---
title: "What Does a Virtual Receptionist Do? | AI-Voice-Agent.ca"
description: "A virtual receptionist answers calls remotely, books appointments, routes urgent calls and takes messages. What it does, how it works and what it costs."
url: https://ai-voice-agent.ca/answers/what-does-a-virtual-receptionist-do/
last_updated: 2026-11-05
---

# What does a virtual receptionist do?

A virtual receptionist answers your business calls remotely and does front-desk work over the phone: greets callers with your business name, answers common questions, books appointments, takes messages, routes urgent calls to the right person and sends you a summary. It can be a remote person or an AI voice agent. An AI version works 24/7 and handles several calls at once.

## Typical tasks

- Answers in your name: Callers hear your business name, not a call centre.
- Answers questions: Hours, service area, services and prices you approve.
- Books appointments: Into your calendar or booking tool, in the slots you allow.
- Routes calls: Urgent calls to your cell, sales to one person, billing to another.
- Screens callers: Separates real customers from sales pitches and spam.
- Sends summaries: A text or email after each call with what the caller needs.

## How it works

You keep your phone number and forward the calls you choose. The receptionist works from a script built with you: your services, rules for urgent calls and how to book. With an AI virtual receptionist the script is tested before launch and tuned on real calls.

## Related questions

**How much does a virtual receptionist cost?**

Remote human receptionists are usually billed by the minute, call or hour. AI virtual receptionists are usually a monthly plan. Ours is from $150 a month plus setup from $299. See [AI receptionist cost](https://ai-voice-agent.ca/answers/how-much-does-an-ai-receptionist-cost/).

**Do I need a new phone number?**

No. You keep your number. We forward the calls you choose to the agent: missed calls, after-hours calls or all calls.

## Related

- [Virtual receptionist and answering service, powered by AI](https://ai-voice-agent.ca/virtual-receptionist/)
- [What is an AI receptionist, and how does it work?](https://ai-voice-agent.ca/answers/what-is-an-ai-receptionist/)
- [AI receptionist vs answering service vs in-house receptionist: which is better?](https://ai-voice-agent.ca/answers/ai-receptionist-vs-answering-service/)

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