A number is the beginning of your setup
When your eligible gobotAi trial is assigned a UK mobile number, you have a way to hear your receptionist in action. The next job is to make sure it represents your business correctly. A number appearing on screen does not, on its own, mean every answer, booking rule or call-handling choice is ready.
Follow any remaining first-call instructions in your signup journey. Then work through the checks below in your account. The trial number is provided for the trial under the conditions shown in the app; it is not a promise of a permanent free business line. Check its status, allowance and expiry before sharing it.
1. Check which receptionist answers the number
Open Numbers and find the number assigned to your business. Review its status and the Answered by setting. If you have more than one receptionist, check that the number is connected to the intended one and that it has a published configuration.
Keep the number in its full UK format, starting with +44, when saving it for your test. Do not assume your existing business number forwards to it automatically. Forwarding, bringing a number or connecting a provider is a separate setup task, and compatibility and provider charges may apply.
2. Check your business details and opening hours
Review your business name, location, contact information, regular hours and holiday exceptions. Correct anything imported from a website or business listing. Explain the difference between when the phone can be answered and when your team is available to deliver a service.
For example, a receptionist may answer an evening enquiry even though an appointment can only be booked during your working hours. Avoid instructions that imply your staff are available around the clock unless that is true.
3. Give it the answers customers actually need
Review your receptionist’s answers and the relevant knowledge-base information. Add clear facts about the areas you cover, what you offer, what you do not offer, booking requirements and how to contact a person. Keep conflicting or out-of-date information out of the material you publish.
A useful answer is specific: “For a boiler service, please tell us the property postcode and boiler type.” Avoid vague instructions such as “always say yes”. Decide what the receptionist should do when it cannot confidently answer a question.
4. Choose the voice and personality
Open Voice & personality, review the available language and voice choices, and choose a tone that suits your business. For a UK audience, test the pronunciation of your business name, place names and common services. Save your changes and listen to the result on a real call.
Keep the introduction short, welcoming and clear that callers are speaking to an AI receptionist. Review the call disclosure settings that apply to your account rather than assuming a voice sample demonstrates the complete caller experience.
5. Set up services, prices and booking availability
Use recognisable service names, useful descriptions and accurate prices. Set whether your displayed service prices include or exclude VAT where applicable. Our services, prices and VAT guide walks through those decisions.
If your plan and configuration support bookings, check the calendar connection, service duration, staff availability and booking rules. A connected calendar still needs a test. Do not promise a booking until the system has actually confirmed the available slot and recorded it.
6. Review handover and fallback behaviour
Where your account offers transfers or fallback options, check the destination number and when it should be used. Agree what happens when nobody answers: for example, collecting an enquiry for follow-up where supported. Use only numbers you are authorised to route calls to.
Save the relevant settings, complete the checks shown in Publish & history and publish the receptionist when ready. Check the number’s Answered by setting again after publishing.
7. Make a short, realistic test call
- Ask about a service, opening hours and a price.
- Try an unfamiliar question and listen to how uncertainty is handled.
- Test a booking only in an authorised test slot; check that the result actually appears where expected.
- Test any handover with the receiving person’s agreement.
- Review the available call outcome and correct unclear answers before using it with customers.
Use fictional enquiry details where possible. The website’s sample recordings illustrate conversations; they do not verify your number or configuration. If the actual test fails, contact us with the page, approximate time and error message—never a password or verification code.
Ready for real callers?
Confirm the trial limits, plan requirements and number arrangements first. Start with a controlled use case, review outcomes and keep your business information current. If you are still creating your account, begin with the signup and sign-in guide.