Given that 63% of small businesses have reaped the benefits of automation, many business owners are trying to figure out ways they can add automation to their company—and reception desks are an appealing target.
The front desk of your business is where many people form their first impression of the company.
It’s where guests and visitors are greeted. It’s the place where you receive walk-in sales from customers. And, most importantly, it’s a place of security for your employees.
However, as technology advances, some businesses have been turning to an automated reception experience for efficiency and convenience.
But is an automated reception desk right for your business? Keep reading for the pros and cons.
Pros of Automated Reception Software
Automated reception desks have a lot of benefits for businesses. The primary benefit of this software is that there will always be someone available to greet your customers, even when you’re not there. That means no more “closed” signs or schedules that don’t match up with your own.
Here are some additional pros:
Setup Costs and Maintenance Are Low
The cost of visitor management software is quite cheap. You can also get it at a discount if you’re already a customer. In addition, many of these systems are cloud-based, so there are no hardware costs involved in setting up your front desk automation system.
Consistent Front Desk Experience
You can be sure that your customers will have a consistent experience when they interact with your front desk. This is especially important if you have multiple locations or if you’re working with an external client who wants to service their own customers.
No Payroll Costs or Downtime
An automatic front desk experience means that you’re free from the labor-intensive tasks of hiring, training, and managing employees. There are also no payroll costs because you’ll have digital employees.
You don’t have to worry about overtime, sick leave, or holidays either. The software will always be available to service your customers.
Better Security
Automation can help you protect your company from unwanted visitors and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to your workplace. Automated systems can also allow for additional features like visitor sign-ins, ID checks, reporting, and employee communications.
Cons of Automated Reception Desks
The major downside of an automated reception desk is that it doesn’t provide a personal connection with your guests or clients who visit your business in person. If you have clients who need a warm welcome, then maybe having someone greet them personally would be best for them (and for your reputation).
Also, some employees may find an automated reception desk impersonal, while others will appreciate the anonymity and efficiency it offers. It all depends on the type of employee you hire.
Besides these disadvantages, there are other things you might want to consider:
Less Personal Connection With Guests
In an automated reception desk scenario, it’s difficult for you or your staff members to interact with customers in ways that feel genuine. You might not even recognize your guests because they don’t have any distinguishing features like a face-to-face interaction would allow.
The lack of personal connection can be particularly problematic when you’re trying to provide a high level of customer service. Your guests may feel more like numbers than people, which can lead to an overall sense of dissatisfaction.
Using automated technology also means that you won’t have any real-time interaction with your guests. If they need help from an employee or want to ask about something that’s not listed on their reservation, then they’ll have to wait until someone gets back to them. Most people don’t enjoy waiting for anything, so this can be a major inconvenience.
If you’re not careful, you could end up losing your customers because they feel like their needs aren’t being met.
Technical Complications
When implementing automated technology in a reception area, it’s important to consider that there are some potential issues with doing so. These can vary depending on your technical abilities in managing technology systems within your business.
For example, you may find that it’s difficult to get your software to run smoothly when there are a lot of guests in the reception area at once. This can lead to the system crashing or locking up, which is not an ideal situation for anyone.
Should You Automate the Front Desk Experience?
The answer to this question really depends on your business. If you’re a small operation that doesn’t have many employees, it’s probably not worth the investment in time or money to implement an automated system. However, if you have a large staff and are looking for ways to improve efficiency and cut costs, then this may be the right move for you!
You’ll be able to reduce your labor costs and increase efficiency at the same time. Your guests will appreciate not having to wait for long periods of time while someone looks through their paperwork or tries to find their reservation on the computer. They can simply walk up, put in their information, pay, and leave!
Embrace the 21st Century With Reception Software for Your Business
At the end of the day, there are pros and cons to an automated front desk. Weighing these options is something you should consider before making a final call on whether it’s right for your business.
If you need help deciding between automated reception desks or traditional ones, we can offer some advice! Read our business blogs to learn more about automated reception desks and other ways to save time and money for your business.
