Home » The Definitive Guide to Using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) for Business

The Definitive Guide to Using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) for Business

Want to upgrade your office communication system to one that is more efficient, intelligent, and improves caller experience? Then, you should consider adding an interactive voice response (IVR) system that uses automation to distribute calls and complete mundane tasks, leaving your agents to focus on the quality of their calls.
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In this guide, you can explore what interactive voice response is and how it can enhance your business and make it more productive. Continue reading or choose the section that's most relevant to you.
  1. 1. How does IVR work?
  2. 2. History of IVR
  3. 3. IVR for Business
  4. 4. Advantages of IVR
  5. 5. How to add IVR
guide to IVR for business

Interactive Voice Response: The Basics

Interactive Voice Response is a highly interactive and effective tool. It allows a computer or an automated response to answer calls and communicate with callers. It’s the voice that lets you know menu options when you dial a company’s business number.

Customers respond to the automated voice by typing numbers in the keypad or saying words or phrases as requested. This automated response can be pre-recorded by an agent or employee or be generated into audio instructions through a computer or robotic voice.

History: How IVR Technology Developed

IVR became more and more popular in the 1970s, thanks to the advent of automatic call distribution. This automated system was used to collect information that could then be used to direct calls to the right representative. This led to self-service options replacing human operators. Such automation was an important driver in assisting call centers in handling large inbound call volumes.

Advancements in telecommunication technology led to better IVR development. This generation of IVR tech allowed non-technical users, such as businesses using the service, to build their own with drag and drop options and interfaces. Companies are now able to use such automated systems mostly by themselves and track how they perform. Some call center key performance indicators (KPIs) include:

  • Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) rate: accuracy of the speech recognition engine.
  • Average time callers spend with the IVR.
  • Customer displacement rate: percent of calls fully processed without an agent’s help.
  • Customer drop-out rate: percent of calls that drop out or abandon the IVR and require assistance from an agent.

How Do IVR Systems Work?

IVR systems work alongside your virtual phone system and are designed to handle and control large call volumes. They can distribute callers to the right department and, in some cases, even help the customer resolve their task. They start by greeting the caller and providing information about the company. Then they provide a set of options that the caller responds to by typing a key on their keypad. Based on the caller input, the automated system moves the caller to another set of menu options or to the department they need. The sole purpose of such an automated system is to make sure that calls are routed correctly to the right department. Doing so increases efficiency, time spent on calls, and improves first call resolution.

Inbound and Outbound IVR

There are two kinds of interactive voice response systems—Inbound IVR and Outbound IVR—that can be integrated into your office phone setup. Let’s briefly look at what each system is capable of achieving.

Inbound IVR
Inbound IVR interacts with incoming calls. When customers and contacts call your business, the automated system will help them resolve their concerns. IVRs can reduce the number of unanswered or missed calls during peak hours. With a recorded voicemail, you can connect with the callers as soon as the rush dies down or via email and instant messaging. Businesses can use interactive voice response to:

  • Greet customers
  • Ask them to leave voicemails
  • Help callers make payments
  • Verify account information and activate services
  • Transfer callers to the right department or agent
  • Collect caller information
  • Refill prescriptions
  • Check flight schedules
  • Check weather updates
  • IVR order forms for sales orders, etc.

You can have a one-level IVR or multi-level IVR. A multi-level IVR offers numerous menu stages based on caller input. For example, the first level could be language selection: “Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Hindi,” while the next level may focus more on the topic of inquiry: “Press 1 to make a payment; Press 2 to hear your account balance; Press 3 to register a complaint; Press 4 to speak with a representative; Press 5 to hear all the options again,” and so on. Depending on the various actions you want callers to be able to perform on-call, you can determine whether you need a simple one-level IVR or a more complex one.

 

Outbound IVR
Outbound IVR, on the other hand, is a system used for outbound calls. Calls are made to prospects and returning customers with pre-recorded messages, asking them to complete a task or for sharing important updates. Outbound IVR basically automates outbound calling. Businesses can use IVR to:

  • Remind customers of renewals, payments, appointments.
  • Help them make payments.
  • Collect customer information.
  • Gather feedback through surveys.
  • Provide company updates.
  • Offer trip or product updates.
  • Refill prescriptions.
  • Make follow-up appointments, etc.

Depending on what your business’ call volume is like, you can decide if you need inbound or outbound IVR or both.
inbound irv

Additional Communication Features

Global Call Forwarding offers a variety of communication tools and features that can further enhance the way you communicate with your customers. Here are some valuable features we offer:

Customized Greetings: This is the first layer of contact between you and your clients. A customized greeting is a personalized message callers will hear while they are being connected to you. This message can be customized to provide your business’ information such as its hours or promotions, etc. For example: “Thank you for calling [business name]. Please stay on the line while we connect you to our representative.” You can also use your IVR to further communication at this point. For example: “Thank you for calling [business name]. Press 1 for English. Press 2 for French.”

Call Recording: Record business calls and store them for up to 6 years as MP3 files. Most businesses across various industries are choosing to record calls with consent. These recordings can be reviewed later when a need arises. For example, to conduct performance analysis or to protect against personal or business liability. Similarly, financial service companies are required to record calls for compliance purposes.

Call Forwarding: Forward incoming calls to any number or device as needed. You can also have calls forward to certain offices during specific times of the day. Or route calls from different countries to specific locations with Geographic Call Routing. The point is to make callers speak with someone who is prepared to help them either by being available during after-hours or by having specific skills such as cultural and language needs. Furthermore, based on caller input, the IVR may also be able to forward callers to the right office or phone line.

Outbound Calling: This is a service ideal for businesses with a large outgoing call volume. An outbound calling software supports outbound calling and enables the use of custom caller IDs. This means that you can override your caller ID to display one of the countries you are calling, making your international call a local call.

Advantages of Using IVR and its Impact on Call Center KPIs Performance

Having an IVR system can greatly improve your business communication system and lead to better relations with customers and clients. Here are some advantages of an IVR system:

  • Custom Phone Trees

    You can customize your phone tree, that is the map that callers will follow, with your phone service provider. This way, you have more control over what callers will hear and what they get to do.

  • Cost Reduction

    IVR enables cost reduction by bringing down the number of agents needed to answer calls. Compare the cost of an IVR system to the average cost of an employee and the number of calls they handle. Companies are able to save by hiring only necessary staff.

  • Offer After-Hours Customer Support

    Since the IVR can answer calls and take messages 24/7, it can be used for after-hours customer support. You can also use call forwarding tools like Time of Day Routing to forward calls to different offices or numbers during specific times of the day.

  • Better Caller Experience

    IVR creates a professional and organized calling experience that helps callers get assistance from the appropriate department or service. This reduces wait times and increases efficiency which leads to a better caller experience.

  • Handle High Call Volumes

    IVR can offload calls that would otherwise go to an employee. And so for businesses and call centers that have a high incoming call volume, IVR can streamline processes.

  • Reduce Customer Effort

    Customer Effort measures how easy it was for their issue to be resolved. IVR, if executed properly, can reduce the number of steps that lead to an issue being resolved. And with the Customer Effort Score becoming an increasingly important KPI, this is a step in the right direction.

  • Increased First Call Resolution

    First call resolution refers to resolving a customer’s query or concern on the first call in. IVR can help by directing the caller to the appropriate department and at times, help the caller complete the action without the help of an agent. Additionally, the IVR can pull information about the caller’s issue, so that the agent is better informed when they accept the call. The point is to enable them to quickly resolve the issue so that the caller doesn’t need to contact them again.

outbound irv

Improve Caller Experience: Build Stronger Customer Relations

Increase credibility and professionalism with an IVR system that helps you create better caller experiences. Customers that are cared for and have their concerns resolved quickly show their appreciation by returning for more business. This helps you improve your customer retention rates as well. If you’re ready to add IVR to your office phone system, sign up on our homepage. Still wondering if IVR is the right tool for your business? Talk to an expert at Global Call Forwarding today.

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How to Add IVR to Your Business Communication System

Time:
Takes About 2 minutes
Description:
Steps to getting interactive voice response (IVR) for your business
Necessary Items:
Computer or Smartphone
image step 1
Choose a Reliable IVR Service Provider
Compare what different IVR number providers are offering to find one that suits you best. Global Call Forwarding offers IVR with each of its plans. Our services are cost-effective and offer numerous additional benefits.
image step 2
Select Your New Business Number
To sign up, navigate to our homepage. Under “Select Your New Number,” select the country and phone number type for your new number. You can choose from toll free, local, and national numbers. Then, pick the number from the ones available.
image step 3
Enter the Number to Direct Calls To
Next, enter the information about the number you want your incoming calls directed to.
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Choose a Plan
Next, click on “View Rates & Try for Free” to review the plans we offer. Scroll down to add additional services and features such as Outbound Calling, Call Recording, etc.
F A Q | IVR for Business

IVR is short for interactive voice response. It is an automated communication tool that greets callers and helps them navigate through a series of menus based on caller input.

Your IVR system can provide important company updates and information, direct callers to the appropriate department, help callers make appointments and payments, renew subscriptions, refill prescriptions, and more.

There are two types of IVR: inbound and outbound IVR. Inbound IVR works with incoming calls while outbound IVR works with outbound calls.

Yes, you can set up a customized greeting introducing yourself or your company, and providing necessary information. For example, “Thank you for calling [business name]. Our business hours are … … Please leave your name and contact number and we will connect with you shortly.”

Financial services, telecommunications, marketing services, technology, e-commerce, healthcare, education, etc.