Business phone auto-attendant script examples
Auto-attendant and IVR script examples for small business phone systems: main menu, after-hours branch, hold messages, and a go-live test checklist.
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Main menu scripts
Standard open-hours intro
Thank you for calling [Business Name]. For sales, press 1. For support, press 2. For billing, press 3. For hours and directions, press 4. To speak with someone, press 0.
Service business
Thank you for calling [Business Name]. To schedule or change an appointment, press 1. For questions about an existing visit, press 2. For billing, press 3. To speak with the front desk, press 0.
Repeat menu
To hear these options again, press 9.
Shorter menus reduce hang-ups. Vendor IVR primers from Twilio and Vonage converge on greeting, most common request first, repeat, and human fallback patterns [Twilio auto-attendant examples; Vonage transfer and IVR guides, accessed 2026-10-29]. A tabular build checklist lives in our phone tree template page.
After-hours and overflow branches
Closed for the day
You have reached [Business Name] outside our regular hours. We are open [days and times] [time zone]. Please leave your name, number, and reason for calling. We will return your call on the next business day.
Queue overflow
Our team is helping other callers. Your call is important to us. Please stay on the line or leave a message after the tone and we will call you back within [realistic window].
Pair overflow wording with routing rules in after-hours call routing for small business. Closure-specific scripts are in holiday and closure voicemail scripts.
Go-live tests
From a mobile on another network, dial the published main number and press every menu key, including invalid digits. Confirm each destination matches the label and that pressing 0 reaches a staffed path when someone is available.
Listen on a phone speaker, not only headphones, before approving a recording. Then re-test after any forwarding change so callers do not land on a personal cell greeting.
For full platform choice and pricing context, see best business phone systems for small business and the RingCentral review if you are evaluating UCaaS depth.
Frequently asked questions
How many menu options are too many?
A: More than four numbered choices plus zero increases abandon rates on small-business lines. Move rare topics to a website or callback form.
Should every business use an auto-attendant?
A: Solo operators often use a simple greeting without a menu. Menus help when multiple departments or queues share one published number.
Can I use text-to-speech?
A: Many hosted systems allow TTS for quick edits. Re-test pronunciation of your business name and product terms before go-live.
Where do voicemail scripts fit?
A: When no menu option is staffed, callers should hear a consistent voicemail ask. See business voicemail greeting examples.