Phone calls are still one of the fastest ways to connect with customers, but rampant scam calls and telesales tactics have made people wary of answering unknown numbers, leaving businesses struggling to make contact. Find out what is behind this shift in behavior and how you can adapt to it.
Why customers don’t answer calls anymore
Phone scams have grown into a daily nuisance, making people instinctively cautious about answering unknown numbers. Every time a fraudulent caller poses as a bank, government agency, or delivery service, it chips away at trust. Over time, customers stop picking up altogether just to stay safe.
What makes the situation worse is caller ID spoofing. which allows scammers to disguise their number so it looks familiar or local. This makes it nearly impossible for the average person to separate a real call from a fake one. When customers hesitate to answer, businesses pay the price. Each missed call could be a lost appointment reminder, service update, or delivery confirmation, potentially leading to lost sales, operational issues, and customer frustration.
How businesses can use VoIP services to get calls answered
Modern Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services provide tools and features designed to help your business stand out from scam traffic and build customer trust. Use these strategies to get more of your calls answered:
- Partner with a provider who filters scams: A quality VoIP provider actively screens and blocks suspicious traffic, making it less likely that your outbound calls are lumped in with high-volume robocalls. When your number isn’t being routed alongside shady activity, it’s far less likely to be flagged as spam.
- Register your numbers: Telecom carriers and industry databases allow businesses to register official numbers. Doing so signals to networks that your calls are legitimate. For example, a business sending out payment reminders could avoid being mislabeled as a scam if the number is properly registered.
- Use branded caller ID: Instead of appearing as “Unknown” or just a ten-digit number, a branded caller ID displays your business name and even your logo. Customers immediately recognize who’s on the line, reducing doubt about whether it’s safe to answer.
- Send contextual previews: Adding a short description such as “Appointment Reminder” or “Delivery Update” to the caller display gives customers context before they even say hello. A clear preview reassures people that your call has value and relevance to them.
- Mix in other channels: Calls are more effective when they’re supported by other forms of communication. A quick text or email with a heading that says “we’ll be calling shortly to confirm your installation” primes the customer and sets expectations. Instead of a surprise, the call feels like a continuation of a conversation, which improves the odds of someone picking up.
With the right VoIP features and strategies, businesses can stand out from the competition and provide a more personalized and convenient experience for their customers. For more advice on how to better use VoIP to your advantage, call us today.