How can we help?

What can the AI receptionist actually do?

Your AI receptionist:

- **Answers every call** 24/7 with a natural human-like voice
- **Handles common questions** about your services, prices, opening hours, location
- **Books appointments** directly into your Google Calendar
- **Takes detailed messages** with caller name and reason for call
- **Sends notifications** via SMS or email when calls happen
- **Transfers complex calls** to a real person when needed
- **Provides transcripts** of every conversation in your dashboard

How natural does the AI sound?

Very natural. We use the latest neural voice technology which produces speech indistinguishable from a human in most calls. You can choose from several British English voices (male, female, regional accents) in your Settings.

Does it understand different accents?

Yes. The AI is trained on thousands of hours of UK English including regional accents (Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, Geordie, Brummie, Cockney, etc.) and can handle non-native English speakers reliably. If a caller is genuinely difficult to understand, the AI politely asks them to repeat themselves rather than guessing.

Can it take detailed messages?

Yes. When the AI cannot answer a question or the caller wants someone to ring back, it takes a structured message including:

- Caller name
- Phone number (asks to confirm)
- Reason for call
- Best time to call back
- Urgency

The message is saved to your dashboard and emailed/SMSed to you immediately.

Can the AI transfer calls to me?

Yes. Set a transfer number in Settings. When a caller asks to speak to a real person, or the AI detects an urgent or sensitive situation, it announces the transfer and connects the call to your number. If you do not answer, it falls back to taking a message.

Does it work outside opening hours?

Yes. You configure your opening hours in Settings. Outside those hours the AI uses your out-of-hours greeting (e.g. "Thanks for calling - we are closed but I can take a message or book you in for tomorrow"). Bookings outside opening hours are still created in your calendar for the next available slot.

Can callers leave voicemail?

Voicemail is rarely needed because the AI takes structured messages in real time. But if a caller insists on leaving an audio message, the AI accepts it and stores the recording in your dashboard.

How is this different from a chatbot?

Chatbots only work on websites. autoreceptionist.ai works over the phone - the channel that 60% of UK consumers still prefer for booking appointments and asking questions. Your customers ring a normal phone number and have a natural voice conversation, no app or website needed.

Do you have a page for my industry?

Yes - we have dedicated pages for plumbers, dentists, solicitors, salons, electricians and accountants. Each one shows how the AI handles the kinds of calls your industry actually gets, plus a sample call and pricing tuned to your trade. Browse them at /for or pick yours from the footer.

My industry is not listed. Can you still help?

Absolutely. The AI is fully customisable through your Knowledge Base, so it can handle any UK SMB. The industry pages are just shortcuts. Sign up and tell us about your business in the onboarding wizard - we will tune the AI to your trade.

Do I get a monthly report?

Yes. On the 1st of every month we generate a plain-English summary of last month's activity: calls answered, bookings made, top customer questions, and an estimated revenue uplift. View past reports at /dashboard/reports.

Can I turn off the monthly report email?

Yes. Open dashboard settings and toggle 'Owner report' off. The reports will still be generated for your dashboard but no email will be sent.