Why Missed Calls Cost More Than You Think

The Hidden Revenue Leak

Every missed call is a missed opportunity, but most business owners dramatically underestimate the true cost. Research from BIA/Kelsey shows that inbound phone calls convert to revenue 10-15x more often than web leads, yet the average small business fails to answer 62% of incoming calls during business hours. For a medical practice receiving 200 calls per week, that translates to roughly 124 unanswered calls — and at an average patient lifetime value of $2,400, the annualized revenue at risk exceeds $1.5 million.

Want to see the exact impact on your business? Try our Missed Call Cost Calculator to quantify what unanswered calls are really costing you.

The After-Hours Problem

The problem compounds after hours. Twenty-eight percent of all new-customer inquiries arrive outside the traditional 9-to-5 window, and callers who reach voicemail rarely leave a message. Studies show that 80% of callers who hit voicemail simply hang up and dial the next provider on their list. This means businesses operating without after-hours coverage are silently hemorrhaging leads to competitors every single night.

How Smart Reception Changes the Math

Smart reception eliminates this leak entirely. FrontDeskOS answers every call within two rings, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It qualifies the caller, books appointments, and routes urgent matters to on-call staff — all without requiring a single additional hire. Explore our full feature set to see how it works.

Our customers report an average 94% reduction in missed calls within the first 30 days, translating directly to recovered revenue that dwarfs the cost of the service. See our pricing plans to find the right fit for your business.