs an Answering Service
As a busy tradesman– whether you’re a plumber, electrician, builder or decorator – your day is filled with physical work, tight schedules, on-site jobs and a whole lot more. The last thing you need is to be interrupted by ringing phones while trying to focus on a task, or worse, missing a call from a […]
7 November 2025 · 2 min read
Are You Exposing Yourself to Cybercrime?
Everyone has heard the word cybercrime but as with most things of this nature, you never think it will happen to you. But if you’re not actively doing something about it, how can you feel confident that you are protected? The truth is that you can’t. And just like keeping your valuables safe is as […]
2 June 2023 · 5 min read
The Top 3 Differences Between a Call Centre & Call Answering Service
The majority of businesses will eventually look to outsource their telephony. Frustratingly, the hunt for the perfect service can lead you down unnecessary rabbit holes, and nobody’s got time for that! What you will find is that there are two prominent services available to you, call centres and call answering services. To help you choose […]
25 April 2023 · 3 min read
Phone Calls Matter 12 X More Than Mouse Clicks
You may think this headline is controversial, because after all, everyone shops online now, and phone calls are like so 2000s. We can’t deny that 80% of people in the UK now shop online. With that comes the various communication channels that the younger generations prefer to use, email, web chat, social media, etc. However, […]
31 March 2023 · 5 min read
Creating a Business Presence in the UK: A Helpful Guide
So, you run a business and now want to target the UK market. But how do you expand your business into the UK? How will you assure local customers that you understand their needs? Keep reading to see how you can build a business presence in the UK while establishing trust with your UK audience. […]
2 February 2023 · 4 min read
How a Call Answering Service Can Help You Run a Marketing Campaign
Marketing campaigns are designed to build brand awareness, increase engagement, and boost sales. But with any successful campaign comes a surge of inbound enquiries and interest. So, how do you increase your capacity for inbound enquiries while capturing leads that were generated by your campaign? To meet the demand that your marketing campaign has created, […]
7 January 2023 · 3 min read
Virtual Assistants vs Virtual Receptionists – What’s the Difference?
Are you unsure whether you should be hiring a Virtual Assistant or Virtual Receptionist for your business? Continue reading to find out the similarities and differences to help you identify which one fits the needs of your business most. Virtual Services The ability to hire virtual staff is a gift from technological digitisation and development. […]
3 January 2023 · 4 min read
Could You Win More Sales with a Call Answering Service?
In today’s digital age, virtual services are hitting an all-time high. Call answering services in particular are relatively commonplace for businesses of all sizes. Call answering services bring you a whole host of benefits including cost-savings, improving business image, and even boosting sales. Believe it or not, call answering services can capture leads and convert […]
21 December 2022 · 3 min read
2022: Pocket Receptionist Highlights
Here at Pocket Receptionist, 2022 was all about how we can help business owners like you spend more time on the important things and simplify your work life. We know you’re busy, so you may not be up to speed with all the exciting features and every single update we introduced in 2022, so we’ve […]
19 December 2022 · 2 min read
Maximise Live Chat on Your Website
So, you have decided to add a live chat widget to your website, but what happens now? You are now tasked with making sure that it’s bringing you business and that you’re getting the most out of the service. Live chat has a lot of benefits to offer but you need to know how to […]
11 December 2022 · 3 min read
How to Deal with an Angry Caller
As a call handler there is no doubt that you will come across frustrated or even angry callers daily, and how you handle those types of calls will either lead to a successful resolution or risk losing the customer altogether. It is essential for all call handlers to receive the proper tools and training to […]
8 December 2022 · 3 min read
Growing Your Business on a Small Budget: Outsourcing
In the current climate, there is a lot of buzz around the best ways start-ups can save both time and money. While you can follow the latest advice, there is one surefire way your business can be cost-effective and timesaving: outsourcing. Outsource all non-essential tasks and tasks that you would rather avoid to talented freelancers, […]
29 November 2022 · 3 min read
Call Handling Skills: 4 Phrases to Avoid on a Phone Call
Establishing and maintaining a personal connection with your customers is the key to any successful business. But what’s the best way to build a great relationship with your clientele? Most great business relationships begin with a phone call. With this in mind, there’s no doubt that how you answer your calls is essential. Answering your […]
21 February 2022 · 3 min read
Is It Time to Outsource to a Telephone Answering Service?
Businesses outsourcing their call handling to a telephone answering service is becoming more common. You may be wondering if your business is too small but whether you are a one-man-band or a big corporation, you can substantially benefit from outsourcing this service. One of the top reasons for outsourcing to a call answering service is that it’s […]
11 January 2022 · 3 min read
Pocket Receptionist wins Customer Excellence Award at Business Awards 2021
Pocket Receptionist are thrilled to announce their win at this year’s Business Awards, bringing home the Customer Excellence award. The Business Awards 2021, sponsored by The Chamber of Commerce and Sizewell C, brings the business community together to celebrate the achievements and contributions to the economy. What we do Pocket Receptionist is a proud business, […]
24 November 2021 · 3 min read
How to Make the Best Call Answering Service Script
Every time we onboard a new customer, part of the process is us getting to know your business. That includes, what your business does, how you would like us to handle your calls and deal with certain types of calls and customers. When you outsource us as your UK-based call answering service to ensure that you never […]
15 November 2021 · 5 min read
Improve productivity with a Telephone Answering Service
As a small business owner, your time is usually spread thin. You will have to manage your team, go through accounts, and deal with the day-to-day tasks that are involved with running an effective business. What you don’t need is being interrupted by business phone calls. For small businesses, missed calls cost money. Not only […]
1 October 2021 · 5 min read
Business Champion Awards 2022 Finalist: Business Innovation of the Year
Pocket Receptionist are the UK’s leading, award-winning, Live Call-Answering service. Founded in April 2016, the concept is based on having an entire receptionist team that you can fit in your pocket – meaning, that the service is app-based. The Pocket Receptionist team were honoured to be invited to attend the awards evening on Tuesday 23rd […]
6 April 2021 · 2 min read
Money Penny telephone answering service. Probably the best known receptionist of all time? Au contraire!
Money Penny was probably the best-known receptionist of all time, but James Bonds money and pennies could have been better spent elsewhere. Did you know, you can get a receptionist like Money Penny without the hassle and cost of hiring one? Our phone answering service is the fastest growing in the UK We’ll greet your […]
24 April 2020 · 2 min read
Disaster recovery – here’s how our company can help your company!
About three years ago I wrote a blog about disaster recovery; a light-hearted tome about having a back-up plan for if your business was hit by unusual and unforeseen circumstances. Wise words at the time but who could have imagined the disastrous scenario the whole world is currently facing? Currently it feels like the world […]
24 March 2020 · 3 min read
Why has in-house and outsourced Managed Live Chat now become a necessity?
When you visit a website for the first time, your eyes are naturally drawn to the bottom right-hand corner for a small chatbox to pop up and visually poke you for engagement, but it wasn’t so long ago we would look to the top right to check for a phone number. The growing popularity of […]
9 October 2019 · 6 min read
One of the easiest and most inexpensive business hacks that will instantly separate you from your competitors!
Companies are constantly fighting for the top spot online and spend thousands of pounds on marketing their business, but are they missing a trick? Think about how Google works…most consumers will turn to Google when looking for a new product/service. Getting on page one of Google is hard enough let alone getting your listing to […]
7 January 2019 · 2 min read
How to get your business ready for Christmas in less than 30 minutes
As the song says – It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and for some businesses it can be the busiest time of the year too. Before you know it, Christmas Eve will be here, and you will be relaxing (possibly) with loved ones eating chocolates and mince pies. With all the excitement […]
14 December 2018 · 2 min read
Benefits to Outsourcing
In these days of economic uncertainties, especially in the run up to Brexit, looking to outsource various aspects of a business could be critical for success. Below are some of the main benefits of outsourcing operations within your business. Reduced operational and recruitment costs Outsourcing various functions of a business reduces the need to hire […]
26 October 2018 · 3 min read
6 tips to help get the Work-Life balance right for you
Always busy with work and feel you never switch off or get time to properly relax? You’re not alone! Whether you are running your own business or working for a company, it can be hard to switch off from work mode and make sure you have time for you and your family. There are 6 […]
2 October 2018 · 4 min read
Really Poor Excuses for not using a Call Answering Service
We get it. Outsourcing any part of your business can be nerve-racking. You are passionate about what you do and feel the need to retain control over every part of the day-to-day running of your company. But getting some simple help – like using a call answering service – could be the best decision you […]
16 April 2018 · 3 min read
Why you should use call recording
Call recording is a useful feature for businesses who want to keep firm control of their phone communications. From not missing important details to sophisticated product development, recording your calls may have a wider impact on your business than you dare consider. Capture key details The most immediate positive effect of call recording is that […]
16 October 2017 · 4 min read
Mark your contacts as VIP
From within the Pocket Receptionist’s Android and iPhone app you can mark your contacts as VIP. A call from a VIP contact will be transferred straight through to you or any UK landline or mobile number you enter, skipping our team of receptionists completely. This will be useful for friends and family, as you might […]
1 November 2016 · 2 min read