Voicemail greetings · Business after hours
After-hours business voicemail greetings
After hours, the caller already knows you're closed. What they want to know is whether you'll call back, when, and what to do if it can't wait.
Every script below is ready to record. Replace anything in [brackets], read it out loud once, and keep it under 30 seconds. Want one written for your exact business? Try the free voicemail greeting generator.
What to ask callers to leave
- Name and callback number
- What they need
- Whether it's urgent
- Address, for service businesses
7 business after hours voicemail greetings
“Thanks for calling [Business]. Our office is closed for the day. We're open [hours]. Leave your name, number and what you need, and we'll call you back first thing in the morning.”
“You've reached [Business]. We're closed right now. If this is an emergency, say "emergency" at the start of your message and leave your address, and we'll call you back as soon as possible. Otherwise, we'll return your call during business hours.”
“Thanks for calling [Business]. Our office is closed. For emergencies, call our on-call line at [number]. For everything else, leave a message and we'll call you back on the next business day.”
“Hi, you've reached [Business]. We're closed overnight and back at [time]. Leave your name and number, and you'll be one of our first calls in the morning.”
“Thanks for calling [Business]. We're off the clock, but we read every message. Leave your name, address and what's going on, and we'll call you back at [time] with a time we can come out.”
“You've reached [Business]. If anyone is in danger, hang up and call 911. Otherwise, leave your name, number and details, and we'll call you back as soon as we open at [time].”
“[Business]. We're closed. Leave your name, number and what you need, and we'll call you back at [time].”
The catch with any voicemail greeting
Even a great greeting only works if the caller leaves a message, and a lot of callers hang up and try the next business instead. Riley answers those calls live in your business's name, takes the same details these greetings ask for, and emails them to you.
Tips for a business after hours greeting that works
- Never promise a callback time you won't keep overnight.
- If you take emergencies, tell callers exactly how to flag one.
- Say your hours slowly; people listen for them.
- Many after-hours callers won't leave a message at all, so call back missed numbers too.
How to record your new greeting
- iPhone: Phone app → Voicemail → Greeting → Custom → Record.
- Android: Phone app → menu → Settings → Voicemail → Greeting (wording varies by phone), or dial your voicemail and follow the prompts.
- Office or VoIP line: look for “greeting” in your phone system's settings or voicemail menu.
Running a contracting company? See how Riley handles calls for contractors.