What a virtual receptionist does

• Answers your calls after hours, during the lunch rush and whenever nobody grabs the phone.
• Answers common questions: hours, location, parking, services and prices you approve.
• Books appointments on supported booking systems, or texts callers your booking link.
• Takes messages and texts or emails them to you with the caller’s number and what they need.
• Passes calls to you when a caller asks for a person, if you turn transfers on.

Virtual receptionist vs. live answering service vs. in-house

Option	Typical cost (2026)	What you get
Traditional answering service (live agents)	US$175–$700 a month at small-business volume, often US$0.75–$1.50 a minute	A person takes a message. Costs climb with every busy month.
AI answering service	US$25–$300 a month for most tools	Answers instantly, any hour, and can book or text your booking link
In-house receptionist	About US$38,000 a year median wage before benefits	Knows your business best, but works set hours and takes one call at a time

Prices above are published market ranges in US dollars, not Zolo’s prices. Ours are below in Canadian dollars.

Why businesses choose an AI virtual receptionist

• No per-minute bills. A flat monthly price, even in your busiest month.
• No hold music. It answers every call on the first ring, several at once.
• It actually books. Most live answering services take a message. This one can book the visit or text the booking link.
• It stays in its lane. No medical, dental or mechanical advice, and no prices you haven’t approved.

You keep your phone number. Your phone company forwards calls to us when nobody picks up, when the line is busy or after hours. Nothing changes for your customers except that someone answers.

Who uses it

• Dental offices: new-patient calls while the team is chairside.
• Salons and spas: booking calls while hands are full.
• Physio, chiro and massage clinics: calls during treatments.
• Med spas: evening consult calls.
• Auto repair shops: calls from drivers while the bays are busy.

Pick your plan

Simple monthly plans in Canadian dollars. Every plan includes setup, testing and a weekly check of your calls by our team.

One-time setup fee of CA$299 on every plan, plus applicable taxes. 3-month minimum, then month-to-month. Not sure which plan fits? Book a free 15-minute review or call 778-892-7802.

What happens after you get in touch

1. Same or next business day: we call you to learn your services, hours, prices you’re happy to share and the questions your front desk answers most.
2. Within a week: we build your receptionist, connect it to your phone line and booking system, and test it with real-sounding calls.
3. You approve it by calling it yourself before it ever talks to a customer.
4. Every week after: we review the calls and fix any answer that missed.

Virtual receptionist questions

How much does a virtual receptionist cost in Canada?

Live virtual receptionist and answering services usually cost about US$175–$700 a month at small-business volume, often billed per minute. AI virtual receptionists usually cost US$25–$300 a month. Zolo’s plans start at CA$149 a month, with AI call answering from CA$299 a month, plus a one-time CA$299 setup.

Is a virtual receptionist a real person?

Ours is an AI assistant, and it tells callers so. It takes a message or transfers the call when someone asks for a person.

What happens when it doesn’t know the answer?

It says it will pass the question to your team, takes the caller’s name and number, and texts you the message right away.

Can a virtual receptionist book appointments?

Yes. It books into supported booking systems, or texts the caller your online booking link while they’re on the phone.

Do I need a new phone number?

No. You keep your number. Calls are forwarded to the virtual receptionist only when you don’t answer, the line is busy or you’re closed.

Do you only work with Vancouver businesses?

We’re based in Vancouver and set up businesses across Canada. Everything is done by phone and video, so location doesn’t matter.

Does it include a live chat for my website?

Yes. The AI Receptionist and 24/7 Pro plans include an AI chat on your website. It uses the same knowledge as your phone receptionist, answers visitors any time of day, books or shares your booking link, and sends you every lead.

Sources: OnceHub, “Answering Service Cost in 2026” (Sept 2026, US dollars); Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, PIPEDA guidance.