Hello I have recently been checking up on some of my competitions websites etc. One thing that I have been wondering about is getting a phone number for my online business. I currently have no number listed. I have been calling my competitors phone number to see what they are offering and the layout is as follows
Thank you for calling store name
press 1 for credit
press 2 for order information
etc. Any option you pick goes like this
Thank you for contacting the "Credit Department" if you have question regaurding a charge on your credit card please state your issue and leave your email address so we can get back to you.

So every option is a recording with some information that may help the customer and if they still have questions it ask to leave your question and email address, they will respond to your inquiry through email. So bascially there is no customer service, this is something I would be interested in doing, I do not have time to stay by a phone and take phone calls as this is only a part time job i do with my website. What are some services you offer like this, what are some companies you use? Is this a good idea even if i wont be there to answer the phones?

I was told once by a business owner the reason people order online is becuase they dont want to deal with the people to people interaction. so phone number is useless?