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Choosing who answers your phone
An answering service, someone on staff, an AI receptionist, or an AI agent that takes the whole order — an honest look at each, side by side.
AI agent vs answering service
An answering service takes a message; Phonefront's AI agent takes the whole order and places it in your store. A side-by-side comparison.
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AI agent vs hiring someone for the phone
Hiring someone to answer the phone, or an AI agent that takes every order? Availability, rush hours, training and cost, side by side.
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AI agent vs AI receptionist
Most AI receptionists answer, take messages and book appointments. Phonefront's AI agent sells: it takes orders into your store. Compare them.
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AI agent vs a call centre
Replace a call centre, or take its overflow and after-hours calls — pay for minutes, not seats.
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What to weigh
Four questions to decide
- Answering service
Do callers want to order, or to leave a message?
An answering service or an AI receptionist takes messages and books appointments. An AI agent takes the whole order and places it in your store.
- Phone staff
Is the rush the problem?
One person answers one call at a time. An AI agent answers several callers at once, on the first ring, every hour you're open.
- AI receptionist
Do you need it to know your products?
Most AI receptionist apps work from a script. Phonefront's AI agent works from your catalog — sizes, choices, prices and stock — and your delivery zones.
- Call centres
Already paying for seats?
Keep a call centre and send the overflow, or replace it — and pay for minutes, not seats.
Questions
Comparison questions
How is an AI agent different from an AI receptionist?
A receptionist answers and takes a message. Phonefront's AI agent sells: it knows your catalog, checks delivery by postal code, reads the order back with the total, and places it in your store.
What does it cost compared with an answering service?
Plans start at $199 a month (CAD) for 250 minutes with two callers at a time; extra minutes are 55¢ from prepaid credit. Answering services usually charge per minute or per call, often with a monthly minimum.
Will it replace my staff?
That's your call. Many businesses use it for the calls their team can't get to — the rush, the overflow, after hours — so staff can focus on the customers in front of them.
Put an AI agent on your phones.
Choose a plan, set up your AI agent today, and hear it take your first test order.