How do I make my AI agent answer calls to a business's existing phone number?

The AI agent answers the numbers it owns, so there are two ways to connect a business's existing line.

Option 1, call forwarding. The business keeps its number and forwards calls to the phone number of your AI agent. Owner-operators who use a cell phone, for example in home services, can use conditional call forwarding: mobile carriers let you forward calls that go unanswered, that arrive when the line is busy, or when the phone is unreachable or out of service, by typing a short forwarding code on the phone's keypad and pressing dial. Almost every business phone service also offers call forwarding, including forwarding only after hours. The business sets this up with its own carrier or phone provider.

Option 2, port the number in, or give the AI a new number. Porting is the usual choice for businesses that get customers through Google Maps or their Google Business Profile and do not want to change their number. To port, go to Settings, then Phone, open the Transfer number tab and click Start a transfer. A port takes about two to three days.

Once the number is in Votel, you can give the business the first chance at each call:

1. In the AI receptionist's call flow, add a conversation node that tells the caller it will connect them to the business.
2. Add a Call Forwarding node. Set the number to ring, such as the business owner's, and the hours to try it, for example Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. You can change the hours.
3. If nobody answers, or the call comes outside those hours, the AI picks up and carries on: it can say all agents are busy, capture the caller's information and book appointments.

The flow can also run the other way, with the AI answering first.