Messages are where most answering services stop
A classic answering service picks up when you can’t, takes a message, and passes it along. That beats voicemail. But the caller still hangs up without an answer, and you still have a callback on your list.
FrontDesk Talk is an answering service that finishes the job. It knows your hours, prices, and services, so it answers questions on the spot. On the Real Talk plan and up, it books the appointment into your calendar. When it can’t help, it takes a clear message. When it’s urgent, it transfers the call to your cell.
Because it runs on AI, it answers every call at once, never takes a break, and costs a flat monthly price instead of a per-call fee.
What your answering service handles
Answers the question
Hours, prices, services, and directions, answered on the call.
Takes the message
When a message is the right move, you get it by text and email right away.
Books the job
On Real Talk and Big Talk, the appointment goes straight on your calendar.
Sends urgent calls to you
Your rules decide what gets transferred to your cell.
Covers every hour
24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Keeps your number
Forward your line or port it. Callers dial the number they already know.
Three ways to use it
Pick how much of your phone you hand over. Change it anytime.
1
Every call
Forward every call and let FrontDesk Talk be your front desk.
2
After hours only
Answer during the day yourself. It takes over at night and on weekends.
3
Only the ones you miss
Use no-answer forwarding. Your phone rings first, and it picks up when you can’t.
Answering service pricing
Traditional answering services often charge by the minute or by the call. FrontDesk Talk is a flat monthly plan: Small Talk at $99 for 200 minutes of Talk Time, Real Talk at $199 for 450, or Big Talk at $399 for 1,000. Extra Talk Time is $0.45 a minute. Pay yearly and get 2 months free.
Small Talk
Answers every call, 24/7.
Billed monthly
For owners who can’t always get to the phone.
- Answers every call, 24/7
- Talk Notes by text and email after every call
- Answers your FAQs, hours, and prices
- Transfers urgent calls to your cell
- Keep your current number
Real Talk
RecommendedAnswers, books appointments, and texts back.
Billed monthly
For businesses that run on appointments.
- Everything in Small Talk
- Books into Google or Outlook Calendar
- Talk Back texts every caller you missed
- Two-way texting with customers
- Call recordings and transcripts
Big Talk
Adds outbound calls and up to 3 lines.
Billed monthly
For teams ready to call customers back.
- Everything in Real Talk
- Outbound call campaigns
- Up to 3 numbers or locations
- Custom AI voice
- Priority support
Extra Talk Time is $0.45 a minute. We text you before you reach your limit, so there are no surprises on your bill.
Running a healthcare practice? FrontDesk Care adds HIPAA compliance, a signed BAA, and EHR connections. Visit FrontDesk Care
Compare every feature on the pricing pageRead the answering service cost guide
FrontDesk Talk vs a live answering service
Live services put real people on your phones and usually bill per minute or per call. Here is how the two approaches stack up.
An answering service for your kind of business
Questions
What does an answering service cost?
Live answering services usually charge by the minute or by the call. FrontDesk Talk starts at $99 a month for 200 minutes of Talk Time. Our answering service cost guide walks through the math.
Can it just take a message?
Yes. If a caller would rather leave a message, it takes their name, number, and details and sends them to you right away.
Can it answer only after hours?
Yes. Forward calls only at night and on weekends, or only when you don’t pick up.
Can I keep my phone number?
Yes. Forward calls from your current number or port it to FrontDesk Talk. Our call forwarding guides walk you through it.
How is this different from voicemail?
Voicemail records a message and waits for you. FrontDesk Talk answers the caller’s question on the spot, books the appointment on Real Talk and Big Talk, and texts you what happened seconds later.
Does it handle Spanish-speaking callers?
Yes. It switches to Spanish when the caller speaks Spanish, on every plan, at no extra cost.
Is it for medical offices?
No. FrontDesk Talk isn’t for health information. Healthcare practices should use FrontDesk Care.
Keep reading
Stop paying for voicemail.
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