An answering service for small business — every call answered when you can't pick up
You're busy with a customer. You're on a job. You're driving. A real person answers in your business name, takes the details, and messages you — so no caller moves on to someone else.
Every missed call is a customer you didn't get
When you run a small business on your own, you're the owner, the worker, and the receptionist. Most of the time, two of those roles don't leave room for the third.
Calls come in while you're with someone else. While you're working. While you're driving. Most callers won't leave a voicemail — they'll search for the next business and call them instead. By the time you see the missed call, the job is already gone.
A phone answering service for small business means every call gets answered — even when you can't.
How it works
Simple setup. No new hardware. Works alongside your existing number.
- 1
You get a dedicated business number
A proper UK number with your local area code. Use it on Google, your website, anywhere you advertise — separate from your personal mobile.
- 2
Calls ring straight to your mobile
When you're free, you answer like normal. Nothing changes.
- 3
When you can't answer, we do
A real person picks up in your business name, takes the caller's name, number, and what they need.
- 4
Details go straight to you
You get a message with everything you need to call back. No information lost, no lead slipped through.
A call answering service built for small businesses, not big offices
Generic answering services are built for companies with reception desks. ProperLine is built for businesses where the owner does the work.
Every call answered
Whether you're with a customer, on a job, or just can't pick up, every call is answered by a real person. Not voicemail. Not an automated menu. A person.
Message taken and sent to you
Name, number, and reason for calling — taken accurately and messaged straight to you. You call back when you're free, with everything you need to respond properly.
Works from your existing number
No new hardware, no app to manage. Your business number rings to your phone — when you can't answer, it diverts to the answering service automatically.
Answers in your business name
The person answering uses your business name, not ProperLine's. To the caller, it sounds exactly like your own receptionist picked up.
Who uses a small business telephone answering service
Any business where the owner is also the person doing the work — and can't always pick up.
If you run a trade business, see the ProperLine setup for plumbers or the plumbing answering service page for trade-specific detail.
Why small businesses choose ProperLine over generic answering services
Services like Moneypenny and AnswerConnect are built for medium-to-large businesses with complex call routing needs. ProperLine is built for the business where one person does everything — and needs something that works without managing it.
- Business number included — not a separate expensive add-on
- Works from your existing mobile — no new hardware or app
- One straightforward plan — no tiered call packages to manage
- Cancel any time — no 12-month contracts
- Set up in minutes, not days
“You miss a call. They don't leave a message. You never know they called. You don't get the work.”
— The problem ProperLine solves
Every call that gets answered is a customer that stays in play. Every call that hits voicemail is a customer at risk.
Common questions
How does a small business answering service work?
When a call comes in and you can't answer, it diverts to a real person who answers in your business name. They take the caller's name, number, and reason for calling — then message it straight to you. You call back when you're free.
Do I need to change my existing number?
No. You keep your existing number. Most small businesses use ProperLine to get a dedicated business number that sits on top of their mobile — a separate number for work calls, with the answering service as the backup when they're busy.
What gets taken from the caller?
Name, phone number, and the reason they're calling. If your business has specific questions it needs answered — like location, what type of job it is, or whether it's urgent — those can be set up as part of your account.
How is this different from voicemail?
Most callers don't leave voicemail. They call the next business on the list and book with whoever picks up first. A real person answering means the caller gets a response, feels heard, and waits for your callback — instead of moving on.
What size businesses use this?
Mostly one-person and small-team businesses — sole traders, freelancers, and trades. The businesses that need this most are the ones where the owner is also the person doing the work, which means they genuinely can't pick up mid-job.
Is there a contract?
No contract. Cancel any time. Month to month.
Small business answering service — join the waitlist
We're rolling out call answering for UK small businesses now. Join the waitlist for early access and a founding member rate.
Already using ProperLine for your number? See all plans →