Who it is for / Hair and beauty salons
You cannot answer the phone halfway through a colour. While You Work answers the calls you miss in your salon’s name, finds out what the client wants and when, gives your prices if you have set them, and texts you the details a minute later.
Founding members pay £49 and their line switches on as soon as they finish the set-up form. The first week on a live line is free.
On every call
Urgent jobs
If a caller describes a medical emergency, such as a severe reaction, the receptionist tells them to ring 999, or 111 if it is not life-threatening, before taking any message.
What callers hear
The receptionist asks one thing at a time, checks the number back and never makes up a price. The details reach you by email a minute after the call, and by text straight away when it is urgent.
What reaches you
Priya (new client), 07700 900472. Full head of colour, would like next Saturday. Told colour from £65 with a free consultation.
Receptionist: Hi, you’re through to Poole Hair Studio. Amy can’t get to the phone right now, but I can take your details so she can get back to you. Calls are recorded so nothing gets missed. What’s your name?
Caller: Hi, it’s Priya. I’d like to book a full head of colour, ideally next Saturday.
Receptionist: Thanks, Priya. Have you been to Poole Hair Studio before?
Caller: No, it’s my first time. How much is colour?
Receptionist: Colour starts from £65, and there’s a free consultation beforehand. What’s the best number for Amy to ring you on about Saturday?
Caller: 07700 900 472.
Receptionist: So that’s 07700 900 472. Is that right?
Caller: Yes, that’s right.
Receptionist: Thanks, Priya. Amy will ring you back to confirm a time, and I’m sending you a text now to say so.
Set up
A short form made for salons:
One code on your mobile sends calls you do not answer within 20 seconds to your While You Work line. Turn it off whenever you like.
Every caller is greeted in your business name. You get the details a minute later, and the caller gets a text saying you will ring back.
Questions
Yes, with the Voice Booking and Pay module. It offers the caller your real free times, books the appointment and texts them a confirmation, with your deposit link if you take deposits. Without the module it takes the details and tells the caller you will ring back.
Only if you add them in the set-up form, for example cuts from £30. If you leave prices blank, callers are told you will confirm the price yourself. It never makes up a price.
The receptionist takes which appointment it is and passes it straight on. A client who cannot make today’s appointment is flagged so you see it first, and your cancellation policy is given if you have set one.
It answers in your salon’s name with a natural British voice. If someone asks, it says it is your automated assistant and carries on taking the details.
£49 a month including VAT for founding members, locked for as long as you stay, with no contract and the first week free once your line is live.
More detail: what a missed call costs, UK call answering prices and how we compare.
Founding price locked for as long as you stay. No contract. Your line switches on as soon as you finish the set-up form.
Also for clinics, cleaners, beauty therapists, barbers, dog groomers, personal trainers and every other kind of business.