Business voicemail greeting scripts for your main line
A business voicemail greeting for your main line should name the company in the first few seconds, tell callers what to leave, and say when they'll hear back. Give department lines their own greeting, add an emergency option after hours, and swap in holiday dates ahead of time so callers always know what to expect.
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What should a business voicemail greeting say for the main line?
Name the business first, then tell callers what you need from them and when they'll hear back.
Main line, standard
Thank you for calling [Business Name]. We're currently helping other customers. Please leave your name, phone number and the reason for your call, and a member of our team will call you back within [one business day].
Main line with online booking
Thanks for calling [Business Name]. Our team is on the phone or with a customer right now. For faster service, visit [website] to book or get a quote online. Otherwise, leave your name and number and we'll call you back today.
Main line with hours
Hi, you've reached [Business Name]. Our office hours are [Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.]. If you're calling outside those hours, please leave a message and we'll return your call when we open.
What should a department's voicemail greeting say?
A caller who reaches sales, support or billing directly should know they're in the right place and what to leave.
Sales
You've reached the sales team at [Business Name]. Leave your name, number and what you're interested in, and we'll follow up with pricing or a quote within [one business day].
Customer support
Thanks for calling [Business Name] customer support. Please leave your name, account number and a description of the issue, and our support team will call you back today.
Billing
You've reached billing at [Business Name]. Please leave your name, account or invoice number and your question, and someone from billing will return your call within [two business days].
What should an after-hours business voicemail greeting say?
Give your regular hours so callers know when to expect you back, and a way to reach you if it truly can't wait.
Standard after hours
Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is closed right now. Our regular hours are [Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.]. Please leave a message and we'll call you back on the next business day.
After hours with an emergency line
You've reached [Business Name] after hours. If this can't wait until morning, please call our emergency line at [phone number]. Otherwise, leave your name, number and a short message, and we'll call you back when we open.
What should a lunch break or short closure greeting say?
Short, temporary closures deserve their own quick greeting so callers don't think you're closed for the day.
Closed for lunch
Thanks for calling [Business Name]. Our office is closed for lunch until [1 p.m.]. Please leave your name and number, and we'll call you back as soon as we're back at our desks.
Closed for a staff meeting
You've reached [Business Name]. We're closed for a staff meeting until [2 p.m. today]. Leave a message with your name and number, and we'll return your call this afternoon.
What should a holiday closure greeting say?
Give the exact dates you're closed and the day you reopen, then switch back to your regular greeting afterward.
Extended holiday closure
Thank you for calling [Business Name]. Our office is closed for the holiday from [December 24] through [January 1]. We'll reopen on [January 2]. Leave a message and we'll call you back then. Happy holidays.
Single holiday
Thanks for calling [Business Name]. We're closed today for [Independence Day] and will reopen tomorrow at [8 a.m.]. Please leave a message and we'll call you back.
What's a short greeting for when no one's free to answer?
For a small team where every line can go unanswered at once, keep it brief and get straight to the message.
Short, no-staff-free greeting
Thanks for calling [Business Name]. No one's available to take your call right now. Please leave your name, number and a brief message, and we'll call you back shortly.
Whole team on other calls
You've reached [Business Name]. Our whole team is currently on other calls. Leave your name and number after the tone, and the next available person will call you back.
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Hear your greeting freeCommon questions
How long should a business voicemail greeting be?
Aim for 15 to 20 seconds on a main line. Name the business, say what to leave, and give a callback window, then stop. Department greetings can be even shorter.
What should a business voicemail greeting say?
Name the business, ask for the caller's name, number and reason for calling, and say when you'll call back. Add an emergency line or a website for anything that can wait for self-service.
Should every department have its own voicemail greeting?
Yes, if callers can dial sales, support or billing directly. A greeting that names the department and asks for the right details, like an account number, gets you a faster, more useful callback.
How often should I update a business voicemail greeting?
Update it for any holiday, unexpected closure or change in hours, and review the main line greeting every few months so the callback window still matches how quickly your team actually calls back.
Can I use these scripts on a business cell phone?
Yes. Cell phone voicemail only records through the microphone, so play the finished greeting from a laptop or second phone while the cell phone records it. On a phone system, you upload the file instead.
Should a business greeting sound formal or friendly?
Match how your business answers the phone in person. A law firm or medical office usually sounds more formal, while a local shop or trade business can sound warmer without losing clarity.