It sounds so simple, but so many small business owners don’t do it.  So many people are guilty of not answering phone calls.  Why put all that time and effort into advertising if you aren’t even going to answer people’s phone calls?  By completely ignoring phone calls, you seem unprofessional and are telling people that you are not in need of their business, which is certainly not the case.

While in the office, be sure that someone is available to answer the phone.  When you are out, have your calls forwarded, or at the very least have an answering machine.  Leave an outgoing message letting your callers know that you value their business and that you will return their call as soon as possible.