Smith.ai vs. Business Connections: Live Answering Service Comparison

If your business needs help handling its call volume, choosing the right live answering service is crucial. You want to maintain a high level of quality customer service, even if you outsource receptionist services. Learn the differences in features, pricing, and quality of service between Smith.ai and Business Connections (a.k.a. BC Answer) virtual receptionists.

Setup Fees & Trials

Smith.ai

• No setup or cancellation fees
• No contract
• Free consultation
• 14-day money-back guarantee
  

Business Connections

• No setup fees
• No contract
• No free trial
• Free consultation
  

Discussion: Both Smith.ai and Business Connections offer free setup and consultations and do not require you to sign a contract. However, with Smith.ai, you get to try our services for up to 14 days risk-free with our money-back guarantee. We want to make you feel comfortable that our services are what your business needs. And you can cancel anytime without penalty. At Business Connections, however, you do not get a risk-free grace period.

Monthly Plans

Smith.ai and Business Connections offer monthly plans, where you pay by the call.

Smith.ai

• $285 for 30 live receptionist calls and 1 live transfer number
• $765 for 90 live receptionist calls and 2 live transfer numbers
• $1,950 for 300 live receptionist calls and 10 live transfer numbers
• Custom plans available
• 10% annual discount when paid up front
  

Business Connections

• $42.95 for 10 calls
• $89.95 for 50 calls
• $163.95, for 100 calls
• $227.95 for 150 calls
  

Discussion: Business Connections offers less expensive plans than Smith.ai. However, when it comes down to features and services, and the fact that you get the experience of an in-house receptionist, Smith.ai provides the option with higher ROI (return on investment). Our virtual receptionists take the time to learn the ins and outs of your business, so when they take your calls, the conversation will be organic, flow smoothly, and leave the caller feeling like they received the best treatment. There's no comparing this to the scripted, cold nature of cheaper services. If the call results in a new customer (or a delighted existing customer who refers their friends), just consider how much that's worth to you.

And just take a look below at all the additional services Smith.ai provides, which aren't available with Business Connections. If you're looking for anything more than an alternative to voicemail, Smith.ai is the only choice capable of handling your caller's needs, from appointment booking to lead qualification to new client intake.

Overage Costs

Smith.ai

• $10.50/call on the $285/month plan
• $9.50/call on the $765/month plan
• $7.50/call on the $1,950/month plan
  

Business Connections

• $1.95 per call on the $45/ month plan
• $1.60 per call on the $100/ month plan
• $1.40 per call on the $175/ month plan
• $1.40 per call on the $250/ month plan
  

Discussion: Again, Business Connections offer lower per-call prices, but with it comes a lower quality and range of services. They take a call-center approach and offer basic call answering, transferring, and forwarding, only.

Features

Smith.ai and Business Connections both offer the following features:

• 24/7 live answering
• Live call transfers
• Custom call handling procedures
• Call forwarding
  

Smith.ai offers the following additional features:

• North America-based receptionists
• Integration with all major calendaring and scheduling software programs
• Integration with all major CRMs, like Clio, Clio Grow, Hubspot, Lexicata, Capsule CRM, and more
• One free CRM integration
• Integration with helpdesk ticketing software programs
• Ability to map client history to the incoming number so clients receive personalized attention
• Messages texted to you
• Recommended business referral
• After-hours and overflow answering
• Facebook, webchat, and SMS answering
• Custom greetings
• Lead qualification and lead intake form completion
• Payment collection
• Daily call summary reports
• No charge for spam calls or wrong numbers
• Bilingual answering
• Call recording and transcription
• SMS & email follow-up
  

Business Connections offers the following additional features:

• Messages from fax, email, and text sent to mobile phone
  

Discussion: The features offered are what set Smith.ai apart from Business Connections. While BC provides a simple live answering service, we at Smith.ai take it to another level by giving your customers the experience of an in-house receptionist. We complete lead qualification to help grow your business. We make outbound calls to remind customers of their appointments, collect payment, and provide work status updates. We integrate with your CRM and calendar; we can schedule client appointments, update client records, and take billing information to collect payments on your behalf. We’re an extension of your team, as opposed to a simple service you hire to answer calls.

Summary

There’s truth in the phrase, “You get what you pay for.” While Business Connections offers lower prices for monthly plans than Smith.ai, they cannot compare to the quality and breadth of our services. Business Connections takes a call-center approach, utilizing an automated response system to answer calls before their virtual receptionists pick up the phone. When you use an automated response system like this, it distances customers from your business. At Smith.ai, a live human being will always be there to answer your calls.

Our North American-based receptionists study your business in order to answer calls without a script. Because we learn the details about your company, callers won’t know the difference between our receptionists and someone you’d hire to answer calls in-house. However, Smith.ai is still a fraction of the cost of adding an employee, and yet delivers on all the responsibilities you're looking to have handled by someone in that position. 

Smith.ai Client Testimonial

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what one happy Smith.ai customer had to say:

“I have been using Smith.ai for about two months and I am extremely pleased. The ease of use, reasonable cost, and very professional staff have made this one of my best business decisions of the past year.”

- Kevin Levine, immigration attorney

Make the Right Choice For Your Business

At Smith.ai, we’re dedicated to providing quality customer service for small businesses and individuals. To learn more about our virtual receptionist services, sign up for a free consultation with our team or get started risk-free with our 14-day money-back guarantee!