Blog
The questions people
actually ask us.
Real questions from business owners, answered the way we answer them on the phone: plainly, with what it costs, what breaks and what to do first.
Can an AI really answer my business phone, or will customers just hang up on a bot?
Yes, for bookings, order checks and callbacks, as long as you decide which calls it takes and what it does when it is out of its depth. Andrei on where an AI receptionist works, where it does not, and the two technical things to know first.
What does an AI receptionist cost in Australia?
It depends on the job, what it has to reach and your data. The cost is a one-off setup, a small retainer and the running costs, and the setup swings most with the edge cases. Andrei on how the price is made up.
Would this actually work for my kind of business?
Yes. Any business can benefit from automation, and the smaller the business, the more it benefits. Andrei on what an hour a day adds up to and where the admin load really sits.
Is it safe to put customer data into ChatGPT or any AI tool?
It depends on what you put in and what you use it for. Anonymise first, use the right plan, keep names out where you can, and know the privacy rules. Andrei on the safe way and the unsafe way.
What can actually be automated in a small business, and what first?
Pretty much anything can be automated. The better question is what is worth it: start with the thing that hurts most for the least effort, and bring as much across in one go as you can.
Zapier vs Make vs n8n, or custom built?
It depends on your experience. The visual tools look easy, but changing them is not, self-hosting has real costs, and hosted plans add up fast. Andrei on when n8n or Zapier is the right call and when custom wins.
Custom software vs off-the-shelf: when is custom worth it?
Off the shelf wins on price on day one. Custom is worth it when you are scaling, when it would save hours a day, and when you want control of where things go. Andrei on the signs you have outgrown your subscriptions.
Can I build my own CRM or app with AI instead of hiring a developer?
For a small tool, AI is fantastic. For a serious app you still need a developer, because the last 20 per cent, the edge cases, takes 80 per cent of the time. Andrei on what breaks, with the evidence.
Do I really need a CRM, or are spreadsheets enough?
If you are starting out, spreadsheets are fine. The trouble shows up as you grow: follow-ups slip, data is re-entered, and nobody knows which file is current. Andrei on the options in between.
How long does it take to build an app or custom software?
A couple of days for a tiny tool, about a week for something basic, a couple of months for a proper business system, and up to a year when the stakes are high. Andrei on what moves those numbers.