Call Routing vs. Call Transfer: What's the Key Difference?

Do you know? 46% of the customer callers are placed on hold, resulting in a 15% decline in CSAT and a 19% reduction in FCR. 

In this rapidly growing world of customer support and sales, seamless call handling can make or break the customer experience. Two crucial features of the calling solution in this process are Call Routing and call transfer. While both may sound similar, they serve different purposes and impact how efficiently your call center operates. 

We’ll go over some of the main distinctions between routing and transferring in this blog.

What Is Call Routing?

Call Routing is a Call Center Software feature that directs incoming calls to the appropriate agent, department, or queue based on predefined rules. This process occurs before the call is answered, ensuring that customers connect with the right resource from the beginning.

How does it work?

  • Automatic Call Distribution (ACD)—Route calls based on agent availability, skills, or workload. 
  • AI-Powered Routing/AI Voice Bot—Uses past interaction and customer data for personalized routing.
  • Interactive Voice Response (IVR)—guides customers to choose options that determine where their call goes.

Why Does It Matter?

Proper routing reduces wait times, minimizes call transfers, and improves first call resolution (FCR) rates. For example, the billing department should not connect a customer seeking technical support to a skilled technician.

What Is Call Transfer?

Call Transfer occurs after an agent has answered the call and determines that it needs to be moved to another person or department. This can be done manually by the agent or automatically via the phone system.

Types of Call Transfers

  1. Warm Transfer—The agent speaks to the receiving agent before transferring, providing context to avoid customers repeating themselves. 
  2. Blind Transfer—The call is transferred without any further briefing to the next agent.
  3. Cold Transfer—Similar to blind transfer, but often includes little to no handoff information.

What are the Benefits of Call Transfer?

  • Efficient Issue Resolution: Transfers connect customers with the appropriate expert, ensuring quicker and more accurate problem-solving.
  • Improved Customer Experience: Seamless handoffs minimize frustration and improve overall satisfaction.
  • Better Resource: Calls are routed to the most suitable agents, maximizing team productivity.

When Is It Used?

  • When the customer needs assistance outside the initial agent’s expertise. 
  • This occurs when the customer requires escalation to a higher support level. 
  • When a specific department (e.g., billing sales) needs to handle the query.

Why does Understanding the Difference Matter?

Mixing up Call Routing with transferring can lead to worse call management, lower efficiency, and frustrated customers. 

Here’s why clarity matters:

  • Better Customer Experience: Proper routing reduces the need for repetitive explanations.
  • Higher Productivity: Agents spend less time redirecting calls and more time resolving issues.
  • Improved Metrics: Better routing and transfer protocols lead to improved First Call Resolution (FCR) and customer Satisfaction.

Routing And Transferring: Quick Comparison

When Should You Use Call Routing?

  • High Volume Calls: Utilize call routing to automatically distribute incoming calls when multiple departments or agents are managing high call volumes.
  • Skill-based queries:  When customers require specialized assistance, routing directs their calls straight to agents with the appropriate expertise.
  • Prioritizing Important Customers: Call routing also helps prioritize high-value clients by directing them to senior agents or dedicated support teams.

When Should You Use Call Transferring?

  • High Volume Calls: Utilize call routing to automatically distribute incoming calls when multiple departments or agents are managing high call volumes.
  • Skill-based queries:  When customers require specialized assistance, routing directs their calls straight to agents with the appropriate expertise.
  • Prioritizing Important Customers: Call routing also helps prioritize high-value clients by directing them to senior agents or dedicated support teams.

Best Practice for Effective Call Handling

  • Use an AI-Powered call distribution system for personalization.
  • Implement skill-based routing to connect customers with the right agent from the very start.
  • Train agents to handle warm transfers for a smooth customer handoff. 
  • Monitor call data to reduce unnecessary transfers and optimize routing rules.

Final Thought

Both Call Routing and call transfer are part of the Call Center Solution, which plays a crucial role in call center operations, but they are not interchangeable. Routing is about getting it right from the start, while transfer is about redirecting effectively when required. Mastering both can dramatically improve customer satisfaction and overall efficiency.

Are you looking for a powerful call center solution that includes advanced routing and transfer features? Explore SanCCS, designed to maximize efficiency and customer satisfaction. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Call routing directs incoming calls to the right agent or department before they are answered, while call transfer moves an active call from one agent to another when additional assistance is needed.

Call routing improves efficiency by reducing wait times, minimizing misdirected calls, and enhancing First Call Resolution (FCR), leading to higher customer satisfaction.

Call transfer should be used when a query requires specialized expertise, escalation to senior staff, or redirection to a department like billing, sales, or technical support.

Advanced call center software uses IVR, ACD, and AI-powered routing to ensure accurate call distribution and smooth transfers, improving overall call handling efficiency.

AI enhances call routing by analyzing customer data and previous interactions to direct calls to the most suitable agent, ensuring faster resolutions and better experiences.

Yes, proper routing and efficient transfers reduce hold times and repetitive explanations, directly boosting First Call Resolution (FCR) and Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) metrics.

Share On Social Media Platforms