Statista reported that the communication services in Canada will reach $49.9 billion in 2025. How quickly and effectively businesses respond to incoming calls and inquiries can make or break their communication services. In a country with two official languages and hundreds of other vernaculars, businesses proactively invest in virtual receptionists in Canada.

These agents handle different responsibilities more than just answering phones. They offer professional first impressions. More importantly, they can help your business strengthen relationships and support growth.

Bilingual support for Canadian businesses is a requirement. Plus, missing out can cost your business potential customers and revenue. To choose a service that has robust English-French support:

• Verify language proficiency: Look for a reputable phone service with bilingual certification. Competent bilingual virtual receptionists in Canada should seamlessly switch the two languages, use the correct terminologies, and maintain clarity regardless of the caller’s regional accent. Ask for sample calls or live demos to assess accents and pronunciations.
• Check cultural competence: Bilingual virtual support isn’t limited to language skills. Being culturally aware is also important. Virtual receptionists in Canada need to understand nuances like regional greetings and expressions. For instance, a caller from Montreal may say “Salut!” instead of the more standard “Bonjour!” Responding accurately, and in a friendly and polished manner, is a linguistic adjustment that respects regional norms. A culturally aware virtual receptionist makes the conversation flow more naturally, which makes callers more at ease.
• Evaluate personalization options: Inquire about customizing call scripts to help the virtual receptionists transition from English to French and vice versa when interacting with bilingual callers. For instance, if a caller greets in English but references a French document, the virtual receptionist can pivot effortlessly, clarifying details in both languages without compromising the conversation flow.

Criteria for selection

Bilingual virtual receptionists are often the first point of contact for callers. As such, it’s critically important to work with a credible virtual receptionist service provider:

• Industry expertise: While tons of call centres provide virtual receptionists, not everyone has industry specializations. Look for relevant industry expertise, especially if you’re part of a sector, such as healthcare and law, that has specialized vocabulary. Also, look into niche sectors like cleaning service providers or parking facilities. Your chosen provider must regularly train its bilingual staff in industry-specific terminologies in English and French.
• Always-on, always live availability: Canada has multiple time zones. Most of the time, local clients require support outside the typical business hours. Select a provider that guarantees support 24/7. This way, every call gets answered, no matter the hour or holiday.

• Advanced tech and security: Ensure the service provider uses secured networks to protect sensitive business information and customer data. Furthermore, assess if they have call analytics and reporting to monitor performance and optimize customer interactions.
• Positive reputation and reviews: Check case studies, third-party reviews, and client testimonials to check the provider’s history of reliability and professionalism. Ask questions about the provider’s background, processes, and practices. A clear picture of what the provider can do for your business can help you decide better.

Choosing the right virtual receptionist in Canada is a strategic move that will impact your customers’ first impression of your brand. Start your selection process by assessing what your business needs. Find the key gaps in your current call handling and customer service. Prioritizing bilingual support opens doors to more robust customer care with 24/7 coverage and industry-specific expertise.

Tap On Call Centre services to ensure top-notch virtual receptionist in Canada. Contact us to learn more.