---
title: The 5 Most Popular Answering Services
description: Which services do businesses request the most? Here is a list of the top five most popular services from an answering service.
image: https://www.abetteranswer.com/hubfs/Blog_header_images/a-better-answer_blog-header-The-5-most-popular-answering-services.jpg
---

[![A Better Answer Call Centers](https://www.abetteranswer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/optimized/ABA_Logo_-_June_Picture_Blue_Trademark%20(1).png?width=135&height=146&name=ABA_Logo_-_June_Picture_Blue_Trademark%20(1).png "A Better Answer Call Centers")](https://www.abetteranswer.com)

We'd Love to Hear From You:[1-866-442-9500](tel:1-866-442-9500)

[![GET A FREE QUOTE](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/131482/50344ecf-861c-4fe6-a146-a87233d09839.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/131482/50344ecf-861c-4fe6-a146-a87233d09839)

[**search](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/the-5-most-popular-answering-services#)

# A Better Answer Blog

## The 5 Most Popular Answering Services

by [Jessica Brown](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/author/jessica-brown), on May 11, 2016 1:13:27 PM

![a-better-answer_blog-header-The-5-most-popular-answering-services.jpg](https://www.abetteranswer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_header_images/a-better-answer_blog-header-The-5-most-popular-answering-services.jpg?width=750&height=270&name=a-better-answer_blog-header-The-5-most-popular-answering-services.jpg "a-better-answer_blog-header-The-5-most-popular-answering-services.jpg")

Many call centers and phone answering services offer a wide range of services. From basic call handling and after-hours support to web applications and order entry, there are a lot of options out there for businesses that receive inbound calls.

The only question is, which ones are most popular? Which ones do businesses request the most? To answer both of these, here is a list of the top five most popular services from an answering service (as well as the other names they go by).

### **1. Telephone Answering Services**

**AKA: ***Inbound Call Service, After Hours Answering Service, Phone Answering Service*

It’s no surprise that having your phone answered is the No. 1 most-requested service of an answering service! Most answering services have many additional features when it comes to taking a message for you, starting with the fact they can record your incoming calls.

They can also handle calls uniquely based on your instructions. Say you want your phones answered differently and messages sent only once a day while you’re on vacation. Or, perhaps you have a list of people who you want always be transferred directly to you. An answering service can even call you every morning for a wake-up reminder!

### **2. Bilingual Answering Services **

**AKA: ***Spanish Answering Service, Spanish-English Answering*

Spanish answering services are always popular, especially for businesses in the Southwest. Throughout the country, many companies have a Spanish-speaking customer base, so there’s a major growing need for bilingual Spanish-English telephone receptionists. An answering service can provide this.

### **3. Order-Taking Services**

**AKA: ***Order Entry, True Call Center Services*

Order-taking services aren’t just for big catalog businesses or infomercials. There are many companies that use order taking to send out brochures and information. There are also smaller businesses with a few products to sell that just don’t have the resources to do it all themselves. By having an answering service handle your payment processing, it becomes substantially easier to get your information and products out there!

### **4. Customer Service**

**AKA: ***Customer Care*

Regardless of the types of phone calls a telephone receptionist takes, at a good answering service, they are all trained to be as courteous, professional and helpful as possible. It’s no surprise that great customer service comes naturally to a call center, which is why it’s a service sought after by companies who want a great relationship with their clients and customers.

### **5. Appointment Scheduling**

**AKA: ***Reservation Taking, Meeting Scheduling, Service Appointment Scheduling*

Call centers use appointment scheduling to set, track and organize appointments and meetings for any business that works around a schedule. Operators can schedule appointments for lawn care services, attorneys, restaurants (as reservations), doctors, freelance workers, beauty industry businesses and more. The great advantage to using an answering service for scheduling appointments is that you can focus on your business. Calls centers can even add new appointments and clients to your calendar and keep it current without then need to hire a secretary.

**For more information on these popular services and all the other services we offer, don’t hesitate to [contact us](https://www.abetteranswer.com/contact) today!**

*Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2012 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.*

*[![what to look for in an answering service guide download button](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/131482/e58b428e-9aff-4da7-97f9-84e3f6fb272b.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/131482/e58b428e-9aff-4da7-97f9-84e3f6fb272b)*

Topics: [Better Service](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/better-service)

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

### About this blog

A Better Blog is your number one resource for what’s trending in the call center industry. Stay tuned to this page for articles, blog posts and other insights from a company that’s been the best in the business for almost half a century.

### Subscribe to get more great content!

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [Blog (57)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/blog)
- [Better Service (52)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/better-service)
- [News (36)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/news)
- [Better Business (33)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/better-business)
- [Call Handling Heroes (33)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/call-handling-heroes)
- [Awards (29)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/awards)
- [Testimonials (21)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/testimonials)
- [ATSI (19)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/atsi)
- [Answering Service (17)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/answering-service)
- [Better Communications (15)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/better-communications)
- [Customer Service (15)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/customer-service)
- [Articles (12)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/articles)
- [Customer Experience (6)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/customer-experience)
- [Charities (5)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/charities)
- [Certifications (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/certifications)
- [Small Business (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/small-business)
- [CAM-X (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/cam-x)
- [DBJ (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/dbj)
- [call answering services (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/call-answering-services)
- [medical answering services (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/medical-answering-services)
- [Call Center (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/call-center)
- [HIPAA Compliance (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/hipaa-compliance)
- [answering service benefits (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/answering-service-benefits)
- [answering service outsourcing (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/answering-service-outsourcing)
- [call recording benefits (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/call-recording-benefits)
- [call recording for business (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/call-recording-for-business)
- [ecommerce answering service (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/ecommerce-answering-service)
- [enhancing customer experience (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/enhancing-customer-experience)
- [hiring an answering service (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/hiring-an-answering-service)
- [outsourcing during recession (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/outsourcing-during-recession)
- [startups (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/startups)
- [streamline business (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/topic/streamline-business)

[see all](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/the-5-most-popular-answering-services#)

### Blog Archive

- [January 2026 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2026/01)
- [October 2025 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2025/10)
- [April 2025 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2025/04)
- [January 2025 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2025/01)
- [May 2024 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2024/05)
- [April 2024 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2024/04)
- [September 2023 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2023/09)
- [June 2023 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2023/06)
- [April 2023 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2023/04)
- [March 2023 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2023/03)
- [February 2023 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2023/02)
- [December 2022 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2022/12)
- [November 2022 (5)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2022/11)
- [June 2022 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2022/06)
- [May 2022 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2022/05)
- [March 2022 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2022/03)
- [February 2022 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2022/02)
- [November 2021 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/11)
- [October 2021 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/10)
- [August 2021 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/08)
- [July 2021 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/07)
- [June 2021 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/06)
- [May 2021 (5)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/05)
- [April 2021 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/04)
- [March 2021 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/03)
- [February 2021 (5)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/02)
- [January 2021 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2021/01)
- [December 2020 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/12)
- [November 2020 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/11)
- [October 2020 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/10)
- [September 2020 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/09)
- [August 2020 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/08)
- [July 2020 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/07)
- [June 2020 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/06)
- [May 2020 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/05)
- [April 2020 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/04)
- [March 2020 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/03)
- [February 2020 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/02)
- [January 2020 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2020/01)
- [December 2019 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/12)
- [November 2019 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/11)
- [October 2019 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/10)
- [September 2019 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/09)
- [August 2019 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/08)
- [July 2019 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/07)
- [May 2019 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/05)
- [April 2019 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/04)
- [March 2019 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/03)
- [February 2019 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/02)
- [January 2019 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2019/01)
- [December 2018 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2018/12)
- [October 2018 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2018/10)
- [September 2018 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2018/09)
- [August 2018 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2018/08)
- [July 2018 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2018/07)
- [June 2018 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2018/06)
- [April 2018 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2018/04)
- [March 2018 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2018/03)
- [February 2018 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2018/02)
- [October 2017 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2017/10)
- [September 2017 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2017/09)
- [August 2017 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2017/08)
- [July 2017 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2017/07)
- [June 2017 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2017/06)
- [May 2017 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2017/05)
- [April 2017 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2017/04)
- [March 2017 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2017/03)
- [February 2017 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2017/02)
- [December 2016 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/12)
- [November 2016 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/11)
- [October 2016 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/10)
- [September 2016 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/09)
- [August 2016 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/08)
- [July 2016 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/07)
- [June 2016 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/06)
- [May 2016 (5)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/05)
- [April 2016 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/04)
- [March 2016 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/03)
- [February 2016 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/02)
- [January 2016 (5)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2016/01)
- [December 2015 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/12)
- [November 2015 (5)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/11)
- [October 2015 (6)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/10)
- [September 2015 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/09)
- [August 2015 (6)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/08)
- [July 2015 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/07)
- [June 2015 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/06)
- [May 2015 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/05)
- [April 2015 (6)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/04)
- [March 2015 (6)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/03)
- [February 2015 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/02)
- [January 2015 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2015/01)
- [December 2014 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/12)
- [November 2014 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/11)
- [October 2014 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/10)
- [September 2014 (4)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/09)
- [August 2014 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/08)
- [July 2014 (5)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/07)
- [June 2014 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/06)
- [May 2014 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/05)
- [April 2014 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/04)
- [February 2014 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/02)
- [January 2014 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2014/01)
- [December 2013 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2013/12)
- [October 2013 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2013/10)
- [August 2013 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2013/08)
- [December 2012 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/12)
- [November 2012 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/11)
- [October 2012 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/10)
- [September 2012 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/09)
- [July 2012 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/07)
- [June 2012 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/06)
- [May 2012 (21)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/05)
- [April 2012 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/04)
- [March 2012 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/03)
- [February 2012 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/02)
- [January 2012 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2012/01)
- [December 2011 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2011/12)
- [November 2011 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2011/11)
- [October 2011 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2011/10)
- [August 2011 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2011/08)
- [July 2011 (2)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2011/07)
- [May 2011 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2011/05)
- [April 2011 (26)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2011/04)
- [March 2011 (3)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2011/03)
- [November 2010 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2010/11)
- [October 2010 (1)](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/archive/2010/10)

[see all](https://www.abetteranswer.com/blog/the-5-most-popular-answering-services#)

[![New call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/131482/cbf52556-bdda-4454-845b-4e58dac2452d.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/131482/cbf52556-bdda-4454-845b-4e58dac2452d)

### Contact Us

### Subscribe To Newsletter

### Connect With Us

[**](https://www.facebook.com/ABetterAnswer/) [**](https://twitter.com/ABetterAnswer) [**](https://www.instagram.com/abetteranswer/) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-better-answer/)

### Want to work for A Better Answer? Fill out our online [Job Application Form](https://www.abetteranswer.com/jobs) and become a Call Handling Hero®!

©2026 A BETTER ANSWER

[ Request a  
 Quote Now! ](https://www.abetteranswer.com/get-a-quote)

```json
"@context"
```