What is an AI voice agent?

An AI voice agent is an intelligent phone system powered by conversational AI that answers calls, books appointments, qualifies leads, and handles enquiries — just like a trained receptionist, but available 24/7 with no sick days, holidays, or hold music.

How much does an AI receptionist cost in the UK?

AI receptionist services in the UK typically range from £150–£700 per month. Voqal AI plans start at £197/month for 200 minutes, with no contracts or hidden fees. For comparison, a full-time human receptionist costs £22,000–£28,000 per year (ONS ASHE, 2024), making AI 70–90% more cost-effective.

How quickly can I get set up?

We’ll send you a personalised voice agent demo within 24 hours of your enquiry. We handle everything — from building your custom agent to integrating it with your existing phone system, calendar, and CRM.

Will callers know they’re speaking to an AI?

Our voice agents are built to sound natural and conversational. Many callers don’t realise they’re speaking to an AI — they just know they got a helpful, immediate answer.

Do I need to sign a long-term contract?

No. All Voqal AI managed service plans are month-to-month with no lock-in contracts. You can cancel anytime with no exit fees.

What is the ROI of an AI receptionist?

Research from PATLive and Forbes shows 80% of callers sent to voicemail won’t leave a message, and 67% of unanswered callers will phone a competitor instead. A study by MIT and InsideSales.com found leads are 21× more likely to convert when contacted within 5 minutes. At £197/month, an AI receptionist pays for itself by capturing even one or two bookings per month that would otherwise be lost.

How does an AI receptionist compare to a human receptionist?

A human receptionist in the UK earns approximately £22,000–£28,000 per year (ONS, 2024) and works standard office hours. An AI receptionist from Voqal AI costs from £197/month (under £2,400/year), works 24/7 including weekends and bank holidays, handles multiple calls simultaneously, and never calls in sick.

Is my data safe with an AI receptionist?

Yes. Voqal AI Ltd is a UK-registered company (Companies House No. 17080303) and processes all data in compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Call data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and we do not share customer data with third parties.

What industries do you work with?

Voqal AI serves dental practices, medical clinics, law firms, estate agents, accountancy firms, veterinary clinics, tradesmen, and many more across the UK and US. Each agent is custom-trained on your specific industry terminology and workflows.

Can the AI handle multiple calls at the same time?

Yes. Unlike a human receptionist who can only handle one call at a time, Voqal AI voice agents can answer multiple simultaneous calls with no wait times or hold music. During peak periods, every caller gets an immediate, personalised response.

What happens to calls the AI cannot handle?

If a caller raises a query outside the voice agent’s knowledge base or requests to speak with a human, the system transfers the call to your designated team member or takes a detailed message with the caller’s name, number, and reason for calling. You receive an instant notification so you can follow up promptly. According to research from MIT and InsideSales.com, responding within five minutes makes conversion 21× more likely.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Set Up an AI Receptionist for Your UK Business.

From first enquiry to live AI receptionist in under 24 hours. No technical knowledge required — we handle everything. Here’s exactly how the process works.

< 24hrs

Setup time

£197

From per month

0

Contracts

The Process

6 Steps to 24/7 Coverage.

01

Request a Demonstration

2 minutes

Visit our contact page and submit your details. Include your business name, industry, and how you currently handle calls. Our team will build a personalised voice agent demo and send it to you within 24 hours — no payment or commitment required.

Request Demo →

02

Share Your Business Knowledge

30 minutes

We'll ask you about your FAQs, opening hours, services, pricing, booking rules, and brand voice. The more detail you provide, the better your AI receptionist performs. Think of it as training a new team member — except this one never forgets.

03

Review Your Custom Voice Agent

15 minutes

We'll send you a phone number to call and test your AI receptionist live. Try booking an appointment, asking about services, requesting a callback — test every scenario. We'll refine the model until it's perfect.

04

Connect Your Phone System

10 minutes

Forward your existing business number to your unique Voqal AI number. This works with any UK landline, mobile, or VoIP system. No hardware, no engineer visit — just a simple call forwarding rule. You can set it to forward all calls, or only when lines are busy or unanswered.

05

Integrate Your Calendar & CRM

15 minutes

Connect Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, Cal.com, Calendly, or practice management software like Dentally or Cliniko. Link your CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho, Pipedrive) so every call, booking, and lead is logged automatically.

06

Go Live

Instant

Activate your AI receptionist and it starts answering immediately — 24/7, every call, zero wait time. Your team gets email and SMS notifications for bookings, messages, and urgent calls. Monitor everything from your dashboard.

Common Questions

Setup FAQ.

How long does the whole process take?

From first enquiry to live AI receptionist: typically 24–48 hours. We handle everything — you just provide the business knowledge.

Do I need to change my phone number?

No. You keep your existing business number. We set up call forwarding so your AI receptionist answers on your behalf.

What if the AI can't handle a call?

It transfers to your team. You set the rules — urgent calls, specific requests, or VIP callers can always be routed to a human.

Can I try before I commit?

Yes. We send you a free personalised demo within 24 hours. Call it, test it, and only proceed if you're satisfied. No contracts.

What does it cost?

Plans start at £197/month for 200 minutes. No contracts. Cancel anytime.