All guides

AI phone agent primer

A managed AI receptionist that answers your actual phone line — trained on your business, not the open internet.

What it is (and isn't)

It IS

  • An AI that answers your business phone
  • Trained on your hours, services, FAQs, and tone
  • Managed setup — we script, test, and tune it
  • Able to route urgent calls and take messages
  • Works with or without an AltaForma website

It ISN'T

  • A website chatbot widget
  • ChatGPT plugged into your phone
  • Included in $49/mo site care
  • A replacement for emergency 911 calls
  • Unlimited minutes on every plan

Plans & pricing

Separate service from your website. Setup fee covers scripting, testing, and number configuration.

Starter

$199
/month
  • Business hours coverage
  • Answer FAQs & take messages
  • Monthly script tune-ups
  • Fair-use call limits apply

Growth

$399
/month
  • Business + after-hours
  • Appointment booking support
  • Bi-weekly script tune-ups
  • Higher minute allowance

Pro

$699
/month
  • Extended hours coverage
  • Priority script updates
  • Advanced routing rules
  • Highest minute tier
One-time setup: $299–$499 — scripting, testing, and number configuration.
Fair-use limits on call minutes and SMS apply. Details provided at signup.

How setup works

Discovery
We learn your services, hours, and common caller questions
Script
We write and configure your AI receptionist
Test
You call and stress-test before go-live
Live
Your line is answered — we tune monthly

Good fit / not a fit

Great for:

Plumbers, HVAC, dentists, salons, and service businesses that miss calls during jobs. Owners who can't hire a full-time receptionist but need every lead captured.

Not ideal for:

Businesses needing complex insurance authorizations, heavy medical triage, or high-volume call centers with hundreds of agents.

Works without a website?

Yes. The AI phone agent is independent — it answers your phone line. Pair it with an AltaForma site for web + phone in one partner.

How is this different from a chatbot?

It answers your real phone number when customers call — not a popup on a webpage. Managed setup and ongoing tune-ups included.

Interested in AI phone + a new website? We do both.

hello@alta-forma.com