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When nobody can answer

Business voicemail greetings for UK firms

A good voicemail greeting says who the caller has reached, why nobody is picking up and what to do next. Three or four short sentences are enough; any longer and people ring off before the tone.

Voicemail scripts to adapt

Swap the square-bracketed parts for your own details and press play in the generator.

Listen · 0:24

Main line with opening hours

Thank you for calling Harrowfield Group. Our office is open Monday to Friday, from nine in the morning until half past five. Do leave a message after the tone and we'll ring you back on the next working day.

Main line

Everyone on calls

Every one of us at [Company] is on another call just now, so the voicemail has picked up. Leave your name, your number and what it's about after the tone, and we'll call you back before [time] today.

Direct dial

Named member of staff

Hello, this is [First name] [Surname], [job title] at [Company]. I'm in a meeting until [time]. Your message reaches me straight after the meeting; for anything that cannot wait, press zero and reception will help.

Sole trader

Out on a job

[First name] at [Business name] here, with a customer and unable to answer. Give me your name, a number and the postcode of the job, and I'll get back to you after work today.

Professional practice

Reception unavailable

You've reached the reception desk at [Practice name]. We're helping someone in person at the moment. Please leave a short message with a number we can call back. For appointments, you can also book online at [web address].

Shop

With trading hours

[Shop name] trades Tuesday to Saturday, 09:30 to 17:30, and this call has gone to our answerphone. Leave your message after the tone and someone from the shop floor will ring you back during opening hours.

What we have learnt in the studio

01

Your name comes first

Callers decide in two seconds whether they have the right number. Let them hear your company name before any pleasantries.

02

One instruction, not a list

“Name, number and what it’s about” gets you useful messages. Five options in a row get you hesitant callers who leave nothing.

03

Promise what you can keep

A same-day callback sounds great until Friday afternoon. Pick a promise the team meets every week, such as “within one working day”.

04

Stay under twenty seconds

Beyond that, a share of callers hang up before the beep. Car park details and directions belong on your website.

Questions

How long should a business voicemail greeting be?

Ten to twenty seconds. That is time enough to say who you are, why nobody is answering and what the caller should do.

Should I put music under a voicemail greeting?

A short, quiet intro gives a polished impression. Keep the music well below the voice so the instruction before the tone stays clear.

Should I give a mobile number for emergencies?

Only if someone really answers it. Put it at the end and read it in groups, for example “oh seven seven, double one…”. Otherwise offer an email address or your website.

Hear your greeting before you pay.

Free preview, no subscription. €19 (approx. £17) per finished greeting.

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