An answering service that actually answers.
Message-taking services just pass the problem back to you. ReceptionIQ replies to every enquiry in seconds with real answers about your services, prices and availability — then books the job.
Message-taking vs. answering
Traditional answering service
- Agents take a message — you still call back
- Per-call or per-minute pricing that spikes in busy months
- Phone only; WhatsApp and Instagram go unanswered
- No access to your live availability, so nothing gets booked
- Scripts that do not know your prices or policies
ReceptionIQ
- Answers the actual question from your own knowledge base
- Flat monthly plan with a clear reply allowance
- WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and web chat covered
- Books straight into your calendar with real availability
- Escalates complaints, payments and sensitive issues to you
Every channel your customers already use
WhatsApp Business
The default enquiry channel for most service businesses.
Instagram DMs
Answers questions that arrive from posts, stories and ads.
Facebook Messenger
Page messages answered without anyone watching the tab.
Website widget
One line of code turns your site into a booking channel.
One inbox. Every channel. You stay in control.
A virtual receptionist for small business owners
Most small businesses cannot justify a full-time receptionist, but still lose work every week to enquiries answered hours late. A virtual receptionist gives you the same front desk without the salary: ReceptionIQ greets each customer, answers questions from your own prices, services and opening hours, qualifies the lead and books it in — evenings, weekends and while you are with a client.
- No salary, no rota, no sick days
- Answers in seconds, 24/7 including weekends
- Knows your prices, services and policies
- Qualifies leads before they reach you
- Books appointments into your calendar
- Hands complaints and payments straight to you
What it costs
Answering services usually bill per call or per minute, so a busy month costs more just when margins are tight. ReceptionIQ is a flat monthly plan with a clear reply allowance, shown and charged in your local currency.
Starter
$29
per month
500 AI replies/month
Growth
$197
per month
2,500 AI replies/month
Business
$297
per month
5,000 AI replies/month
Common questions
What is an AI answering service?
It is a service that answers incoming customer enquiries automatically, around the clock, instead of routing them to a call centre or voicemail. ReceptionIQ answers text-based enquiries — WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, Facebook Messenger and your website widget — using your business's own information.
Is this a virtual receptionist for small business?
Yes. ReceptionIQ is designed for small businesses that cannot staff a front desk. It greets every customer, answers from your own prices and opening hours, qualifies the enquiry and books it — for a flat monthly fee instead of a receptionist's salary.
How is this different from a traditional answering service?
A traditional answering service uses agents who take a message and pass it on; you still have to call the customer back. ReceptionIQ actually answers the question, gives pricing, and books the appointment in the same conversation — with no per-minute or per-call fees.
Does it answer phone calls?
No. ReceptionIQ covers messaging channels only. If most of your enquiries already arrive by WhatsApp, Instagram or website chat, it covers the majority of your inbound volume; keep your phone line for callers.
What does an AI answering service cost?
There is a Free plan (50 AI replies, no card). Paid plans are $29/month for 500 AI replies, $197 for 2,500 and $297 for 5,000, billed in your local currency. There are no per-message or per-minute charges inside your allowance and no surprise overage bills.
Can my team take over a conversation?
Yes. Every conversation appears in a shared inbox with a Take Over control that pauses the AI instantly, plus notifications so nothing sits unanswered.
Is customer data kept private?
Conversations and contact details are stored on encrypted infrastructure, isolated per business, processed under UK GDPR as your processor, and never sold. You can export or delete your data at any time.
Keep exploring
AI vs a telephone answering service
Cost, response time and channels compared side by side.
Instagram DM auto reply
Answer and book every Instagram DM automatically, 24/7.
AI receptionist
The full front-desk feature set, from booking to lead qualification.
For salons & clinics
Fill the diary from Instagram and WhatsApp automatically.
For trades & contractors
Quote enquiries answered while you are on site.
Stop paying to take messages.
Start free — no card required — and let ReceptionIQ answer, qualify and book for you.
Free plan · No card required · Upgrade any time