# Business voicemail greetings: 42 examples you can copy

Copy-ready voicemail scripts for the situations a small business runs into, with the parts to change in brackets. After them: a formula for writing your own, how long to make it, how to record it and what to leave out.

A good business voicemail greeting gives your business name, asks for the caller's name, number and reason for calling, says when you'll call back, and offers an urgent option such as an emergency number. Keep it under 30 seconds. For example: "Thanks for calling [Business name]. Leave your name, number and a short message, and we'll call you back [within one business day]."

## What to say in a business voicemail greeting

A professional voicemail greeting tells callers who they reached, what to leave, when they'll hear back and what to do if it can't wait. Use these six steps to write your own voicemail script for business.
1.

### Name the business

Use the name on your sign, so callers know they dialed right.
1.

### Say you can't answer

One short reason: closed, with a customer or on a job.
1.

### Ask for specific details

Name, number, what they need, and one detail you need, such as an address.
1.

### Set a callback time

Promise only a time you can meet on your busiest day.
1.

### Give an urgent route

An emergency number, a 911 line where safety matters, or your website.
1.

### Thank them and stop

End with "Thank you." No sign-off speech.

## Professional voicemail greeting examples

These business voice message examples suit most offices and shops. Replace everything in brackets.

**1. Short and simple:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. We can't take your call. Leave your name, number and a short message, and we'll call you back [within one business day]."

**2. With your hours:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. We're open [Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.]. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [during business hours]."

**3. Formal:** "Thank you for calling [Business name]. Please leave your name, telephone number and the reason for your call, and our team will return it [within one business day]."

**4. New or existing customers:** "You've reached [Business name]. New customers, tell us what you need. Existing customers, leave your name and [address]. Leave your number, and we'll call you back [today]."

**5. Personal extension:** "You've reached [your name] at [Business name]. Leave your name and number, and I'll call you back [today]. For help sooner, call our main line at [number]."

**6. Friendly:** "You've reached [Business name]. Sorry we missed you. Leave your name, number and what you need, and we'll get back to you [by end of day]."

## After-hours voicemail greetings

Say you're closed, when you open, and what to do if it can't wait.

**7. Standard:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. We're closed. Our hours are [Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.]. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [the next business day]."

**8. With an emergency line:** "You've reached [Business name] after hours. For emergencies, call [on-call number]. Otherwise, leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [after 8 a.m.]."

**9. Weekend:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. We're closed for the weekend. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [Monday morning]."

**10. Late night:** "You've reached [Business name]. We're closed for the night and open at [time]. Leave your name, number and reason for calling, and we'll call you back [tomorrow]."

**11. Seasonal hours:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. Our [winter] hours are [days and times]. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [during business hours]."

**12. Short:** "You've reached [Business name] after hours. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [after we open at 8 a.m.]."

## Holiday and closure voicemail greetings

Give the dates you're closed and reopen, and set a reminder to switch back.

**13. Single holiday:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. We're closed [date] for [holiday] and reopen [date]. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [when we reopen]."

**14. End of year:** "Happy holidays from [Business name]. We're closed [date] through [date] and will return messages starting [date]. Leave your name, number and a short message."

**15. With emergency service:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. We're closed today for [holiday]. For emergency service, call [on-call number]. Otherwise, leave a message, and we'll call you back [on date]."

**16. Vacation:** "You've reached [your name] at [Business name]. I'm away until [date]. For anything urgent, call [colleague] at [number]. Otherwise, leave a message, and I'll call you back [after I return]."

**17. Weather:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. Because of [the storm], we're closed today. Check [website] for updates, or leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [when we reopen]."

**18. Training day:** "You've reached [Business name]. We're closed [date] for [staff training]. Leave a message, and we'll call you back [when we reopen on date]."

## Busy, lunch and away greetings

For hours you're open but can't pick up.

**19. Helping customers:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. We're helping other customers. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [within the hour]."

**20. Lunch:** "You've reached [Business name]. We're at lunch until [1 p.m.]. Leave a message, or call back after [1 p.m.]."

**21. On a job:** "Hi, this is [your name] at [Business name]. I'm on a job. Leave your name, address and what you need, and I'll call you back [between jobs today]."

**22. With a client:** "You've reached [your name] at [Business name]. I'm with a client until [time]. Leave your name and number, and I'll call you back [this afternoon]."

**23. Busy season:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. It's our busy season. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [within two business days]."

## Greetings that point callers online

Send callers to your booking page or inbox, and spell out hard-to-hear addresses.

**24. Book online:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. Book any time at [website], or leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [within one business day]."

**25. Email for a quote:** "You've reached [Business name]. For a quote, email photos and your address to [email], or leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [by end of day]."

**26. Answers online:** "Thanks for calling [Business name]. Our hours, prices and directions are at [website]. Or leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [during business hours]."

## Voicemail greetings by industry

Ask for the one detail you need before calling back, and add a safety line where it matters.

### Plumbers, HVAC, electricians and roofers

**27. Plumber:** "Thanks for calling [Business name] Plumbing. Leave your name, address and the problem, and we'll call you back [within the hour]. For flooding, call [emergency number]. If you smell gas, leave the building and call 911."

**28. HVAC:** "You've reached [Business name] Heating and Air. Leave your name, address and whether you have no heat or no cooling, and we'll call you back [today]. If you smell gas, leave the building and call 911."

**29. Electrician:** "Thanks for calling [Business name] Electric. Leave your name, address and the problem. For sparks or a burning smell, call [emergency number]. If there's fire or you smell gas, leave the building and call 911."

**30. Roofer or contractor:** "You've reached [Business name]. Leave your name, the property address and what you need: a leak, storm damage or an estimate. Mention any insurance claim. We'll call you back [within one business day]."

### Dental offices and law firms

**31. Dental office:** "Thanks for calling [Practice name]. If this is a medical emergency, hang up and call 911. Leave your name, number and whether you're a new patient, and we'll call you back [today]. For urgent dental problems after hours, call [number]."

**32. Law firm:** "Thank you for calling [Firm name]. Leave your name, number and a brief description of your matter, without confidential details. If you have a court date [this week], say so. We'll call you back [within one business day]."

### Salons, restaurants and auto repair shops

**33. Salon:** "Thanks for calling [Salon name]. To book, leave your name, number, the service and a preferred day, or book at [website]."

**34. Restaurant:** "Thanks for calling [Restaurant name]. For a reservation, leave your name, number, party size, date and time, and we'll call to confirm [before 4 p.m.]. Or book at [website]."

**35. Auto repair:** "You've reached [Shop name]. Leave your name, number, your vehicle's year, make and model and what's wrong, and we'll call you back [today]. Broken down on the road? Get safe and call roadside assistance."

### Real estate and property management

**36. Real estate agent:** "You've reached [Agent name] with [Brokerage]. Leave your name, number and the address you're calling about, or tell me you're thinking of selling, and I'll call you back [today]."

**37. Property management:** "Thanks for calling [Company name]. For flooding, no heat or a lockout, call [emergency line]. If you smell gas or see fire, leave the building and call 911. Otherwise, leave your name, property, unit and a short message."

## Bilingual voicemail greetings in English and Spanish

Spanish first, then English. Record both, leading with the language most of your callers speak.

**38. General:** "Gracias por llamar a [Business name]. Deje su nombre, su número y un mensaje breve, y le devolveremos la llamada [en un día hábil]."

English: "Thanks for calling [Business name]. Leave your name, number and a short message, and we'll call you back [within one business day]."

**39. After hours:** "Gracias por llamar a [Business name]. Estamos cerrados. Deje su nombre y su número, y le devolveremos la llamada [el próximo día hábil]."

English: "Thanks for calling [Business name]. We're closed. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back [the next business day]."

**40. Holiday:** "Gracias por llamar a [Business name]. Estamos cerrados por [holiday] y volvemos a abrir el [date]. Deje su nombre y su número, y le devolveremos la llamada."

English: "Thanks for calling [Business name]. We're closed for [holiday] and reopen on [date]. Leave your name and number, and we'll call you back."

**41. Trades:** "Gracias por llamar a [Business name]. Deje su nombre, su dirección y una breve descripción del problema, y le devolveremos la llamada [hoy]. Si huele a gas, salga del edificio y llame al 911."

English: "Thanks for calling [Business name]. Leave your name, address and a short description of the problem, and we'll call you back [today]. If you smell gas, leave the building and call 911."

**42. Clinic:** "Gracias por llamar a [Practice name]. Si se trata de una emergencia médica, cuelgue y llame al 911. Para hacer una cita, deje su nombre y su número, y díganos si es paciente nuevo."

English: "Thank you for calling [Practice name]. If this is a medical emergency, hang up and call 911. To make an appointment, leave your name and number, and tell us if you're a new patient."

A voicemail only collects a message. A [bilingual answering service](/bilingual-answering-service/) such as Julius Answer by DealsFlow replies in Spanish when the caller speaks it.

## How long should a voicemail greeting be?

Keep it to 20 to 30 seconds at most. Callers are waiting for the beep, so each extra sentence is another chance they hang up first.

Time it aloud. If it runs long, cut the hours or website first, and give one emergency number, not a list.

## How to record a professional voicemail greeting

Record in a quiet room from a written script, then call your own number to hear it as callers will.
- Speak a little slower than you talk.
- Record away from engines, shop radios and open windows.
- Say phone numbers slowly, in groups, and repeat them.
- Record three takes and keep the clearest.
- Check your mailbox isn't full.

## What not to say in a business voicemail greeting

Leave out anything that wastes time, overpromises or invites sensitive details.
- **"Your call is important to us."** Say what to leave instead.
- **A callback time you can't keep.** "We'll call right back" breaks a promise if you're on a roof all day.
- **Old dates.** A holiday greeting still playing in January says nobody checks the phone.
- **Requests for card numbers, Social Security numbers or health details.** Ask on the call back, if at all.
- **Long apologies, music or jokes** before the beep.

## Do callers still leave voicemails?

Fewer than half do. In CallRail's September 2025 survey of 1,000 US consumers, 42% said they leave a voicemail when a business doesn't answer, 21% said they immediately call another business, and 82% said they would call a competitor if a business doesn't answer.

If you run Google Local Services Ads, voicemail also costs money: Google's "How leads work" page (checked October 20, 2026) says a call that reaches your voicemail during business hours counts as a connected call and is charged as a lead if the caller stays on the line for more than 20 seconds, whether or not they leave a message. See [how Local Services Ads charge for calls](/guides/google-local-services-ads/).

So the best business voicemail greeting is the one callers rarely hear. The bigger fix is answering more calls live (our guide on [how to answer the phone professionally](/guides/how-to-answer-the-phone-professionally/) has the scripts):
- **During the day,** forward calls you can't pick up to a teammate or an [answering service](/answering-service/).
- **At night and on holidays,** an [after-hours answering service](/after-hours-answering-service/) picks up instead of voicemail.
- **An AI receptionist** such as Julius Answer answers 24/7, says it is an AI assistant, answers questions from your information, takes messages and books appointments. [Forward only the calls you don't answer](/guides/how-to-forward-business-calls/), and it picks up where voicemail would.

## Have your calls answered instead

Start a 7-day free trial of Julius Answer and forward only the calls you miss.

[Start free trial](/signup/) [See pricing](/pricing/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What should a business voicemail greeting say?

Your business name, that you can't take the call right now, what the caller should leave (name, number and what they need), when you'll call back, and where to go if it's urgent. Five short sentences cover it.

### How long should a business voicemail greeting be?

Keep it to 20 to 30 seconds at most. Read your script aloud with a timer before you record, and cut anything callers don't need in order to leave a useful message.

### How do I change the voicemail greeting on my business phone?

On a cell phone, look for the greeting option in your phone app's voicemail settings, or call your own voicemail and choose greetings from its menu. On a VoIP or office phone system, record or upload the greeting in the admin portal or app.

### Should my greeting say when I'll call back?

Yes, if you can keep the promise. Use a time you meet on your busiest day, such as "within one business day", and change it in your holiday and vacation greetings.

### Should my voicemail greeting be in English and Spanish?

If many of your callers speak Spanish, yes. Keep both versions short, put the language most of your callers speak first, and make sure someone can return calls in Spanish.

### Can I use text-to-speech instead of recording my own voice?

Many VoIP phone systems let you type a greeting and have it read aloud. A clear recording in your own voice usually sounds more personal, so use text-to-speech if you can't record in a quiet place.

## Sources
1. [How leads work (Local Services Help)](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/7195435?hl=en), Google, checked October 20, 2026
1. [Missed calls cost businesses more than ever (survey of 1,000 US consumers)](https://www.callrail.com/blog/missed-calls-cost-businesses-more-than-ever), CallRail, September 25, 2025

Checked 2026-10-20. Third-party prices and features change; check the vendor before you buy.

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Source: https://julius.dealsflow.ai/guides/business-voicemail-greeting/
Updated: 2026-10-20