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Mexico Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

A Mexico phone number serves as a strategic tool for businesses looking to expand into this vibrant market. Thanks to its strategic geographical location, Mexico has the second-largest economy in Latin America. It provides a gateway to a diverse consumer base of over 120 million. Moreover, Mexico’s numerous trade agreements foster a business-friendly environment.

Read our Mexico phone number guide to navigate the intricacies of the country’s business communication landscape. Gain insights into the various types of numbers available to make well-informed decisions for your business.

Phone Numbers in Mexico

Getting a phone number in Mexico offers significant advantages for businesses entering the Mexican market. It shows respect and an understanding of local business practices. In doing so, it demonstrates a commitment to the local economy.

Providing a local number showcases the business’s localized approach. This can make your company look accessible, convenient, credible, and trustworthy. And these efforts will facilitate effective communication, ultimately building long-lasting relationships with Mexican customers.

A strong foothold in this country could also help you establish your business in Latin American markets, as Mexico is an important regional trade partner.

Looking to enter the Mexican market and wondering how to go about it? Read all about it in our guide on how to start a business in Mexico as a foreigner.

Mexico Phone Number Plan

In Mexico, the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) is an autonomous government agency responsible for regulating telephone numbers.

Telecom providers offer a range of basic features. Many service providers, like Global Call Forwarding, offer a gamut of advanced call management features like IVR, auto attendant, DID numbers, advanced call routing, and call recording tailored to diverse business needs.

Using Mexico Virtual Phone Numbers

Connecting with your customers is a breeze using a Mexico virtual number. It looks like a domestic toll-free or local number to your customers, simplifying the dialing process. They just have to dial the number to reach you.

You can set up international routing to have incoming calls seamlessly redirected to your preferred location or device. This can be a personal number, secondary location, or contact center.

Additionally, when reaching out to Mexican customers, your outgoing calls can display a Mexico phone number, creating a local or familiar touch.

Mexico Phone Number Format

A standard Mexican phone number comprises 10 digits, including the area code and the local subscriber number.

‘+52’ is the country code for Mexico. A three-digit area code or toll-free code follows this. The third part of the phone number is the seven to eight-digit long subscriber number.

A Mexico phone number looks like this: +52 (area code) xxxx-xxxx.

Different Types of Mexico Phone Numbers

Country-specific phone numbers not only establish a local presence but also enhance trust and credibility. In Mexico, different phone numbers serve specific communication purposes. Here’s our Mexico phone number guide to help you understand these number types in detail.

1. Mexico Toll-Free Numbers

With toll-free numbers, you can conveniently tap into a global customer base locally. Toll-free numbers offer convenience, allowing local customers to reach your business for free, no matter where you are. As these numbers can be operated virtually, you won’t have to get additional hardware.

Mexico toll-free numbers are ideal for customer service or marketing, as your agents can take calls anytime, anywhere. The best part is that your Mexican customers can connect with you for free! These two factors often encourage communication and engagement.

Mexico toll-free numbers start with the toll-free prefix ‘800’ followed by the subscriber number.

So a Mexico toll-free number would look something like this: 800 xxx-xxxx.

2. Mexico Local or Geographic Numbers

Typically, local or geographic phone numbers have distinct area codes corresponding to specific regions within the country. For example, Mexico has the area code ‘55,’ and calls within the city may require dialing this code before the subscriber number.

Here’s a handy list of major Mexico areas and their area codes:

  • Acapulco (774)
  • Cancun(998)
  • Ciudad Juárez (656)
  • Chihuahua (614)
  • Guadalajara (33)
  • Merida (999)
  • Mexico City (55)
  • Monterrey (81)
  • Puebla (222)
  • Queretaro (442)
  • Santa Catarina (81)
  • San Luis Potosi (444)
  • Tijuana (664)
  • Veracruz (229)

As you know, local numbers contribute to brand localization efforts. They help you customize communication efforts in line with regional customer preferences. Also, a local number in marketing material will help boost response rates owing to familiarity.

A standard format of this number type comprises a two to three-digit area code, followed by a seven to eight-digit local number.

The Mexico local or geographic phone number format is +52 55 xxxx-xxxx.*
*Mexico City (55).

Global Call Forwarding also offers Mexico geographic numbers with Local 2-Way Voice which means you can make outbound calls to your Mexico customers while displaying this in-country, local caller ID. This guaranteed call connection will help increase response rates and improve your local presence.

Get a Mexico Phone Number with Global Call Forwarding

Ready to enter this flourishing market? With a Mexico phone number, you can get a leg up. Browse our inventory online to purchase a local or toll-free number from our website.

Global Call Forwarding has long-standing partnerships with local and regional telecom carriers in 160+ countries. Our modern business communication products and services have helped countless businesses establish a global footprint.

Contact Global Call Forwarding today and learn all about Mexico’s phone numbers!

UK Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

The United Kingdom, as the third-largest economy in Europe, boasts a flexible and transparent business market that encourages entrepreneurial growth. It stands as one of the global financial hubs, with banking, insurance, business, and other sectors acting as key drivers of GDP growth.

If you plan to establish a local presence or expand in this region, understanding the nuances of UK phone numbers is crucial for effective communication.

Here is a UK phone number guide to help you navigate the realm of the country’s business communication. We’ll cover the different types of numbers available to help you make an informed decision.

Guide to Phone Numbers in the UK

UK phone numbers are telephone numbers assigned to the cities and regions within the United Kingdom. These numbers enable locals to communicate with each other comfortably over the phone.

Getting a dedicated UK phone number will help build trust with local customers, making communication easier and fostering new business relationships. With local and recognizable codes, these numbers also boost brand visibility and recognition, aligning with local advertising for better customer recall and outreach.

You can use international voice services along with networks of top telecom carriers like Global Call Forwarding to manage and use your UK phone numbers from other countries. From us, you can purchase local and toll-free numbers for the United Kingdom for inbound calling. We also offer UK geographic, national, and mobile numbers with local 2-way voice. This means you can make outbound calls to your customers in the UK while displaying this in-country, local caller ID. This guaranteed call connection will help increase response and callback rates.

Related: Top UK Virtual Number Providers

UK Phone Number Plan

In the UK, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) allocates phone numbers through the National Telephone Numbering Plan. You’ll find local, mobile, national, emergency (like 999, 112), and toll-free numbers (800 and 808) as part of this plan. Call charges depend on factors like the type of number dialed, time of the day, and service provider.

Typically, the UK phone numbers consist of 15 digits, including the country code ‘+44′. Next is the area or dialing code, usually two to five digits long. Followed by the seven-digit subscriber code.

The United Kingdom has an open dialing plan for area codes within its public network. Therefore, when dialing these numbers from the UK, phone numbers should be dialed with a preceding “0”.

The general structure of the UK phone number looks like this: +44 (0) xx xxxx xxxx.

Different Types of UK Phone Numbers

Now there are a few different types of UK numbers that businesses in and outside of the United Kingdom can use to connect with local customers. You’ll need to choose the right number depending on your communication needs and business location.

Let’s understand the different types of UK phone numbers:

1. UK Freephone Numbers

Freephone numbers typically begin with a ‘0800’ or ‘0808’ prefix. They are toll-free numbers for the UK that customers can call for free from within the country. These numbers are commonly used by businesses, government agencies, charities, and other organizations to encourage customers or individuals to contact them without incurring any call charges. And you can route these incoming calls to your main office, located anywhere in the world.

What’s more? Your customers can call 0800 and 0808 phone numbers from mobile and landlines for free from within the UK. Although freephone numbers don’t have a text message option, they can be configured to include voicemail, call recording, call forwarding, and call routing features.

The standard format for UK freephone numbers is 0808 xxx xxxx.

2. UK Local Numbers (Geographic)

UK local numbers, also known as geographic numbers, are typically structured in a way that includes an area code and a subscriber number. The area code is used to identify the geographic location of the phone number. So, cities and states have specific area codes assigned to them.

For instance, ‘020’ is associated with London, while ‘021’ corresponds to Birmingham. The 7-8-digit subscriber number is unique to each line within that area.

Therefore, the UK local phone number format for a London number usually looks like +44 (0) 20 xxxx xxxx.

You can strategically choose area codes based on your target audience and market strategy. Doing so will allow you to customize and align your strategy with core business goals.

UK local phone numbers are subject to standard geographic call charges. The best part about these numbers? They are cost-effective for both businesses and their callers because callers pay local rates, sharing the cost with businesses. The charges can vary depending on the time of the day.

3. UK National Numbers (Non-Geographic)

Unlike local numbers that are linked to specific regions or cities, national, or non-geographic, numbers are accessible nationally. Usually, non-geographic numbers start with ‘330,’ ‘843,’ and ‘845’ and people can use them to reach out to businesses, helplines, government agencies, financial institutions, and so on.

National numbers are also reachable from anywhere in the world, which means your callers don’t need to be in the UK while calling your business. This adds more flexibility and global coverage.

The standard format for UK national numbers is +44 (0) 330 xxx xxxx.

Related: Geographic Versus Non-Geographic Numbers

4. UK Mobile Numbers

UK mobile numbers usually start with the prefix ‘07,’ followed by an additional nine-digit subscriber number. The first five digits indicate the mobile network code and mobile country code, and the remaining six digits are unique to the subscriber.

The standard format for UK mobile numbers is +44 (0) 7xxx-xxxxxx.

Get a UK Phone Number with Global Call Forwarding

Elevate your business presence effortlessly with a UK virtual phone number. Establish your company as a local business with the flexibility to operate globally. Global Call Forwarding has been a leading name in the telecommunication sector since 1996.

Use this UK phone number guide to find the right UK number for your business. Still need help? We can help you make your business a cross-border success in the most cost-effective way.

To find out how to establish a local business presence in the UK, talk to our experts today!

Germany Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

A Germany phone number is a crucial asset for businesses aiming to establish a presence in one of Europe’s economic powerhouses. The country boasts the fourth-largest economy in the world and is known for its technological innovation, strong industrial base, and strategic global trade connections. With a population of around 84 million, Germany offers a dynamic market with diverse opportunities.

Our Germany phone number guide is designed to help you navigate the intricacies of the country’s communication landscape. Explore the different types of phone numbers available and make an informed purchase decision.

Guide to Phone Numbers in Germany

Beyond the practicality of communication, having a German local number has several strategic advantages.

Primarily, a German number creates a sense of familiarity and reassures potential customers that they are dealing with a local company. Even if you don’t have a physical office in the country, these numbers establish your business virtually, signifying to potential local customers a presence within the German market.

A local phone number can be incorporated into marketing and advertising materials targeting the German audience. It makes it easier for potential customers to remember and contact your business, increasing the effectiveness of your campaigns.

When locals can reach your business through a local number, they may perceive it as more cost-effective than making an international call. This perception can be crucial in attracting local customers and encouraging them to engage with your services.

As Germany is a key player in global trade, aligning your business with its market standards can open doors to international opportunities. And one way to do that is to get a German phone number.

Germany Phone Number Plan

The Bundesnetzagentur manages the allocation of phone numbers, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. Besides different types of number and voice calling services, German telecom companies also provide features like international roaming, home internet, and broadband connection.

You can also avail of advanced call management features like voicemail and voicemail translation, call recording, call forwarding, and IVR/auto attendant from VoIP providers offering telephony services in Germany.

Global Call Forwarding offers a host of features with our virtual German phone number plans.

German Phone Number Format

An example of a German phone number would be: +49 (0) 30 xxxx-xxxx.*
*30 is the area code for Berlin.

The average length of a German phone number, including the country code, area code, and local number, is typically 9 to 10 digits. The specific length can vary based on the region or type of service.

Here’s a breakdown of the components in a standard German phone number:

  • Country code: +49
  • Area code: Typically 2 to 5 digits.
  • Toll-free code: 800
  • Local subscriber number: Varies in length.

However, it’s important to note that the length can be shorter or longer based on specific circumstances, such as special service numbers or mobile numbers.

Different Types of Germany Phone Numbers

Getting a German phone number is a pivotal step in establishing a connection, fostering trust, and bolstering credibility. From geographic numbers associated with specific regions to toll-free numbers that eliminate calling charges for customers, each type serves a unique purpose.

In this section of our Germany phone number guide, we’ll delve into the different types of numbers, providing insights into each Germany phone number format, applications, and how businesses can leverage them.

1. Germany Toll-Free Numbers

This number type is a valuable solution if you’re seeking to establish a strong and cost-effective business presence in the German market. These numbers, provided with expertise by companies like Global Call Forwarding, present a strategic avenue for expansion without the financial burden of physical offices. Plus, a German toll-free number enables locals to call your business for free.

Germany toll-free numbers are a great tool to tap into the German market, build brand awareness, and foster customer loyalty.

The 11-digit phone number format includes the toll-free code ‘0800,’ and a seven-digit subscriber number.

A standard Germany toll-free number looks like this: 0800 xxx xxxx.

Global businesses might opt to subscribe to a toll-free number, as the requirements are less strict compared to geographic and non-geographic number types. Germany toll-free numbers do not require in-country documentation like local business registration and city-specific proofs of address. However, telecom authorities evaluate these documentation requirements on a case-by-case basis.

2. Germany Local or Geographic Numbers

Local or geographic phone numbers in Germany are typically assigned to specific regions or cities, represented by area codes, also known as the ‘Vorwahl.’ Many businesses opt for this number type to establish a local presence in a particular area.

Customers like calling local numbers as it gives the impression that the business is nearby and easy to reach. These calls are typically charged at local calling rates, resulting in lower costs compared to long-distance or international calls. These factors can lead to increased customer satisfaction.

Here’s a handy list of major German areas and their area codes:

  • Berlin 30
  • Cologne 221
  • Dresden 351
  • Düsseldorf 211
  • Frankfurt 69
  • Hamburg 40
  • Leipzig 341
  • Munich 89
  • Stuttgart 711

Geographic phone numbers are composed of the country code, a two- to five-digit area code, and a seven-digit subscriber number.

A German local or geographic number format is +49 0211 xxx xxxx.

German telecom authorities are very strict in terms of local phone number compliance. Typically, regulators require that businesses provide in-country business registration and proof of address corresponding to the city the phone number belongs.

3. Germany National (32) Numbers

Many service providers, like Global Call Forwarding, offer national phone numbers that have the area code 0 (32). They are also known as national subscriber numbers and are not linked to any specific geographic location. Local customers can call you from anywhere in Germany, and at standard calling rates.

The standard Germany national number looks like this: +49 032 xxxxxx-xxx.

Apart from the country code, this number type comprises the two-digit service code ‘32,’ preceded by the prefix ‘0’, followed by a subscriber number made of a six-digit block code and a three-digit terminal number.

Global Call Forwarding also offers Germany geographic and national numbers with local 2-way voice which means you can make outbound calls to your German customers while displaying this in-country, local caller ID. This guaranteed call connection will help increase response and callback rates.

Get a Germany Phone Number with Global Call Forwarding

A German phone number could be the key to unlocking countless opportunities.

Ready to invest in a German phone number? Read our page on how to get a German phone number or get help from one of our experts.

Do take a look at our inventory online to buy a toll-free, national, or geographic number.

At Global Call Forwarding, we boast extensive partnerships with local and regional telecom carriers operating in Germany and Europe.

Reach out to our experts today to learn more!

Australia Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

Australia presents a compelling landscape for businesses looking to expand. It ranks as the 12th largest economy globally. Its strategic location in the Asia Pacific region makes it a gateway to key markets in the region.

The country boasts a stable and resilient economy with a strong regulatory framework, providing a secure environment to operate business. And it is rich in mining and agricultural resources, offering diverse investment opportunities.

Australia’s growing technology sector and commitment to innovation further create a favorable business climate. You can use this Australia phone number guide to learn about why to get an Australia number and the different types of numbers and plans available.

Guide to Phone Numbers in Australia

Getting an Australia phone number is crucial for businesses expanding there. With a local number, you can establish a local presence and foster stronger relationships with Australian clients. Potential clients are likely to trust a business with familiar local codes and reach out for inquiries and support more freely.

A huge plus—clients can call you for free or at local rates, depending on the type of number you pick.

Local numbers not only enhance brand visibility but also increase recognition, aligning with local advertising to improve customer recall and outreach. You can leverage automated call forwarding systems and Tier-1 telecom networks to seamlessly redirect your Australia calls worldwide.

In fact, Global Call Forwarding offers Australia phone numbers with a flexible forwarding service that allows companies globally to enter the Australian market.

Related: How to Get a Number for Australia?

Australia Phone Number Plan

The government body Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) oversees the management of phone numbers in the country. Through the numbering plan, ACMA governs the allocation, transfer, surrender, portability, and usage rules for several telecom services. Under this numbering system, you’ll find fixed-line numbers, mobile numbers, national numbers, local numbers for different regions, and toll-free numbers.

Different Types of Australia Phone Numbers

If you are in and around Australia, there are a few different types of phone numbers you can get to connect with local clients.

With the help of our Australia phone number guide, you can choose the right number depending on your communication needs and business location.

Typically, this number format has the country code ‘+61’, the area code or toll-free code, and finally, a 6-8-digit long subscriber number.

The standard Australian phone number format looks something like: +61 (xx) xxxx xxx. From in-country, callers should omit the country code, but add a 0 before the area code and subscriber number.

Now let’s understand the different types of Australia phone numbers:

1. Australia Toll-Free Numbers

These numbers start with ‘1800’ and enable your clients to call your business without incurring any charges. It is ideal for companies with existing or potential Australian clients. Australia toll-free numbers can be configured to include voicemail, call forwarding, recording, and routing features.

The flexibility of directing incoming calls to any landline, mobile, or IP adds convenience. Owing to its cost-effectiveness, this number type is particularly beneficial for small businesses and startups.

Each number consists of a toll-free code and a unique 6-digit subscriber number number.

The Australia toll-free number format is 1800 xxx-xxx.

2. Australia Local or Geographic Numbers

Geographic numbers, mostly designated for local or landline services, consist of 10 digits and start with ‘02,’ ‘03,’ ‘07,’ and ‘08’ prefixes. The country is divided into 2,054 areas, as part of geographic numbering called standard zone units. Each region is given a unique area code. For example, the Western and Central region has ‘08’ as the area code followed by a 2-digit city-specific code like ‘62’ for Perth.

Most providers include local numbers for major Australian cities and regions like:

  • Alice Springs (889)
  • Brisbane (73)
  • Canberra (251)
  • Melbourne (39)
  • Newcastle (240)
  • Salisbury (872)
  • Sydney (27), and so on.

The structure of an Australian local number includes an area code followed by the local number.

The standard Australia local number format is +61 (08) 62xx-xxxx.*
*where ‘08’ is for the Western region and ‘62’ for Perth

Global Call Forwarding also offers Australia geographic and mobile numbers with local 2-way voice. This means you can make outbound calls to your customers in Australia while displaying this in-country, local caller ID. This guaranteed call connection will help increase response and callback rates.

3. Australia Mobile Numbers

A mobile number allows for easy communication with local customers. They can reach out via phone calls or text messages, enhancing accessibility for inquiries, support, and other communication needs.

Much like local numbers, mobile numbers in Australia may or may not be tied to a particular geographic area. The cost of calls to these numbers varies based on the caller’s location. They start with the national dialing code ‘04’ or ‘05’ followed by eight digits and their allocation depends on different cellular providers.

The Australia mobile number format is +61 (0466) xx-xx-xx.

Related: Mobile vs Local Phone Numbers

4. Australia National Numbers

These numbers are typically 10 digits starting with the ‘1300’ prefix. Callers can dial 1300 numbers from any mobile fixed line across Australia at local call rates. The cost of calling a 1300 number is shared between the caller and the business. The caller pays a local rate, and the business owner pays the remaining cost. Additionally, 1300 numbers can be configured with many calling features, such as routing calls to different locations.

The Australia national number format is +61 (1300) xxx xxx.

Get an Australia Phone Number with Global Call Forwarding

Use this Australia phone number guide to find your next Australia business number. Global Call Forwarding offers cloud-based local, toll-free, mobile, and national numbers. You can use these numbers from any location worldwide.

Sign up for your Australia number through our Pricing page. Need help deciding which number is apt for your business communication needs? Connect with our global communication specialists today!

What is Inside Sales and How is it Changing in 2024?

Inside sales have become the most popular sales model for B2B SaaS and many other high-ticket industries. But what are inside sales, how do they compare to outside sales, and what will the role look like in 2024?

A global health crisis forced millions of people to work from home, and many sales organizations still operate remotely. During this time, new technology also changed inside sales forever.

So, what is inside sales exactly and how is it evolving?

The Meaning of Inside Sales

Inside sales are the exchange of products and services online. It is also known as “virtual sales,” “digital selling,” and “remote sales.” Inside salespeople build sales pipelines through digital channels instead of outside channels.

These are the most 5 common examples of virtual sales channels in 2024:

  • Email
  • Video
  • Chat
  • Phone
  • Social media

The Difference Between Inside and Outside Sales

The main differences between inside and outside sales are travel and the workplace. Unlike outside sales, inside salespeople do not travel to visit clients off-site.

Inside sales are done in an office or remotely, on the computer, and over the phone. On the other hand, outside salespeople meet clients at off-site premises and industry events, usually for entertainment and training purposes.

Inside and outside sales can be combined for greater effectiveness. An example of this is a company that leverages remote sales for leads and account management with an outside sales team that closes bigger deals and conducts in-person training. Also, the two are often paired to upsell and cross-sell solutions.

In past years, inside sales have been considered a backup to outside sales. However, changes in B2B buying preferences have increased the importance of virtual sales in B2B SaaS.

what is inside sales
Source: DepositPhotos.com – Lic#204682470 ID#27446420

7 Advantages of Inside Sales

The inside sales model has many advantages versus outside sales or telemarketing:

1. Scalability

Remote sales teams can quickly scale and deploy new agents in the cloud. For most businesses, their stack of sales tools is cloud-based and does not require extensive implementation.

2. Cost-effectiveness

These days, sales tech is relatively inexpensive. You can equip reps with a full stack of tools for about $200 per rep monthly.

Also, there are no relocation costs for inside sales, as you can hire talent globally to work from home. Outside sales reps carry much higher operating expenses and must travel frequently.

The salary for remote sales reps is also affordable for most companies with positive cash flow.

3. Coaching

Digital sales tools have made it easier to coach inside sales reps.

Certain talk tracks and sales methods tend to win out. As an inside sales manager, you should be fully aware of your team’s playbook and monitor how the team interacts with potential customers. This is not easily achievable when managing a field salesforce.

Conveniently, inside sales are mostly done digitally. Managers in 2024 have more tools and coaching opportunities. This is a result of better collaboration tools, cloud-based CRM, conversation intelligence, recordings, chat transcripts, and virtual writing assistants.

4. Predictable revenue

Companies can predictably forecast and measure the ROI of an inside salesperson.

This is because inside sales reps should have targeted amounts of work to achieve each week. This can include the number of chats and calls answered, outbound dials, sent emails, meetings booked, sales demos, deals won, etc. The work is closely tied to lead generation and in turn, a predictable pipeline, of which the value can be calculated.

5. Global expansion

Whether you want to expand your business to new markets or tap into a diverse talent pool, remote sales offer great potential for global expansion. It can be done virtually from anywhere in the world. 

Because inside sales can be done remotely, companies can easily onboard new reps from other countries. Hiring companies only need to ensure that reps have the right equipment and credentials to use the necessary tools. A global marketplace for hiring can give your business access to better talent at competitive rates.

Inside sales also offer an opportunity to sell your products and services to customers in other countries. The work does not need to be done on-site, which enables inside sales reps to sell to customers anywhere in the world. Companies can even take advantage of international virtual numbers to simulate a local calling presence in the country of their choosing.

6. Fordism

Sales processes can be broken down and assigned to specialized roles. A traditional inside sales process might involve the following:

  1.   Identify target companies that fit your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) or new clients that fit expansion criteria.
  2.   Identify decision-makers at those target companies. Research potential pain points and service use cases.
  3.   Reach out to decision-makers to understand their pain points. Try to spark an interest in your company and how your solutions could be beneficial.
  4.   Demo the effectiveness of your products and services. Work to close the sale.
  5.   Ensure successful onboarding of new customers. Pursue expansion opportunities.

This type of sales method is kind of like an assembly line. An inside sales manager could assign agents or reps to specialize in each task. The inside sales reps become more effective by devoting their full attention to perfecting and performing a single task. 

7. Comfort

The buyer’s journey in B2B is rapidly changing. Modern buyers prefer live screen-shares and phone calls to in-person demonstrations and face-to-face meetings.

Corporate travel in 2020 also became a lot harder. Starting in 2024, requests for health documents and travel quarantines could become more common. This makes it more difficult for outside sales reps to visit clients on-site, especially in other countries. In addition, many companies are still working from home.

Interested prospects prefer to buy and sell mostly online, and savvy buyers will do more individual research before making a decision. As a result, sales organizations must remain flexible and meet buyers in their preferred mediums.

You can run inside sales from anywhere, which will make it the preferred sales model in 2024.

What Does Inside Sales Look Like in 2024?

Business changed dramatically during 2020. The whole world was quarantined for many months. This forced all executives to do more business online and over the phone, permanently changing how business is done around the world.

Keys to Running a Smooth IS Organization

There are several components that are required to run a successful inside sales organization:

  • Software

Equip managers with the right tools: CRM, call recordings, conversation intelligence, etc. Similarly, inside sales agents should have the right tools; high-speed data, sales automation tools, calling service with web dialer, writing assistants, external data, etc.

  • Specialization with well-defined roles

Inside sales reps are more effective when assigned to specialized roles. For example, your team should have specialized reps who identify target companies and decision-makers, other reps who reach out to those decision-makers to spark an interest, and closers who can properly communicate the value of your services and win deals.

  • Sales & marketing alignment

Marketing and inside sales should be in close contact. It is the job of marketing to create brand awareness and interest and also to supply inside sales reps with the proper enablement resources to do their jobs effectively. This is when SaaS marketing agencies and general marketing firms come in handy, as their expertise can be instrumental in creating effective strategies for brand awareness and interest. Ideally, prospects should know about your business before salespeople reach out.

  • Sales process

The process is key for an digital selling organization looking to scale. Ideally, managers should implement repeatable processes and properly educate their inside sales reps. This makes it easier to expand the team and in turn, grow revenue.

  • Morale & a good product

In order for salespeople to do a good job, they must believe in what they’re selling and understand its value. No righteous salesperson wants to deceive buyers and sell crappy products. They should be confident in the services that they’re selling.

Day in the Life: Inside Selling Techniques

A typical day in the life of an inside salesperson involves various tasks and responsibilities, with most days spent fielding inquiries, following up with leads or clients, prospecting online, and doing admin work. Depending on the company, the job of an inside salesperson might carry over after-hours. Results come from the work that salespeople put in.

5 Skills of a High-Performing Inside Salesperson

There’s a misconception that salespeople need to be smooth talkers in order to succeed. While being articulate in conversation helps, there are more elements of a successful salesperson.

In fact, many sales leaders believe that active listening is the number one digital selling skill. These are other valuable skills:

  1. Active listening
  2. Genuine curiosity
  3. Consultative approach
  4. Rapport building
  5. Strong network

What Business Is Most Likely to Benefit from Inside Sales?

Does your business need remote sales? Well, it depends on where your company is in its lifecycle. It also depends on the sales cycle complexity and contract values.

Scaleups, startups, and SaaS companies are most likely to benefit from having an inside sales team. Many startups have used inside sales to hustle their way to $10 million or more ARR. Many companies will also invest in a digital selling team during their growth stages.

Future of Inside Sales: Will it Be Different in 2024?

We saw how work shifted from in-office and in-person to fully remote during the pandemic. Video conferencing exploded. Demos and screen sharing also took off. The digital funnel and virtual selling pretty much replaced in-person lunches and dinners. We don’t see many more changes occurring in the near future.

 The Bottom Line: Compared to this year, inside sales processes in 2024 will not be much different. Most changes to remote sales already happened in 2020 and are here to stay.

The Impact of Missed Sales Calls & How to Track and Turn Into Opportunities

While self-service and omnichannel options gain popularity, about 78% of contact centers continue to have high or medium usage of phones. This means that most customers call the business for sales or product assistance. So, what happens when these calls don’t make it through?

Missed calls can contribute to negative caller experiences. They can significantly affect customer satisfaction by signaling unavailability or indifference, hindering issue resolution, and affecting business goals. Each missed call is a lost chance to connect with customers. Tracking and identifying them helps turn missed opportunities into potential sales or client retention chances.

Let’s look at the impact of missed sales calls, their business potential, and how to avoid them.

Why Missed Calls Matter

In a competitive market, unanswered calls imply unavailability, leading to customer frustration. They slow response times, impact sales call metrics, and diminish customer satisfaction. Besides leading to potential revenue loss, they can also affect your brand reputation.

Let’s understand the impact of missed calls on your sales goals, the causes of missed calls, and how to track them.

Impact of Missed Sales Calls

Customers continue to favor phone calls for speedy solutions. Missed calls are missed opportunities where your teams could have provided excellent customer service, improved satisfaction, and increased retention.

And if phone calls are your primary communication channel, then your customers have no other way of connecting with your business and getting their issues resolved. This will only encourage them to seek better service elsewhere.

Moreover, phone calls allow customers to share their thoughts openly, offering valuable feedback for product and service improvement, surpassing online interactions in understanding.

So, failing to respond promptly can make customers unhappy and frustrated, ultimately pushing them away.

What Causes Missed Calls?

Overwhelmed teams, short office hours, lack of off-hours service, and poor call quality are some of the reasons likely to cause missed sales calls. You can address these issues by improving workforce management, call prioritization, and refined call routing systems among other things. Let’s look at each in more detail:

1. High Call Volumes

Fluctuating and high call volumes can overwhelm available staff, leading to more incoming calls than your teams can manage. This imbalance means longer wait times for customers or that calls inevitably go unanswered. Your business may experience this during peak seasons, certain times of day, or when your teams are short-staffed.

2. Short and Incompatible Office Hours

Limited office hours can restrict customer access to the business. If they can’t call within your business hours or their schedules don’t align with your teams, it could lead to missed connections.

For instance, when crucial sales team members have overlapping lunch breaks or your teams don’t cover all time zones, there might be a period when calls go unanswered.

Luke Genoyer, Business Development Manager at Global Call Forwarding, highlights the challenge of covering all hours when having sales offices across different time zones. The most noticeable global gaps occur during West Coast business hours (after 6 PM EST) and EMEA business hours. He adds, “These time slots often fall outside typical US office hours, making it difficult for customers to reach the sales team.”

3. Limited Service Teams

Building on the above point, when catering to a diverse range of time zones, having ample staff available 24/7 is crucial. Staffing shortages or limited service teams, especially when it comes to international calls, lead to challenges in managing call volumes while increasing the number of unanswered calls.

4. No Off-Hours Service

Customers often require assistance beyond regular business hours. This is especially true if you receive calls from international customers in only one or two service centers. So, if you have incompatible business hours and don’t provide after-hours support, you reduce the chance of these customers connecting with a team member.

5. Unreliable Phone Service

Goes without saying that an unreliable phone service poses a barrier to effective communication with customers, causing dropped and missed calls. If you have a low-quality VoIP service and inadequate internet bandwidth, you may experience call quality and routing issues.

Most VoIP providers route calls using the Least Cost Routing (LCR) method. LCR is about finding the cheapest way to route phone calls by choosing paths based on the lowest rates. While this can help reduce communication costs, it can often lead to low-quality audio and lower connection rates. LCR uses outdated technology which causes issues like distorted audio, calls not connecting, and at times, missed calls.

“To maintain high call quality and proper termination, we use multiple locations and work with local carriers even though it needs more work and contracts on our part,” says Luke explaining the Global Call Forwarding network.

6. Low Call Quality

Subpar call quality disrupts your ongoing interactions. Technical problems such as static, dropped calls or unclear audio can make customers hang up without completing a purchase or inquiry. Moreover, if the audio is muddled, important information could get lost, causing misunderstanding or overlooking of details necessary for completing sales transactions. Low call quality, long connection times, and related technical problems can also directly result in abandoned and missed calls.

7. Ineffective Call Management Strategy

Above all else, an inefficient call management strategy often leads to a significant number of missed calls. The direct consequences of such a strategy may include insufficient or unoptimized staffing, ineffective call routing, and unclear call prioritization methods.

How to Track Missed Sales Calls?

Now that we know call management is vital for improving business communications and operations, we can look at how to track calls. There are several methods that aid in tracking calls. Call activity, custom reports, and analytics provide insights you can use to optimize call routing, staffing, and call handling and increase call answer rates.

1. Call Activity

Call activity helps you track all incoming and outgoing calls made to your business phone number. It displays details of answered and missed calls. You can use this to see call history and understand the chronology and frequency of missed calls over time.

If you are a Global Call Forwarding customer, you can easily access your business call activity through our intuitive online control panel.

call activity

2. Custom Reports

Most providers offer call reports or analytics that you can tweak to get custom reporting that meets your needs.

For example, Global Call Forwarding customers can create custom call reports for granular details on their virtual phone number usage. This feature turns raw call data into actionable insights that you can conveniently download and analyze with tools like Excel.

report options

3. Call Analytics

Apart from providing data to help you streamline marketing efforts, call analytics can help in tracking and analyzing missed calls. Using this feature, you can delve into the specifics of each call, including caller details, geographic location, and marketing channel effectiveness. Additionally, Call analytics provides insights into customer behaviors, preferences, and the success of marketing campaigns.

Related: What is Call Analytics?

How to Avoid Missed Calls and Turn Them into Opportunities

When it comes to handling missed calls, prevention is key to seizing opportunities. By setting up rules and strategies proactively, you can prevent missed calls and effectively convert them into avenues for growth.

Here are some practical approaches to improve your communication system and make the most out of every call:

1. Use Advanced Call Routing Strategies

To ensure customers quickly connect with the right people and available resources, you can use call routing and IVR systems. Set custom rules and send calls to different destinations, devices, channels, or self-service options. For instance, the IVR system routing avoids missed calls by quickly guiding callers to the right (or available) department or providing desired information through automated menus.

This way, you can prepare in advance to send calls to teams located globally or to smartphones when people aren’t in the office space.

  • Some common routing strategies to ensure better coverage and response customer service include:
  • Simultaneous ringing – ring multiple phones simultaneously.
  • Sequential forwarding – forward calls sequentially to different agents, one after the other.
  • Time-based routing – forward incoming calls based on the time of the day.
  • Business hours – Route calls to different locations or numbers during and outside of business hours.
  • Find-me-follow-me – route calls to your office phone, if no answer, to your cell phone, then to a voicemail or answering service.
  • Voicemail forwarding – if the call just can’t be answered, set up an option to send calls to voicemails as a backup plan. These voicemail messages can be transcribed and emailed to recipients.

By directing calls to the best destination at all times, you can deliver quality customer service even during peak times.

Related: 9 Benefits of Advanced Call Routing

2. Responsive Callback

Responding promptly to missed calls is crucial in converting them into sales opportunities. Several service providers like Global Call Forwarding provide the option to see missed calls in real-time, enabling rapid action. Train your sales teams to keep an eye on call reports and activity. “Basically, you want to be on top of these missed calls and get back to your customers as soon as possible,” explains Luke.

In fact, you can take this a step further by ensuring your salespeople can call customers back from the same numbers the customers originally called. So, instead of returning calls from unknown numbers, sales teams use our outbound calling service to display their business number as the outgoing caller ID.

3. Manage High Call Volume

It is clear that when call volumes surge unexpectedly and your teams are not prepared to handle them, customers might wait too long, abandon calls, and generally have a bad experience. You can work around this challenge by planning ahead for busy times and utilizing routing features like failover forwarding or voicemail-to-email.

Related: 13 Ways to Manage High Call Volume

4. Provide Off-Hours, 24/7 Service

Offering off-hour service ensures round-the-clock accessibility, minimizing missed calls and maximizing customer satisfaction. But how can you make your business available to customers 24×7?

One way to do this is by utilizing the Follow the Sun customer service model. It works by having teams in different locations and time zones and routing calls based on these time zones’ busiest hours. This way, there’s always a team available to quickly answer customer queries, no matter the time of the call.

By providing continuous support you can reduce the chances of calls going unanswered even during your off-hours. And this, in turn, reduces the likelihood of missed opportunities.

5. Prepare with Analytics

Use call handling features like analytics, logs, etc. to identify patterns related to missed calls and make staffing adjustments accordingly. Moreover, study call patterns to gain insights on improving response times, enabling proactive measures to handle missed calls efficiently.

6. Switch to a Reliable VoIP Phone Service

Finally, to put the above strategies in place, you’ll need a cloud phone service capable of handling your business’ communication needs. A reliable VoIP service provider offers stable call quality and a variety of call management features.

Global Call Forwarding customers can benefit from an array of call routing and international forwarding features as well as IVR, auto-attendant, voicemail to email, and more. This will help you build a strong phone system optimized for call management so your teams can avoid missed calls and respond to customers faster.

Reduce Missed and Abandoned Calls with Global Call Forwarding

The impact missed calls have on customer satisfaction, sales goals, and brand reputation cannot be stressed enough. With advanced call handling tools and features, you can tactfully mitigate missed call occurrences.

Global Call Forwarding empowers businesses to improve customer interactions with advanced call management tools. Leverage our expertise and take proactive steps towards building a modern business communications system.

Visit our website and contact us today to learn more about call handling strategies and maximizing your business potential.

How to Translate Voicemail in Multiple Languages

Effective communication is key to business success. And voicemail transcripts are a valuable business tool that help improve communication and operational efficiency. For global businesses providing multilingual support and linguistic diversity, translating voicemail transcripts into multiple languages is essential. By doing so, you can enhance customer experiences, support market expansion, and uphold a positive global brand image.

In this article, we’ll delve into optimizing your voicemail transcripts and the process of translating them into multiple languages.

Making the Most of Your Voicemails

Through voicemails, you can uncover valuable insights into customer preferences and issues as well as receive feedback. And so, cloud telephony providers like Global Call Forwarding make it easy to access your voicemails with voicemail-to-email and voicemail transcription features. This ensures you receive voicemails on devices (smartphone, computer) and channels (email, text format) you use the most.

What is Voicemail Transcription?

The voicemail transcription feature turns spoken voicemails into written text. It involves a voice-to-text translator tool that receives incoming voicemail and converts it into readable text. You can read, store, and share these messages as text, making them more convenient to handle and retrieve. Depending on the provider, transcriptions are delivered through email or text message.

For instance, Global Call Forwarding provides an advanced voicemail solution boasting over 90% accuracy in 55+ languages and accents, including French, German, Spanish, and more. All plans come with free voicemail and voicemail-to-email features. Plus, you can add voicemail transcription to any plan for only $4.95/month and elevate your communication game.

Related: Top 8 Tips to Creating a Multilingual IVR

A diagram showing voicemail being translated into multiple languages.

How to Translate Voicemail in Multiple Languages

Let’s explore two ways to translate voicemail transcriptions into different languages for more effective global communication. Note that to do either of these, you’ll need a VoIP phone service provider that offers voicemail transcription services.

Translate Voicemails with Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding offers a voicemail translation add-on feature for $3.95 monthly per line to expand your business voicemail functionality. When enabled, this feature will automatically translate your voicemail transcriptions into your desired language. You can then view these translated transcriptions in the control panel or have them automatically forwarded to your desired email inboxes.

voicemail translation

Translate Voicemails Manually

Alternatively, you can translate voicemails on your own using translation software alongside our voicemail features.

1. Set Up Voicemail Transcription

To add and activate your voicemail transcription feature in the Global Call Forwarding control panel, follow the below steps.

  1. In the Control Panel, go to My Phone Numbers and place your cursor over the phone line you want to select.
  2. Click on Settings and then select Call Forwarding and Voicemail under that.
  3. Here, you’ll find the Transcription button. Select it to activate the Voicemail Transcription feature.
  4. In the Deliver all Voicemails box – enter the email addresses which you want the voicemail transcription to be delivered to.

Transcription of voicemail.

2. Retrieve Your Voicemail Transcriptions

Global Call Forwarding customers can access voicemail transcriptions in the following two ways:

1. Directly in your Control Panel after activating the transcription feature:

  1. Click on My Phone Numbers and hover over your desired phone line.
  2. Click on the Voicemail Inbox icon.
  3. On this new page, you can listen, view, and download voicemail recordings and transcripts.

Voicemail transcription before being translated into another language.

2. Refer to your designated emails to find transcription in your inbox.

If you have enabled the Voicemail-to-Email feature, the recipients will receive an email containing both the audio recording and the transcript in text format.

This way, you can easily manage messages efficiently, whether through the Control Panel or your email inbox.

3. Use a Translation Service or Software

Using free translator websites or apps, such as Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, Yandex Translate, iTranslate, etc., you can translate your transcription into any language.

Such tools often provide more accurate and context-aware translations. You can also hire professional human translators who are great at both source and target languages. Learn more about hiring translators and native speakers in our content localization guide.

Get Voicemail Transcription with Global Call Forwarding

Voicemail transcriptions are a pivotal part of modern business communication. They help with training, monitoring customer interactions, and ensuring you never miss important information.

Global Call Forwarding understands the importance of clear customer communication and offers a convenient and accurate solution. All our services come with voicemail and with the option to avail transcription for a small fee.

Contact us now and speak to our experts about how you can upgrade your business communications!

Using Virtual Numbers to Establish a Local Presence Globally

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.

Expand globally with a virtual phone number.

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.

A diagram of follow the sun support with a virtual phone number.

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:

How to display virtual numbers on a website footer.

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!

5 Call Metrics for Sales Managers

In the ever-evolving business world, sales managers are key to a company’s success. And if you want to optimize your teams’ performance, then it’s vital to track sales call metrics. These metrics offer valuable insights into how well the sales teams are doing, how they interact with customers, and the overall sales strategy. Call metrics matter because they provide a direct and measurable link between agent activities and outcomes.

In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of tracking sales call metrics and outline 5 essential call metrics for sales managers.

Why Sales Managers Should Track Key Call Metrics

In sales management, having data is essential for success. It helps your managers make informed decisions, ensure sales teams achieve targets, and drive revenue growth in a competitive business environment. One great way to get this data is by tracking key sales call metrics.

When you know how calls affect B2B sales, managers can optimize strategies, allocate resources efficiently, and increase overall revenue.

How to Track Call Metrics

Before we dive into the specifics of call metrics for sales managers, let’s discuss how to track these metrics effectively. Most businesses use call center software or call analytics tools to maintain a reliable record of incoming and outgoing calls. While there are a few different ways your business can do this, here are some of the key strategies:

  1. Implement Reporting Tools – Use specialized tools to get useful or actionable insights from your CDRs. These tools help you understand call volume, outcomes, and call quality, so you can make informed decisions.
  2. Invest in Call Logging Software – Review call logs through software that organizes and stores call data systematically. This ensures easy access to historical information and helps with compliance and audits.
  3. Use Call Detail Records (CDRs) – Review CDRs to understand important and recurring details like call duration, timestamps, and caller details. This information is vital for comprehensive call analysis.
  4. Track Incoming Calls – Use call tracking technology to identify what leads to a certain customer call. You can determine which marketing campaigns, platforms, countries, etc., are generating more calls.
  5. Integrate with CRMs – Connect your CRM system and customer data to your call tracking software. This makes it easier to manage leads and provide personalized customer service.

Modern call center software offers features such as CDRs, call reporting, CRM integrations, and call logging, which can provide comprehensive data related to your team’s calling activities. A data-driven approach can help you use sales call metrics to improve communications and make customers happier.

Looking for a communication solution that supports your sales team? Check out our Phone System for Sales Teams!

5 Call Metrics for Sales Managers

When it comes to measuring the effectiveness of your calls, there are 5 key metrics that can provide performance-related data. These metrics help you assess the quantity of calls but also the quality and impact of each interaction. We’re going to look at these 5 sales call metrics:

  1. Call Activity
  2. Call Connection Rates
  3. Call Response Time
  4. Call Outcome Analysis
  5. Average Call Duration

Let’s delve into these metrics and their significance.

1. Call Activity

Call activity is the total number of calls made by your sales agents within a set period of time. It’s an important parameter that allows you to gauge your team’s productivity.

Why to track: By setting activity-based quotas, you can ensure that your reps are consistently reaching out to potential leads and customers. Monitoring call activity helps maintain the momentum necessary for successful sales campaigns.

How to track: To track call activity, you can utilize call center software or CRM systems that provide call logs and activity reports. Set clear activity targets for your team and monitor their progress regularly.

2. Call Connection Rates

This sales call metric represents the number of calls that were answered by prospects or customers, rather than going to voicemail or being ignored.

Why to track: While call activity is important, what truly matters are the outcomes. Agents should focus on making meaningful connections and having conversations that lead to positive results.

Miguel Isabal, Sr. Director of Global Business Development, Global Call Forwarding, explains that many businesses approach UWT because their calls to international prospective customers often go unanswered.

“We’ve helped sales teams improve connection rates by giving them local caller IDs that correspond to the countries they’re calling”
— Miguel Isabal, Sr. Director of Global Business Development, Global Call Forwarding

How to track: “You can calculate call connection rates by dividing the number of calls answered by the total number of calls made. If the ratio is low, consider strategies like local presence dialing and optimizing call timing,” shares Luke Genoyer, Business Development Manager, Global Call Forwarding.

Related: Understanding Cold Calling vs Warm Calling

3. Call Response Time

Another common sales call metric, Call Response Time measures how quickly sales representatives respond to incoming calls or leads from potential customers. It directly impacts the customer experience and likelihood of converting leads into customers.

Why to track: A fast response time is critical in engaging customers while their interest is high. Delayed responses can result in missed opportunities and lost leads.

How to track: Use call tracking software or CRM systems to record the time it takes for a rep to respond to an incoming call or lead. Aim to keep this time as short as possible.

4. Call Outcome Analysis

Call outcome measures how many calls result in positive outcomes, such as lead generation, conversions, closed deals, or further interest from the prospect. If the number of positive outcomes is low, you should evaluate your pipeline and who you’re calling.

Why to track: This metric helps managers understand the quality of leads, identify objections or challenges in the sales process, and tailor coaching and training to address specific issues.

How to track: Utilize call center software to categorize and track the outcomes of each call. Regularly review and analyze these outcomes to ensure that positive outcomes are a key focus.

5. Average Call Duration

This metric indicates the average time your sales reps spend on each call. According to Beny Mouen, Regional Sales Manager – APAC, Global Call Forwarding, it’s better to avoid many short calls. Instead, encourage your agents to have conversations that build rapport and address prospect needs.

“Using AI email and calling tools, companies can blast out thousands of emails or calls daily. However, these outreach methods usually lack personalization and are ineffective. What distinguishes top sales teams is their ability to have meaningful conversations and truly bond with potential customers”
— Beny Mouen Regional Sales Manager – APAC, Global Call Forwarding

Why to track: Monitoring call duration helps you assess how engaged your teams are. Longer calls may mean they are having deep discussions, while shorter ones could suggest they need to work on their communication skills.

How to track: Invest in call recording software, a critical quality assurance tool. You can learn a lot from listening to your best agents’ phone calls. Audit recordings to identify potential issues and integrate these into your training.

Related: Call Center KPIs: 12 Metrics to Track for Customer Success

Call Analytics for Business Improvement

Tracking and analyzing call activity is powerful in optimizing sales performance, whether for in-house or call center sales. And sales call metrics offer a holistic view of your sales efforts.

Need call reporting tools to up your sales management game? Every Global Call Forwarding phone service plan comes with call detail records (CDRs), custom call reports, and other analytic tools.

Contact us to explore how we can boost your sales. Chat with us online or request a demo today!