Set up a phone menu (IVR)

Build a simple "press 1, press 2" menu for callers, attach it to your number, and publish it.

A phone menu (often called an IVR) greets callers and lets them choose where to go: press 1 to book, press 2 to leave a message. Most solo coaches don't need one, since forwarding and voicemail cover it. A menu helps when you share a line with a team or want callers sent to an AI receptionist for some questions.

Before you start

• Time: 20 to 30 minutes.
• You'll need: a Flourivate number, and the phone numbers or voicemail you want each option to go to.
• Keep it short: two or three options, one level deep. Callers hang up on long menus.
• Drafts are safe to edit. Only a published menu answers real calls.

Steps

1. Go to Phone System > Routing & IVR and scroll to IVR Flow Builder at the bottom.
2. Click New Flow and give it a clear name, such as "Main line". (You can also start from Use AI Receptionist template or Build a call flow with AI.)
3. Click Add Node and add a Greeting. Type what callers hear first, for example "Thanks for calling Maple Coaching."
4. Add a Menu node and type the options ("Press 1 to book a session. Press 2 to leave a message.").
5. Add a node for each option and connect it to the menu by drawing a line from the menu's option to the node:
   • Forward sends the call to a phone number, such as your cell.
   • Voicemail takes a message.
   • AI Agent hands the call to your AI receptionist.
   • Send Text texts the caller a link, then continues (needs approved texting).
6. Add a Voicemail node as a fallback for callers who don't press anything.
7. Read the problem list under the toolbar, such as "Menu option 1 has no target node", and fix each one.
8. Click Save Draft.
9. Click Simulate to walk through the menu without a real call.
10. In Bound Numbers, turn on the switch next to your number. "Inbound calls to a bound number run [the flow] immediately."
11. Click Publish.

Node types

Check it worked

• The flow's badge no longer says Unpublished, and Bound Numbers shows your number switched on.
• Call your number from your mobile. You hear the greeting and menu, and each option goes where you expect.

If something's off

• Callers still hear the old setup: the flow is saved as a draft. Click Publish.
• The number rings but no menu plays: the flow isn't bound to the number. Turn it on in Bound Numbers. You can also choose it under Assigned IVR / call flow when you edit the number on the Numbers tab.
• The call drops partway: a node is missing a setting. Fix anything in the problem list.
• A forward never connects: call the destination number directly to check it.
• Send Text does nothing: texting isn't approved yet. See Register your business for texting.
• Need to undo a change: use Versions to go back to an earlier published version.