New research shows that businesses could be missing revenue opportunities by not being available to answer the phone after hours, while Google confirms that being available 24 hours can help improve visibility in local search results.
PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nearly half (47%) of calls to US businesses take place outside traditional Monday – Friday working hours, according to new call data from AnswerConnect. This highlights the potential leads, sales, and customer opportunities businesses could be missing by not being available to support callers around the clock.
Almost half of calls to businesses happen after hours
AnswerConnect’s data shows that 47% of calls occur after hours and on weekends. The finding suggests that customer demand increasingly extends beyond the traditional working day, creating an advantage for businesses that can remain available when their competitors are not.
To find out more about this research, visit https://www.answerconnect.com/after-hours-business-opportunity
The commercial value of those conversations can be significant.
One AnswerConnect customer reported that four calls generated approximately $200,000 in return, demonstrating how even a small number of captured opportunities can have substantial value.AnswerConnect client, Clarence Herry from Pool Scouts, also explains the benefit they have seen since extending their availability with 24/7 customer support: “This has been a huge factor in our growth. In just three years, we’ve grown from $100,000 in high-season revenue to $700,000.”
Being open 24 hours can improve your visibility on Google
Google has long confirmed that “openness” is a local search ranking factor. This means that businesses that are open when customers search are prioritized, improving local SEO rankings. This shows that 24/7 business hours can also help companies be available when customers are both searching and ready to call.
“The traditional business day was designed around when businesses worked, not when customers needed them,” said Natalie Ruiz, CEO of AnswerConnect. “With 47% of calls already happening outside typical business hours, we expect after-hours call volume to keep growing. A missed call isn’t just a missed call – it could be a new customer, a sale, or a referral. The future of business is 24/7, and companies that adapt their availability to their customers will be the ones best positioned to grow.”
Methodology:
Research is based on AnswerConnect call data from the USCovering 5,906,476 minutes of call logs between April and June 2026.
Source
Google Confirms ‘Openness’ As Local Search Ranking Factor: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-confirms-business-openness-as-local-ranking-factor/504173/
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SOURCE AnswerConnect
