Call routing IVR

5 Best Call Routing IVR Software for Small Businesses

Learn how Call Routing IVR software can benefit your business and which of these software might be the best fit for your business. Never miss a lead again.


Call Routing IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems are changing how home service businesses handle customer communication. These tools help companies manage calls efficiently, capture more leads, and improve customer service.

Let's look at how Call Routing IVR can benefit your business and which one might be the best fit for your needs.

Benefits of a Call Routing IVR Software

Never Miss a Lead Again

Imagine a typical scenario for a small business on a busy day — A panicked homeowner discovers a leak.  They need a plumber ASAP and they call your company. What will they do if no one answers the phone or doesn’t reply to a text message?

With a good IVR system, their call isn't left to chance. Instead of ringing endlessly or hitting voicemail, the caller is greeted, their issue is identified, and they're routed to your on-call technician. Or, if it's not an emergency, they can schedule a callback for the morning. IVR’s and call routing systems ensure every potential customer gets a response, no matter when they call.

You're capturing leads 24/7, even when you're sleeping. This is crucial because the first business to respond in the home services industry often wins the job. By never missing a call, you're dramatically increasing your chances of landing new clients. Plus, you're showing existing customers you're always there when they need you, building trust and loyalty. Being available sets you apart from competitors who might let calls slip through the cracks.

Boost Team Productivity

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Imagine a world where your team spends less time answering and routing calls, and more time solving problems and serving customers. At Ring4, we're reimagining how businesses handle incoming calls.

Our innovative Inbox and Call Filtering features act as an intelligent gatekeeper, reducing the number of low-priority or spam calls that reach your team. We automatically route priority calls, like those from VIPs or prospects, ensuring they reach the right person immediately. This means your scheduling and support office manager can focus on their core tasks instead of fielding calls meant for other departments.

No more asking them to "listen to all menu options, as they have recently changed." Instead, we connect your important callers directly, without the frustration of navigating complex phone trees.

As a result, your team becomes more efficient, finishing work faster and taking on more tasks each day.

Improve Customer Experience

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Your prospects or customers don't like being put on hold or being transferred multiple times. If they don't get any response quickly, they'll go to your competitors. 

A call routing IVR system solves this problem. When a customer calls they're immediately given options relevant to their needs. They can choose between scheduling a service, getting a quote, or speaking to a customer service representative. By routing calls correctly the first time, the system minimizes transfers and cuts down on overall hold times.

You can customize greetings and menu options to make the interaction feel more personal. Different menus for business hours and after-hours ensure customers always get the right information.

By streamlining the call process, you're showing customers that you value their time and are organized enough to handle their needs. This professional image can help set you apart in a competitive market.

Data-Driven Insights

An IVR system can provide useful data about your call volumes, peak calling times, and most common customer issues. This information is vital for a small business owner like you who's looking to optimize operations. You might uncover that you're understaffed during certain hours or that a particular service is in high demand. By leveraging this data, you can make informed decisions about staffing, training, and even which services to promote.

For example, if you notice a spike in calls about termite control every spring, you can prepare by training more staff and launching targeted marketing campaigns.

Cost-Effective Scalability

As a small business owner, you know that growth comes with challenges. As you grow, you'll get more inquiries from prospective customers. You'll spend more time on mundane tasks like answering basic questions and routing calls. Managing all these calls will eat up your and your team's time and energy,

This is where a good IVR system can be helpful.

It allows you to handle a high volume of calls without necessarily increasing your staff. As your business expands from 5 to 10 to 20 employees, your IVR system can easily scale with you. You can add new menu options, create routing rules based on what you already know about the caller, and even integrate with other tools that you use.

This scalability means you can take on more customers and expand into new service areas without your phone system becoming a bottleneck.

Many IVR systems are cloud-based, meaning you don't need to invest in expensive hardware upgrades as you expand. You can add new features or lines easily, often with just a few clicks. It lets you grow at your own pace without spending a fortune.

5 Call Routing IVR Software to Consider

Ring4

Ring4 is an online phone system designed for small businesses looking to improve their communication and efficiency.

Our online phone system helps your team manage calls and texts more effectively, ensuring you don't miss important opportunities. With Ring4, your entire team can view and respond to incoming communications, making providing quick, efficient service to your customers easier.

Call recording and transcription give you insights into customer needs. Custom greetings and automated responses help you maintain a professional image. The shared inbox keeps your team coordinated, improving customer service and morale. It's a practical solution that grows with your business, helping you compete effectively in your market without overcomplicating your tech setup or breaking your budget.

Ring4 offers two main pricing plans:

  1. For individuals: $15 per month per number. This includes unlimited national calls and texts, multiple phone numbers, voicemail with transcripts, and video conferencing.
  2. For businesses: $49 per month per shared number. This plan supports unlimited users and includes AI features, web calling, IVR, and VIP support. It covers 1,000 monthly conversations and one direct dial number.

Both plans work on iOS and Android devices, with the business plan also offering web-based options.

RingCentral

RingCentral is the all-in-one communication solution. It combines voice, video, and messaging services, making it perfect for businesses looking for an all-in-one tool. RingCentral users appreciate its easy-to-use interface and its integration with tons of other software.

RingCentral's most affordable plan starts at $9.99 per user per month when paid annually. This plan is designed for small businesses and includes essential features like unlimited domestic calling, messaging, and video meetings for up to 100 participants. For businesses needing more advanced features, prices go up to $25 and $35 per user per month for the Advanced and Ultra plans.

Nextiva

Nextiva is a VoIP service that helps businesses make calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. It includes features like auto-attendants, call routing, and voicemail transcription. They boast a 99.999% uptime, ensuring businesses can count on their phone system to work when they need it.

The only downside is that some users have experienced call quality issues. It is priced at $18.95 per month per user, which is slightly expensive for small and medium businesses.

OpenPhone

OpenPhone is the phone system for startups.

Some cool features of OpenPhone include AI that helps summarize calls and suggest what to do next, shared phone numbers so your whole team can help customers together, and ways to automate responses to save time. You can also connect OpenPhone to other tools your business uses.

Pricing for OpenPhone’s monthly plan starts from $19/user/month. It includes one phone number, with extra numbers available for $5/month each. The Business plan offers more features than Starter, including AI tools and costs $33/user/month.

Aircall

Aircall is a cloud-based phone system made for customer support and sales teams. It offers a range of features such as IVR menus, custom phone numbers, call tagging, call routing, and analytics.

Aircall's analytics allow businesses to track key metrics like call volume, response times, and conversion rates, helping them make data-driven decisions to improve their phone operations. It also leverages AI technology to help businesses review calls more efficiently and gain insights from conversations.

Aircall offers three pricing tiers: Essentials ($30/license/month), Professional ($50/license/month), and Custom for larger organizations. All plans require a minimum of 3 licenses and are billed annually. Additional feature add-ons need to be purchased separately.

Which Call Routing IVR Software Should You Choose?

Are you looking for a cost-effective online phone system that helps you manage customer calls efficiently? Do you want a tool to separate business and personal communications easily? Would you like to be more responsive to clients, and show them that you're a reliable business?

How about only paying for active users?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then Ring4 is the best choice for you.

Ring4 offers a range of capabilities tailored for home services businesses, including:

  • Multiple phone numbers on one device
  • Easy call routing to ensure customers reach the right team member
  • IVR features for a professional touch
  • Call analytics to track performance and improve service

You can test Ring4 for free and see how it can transform your communication. Start enhancing your customer relationships and team efficiency today.

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