Virtual numbers have emerged as a potent instrument for those seeking to broaden their business horizons and establish a global footprint. These numbers harness the power of cloud communications technology to empower businesses to operate worldwide without a physical office. This ability to communicate without being location-bound makes expansion easier and more affordable. It’s a flexible way to connect with customers, partners, and prospects around the world.
How Do Virtual Phone Numbers Work?
Virtual phone numbers or VoIP numbers use the internet to route calls. They are not tied to a physical phone line or device, instead are hosted in the cloud. This means that you can make and receive calls from any location and from any device; all you need is an internet connection.
With this location-flexibility, businesses can extend their operations beyond their immediate location, giving them the chance to grow globally without digging a hole in their budget.
Learn more about virtual phone numbers and how they work in this video:
Benefits of Using Cloud-Based Numbers
There are several benefits of using virtual numbers that enable you to expand your business reach and operations with ease. Let’s look at how these phone numbers can support your business goals:
a) Diversify Team and Customer Base: Tap into global talent for your business, while ensuring seamless communication. You can obtain virtual numbers with different country-specific area codes, allowing you to establish yourself as a local business in multiple locations. Additionally, customers are more likely to engage with a local number. So using a virtual local number, you can increase your global footprint and inclusivity, fostering both diversity and a broader customer base.
b) Local Calling Rates and Cost-Efficiency: Since these calls travel over the internet, they are typically more cost-effective than traditional landlines, especially for international calls. You can also reduce long-distance charges for customers by getting a toll-free or local number and forwarding incoming calls. This makes it affordable for customers to contact your business, irrespective of its location.
c) Reliable Communication Channel: With cloud telephony, you can establish a reliable and uninterrupted voice channel. This is especially useful for businesses that want to operate in multiple countries without opening offices in these regions. You can create this local communication channel virtually and forward calls internationally to your main office or service center.
d) Advanced Features: Cloud phone numbers often come with a range of advanced features like call forwarding, advanced routing, call recording, voicemail transcription, and more. Use these to streamline communication and workflow.
e) Integration: Seamlessly connect your communication systems with various tools and platforms, improving efficiency, customer service, and overall productivity. For example, when a potential client calls, their information and previous interactions can automatically pop up on your screen. This makes it easier to provide personalized service.
5 Ways to Establish a Local Presence Globally with Virtual Numbers
As you can see, virtual phone numbers present a convenient way to expand your business internationally. You can create a local presence in multiple locations without the need for physical offices in every location. Here are some ways to do so:
1. Test New Potential Markets
Virtual numbers can help you conduct comprehensive market research and tests. They allow businesses to efficiently gather data and insights before making expansions. By purchasing multiple virtual numbers for different countries, you can simultaneously assess demand, connect with local vendors, and gauge competition. You can measure brand awareness, conduct presale surveys, and research new markets using local numbers.
2. Enter New Countries
You can acquire local numbers for specific target regions and create a local presence, establishing trust and accessibility. International virtual numbers often come with call analytics and tracking features. This means you can gather data on call volume, duration, and engagement.
Check out our Country Coverage to see if we cover your target countries.
3. Offer Round-the-Clock Service
Create multiple remote customer service teams or service hubs, each with its own phone lines for specific regions. Most virtual number providers offer location and time-based call routing features, which can be used to forward calls to different locations and time zones. Another option is to have calls from different countries routed to the main customer service hub, with employees working in shifts to provide round-the-clock service.
Related: What is a Follow the Sun Model?
4. Provide International Support
Advanced routing strategies also help your teams provide support where your customers are located. Use and advertise your local numbers in country-specific marketing campaigns so customers know exactly how to reach your business for support. Here’s an example of how you can display international numbers on your website:
Another highly effective approach to offering international support is implementing multilingual support. Recruit local agents who understand the local culture and the way people buy in that area. These agents can assist customers in the local language of the target market region. Another option is to hire multilingual agents in your main service center who can speak the local language of the region.
Related: Top 8 Tips to Creating a Multilingual IVR
5. Outsource Support and Reduce Costs
Outsourcing support using call forwarding can help your business stay profitable while saving money. Forwarding calls internationally makes it easy to communicate globally and helps remote teams handle calls, taking the load off the main service center. That aside, you can also comfortably enter new markets, access different types of workers, and use competitive tools.
Successful and Cost-Effective Business Expansion
Virtual numbers have become the catalyst for expanding businesses on a global scale. These numbers, driven by the power of VoIP technology, break down geographical barriers, allowing you to establish a global presence without the need for a physical office.
With international local presence, you can receive incoming calls and make outbound calls through your dedicated business phone number. Learn more about our Local Two-Way Voice offering and how your business can establish a local stronghold in target markets.
Global Call Forwarding offers cost-effective and reliable virtual phone numbers from over 160 countries around the world. With our reliable voice communication and array of advanced features and integration capabilities, you can build a solid global phone system.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Reach out to Global Call Forwarding and chat with our global communication experts today!
