Smith.ai vs. Sameday

Home service businesses like plumbing, roofing, HVAC, and pest control need reliable and fast call answering to provide top-notch service. When homeowners call, it’s often because of an emergency. They need help now, not later. Answering quickly can be the difference between winning the job or losing it to a competitor. Smith.ai and Sameday both provide features like 24/7 call answering and simultaneous call handling so callers never hear a busy signal. However, not all AI-answering solutions are the ideal choice for meeting the unique demands of service businesses. Below, we highlight the key differences to help you determine which is the best fit for your business.

Features: What both services offer

Both Smith.ai and Sameday provide essential AI call-handling capabilities, including:

• 24/7 call answering: When homeowners need a service — whether it’s a leaky pipe, a busted AC, or pests invading their space — they don’t wait for “business hours” to call. They reach for their phone the moment the problem happens. That could be during your dinner, while you're on another job site, or even in the middle of the night.
• Lead qualification: To identify and prioritize leads automatically. Smith.ai can verify their location, service needs, or budget. We handle the details so you can spend your time on jobs that matter.
• Appointment scheduling: Seamlessly book jobs using your calendaring software to keep your schedule full.
• Simultaneous call handling: Your callers should never hear a busy signal. Manage multiple calls at once to avoid missed opportunities.
• Answer common questions: Address common customer questions without taking time away from staff.
• Call analytics: Gain insights to optimize call handling and decision-making.

What sets Smith.ai apart

The fundamental features above only touch the surface of what your business truly needs for growth. Smith.ai goes further, offering innovative features and unmatched service. Let's continue to break down why Smith.ai stands out as the superior choice.

From leaks to leads, the human connection customers want — 24/7

AI can handle routine tasks, but when things get complex, human expertise is still essential to client satisfaction. The key feature that sets Smith.ai apart is our 24/7 human receptionist backup. Smith.ai combines advanced AI technology with virtual receptionist backup, something Sameday doesn’t provide. If necessary, Smith.ai’s highly-trained human receptionists provide that critical human element, ensuring your customers receive the care and professionalism they expect — any time of day. We are always available to support your customers, even if you are not available to take calls. 

Sameday's AI offers human transfer when asked, but coerces callers into staying on the line with it by highlighting lengthy wait times. For sensitive callers who require human communication, this can cause lost leads. Smith.ai offers our virtual receptionists for further assistance at all times with no wait. This capability helps service businesses maximize customer retention — an area where Sameday falls short due to its limited transfer options. Smith.ai's hybrid approach protects your reputation and builds trust with your clients. Speaking of reputation, our virtual receptionists are highly rated on Clutch and G2, so you can be assured that your customers are receiving top-of-the-line service when speaking with one of our live agents.

Reduce hold times with Smith.ai

Furthermore, when your customers need immediate human intervention, having reliable call transfer options is vital — but call transfers are only helpful if you have staff available. Sameday offers call transfers to internal staff, but your customers may need to wait a long time if you or your staff members are not available. That's why AI Receptionist with 24/7 receptionist backup is the clear choice. If you have a hot lead ready to book an appointment on the call but wanting to speak to a human immediately, don't risk long hold times or missing the transfer entirely because you're closed. Smith.ai's receptionists are ready to step in and take care of your customers’ needs right there on the call, 24/7/365.

Smith.ai nails it every time

Beyond our 24/7 virtual receptionist support, Smith.ai provides tools and features that elevate your customer service and streamline your operations, making it the go-to solution for service businesses:

• Customizable call instructions: Tailor call handling to your unique business needs and gather custom information. For example, instruct AI Receptionist to qualify leads with specific questions such as, “Can you tell me the age of your roof?” Or, provide instructions for the AI Receptionist to take certain actions in emergency situations, such as a leak or broken heating system.
• Instant Call Summaries: After every call, you’ll receive an email or text with all the essential details — like the caller’s name, contact info, address, and any custom information collected during the conversation. Whether it’s job type, preferred scheduling times, or custom details you’ve asked us to gather, these summaries ensure you have everything you need to take action.
• Advanced quality assurance: Improved call quality before callers ever dial your number, using our proprietary tool that ensures the AI handles calls correctly. Let Smith.ai’s commitment to accuracy and quality give you peace of mind.
• Automatic spam blocking: Smith.ai automatically blocks more than 20 million robocalls and spammers for free, increasing the likelihood that only calls most relevant to your business get through.
• Zapier & Make integrations: Connect with thousands of tools for additional automation and efficiency to streamline your workflows and ensure maintained efficiency.

Staying connected with Smith.ai

One key feature that sets Smith.ai apart is how we keep you in the loop — instantly. Service business owners need to stay on top of client needs, and we get that. It's essential to be updated on every request. While Sameday pre-qualifies callers and prioritizes what's urgent, Smith.ai goes further with instant call summaries sent right after each call via email. This way, you’re always connected to your customers, no matter how busy your day gets.

White-glove setup and support

Unlike competitors such as Sameday, which only offers hands-on training and support to enterprise-tier customers, Smith.ai provides white-glove setup and support to all users. AI Receptionist is fully DIY, but we won’t leave you stranded. If you need any assistance — tactical or technical — we’re here for you.

Sealing the deal

If you’re looking for an AI call-answering solution that delivers more than the basics, Smith.ai is the clear choice. With 24/7 live receptionist support and superior tools designed to optimize your operations, Smith.ai empowers your home service business to thrive. From turning callers into customers to providing exceptional customer experiences, Smith.ai stands out as the smarter, more comprehensive choice for your AI answering service over Sameday.