What is speed to lead?

The time between a new lead reaching your business and a useful reply going back. Not just an auto-acknowledgement, but a message that moves the customer forward. InstantResponse.AI replies to supported message leads in seconds, 24/7.

Why does response time matter so much?

A reply that arrives while the customer is still deciding keeps the conversation active. An hour later, many customers have already moved on to another business.

Does an autoresponder count?

A canned 'we'll be in touch soon' doesn't move the customer forward. InstantResponse.AI answers questions from your services and starting prices, asks your qualifying questions and captures a phone number or preferred appointment time. Full calendar booking is in Beta. If you prefer, the first message can be acknowledge-only.

How is this different from an answering service?

Answering services are built for phone calls. InstantResponse.AI replies to Yelp, Thumbtack, Google LSA and website chat message leads in seconds, follows up when the customer goes quiet, and alerts your team. AI voice calls are coming soon.

Will my team still be involved?

Yes, at the moment that matters. The AI handles the first reply, qualification and follow-up. Your team is alerted when a lead hits your goal or needs a person.

Feature · Speed to lead

Speed to lead: reply in seconds, day or night.

Speed to lead is how fast a new lead gets a useful reply. InstantResponse.AI replies to Yelp, Thumbtack, Google LSA and website chat leads in seconds, 24/7, so you're in the conversation while the customer is still choosing.

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R. K. · Google LSA

Demo Garage Doors

Replied in seconds

My garage door won't close and the spring looks snapped.

Sorry about that, R.! Is it a single or double door? And what's the best number for our tech to call?

AI · replied in seconds

Double door. (555) 010-0177

Goal achieved: phone number captured

Got it. A Demo Garage Doors tech will call you shortly to get you scheduled.

Team alert viaWhatsAppSMSEmail

Demo Garage Doors - New LSA lead qualified!

Customer: R. K.

Phone: (555) 010-0177

Service: Broken spring, double door

Source: Google Local Services Ads

Illustration with sample data. Replies in seconds, 24/7.

Seconds

First reply on every supported source

24/7

Nights, weekends, holidays

Follow-ups

Seconds to days, on your schedule

Alerts

Email, SMS and WhatsApp

Why it matters

A slow first reply leaves the customer shopping.

First

The advantage

Marketplace customers can compare businesses side by side. A useful reply while they are still comparing keeps you in the conversation. Results vary by market, trade and lead quality, so we do not publish a multiplier.

24/7

The buyer's clock

Homeowners message at night and on weekends, when most offices are closed. Supported message leads get a reply in seconds at any hour.

Useful

Not just fast

A canned "we'll be in touch" is fast but goes nowhere. The AI answers from your services and prices and asks your questions, so the first reply moves the lead forward.

How it works

From new lead to a real reply in seconds.

Lead lands

A message lead arrives from Yelp, Thumbtack, Google Local Services Ads or your website chat widget.

Reply in seconds

The AI answers in your voice, with a full reply or an acknowledgement, and asks your qualifying questions.

Goal or handoff

When the AI collects a phone number or a preferred appointment time, or a person should take over, your team is alerted.

See how it works on each source: the Yelp auto responder, the Thumbtack auto responder, the Google LSA auto responder and the website chat widget.

What you get

Speed to lead, built in.

First reply in seconds

Supported message leads get a real, on-brand reply in seconds, even at 2 AM on a Sunday.

You set the delay

Reply instantly or add a delay of up to 300 seconds so replies feel natural for your business.

Follow-ups that keep pace

If a lead goes quiet, follow-ups go out at the intervals you choose, from seconds to days.

Single-message mode

When the lead already shared a phone number, the AI sends one message and your team takes it from there.

Alerts that reach your team

New lead, goal achieved, AI handed off and lead not replying after N minutes, by email, SMS or WhatsApp.

Know when leads arrive

Lead reports by hour and weekday show when demand peaks, so you can staff callbacks around it.

Same speed on every source you connect

Yelp, Thumbtack, Google LSA and website chat.

Google LSA

Yelp

Thumbtack

Voice AI

Coming soon

Website chat widget

Google LSA calls come in with recordings, transcripts and AI summaries. AI voice calls on your existing number are coming soon.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

: The time between a new lead reaching your business and a useful reply going back. Not just an auto-acknowledgement, but a message that moves the customer forward. InstantResponse.AI replies to supported message leads in seconds, 24/7.
: A reply that arrives while the customer is still deciding keeps the conversation active. An hour later, many customers have already moved on to another business.
: A canned 'we'll be in touch soon' doesn't move the customer forward. InstantResponse.AI answers questions from your services and starting prices, asks your qualifying questions and captures a phone number or preferred appointment time. Full calendar booking is in Beta. If you prefer, the first message can be acknowledge-only.
: Answering services are built for phone calls. InstantResponse.AI replies to Yelp, Thumbtack, Google LSA and website chat message leads in seconds, follows up when the customer goes quiet, and alerts your team. AI voice calls are coming soon.
: Yes, at the moment that matters. The AI handles the first reply, qualification and follow-up. Your team is alerted when a lead hits your goal or needs a person.