Straight answers about AI receptionists
Short, factual answers to the questions business owners ask before switching their phones to an AI front desk. Each answer is written to be quoted, with the number or the rule first and the detail second.
- How much does an AI receptionist cost?
AI receptionists cost about $29–$1,200 per month for most small businesses depending on plan and call volume, versus $250–$2,100/mo for human…
- Can AI actually answer my business phone calls?
Yes. A modern AI receptionist answers in about one ring, speaks naturally, answers questions from your business information, books appointments on…
- What is an AI front desk?
An AI front desk is software that does the job of a receptionist across phone, text and web chat: greeting callers, answering FAQs, scheduling…
- Will my customers know they are talking to an AI?
Usually yes if you choose to disclose it — and we recommend you do. Most callers do not mind when the AI answers instantly, resolves their question…
- Is an AI receptionist better than an answering service?
For most small businesses, yes on cost and speed: an AI receptionist answers every call instantly with no hold time and, with Shtello Connect, costs…
- Does an AI receptionist work with Dentrix, Open Dental or Eaglesoft?
Some do. Dentrix integration requires a Henry Schein One API license; the AI then checks availability and writes appointments directly. If your…
- Is an AI receptionist HIPAA compliant?
It can be, if the vendor signs a Business Associate Agreement, encrypts call recordings and transcripts, limits the protected health information it…
- Can I keep my existing phone number with an AI receptionist?
Yes. You keep your number and forward calls to the AI — either all calls, only unanswered calls after a few rings, or after-hours only. Setup is a…
- How long does it take to set up an AI receptionist?
Most small businesses go live within days. The AI is trained from your website and Google Business Profile, you review the answers, set booking…
- What happens when the AI cannot answer a question?
A good AI receptionist takes a message, texts the caller a link, or transfers to a staff member — it never guesses. You define which topics trigger…
- Can an AI receptionist book appointments?
Yes. It reads real-time availability from Google Calendar, Outlook or your scheduling software, offers open slots, books the appointment, and sends…
- What is the best AI receptionist for a small local business?
The best fit depends on volume and industry: Rosie ($49) and Dialzara ($29+) for very low volume; Smith.ai ($150+) if you want human backup…
- Does an AI receptionist speak Spanish?
Most modern AI receptionists handle English and Spanish in the same call, detecting the caller's language automatically. This matters in New Jersey…
- How does an AI receptionist handle emergency calls for HVAC or plumbing?
It asks qualifying questions (no heat, active leak, gas smell), tags the call as urgent, and immediately calls or texts your on-call technician…
- Is an AI receptionist worth it for a business with only 10–20 calls a day?
Yes — that volume is exactly where owners miss the most calls. Missing 20% of 15 daily calls is roughly 60 leads a month. At about $250–$300/mo…
- Is there an AI receptionist service based in New Jersey?
Yes. Shtello Connect is a New Jersey-based AI front desk serving local businesses across NJ (Bergen, Morris, Monmouth, Essex, Middlesex and beyond)…
- Does an AI receptionist work with ServiceTitan?
It can. ServiceTitan exposes an API that licensed partners use to read availability and create jobs; without a direct connector, the AI books into a…
- Does an AI receptionist work with Housecall Pro?
Yes, in one of two ways. Housecall Pro has an API and online-booking links, so an AI receptionist can either book through your booking link and…
- Does an AI receptionist work with Jobber?
Yes. Jobber supports online booking and calendar sync, so an AI receptionist can offer real openings, book the visit and send the confirmation while…
- Does an AI receptionist work with Google Calendar or Outlook?
Yes, and this is the simplest setup. The AI reads free and busy time from Google Calendar or Microsoft 365, offers open slots, creates the event…
- Does an AI receptionist work with Mindbody, Vagaro or Booker for a salon or spa?
Usually through calendar sync or your online-booking link rather than a direct write. Salon and spa systems such as Mindbody, Vagaro and Booker…
- Does an AI receptionist work with Clio for a law firm?
Yes for intake and scheduling. The AI collects the caller's name, matter type and contact details, books a consultation on the synced calendar, and…
- Is there an AI receptionist for businesses in Bergen County, NJ?
Yes. Shtello Connect, based in New Jersey, serves dental offices, med spas, HVAC and plumbing companies, law firms and other local businesses across…
- Is there an AI receptionist for businesses in Morris County, NJ?
Yes. Shtello Connect serves Morris County businesses in Morristown, Parsippany, Denville, Randolph and the surrounding towns with a bilingual AI…
- Is there an AI receptionist for businesses in Monmouth County, NJ?
Yes. Shtello Connect serves Monmouth County businesses from Freehold and Red Bank to Long Branch, Middletown and the shore towns. Plans start at…
- Is there an AI receptionist for businesses in Essex County, NJ?
Yes. Shtello Connect serves Newark, Montclair, Bloomfield, West Orange, Livingston and the rest of Essex County with an AI front desk that answers…
- Is there an AI receptionist for businesses in Middlesex County, NJ?
Yes. Shtello Connect serves Edison, Woodbridge, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Piscataway and the rest of Middlesex County. The AI answers every call…
- Do I have to sign a long contract for an AI receptionist?
Usually not: most AI receptionist vendors sell monthly plans rather than annual contracts. Shtello Connect's headline $199/mo rate is the 12-month…
- How do I forward my calls to an AI receptionist?
Dial a forwarding code from your business phone: on Verizon and AT&T, *72 plus the AI number forwards all calls and *73 cancels; on T-Mobile…
Still deciding?
Call the live demo on the home page or read the AI receptionist vs answering service comparison.