Updated 1 October 2026 · Pludor team · 3 sources
AI Answering gives a business an AI voice receptionist on a platform-managed number (or your own Twilio number) plus a unified inbox for SMS, email, in-app chat and - once you connect a WhatsApp Business number - WhatsApp, so every customer conversation lives in one place staff can pick up from.
Small business owners miss calls and messages while they are working, and juggling WhatsApp, SMS, and a phone line with no shared record of the conversation makes it easy to lose a customer.
5 steps, in this order. Each one is explained in the step-by-step guide.
It's software that answers your business phone like a receptionist would - greeting callers, answering questions and taking bookings or messages. With Pludor AI Answering, you enter your hours, prices and common questions, choose a voice, and forward your calls; everything lands in one inbox and calendar.
Set up an AI voice receptionist that answers for you and logs every call. On Pludor, you create a free store, add your business knowledge and services, pick a voice, then forward your calls - the AI answers, books appointments and takes messages you can review later.
Yes, you typically can. Pludor gives you a platform-managed business number by default, but you can also connect your own Twilio account and number instead, so you don't have to change the number customers already know.
Yes, once you connect your own WhatsApp Business number. On Pludor you connect it through Twilio WhatsApp or the WhatsApp Cloud API in Answering settings, and WhatsApp conversations then appear in the same inbox as calls, SMS and email.
List each service with its duration and price, set your working hours in a calendar, then let the AI book callers into real free slots. On Pludor, add services under Services, set availability in the Answering calendar settings, and turn on AI Answering so phone bookings land in the same calendar as online ones.
The AI only answers from the business knowledge you enter, so it won't invent policies you haven't set - but it also won't know prices you haven't added, so keep that information complete. Pludor gives you a low-credit warning before the receptionist stops answering, and you can test it first with a call-yourself demo before going live.
Human services charge per minute and work business hours; AI answers instantly, any time, at a much lower cost. The trade-off is AI only knows what you tell it - Pludor's receptionist books into your own calendar and inbox, which most standalone answering services can't do without extra integrations.
Standalone tools usually need you to connect a separate scheduling app and CRM. On Pludor, the receptionist books straight into your Pludor calendar, and calls, texts, WhatsApp, orders and leads all live in one inbox with a leads pipeline and follow-up campaigns built in.
You get a low-credit warning first; at zero, the AI receptionist and text concierge pause on new calls and texts until you top up, and you're told right away. On Pludor, your store, checkout and orders never switch off for lack of credit - only the AI replies pause, and credits never expire.
Both. Service businesses use it for calls and bookings; product stores use the same inbox to message customers about orders.
No. Answering can use a platform-managed business number, or you can connect your own Twilio account and number.
Yes, once you connect your own WhatsApp Business number (through Twilio WhatsApp or the WhatsApp Cloud API) in Answering settings.
You get a low-credit warning first; at zero, the AI receptionist and text concierge stop replying to new calls and texts until you top up. Credits never expire.
AI Answering gives a business an AI voice receptionist on a platform-managed number (or your own Twilio number) plus a unified inbox for SMS, email, in-app chat and - once you connect a WhatsApp Business number - WhatsApp, so every customer conversation lives in one place staff can pick up from.
Service businesses, restaurants, solo entrepreneurs, appointment-based businesses, product sellers who miss messages while fulfilling orders.
Small business owners miss calls and messages while they are working, and juggling WhatsApp, SMS, and a phone line with no shared record of the conversation makes it easy to lose a customer.
On for every store, including the free plan: AI receptionist and call log, service listings, booking calendar, CRM leads and contacts, outreach campaigns, automation and the dialer. Each month the first 100 AI replies, 10 answered calls, 20 texts and 30 bookings are free; after that you pay as you go with credits (1 credit = 1 cent; 1,000 credits for $10; credits never expire).
1. Open Answering 2. Add your business knowledge 3. List your services 4. Choose a voice and greeting 5. Go live Full step-by-step guide: pludor.com/tutorials/ai-answering
The AI receptionist answers from the business knowledge you give it - it will not know prices or policies you have not entered. The first 100 AI replies and 10 answered calls each month are free; past that they use credits, and if credits run out the AI pauses and the owner is told right away.
The receptionist books into the same calendar, inbox and store your business already runs on, and you pay per use with credits. Answering calls: typically per-minute human service or a standalone AI line; on Pludor, aI voice receptionist on a platform-managed or your own number. Texts and WhatsApp: typically separate inbox or chatbot tool; on Pludor, same unified inbox as calls, orders and leads. Booking: typically separate scheduling app to integrate; on Pludor, books straight into your Pludor calendar and services. After the call: typically export to a CRM; on Pludor, leads pipeline, follow-ups and campaigns built in (Growth/Scale).
AI voice receptionist on a dedicated business number. Unified multi-channel inbox (WhatsApp, SMS, email, in-app). Appointment calendar and booking. Quick-reply templates. Works for both service businesses (appointments) and product sellers (order messaging). Platform-managed business phone number, or bring your own Twilio account. WhatsApp once you connect your own WhatsApp Business number (Twilio WhatsApp or WhatsApp Cloud API). Choose the receptionist's name and voice. Low-credit warning before the receptionist stops answering, with in-app top-up. Progressive dialer for calling your own leads.
Answered calls with an AI voice receptionist, A unified inbox across WhatsApp/SMS/email/in-app, A calendar of upcoming appointments and recent orders, Call and message logs staff can review.
Service businesses, restaurants, solo entrepreneurs, appointment-based businesses, product sellers who miss messages while fulfilling orders.
The AI receptionist answers from the business knowledge you give it - it will not know prices or policies you have not entered. The first 100 AI replies and 10 answered calls each month are free; past that they use credits, and if credits run out the AI pauses and the owner is told right away.
Service Booking: bookable services with a calendar, deposits and quotes. CRM, Inbox & Outreach: one inbox for WhatsApp, SMS, email and chat, with leads, templates and campaigns. Automation Rules: if-this-then-that rules for orders, leads and follow-ups. Online Store: a branded storefront with products, services, cart and checkout.
Every step, in order: How to use AI Answering.
On for every store, including the free plan: AI receptionist and call log, service listings, booking calendar, CRM leads and contacts, outreach campaigns, automation and the dialer. Each month the first 100 AI replies, 10 answered calls, 20 texts and 30 bookings are free; after that you pay as you go with credits (1 credit = 1 cent; 1,000 credits for $10; credits never expire).
Free to start - no card, no item limit. Pay only for what you use past the monthly free amounts.
Open my free storeChecked 1 October 2026. Fees and rules change; follow the links for the latest.