- Do I have to replace my business number?
- No. Keep the number your customers already call. Your business phone rings normally, and when your team does not answer you forward missed calls to your Handled line. The forwarding setup is part of onboarding.
- What happens when I miss a call?
- On Starter, Handled texts the caller back automatically and the Text Assistant keeps the conversation going over SMS; the thread lands in your inbox. On Growth and Business, the Phone Receptionist can also answer the forwarded call, collect the job details and put that conversation in the same inbox.
- When does the Phone Receptionist answer?
- Only when your team does not. Your business phone rings normally; on Growth and Business, a call nobody picks up forwards to Handled and the Phone Receptionist answers it. You can also leave it off so missed calls go to voicemail and text-back. The mode is a setting you can change at any time.
- Why does carrier verification matter?
- Carriers require a registered business before automated texts can be sent. Handled walks you through the registration during setup and shows the status in your dashboard; texting starts once it is approved.
- How does texting opt-out work?
- On your Handled business number, replies of STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT, STOPALL, REVOKE or OPTOUT are recorded and stop further automated texts to that customer; HELP receives a short reply; START or UNSTOP can lift a prior STOP so messaging may resume only where your settings and applicable rules still allow it. Opt-outs are listed in your account. Those controls help you honour opt-outs — they do not by themselves make every use of Handled legally compliant for your business or jurisdiction. You remain responsible for consent and lawful messaging.
- Does the website go live immediately?
- No. You submit your business details, Handled prepares the site, and it goes live only when you publish it. You can connect a domain you already own using the DNS records Handled shows you.
- What does the website chat do?
- It answers visitor questions from your published business details, tells visitors it is automated, and turns a conversation into a lead in your inbox. Every plan includes a monthly allowance of chat replies; the allowance is on each plan card.
- Can my team use Handled?
- Yes. Owners and admins can add team members and invite them to sign in, so more than one person can work the inbox without sharing a login.
- Can I see it before I pay?
- Yes. Book a demo and we will walk you through the product on a call. Public self-serve signup does not open a trial on its own. Eligible businesses may receive an invitation-based trial lasting thirty days; that trial starts only when someone explicitly activates it in Handled, not merely by opening a link. Paid plans are billed monthly when you choose one.
- What happens when a trial ends or I cancel?
- Paid features such as the Phone Receptionist and automated text-back stop when access ends. You can still sign in to manage the account and stored data. After a subscription is canceled, Handled schedules the business phone line through a short grace period and then a hold before the number can be released — forwarding that depended on that Handled line will not keep working indefinitely. Do not assume voicemail or call handling continues unchanged after the line is deactivated.
- How do I get support?
- Email support@handleddesk.com or call the number on our contact page. We reply during business days.