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Text-back vs voicemail
By Umair Nawaz, founder of Lirevon Updated How we check facts
A missed-call text-back sends an automatic text to a caller you did not answer, usually within seconds. A voicemail greeting plays a recording and lets the caller leave a message after the beep. Both are ways to handle a call you could not take. One starts the conversation for you. The other waits for the caller to do the work.
We sell one of these options, so read this with that in mind. We try to be fair. Costs are rough ranges, not quotes.
Side by side
| Question | Missed-call text-back | Voicemail greeting |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Part of a system. Lirevon Core is $497 a month plus setup. | Usually free or very low cost. It comes with most phone plans. |
| Speed | About 30 seconds after the missed call. | The greeting plays at once. Then you must listen to the message and call back yourself. |
| Hours covered | Every hour, because it is automatic. | Every hour, if the voicemail box is set up and not full. |
| Who talks to the caller | Nobody. The caller reads and replies by text. | Nobody. The caller talks to a recording. |
| What it cannot do | Cannot talk. Some callers will not read a text. | Few callers leave a message, and it does not book, reply or follow up. You have to do all of that. |
Who each option suits
Text-back suits you if
You miss calls while you are up a tree, you want callers to get a reply right away, and you want booking and follow-up handled in one place.
Voicemail suits you if
You get few missed calls, you have time to call back quickly, and you do not want to pay for anything. A clear greeting still helps.
Keep a voicemail greeting, it costs nothing. But most callers hang up instead of leaving a message, so a text from your number within 30 seconds is what actually keeps the conversation going.
Related: what a missed-call text-back is, speed to lead, how this fits owner-operators and short answers for tree service owners.
Questions people ask
Is a text-back better than voicemail?
For catching jobs, usually yes, because it replies first and does not wait for the caller to leave a message. Voicemail is free and still fine as a back-up. The right choice depends on how many calls you miss.
Why do so few callers leave a voicemail?
Many people want a fast answer and call the next company instead. Invoca reports that under 3% of callers to unanswered home-service calls leave a voicemail.
Can I keep my voicemail greeting?
Yes. Text-back works alongside it. The text goes out after the missed call, and the caller can still leave a message if they want to.
What if the caller does not reply to the text?
Then nothing is lost compared with voicemail. You still see the missed call in your lead inbox, and you can call back. Some callers simply prefer to talk.
How fast does a text-back go out?
In the Lirevon system, about 30 seconds after the missed call. A voicemail greeting plays at once, but after that the next step waits for you.
What should my voicemail greeting say?
Keep it short. Say your company name, that you are probably on a job, and that a text is on its way. Ask callers to leave their address and the work they need.
How many calls do tree companies miss?
One widely quoted figure from Invoca says about 27% of calls to home-service businesses go unanswered. A crew in trees all day may miss more. The free self-check on this site looks at your own listing and website.
Will a text-back annoy callers?
It only goes to people who called you, it is short, and every text has a STOP option. This is a short explanation, not legal advice. Our texting policy explains how we handle opt-outs.
What does it cost to add a text-back?
Lirevon Core is $497 a month with $997 setup ($297 for the first 3 founding clients). Carrier fees are billed at cost. The pricing page lists what is and is not included.
More comparisons: see all comparisons. Or read all our FAQs.