Overseas Call Centers & American Call Centers

Over the past few years there has been renewed discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of using overseas call centers versus domestic centers. Many people laud contact centers based in foreign countries as one of the greatest cost-cutting options in recent memory. Others write off overseas call centers as inexperienced, unprofessional, and bad for business. Despite all the talk, there is no consensus in the business community regarding which kinds of call centers are better. The most likely reason for this is probably because domestic and foreign call centers offer solutions appropriate for different sorts of situations. Companies who use one kind of service may be wildly successful where a different company might have a bad experience with the same group.

When deciding between a domestic service and a more affordable foreign one, you need to consider the planned purpose of this service. An inexpensive call center based in India could be a perfect fit for a company that needs someone to take confirmation calls but they might run into trouble if they have the call center do more advanced tasks that require more extensive knowledge of the English language. For these sorts of needs, you''d be wise to use an American-based call center or one based in a predominately English speaking country such as Canada or England. However, some call centers based in Asia or Africa can be quite experienced as well. For this reason, research every service you are considering using.

Many businesses use overseas call centers because they are in need of operators who speak the local language of that country. Companies that provide services to Spanish-speaking individuals might choose a call center based in Mexico. Not only would this center likely cost less than domestic centers be staffed with operators who speak Spanish, there is a good possibility they speak English as well. Remember, it is good to check any prospective service out extensively before signing on as a customer. In addition to finding out how professional the services is and their cost, ask what other services the center can offer you in addition to standard message taking and call patching. You might be surprised at what a foreign service might have to offer.

Although foreign call centers can be a great choice, oftentimes a domestic center is the only realistic option. Whether a foreign center is on the same level professionally as its American counterparts, many see a company''s choice of using an American call center as patriotic and indicative of a company they want to do business with. Some of your customers are looking to do business with a domestic company and using an American company for your answering service projects a good image of yourself as someone who supports American businesses. This is especially true when dealing with individuals or companies that may have negative experiences with outsourcing.

No matter which route you choose to take, quality is the most important factor. This is equally true for both domestic as well as foreign country based call centers. You need to make sure that each call will be handled professionally and in a timely manner. Whether your customers mind or even realize where your calls are being taken, they will have strong opinions about who they speak to representing your company. If it is a negative experience, it will reflect poorly on your company and there is a strong chance you could lose business. If it is a positive experience, however, you will have great success.