What is a Virtual Answering Service?

Every missed call is a missed opportunity. For small business owners, freelancers, and remote teams, keeping up with incoming calls while running a company is one of the most persistent challenges of the job. A virtual answering service offers a practical solution: professional call handling without the overhead of a full-time, in-house receptionist.

If you want to know what a virtual answering service actually is, how it works, and whether it makes sense for your business, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Virtual Answering Service, Defined

A virtual answering service is a remote call management solution that handles incoming phone calls on behalf of your business. Rather than routing calls to your personal cell phone or letting them go to voicemail, a virtual answering service ensures that a live, professional receptionist answers every call in your company’s name.

The receptionist is not on-site at your office. Instead, they work remotely or from a call management center, fielding calls according to your business’s specific instructions. To callers, the experience is seamless: they hear a professional greeting, speak with a real person, and receive the assistance or information they need.

How Does a Virtual Answering Service Work?

The mechanics are straightforward. When someone calls your business phone number, the call routes to a team of live receptionists who answer under your company’s name. They follow a script or set of instructions you provide, whether that means taking a message, transferring the caller to you, booking an appointment, or answering common questions.

At Opus Virtual Offices, our live answering service operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST). Our US-based receptionists handle incoming calls professionally, so you can stay focused on your actual work without the constant interruption of your phone ringing.

What Does a Virtual Answering Service Include?

Not all virtual answering services are built the same, but a comprehensive service like the one offered by Opus Virtual Offices typically includes:

Live Call Answering

A real receptionist answers your calls in your company’s name during business hours. This immediately elevates your professional image, especially if you are a solopreneur or small team that previously relied on personal cell phones for business calls.

Premium Call Transferring

Calls can be forwarded to up to four designated phone numbers, so you receive the call wherever you are. If you are unavailable, the call rolls over to your personal extension voicemail, ensuring nothing is lost.

Company Phone and Fax Number

You receive a dedicated local phone and fax number for your business, separate from your personal contact information. This keeps your privacy intact and gives your company a polished, professional point of contact.

Voicemail and Fax Converted to Email

Any voicemails your business receives convert to WAV files and land directly in your email inbox. Faxes arrive as PDFs. You can review both from anywhere, on any device, without needing a physical office or fax machine.

Two Voicemail Boxes

You get two distinct voicemail boxes: a primary business mailbox and a personalized extension. Each comes with a customized prerecorded greeting, so the experience feels polished and intentional for every caller.

Feature	Opus Virtual Offices	In-House Receptionist
Monthly Cost	$79/mo	$3,000 – $4,500+/mo
Per-Minute Charges	None	N/A
Long-Term Contract	No	Yes – employment
Live Call Answering	Yes	Yes
Call Transferring	Up to 4 numbers	Limited
Voicemail to Email	Yes	No
Fax to Email	Yes	No
Business Phone and Fax Number	Included	Additional cost
Add Business Address	$99/mo bundle	Office lease required

Who Benefits Most from a Virtual Answering Service?

A virtual answering service is a strong fit for a wide range of professionals and business types, including:

Consultants and freelancers who need a professional business phone presence without giving out a personal number. Remote teams that want a centralized, professional point of contact for clients and prospects. Startups that want to project credibility without the cost of a full-time receptionist. International companies establishing a US presence who need reliable phone coverage during American business hours. E-commerce businesses fielding customer inquiries who need consistent, professional responses.

If your business depends on phone communication and you are finding it difficult to manage calls without disrupting your workflow, a virtual answering service addresses the problem directly.

Why a Live Receptionist Matters

Automated phone trees and voicemail have their place, but neither leaves the impression that a live person does. When a caller reaches a real receptionist who answers professionally and engages with their question, it signals that your business takes customer service seriously.

That first impression matters more than most business owners realize. A live receptionist adds credibility, especially for newer businesses still building their reputation. It also plays a direct role in lead generation: a professional receptionist can capture caller information, understand what the prospect needs, and facilitate the kind of follow-up that turns inquiries into clients. On the practical side, having calls managed professionally means you and your team are not constantly stopping to pick up the phone. That reduces distractions and lets you stay focused on the work that actually moves your business forward.

Virtual Answering Service vs. Voicemail

The difference between a virtual answering service and voicemail comes down to the human element. Voicemail is passive: the caller speaks into a recording, and you may or may not respond in a timely manner. Many people simply hang up when they reach voicemail, particularly if they are comparing providers.

A virtual answering service is active. A real person answers, engages the caller, and either resolves the inquiry or routes it to the right place. That engagement dramatically increases the likelihood that a prospective client stays with you rather than moving on to a competitor.

How Much Does a Virtual Answering Service Cost?

Cost is often the first concern for business owners exploring this option. The good news is that a virtual answering service is far less expensive than hiring an in-house receptionist.

Opus Virtual Offices offers live answering services for $79 per month with no per-minute charges and no hidden fees. That flat monthly rate gives you full access to live call answering, call transferring, voicemail-to-email, and fax-to-email features. No long-term contracts means you keep the flexibility to change your plan as your business grows.

For businesses looking to combine a professional business address with phone answering, our all-inclusive virtual office package starts at $99 per month and includes both a prestigious business address and the full suite of communication services.

Bundling a Virtual Answering Service with a Virtual Office

Many businesses benefit from pairing a virtual answering service with a virtual office, which provides a physical business address at one of 650-plus US locations. Together, the two services give you a complete professional business presence: a real address for registration, mail, and client correspondence, plus professional phone coverage during business hours.

This combination is particularly valuable for businesses that need to establish credibility quickly, whether you are a new LLC setting up for the first time or an established company expanding into a new market.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Service

What is the difference between a virtual answering service and an automated phone system?

An automated phone system uses pre-recorded prompts and menu options to route callers. A virtual answering service puts a real, live person on the line to answer calls in your company’s name. The difference for the caller is dramatic: automated systems frustrate people, while a live receptionist makes a professional, human impression from the very first ring.

Is a virtual answering service the same as a call center?

Not exactly. Call centers handle high volumes of inbound or outbound calls for customer service or sales campaigns, and the interaction tends to be transactional. A virtual answering service focuses on answering your business calls professionally, taking messages, and connecting callers to the right person, with the goal of presenting a seamless, personalized front for your company.

What hours does Opus Virtual Offices’ live answering service operate?

Our live receptionists work Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST). After hours, calls go to your voicemail. Our system then converts that voicemail to a WAV file and sends it to your email so you can follow up promptly.

Setup and Flexibility

Do I need to sign a long-term contract?

No. Opus Virtual Offices runs on a month-to-month basis with no long-term contracts required. You can adjust your services as your business needs change without any commitment holding you back.

Can I use my existing business phone number?

Yes. You can forward your existing business number to the Opus system, and our receptionists will answer under your current line. We also provide a new local phone and fax number if you prefer a dedicated line for your business.

How will the receptionist know what to say when answering my calls?

You provide a greeting script and specific instructions when you set up your account. Our receptionists follow those instructions on every call, whether that means using a particular greeting, capturing detailed messages, transferring callers to the right numbers, or fielding common customer questions.

Calls, Messages, and Features

Can calls be transferred to more than one number?

Yes. With premium call transferring, our receptionists will try to reach you at up to four phone numbers you designate. When none of those lines pick up, the call goes to your personal extension voicemail, and our system sends that message to your email as an audio file.

What happens to voicemails and faxes?

Our system converts voicemails to WAV audio files and emails them directly to your inbox. Faxes arrive as PDFs in the same inbox. Both reach you wherever you are, so you never need to sit at a physical desk to stay on top of your communications.

Pricing and Bundling

Can I bundle the answering service with a virtual office address?

Yes, and it is one of our most popular options. The all-inclusive package at $99 per month combines a prestigious business address at one of 650-plus US locations with the full suite of live answering and call management services. It is the most cost-effective way to build a complete professional business presence.

How do I get started?

Sign up directly at opusvirtualoffices.com or call our team at 1 (888) 898-9868. Setup takes just a few minutes and you can be up and running the same day, with no long-term commitment required.