Call centers are often outsourced by smaller businesses to meet their customer service needs without setting up a new department. Agents must be highly adaptable because call centers may handle multiple companies simultaneously. Call centers can either charge per call or per hour, which ‘bakes in’ the price of all overhead (wages, rents, equipment, etc.)
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Start a call center by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Call Center
- Form your Call Center into a Legal Entity
- Register your Call Center for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Call Center
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Call Center
- Get Call Center Insurance
- Define your Call Center Brand
- Create your Call Center Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your call center. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Call Center Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a call center?
The cost of opening a call center can be quite high, and 33 states also require a license to open one. Licenses may be free in one state, and several thousand dollars in another, so be sure to check with your state. Lease agreements may be as high as $12 per square foot, and workstations can cost up to $1,250 each to update with the right furniture, cables, and equipment. Annual costs for taxes and utilities will likely be around $6 per square foot. The good news is there are hundreds of abandoned call centers throughout the US, and they typically come with (sometimes heavy) discounts for new start-ups. You can often use the equipment that’s left behind too.
Alternatively, you may want to convert a standard retail space, which will save up to half on rent. However, it will cost you more to equip (up to $2,000 per workstation). Generators can also cost up to $200,000 if your building doesn’t come with one. Average wages for call center employees are around $9-12 an hour, but you may want to consider investing more, as the quality of the workers will reflect heavily on your company and on the image of your clients. Labor will likely be about 80% of your budget.
What are the ongoing expenses for a call center?
Much of your spending will be done at the beginning, but you should keep the following costs in mind:
- Employee salaries
- General office supplies (including equipment replacement)
- Utilities and building fees
- Travel costs to persuade new clients
- Upgrading equipment (e.g., VoIP technology, etc.)
Who is the target market?
Call centers are looking for companies who don’t have the resources to start a call center on their own. Between equipment costs, hiring employees, and managing high call volumes, most companies aren’t prepared to run a call center the way it needs to be run. Their needs are best left to a company that specializes in providing high-quality service that will boost their revenue and retain their customers.
How does a call center make money?
Call centers need to determine whether to charge per staff hour or per call. Because call times can be erratic, it may be best to structure it per staff hour. A call center company may take the wage of their workers, and multiply that number by four to estimate the cost of equipment, lease payments, etc. Typically, international companies may charge $.35 per call or $8 per staff hour, while US companies may charge closer to $1 per call or $25 per staff hour.
How much can you charge customers?
It depends on the type of industry you’re targeting. General customer support for a clothing company will require a very different skill set than selling high-end equipment to orthodontists. You can charge more for highly specialized labor, and you can justify your rates if your company is effective. Do not necessarily look to undercut your competitors if it means sacrificing on quality.
How much profit can a call center make?
According to firstresearch.com, US call centers bring in a total of approximately $21 billion annually, with an average revenue of $4 million.
These exact numbers are based on the margins of the contracts you bring in, but typically you can expect to start building profit after you’ve secured several major clients. Remember that this is a competitive industry, and you will need to be able to offer something special in order to gain a competitive edge.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Adding more services is the best way to bring in profit. Consider selling further services to clients, such as video, targeted campaigns or additional support calls.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your call center is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your call center were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
33 states require a special license to operate a telemarketing/call company. To find out more about licensing requirements in your state, check out the Telemarketing Laws page from sba.gov.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Service Agreement
Call center businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example service agreement.
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your call center business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
Certificate of Occupancy
Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a call center.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for you business’ location to ensure your call center will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Call Center needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Call Center.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a call center
Make contacts in the circles where your clients are likely to be, and establish trust and continuity there. Call centers operate on their efficacy, and many call centers fail because they can’t establish themselves quickly enough.
Owners should focus on what makes their call center different. If a call center is more about pushing contracts in clients’ faces than it is about showing off their assets, then they’re much more likely to go under.
How to keep customers coming back
The best way to attract new clients is to increase either sales or your customer satisfaction levels. When talking to potential clients, use real-world examples when speaking of your accomplishments. You can even let new clients listen to previous calls, to see how agents handle complex situations without relying on transferring the call to the manager.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Those hoping to own and maintain a call center will need to understand the subtle art of customer service, upselling, and straight sales. As more of our communication becomes automated, it’s the human touch that will stand out. However, because call centers are easily outsourced to other countries with much lower wages, there will be a need to balance the rates of each call. Owners must be business savvy and no stranger to networking.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a call center?
At first, owners will likely be heavily focused on advertising and finding new clientele. There will be a decent amount of cold calling and networking. As clients build up, owners will be able to focus more on ensuring clients are happy, hiring the right managers and agents, and looking for cost-effective ways to hit goals.
- Find and maintain an inexpensive space
- Buy all relevant equipment
- Write scripts for agents
- Handle client complaints
- Listen to calls for quality assurance
- Create schedules for employees
- Determine what markets to target next
- Stay ahead of emerging technology
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful call center?
The biggest skill an owner requires is the ability to foresee their clients’ needs before they realize they have them. Owners will need to have some experience in sales and advertising to get more eyes on the call center’s services.
Owners need to be upbeat and enthusiastic even when under pressure, and quick on their feet to put out fires throughout the day. They should also be interested in new technology that comes out in the market, and open to integrating new services (meeting software, video technology, etc.) into their platform if it will improve customer experience.
What is the growth potential for a call center?
Call centers have the potential for unlimited growth when they provide valuable service to customers. Call centers may choose one particular niche of the market (such as high-end shoe sales), or they may open themselves up to something more general, like healthcare marketing. A call center business must establish their name as the go-to source for educated agents who can handle tough questions and situations.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a call center?
Owners should already have some ties to the industry they’re hoping to break into, as networking will be crucial to the business’ success. Many call centers fail because they’re venturing into a saturated market. There will likely be a lot of slammed doors at first, so having a strong sales mentality is really necessary to survive.
You may want to offer potential clients the chance to see what your agents can do by staging fake calls. Give your best agent a day to learn more about a particular company, and then let the owner pretend to be a general consumer who has some fairly difficult questions. This is no doubt time-consuming for everyone, but the payoff can be worth it.
Finally, choose software that is fluid in case you decide to offer further services. Your programs should aid in general tasks, like note-taking and call-making, but also be customized to do everything from general sales to highly specific surveys.
How and when to build a team
The best way to attract new clients is to increase either sales or your customer satisfaction levels. When talking to potential clients, use real-world examples when speaking of your accomplishments. You can even let new clients listen to previous calls, to see how agents handle complex situations without relying on transferring the call to the manager.
In short, no one can run a call center alone. Your strength as a company will rely largely on the quality of your team.
Read our call center hiring guide to learn about the different roles a call center typically fills, how much to budget for employee salaries, and how to build your team exactly how you want it.
Useful Links
TRUiC Resources
Industry Opportunities
- Franchise opportunity
- National Association of Call Centers
- Association of Customer Contact Professionals