The Problem with Human Receptionists
A human receptionist costs R15,000–R25,000/month, takes lunch breaks, gets sick, goes on leave, and only works business hours. That means every call after 5pm, on weekends, and during the lunch rush goes to voicemail — or worse, to your competitor who picks up.
What an AI Receptionist Does
An AI receptionist can answer incoming calls, 24/7/365. It greets callers, answers questions, books appointments, takes messages, and routes urgent calls to you — all in a natural, professional voice. It doesn't take breaks and is always available to help reduce missed calls.
Tasks an AI Receptionist Handles
- Answering and routing all incoming calls
- Booking and rescheduling appointments
- Answering FAQs (hours, location, pricing, services)
- Qualifying leads before they reach you
- Taking detailed messages and texting them to you
- Sending appointment reminders to reduce no-shows
The Cost Comparison
A human receptionist: ~R20,000/month + benefits, 40 hours/week. An AI receptionist: from R1,499/month, available around the clock. The AI is available for far more hours at a fraction of the cost — helping reduce missed calls without the overhead of a full-time hire.
Best Suited For
AI receptionists are ideal for plumbers, electricians, dentists, doctors, salons, real estate agents, accountants, and any service business that gets calls but can't always answer the phone.