Call routing

IVR menus

Guide callers through a simple menu so they reach the right department first time.

An IVR menu answers the call, plays a greeting, and lets the caller press a key to reach the department they need. The caller hears "Press 1 for sales, press 2 for support", makes their choice, and is connected directly to the right queue or extension without a human in the middle.

Done well, an IVR menu reduces misdirected calls, shortens the time callers spend waiting, and frees your reception team from acting as a switchboard. In Voxbi, IVR menus are built inside the Cockpit and slotted into call flows as a step, which means they work alongside time-based routing, queue management, and any other call handling logic you have in place.

When you'd use IVR menus

  • A company with several departments (sales, support, accounts) on a single inbound number, where callers should self-select their destination rather than asking a receptionist to transfer them.

  • A multilingual business that uses a first IVR to let callers choose their preferred language, then a second IVR to route them to the right department in that language.

  • A professional services firm that wants to give VIP clients a direct keypad option that bypasses the general queue and connects them to a priority line.

How IVR menus work in Voxbi

  1. Upload your announcement

    In the Cockpit, go to Sound Files and upload the audio file callers will hear. The message should clearly state every option: which key corresponds to which department or action.

  2. Create the IVR

    Go to IVRs and create a new menu. Assign the announcement, then map each touch-tone (DTMF) key (0 through 9, plus \* and #) to a destination: an existing call flow, another IVR, or a new one created on the spot. Set the default action for callers who press nothing: repeat the announcement, execute the default key mapping, or end the call.

  3. Add the IVR step to your call flow

    Open the call flow for your phone number and insert an IVR step that points to the menu you just configured. The IVR sits in the flow alongside any other steps, such as a Schedule check that runs before the IVR during office hours.

  4. Test every key path

    Call the number and work through each option to confirm every key routes correctly. The Usage tab on each IVR shows every call flow that references it, so you always know where a menu is in use before making changes.

Frequently asked questions

How many key options can an IVR menu have?

An IVR in Voxbi supports mapping on all standard DTMF keys: 0 through 9, the asterisk (\), and the hash (#). That gives you up to twelve options on a single menu, though in practice a shorter list with clear options makes for a better caller experience.

Can I nest IVR menus inside each other?

Yes. A key in one IVR can point to another IVR rather than directly to a call flow or queue. This lets you build a two-level menu: the first IVR handles language or broad category selection, and the second handles the specific department within that category.

What happens if a caller does not press anything?

The IVR waits for a DTMF input. If nothing is received within the configured window, the default action runs: the menu repeats, the default key mapping executes, or the call ends. Setting the default to Repeat is generally the most caller-friendly choice.

Can I change an IVR announcement without rebuilding the whole menu?

Yes. The announcement and the key mapping are separate fields. You can upload a new sound file, update the Announcement field on the IVR, and save it without touching any of the key destinations. The call flow that uses the IVR does not need to be modified.

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