Glossary
Call answering, in plain English.
Twelve terms that come up when you look into answering services, with what they mean, where the research is thin, and how Wenly handles each.
All terms
- 10DLC10DLC (10-digit long code) is the system US carriers use to register businesses that send text messages from ordinary local phone numbers.
- After-hours answeringAfter-hours answering is handling calls outside your business hours so callers reach an answer instead of voicemail.
- Answering serviceAn answering service is a company that answers a business's phone calls, takes messages or captures details, and passes them on.
- Call forwardingCall forwarding is a phone feature that redirects incoming calls from one number to another.
- Call overflowCall overflow is sending calls to a second answerer when the first is busy or doesn't pick up.
- Call recording consentCall recording consent is the permission a person must give, under the law that applies to them, before their call is recorded.
- Caller IDCaller ID is the phone number, and sometimes a name, that a call shows on the receiving phone.
- Conditional call forwardingConditional call forwarding redirects a call only when a condition is met: your line is busy, you don't answer, or your phone is off or out of coverage.
- Lead captureLead capture is recording a prospective customer's details, such as name, number, need and location, when they first make contact, so someone can follow up.
- Missed-call text backMissed-call text back is an automatic text message sent to a caller after their call went unanswered.
- Service areaA service area is the region where a business will take jobs, usually defined by ZIP codes, cities or a driving radius.
- Speed to leadSpeed to lead is how quickly a business responds after a customer reaches out, and it strongly affects whether the inquiry turns into a real conversation.
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