Virtual Receptionist Service
Your calls answered. Your messages taken. Nothing complicated.
Our popular message taking service is for businesses that need reliable call cover. We answer in your company name, take the caller’s details and message, then pass everything on to you.
No voicemail. No missed enquiries. No need to stop what you’re doing every time the phone rings.
Trusting another company to answer your telephone is a fairly big deal. After all, the person picking up may be the first contact a new customer has with your business.
Answer4u has been handling calls for UK businesses since 2004.
From our UK call centre in Nottingham, our trained receptionists have answered more than 60 million calls and supported over 12,000 clients.
Our team is trained to speak clearly, listen properly and capture caller information accurately, so your customers receive the sort of welcome you’d want them to receive yourself.
Why Our Client Trust Us
- 100% UK based call centre
- Established for over 20 years
- 92% client retention rate
- Over 60 million calls handled
How It Works
Simple and effective call cover for your business.
Your calls come through to Answer4u
We answer in your company name
We take the callers message
You receive the call details
Key Benefits
Let Answer4u handle your calls. It's quick to setup, you get a free number and you save on recruitment costs.
Quick to Set-Up
- Live call handling in minutes
- Simple call diversion process
- No technical set-up needed
- SMS & email notifications
- Perfect for start-ups & trades
Get a Free Number
- Business number provided
- Multiple number options:
- 0800 and 0330 numbers
- Local geographic numbers
- Divert your existing number
Cut Employment Costs
- Save money on salary
- No PAYE, NI or holiday costs
- No staff training needed
- Avoid costly equipment
- No staff premises required
37%
"Our research found that 37% of UK adults would abandon an unanswered business call within the first 60 seconds."
Simple Pricing. Two Ways to Pay
Our Virtual Receptionist Service offers simple pay-as-you-go pricing and affordable call bundles.
Pay As You Go
There’s no contractual obligation, and you receive ongoing support from our customer service team.
- Pricing from £1.75 per call
- £19.99 monthly subscription
- £0.11 per email message
- £0.17 per SMS message
- Free 30 day trial
Perfect for small businesses with low call volumes.
Monthly Call Bundles
Save money and enjoy peace of mind of knowing how much you'll pay each month.
| Call Bundle | Calls per month | Monthly charge | Saving up to* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptionist 25 | 25 | £43.75 | £26.99 |
| Receptionist 50 | 50 | £87.50 | £33.99 |
| Receptionist 75 | 75 | £131.25 | £40.99 |
| Receptionist 100 | 100 | £175.00 | £47.99 |
| Receptionist 200 | 200 | £350.00 | £75.99 |
*Based on equivalent number of calls answered if not signed up for a bundle and receiving a text and email message alert
Just Cashflow Case Study
"Having an efficient, professional, and 'always-on' front-of-house solution is imperative for dealing with new enquiries. Answer4u has consistently delivered a first-class response and continues to refine the service as our callers' needs evolve."
John Davies, Founding Director of Just Cashflow
Book a Free Consultation
Take the first step towards improving your customer service by booking a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our sales representatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a virtual receptionist service?
A virtual receptionist service is a broad term for outsourced telephone answering. Depending on the provider, it can include anything from basic message taking to appointment booking, call transfers and more involved customer support.
Answer4u’s Virtual Receptionist Service keeps things simple. We answer your calls in your company name, take the caller’s details and message, then send the information to you so you can respond when it suits you.
Which types of companies benefit from a message taking service like this?
Message taking services are especially useful for businesses that receive regular calls but don’t always have the time or staff to answer them. We work with all sorts of clients across the UK, from start-ups and small businesses to established SMEs and franchises.
Is 24/7 support available as standard with your receptionist team?
Yes. Our receptionist team is available 24/7, so your calls can be answered outside normal office hours, at weekends and overnight. That means your business can stay available even when you’re not, without asking your own team to be permanently attached to the phone.
Will my callers know they're speaking to an outsourced receptionist?
No, they'll assume they're speaking to your in-house team. Our receptionists answer the phone using your business name and take messages on your behalf, offering a seamless customer experience.
How much does it cost?
We use a simple, flexible pricing model. You can choose pay-as-you-go call answering with a fixed cost per call, plus a small charge for message delivery.
Or, if you know roughly how many calls you receive, you can also choose a prepaid call bundle to help keep costs predictable. For an exact price based on your expected call volume, get in touch and we’ll recommend the most suitable option.
Is special software needed to use your remote receptionist solution?
No. You don’t need any special software or equipment to use our answering service. Simply divert your existing business number to us, or use a new number we provide.
Once that’s set up, we answer your calls and take messages on your behalf. No complicated systems, downloads or new kit required.
Do you currently offer a free trial of your answering service?
Yes. We offer a free 30-day trial, giving you the chance to see how our answering service works before you commit. It’s a simple way to try the service with your own calls and decide whether it’s the right fit for your business.
Can I keep using my existing phone number with your service?
Yes. You can keep using your existing business number with our service, so there’s no need to change the contact details your customers already have. You simply divert your calls to our answering service, where our team answers them in your company name.
Is your receptionist support team UK based?
Yes. Our receptionist team is based at our UK call centre in Nottingham, so your callers always speak to a trained call agent right here in the UK.
Can I use the service during my peak times?
Yes. Our call handling service is flexible; you can use it during peak times, lunch breaks, holidays, or as a permanent solution.
How quickly can your receptionist team be set up to handle my calls?
We can setup a receptionist team in minutes. As soon as you confirm your subscription, we'll provide you with a call divert number and access to our online portal, A4u Anytime. From there, you can finalise your call handling instructions before we activate your account.
Is my customer data safe with Answer4u?
Absolutely. Answer4u is fully GDPR compliant and adheres to strict data protection protocols to ensure the security of your information.
Can I use receptionist support as a permanent solution?
Yes. Many clients use our call handling service as their permanent front-of-house solution. It's a cost-effective alternative to hiring staff.
What happens when more than one caller tries to get through at once?
We have a large number of virtual receptionists at our Nottingham call centre so we can handle multiple calls simultaneously. Every call is answered promptly, with no busy tones and no missed opportunities.
How do I start using an Answer4u receptionist?
Getting started is easy. Contact us on 0800 822 3344 to discuss your requirements, choose your receptionist service package, and we'll have you set up within a few minutes.

Get In Touch
Contact us today to get your free consultation.
Call us on 08008223344 or fill in the contact form and we'll get back to you to discuss how we can help your business.

