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The blog for Global Call Forwarding has articles on the latest customer service trends, telecommunications technologies, and business news.
benefirt of local-phone-numbers-bulk
17th January 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

The Benefits of Buying Local Phone Numbers in Bulk

top voip speed tests
16th January 2020 blog, Cloud Telephony

Top VoIP Speed Tests (2026)

creating a phone tree
16th January 2020 blog, Call Management

Creating The Perfect Phone Tree Template For Your Business

what is the meaning of an outbound call?
13th January 2020 blog, Call Management, Cloud Telephony

What is Meant by Inbound and Outbound Calls?

credibility with toll-free numbers
13th January 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Building Credibility with Professional Toll Free Numbers

888 Meaning and How To Get an 888 Number
13th January 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

888 Meaning and How To Get an 888 Number

Appointment Setter Mistakes and How To Fix Them
9th January 2020 blog, Business Insights

Appointment Setter Mistakes and How To Fix Them

Start Calling With Your Wireless VoIP Phone Set Up With Global Call Forwarding
9th January 2020 blog, Cloud Telephony

Start Calling With Your Wireless VoIP Phone: Set Up With Global Call Forwarding

ITFS
8th January 2020 blog, Cloud Telephony

What is an ITFS Number and How Does it Work?

The Benefits of Buying Local Phone Numbers in Bulk

17th January 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Bulk Phone Numbers Are a Smart Addition to Any Business.

They give your business an authentic presence in particular target markets and make your company more accessible to individuals in local and international areas. Given the fact that your business needs a new phone number for each targeted area, the need to get bulk toll free numbers is a high-priority. Therefore, the more that you purchase in bulk, the greater the benefits for your business.

Let’s take a look at the many benefits that come with using bulk local numbers from Global Call Forwarding, including:

  • Tracking Marketing Efforts
  • Easy Access for Your Customers
  • Improving Regional Marketing Efforts
  • Streamlining Your Business
  • Cost-Effective Global Business Expansion
  • Utilizing Advanced Features to Remain Competitive

Track Marketing Efforts

By using multiple local numbers, you can track where the majority of calls are coming from. For instance, with the intuitive dashboard from Global Call Forwarding, you gain insight into how effective your advertising campaigns are. Additionally, you can also view the effect of regional marketing campaigns, which appeal to different target demographics. Most importantly, armed with this insight, you can make more intelligent decisions about marketing, distribution, and more.

Easy Access for Your Customers

When using localized phone numbers in international markets, you make it easy for customers to contact you. In other words, there are no long-distance fees, no service blockages, and no issues when dialing out of the country. That is to say, bulk local numbers consolidate particular regions and open up communication there. For instance, purchasing bulk local numbers in Europe can facilitate communication between countries that ordinarily have restricted access or require separate SIM cards for callers.

Improve Regional Marketing Efforts

Each domestic market that your business wants to interact with has an inherent bias towards domestic businesses. Having a presence in multiple markets but differentiating each one with a local number is a valuable asset to your company.

For example, the United States is a country comprised of 50 states, 16 territories, and the District of Columbia (a federal district). To get adequate coverage, you may want to purchase a local phone number for the major cities of the U.S. For larger organizations, you can buy local phone numbers for each state/territory to ingratiate your business.

Streamline Your Business

The routing capabilities of virtual phone numbers can sum up all of the bulk phone numbers and redirect them to one destination phone number. This means that you don’t have to constantly switch between numbers or constantly redirect inbound calls.

Further, using an add-on like simultaneous ringing ensures that all connected phone numbers ring to multiple devices. Whether your employees use a laptop, headset, softphone, and more, inbound calls are streamlined. This is valuable for providing customer service as fast as possible, never leaving a potential call unanswered.

Cost-Effective Global Business Expansion

It has never been easier to grow your business than buying local phone numbers in bulk. From emerging startups to established enterprises, bulk local phone numbers immediately give your business a presence in whatever market you’re looking to penetrate. Simply choose a local phone number, advertise it to your audience, and begin to receive calls.

Furthermore, there’s no need for opening up a branch office in a new area, which has been an insurmountable barrier for many SMBs and startups. With bulk local phone numbers, your business can save time and resources to focus on other aspects of your organization

Utilizing Advanced Features to Stay Competitive

The bottom line is, when you purchase bulk local numbers with Global Call Forwarding, you’re gaining the ability to use advanced tech in your business model. Likewise, we offer businesses and individuals a wide range of add-ons and features that can revolutionize how you compete in your industry. For example, some of these include:

Buying Phone Numbers in Bulk is a Good Idea

Global Call Forwarding can help your business get bulk local numbers hassle-free. Consequently, the process is 100% online and/or with the assistance of our expert representatives. Above all, if your organization is still on the fence about getting bulk local free numbers, consider the benefits of having them and contact us today!

Top VoIP Speed Tests (2026)

16th January 2020 blog, Cloud Telephony

Think your VoIP connection is lacking something? Use one of these top VoIP speed tests to measure internet performance and quality. This way, you will know where your VoIP connection needs to improve to support your communication needs.

Top VoIP Speed Tests

Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) systems route calls over the internet. They do this by converting voice signals to digital signals and transmit them through your broadband connection. In order to use VoIP systems comfortably, you need to have a strong internet connection. This is where speed tests come in. Top VoIP speed tests check how your internet is doing on specific factors such as:

Latency: Time delay experienced by signals from the transmission to the receiver. Higher latency leads to a delayed sound effect but doesn’t degrade sound quality.

Jitter: Delay between sent and received packets. The more the delay, the more sound and latency will degrade and suffer.

Upload and Download speeds: Time taken to download or upload (send and receive) files. With higher speeds, heavier data packets can be sent without fear of delay or disruption.

As of December 2025, these are the companies that provide the top VoIP speed tests that will help you understand where your VoIP service needs work.

ZD NET

To check your VoIP speed with ZD Net, open their speed test link, select the type of connection you want to test (cable, 4G, DSL) and your location with the zip code. Then, you will see the results through graphics to help you best understand how your system is working. Make sure you enable Flash Player to use the test.

Freeola Broadband Line Quality Test

Freeola is an internet service provider offering internet services to small businesses in the UK. You can check your download and upload speed here and also learn why your broadband is slow and how to fix it. Simply, go to the Speed Test tab, and click ‘Start.’ No additional information is required.

Speedtest

Speedtest, by Ookla, tests internet performance through mobile and desktop apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Apple TV. You can also get the browser extension to check internet performance without disrupting your web experience. Once you decide how and what you want to test, simply follow the instructions on the website.

8×8 VoIP Readiness Test

8×8 measures internet performance and quality by passing simulated VoIP traffic to your device. To use this, you will need to visit the VoIP test tab under Resources and Tools and then click ‘Start.’ Based on your results, you will know if your connection is ready to switch to VoIP.

Voiptoners

To check your VoIP speed, visit Voiptoners speed test tool and click ‘Go.’ The results will tell you how many recommended and maximum lines you can have based on the strength of your connection.

Ping-test.net

Ping-test uses a graphic to demonstrate how your internet is doing. When you visit the website, click ‘Start Test’ and it will conduct a variety of ping tests over different servers. This service is most popular for its latency scores.

OnSIP VoIP Test

OnSIP works like the other speed tests except that it requires you to complete a short form begin starting your test. This form asks for your email, name, phone number, company number, and the number of employees.

MegaPath Speed Test Plus

To use MegaPath’s speed test, you need to select the location or city nearest to you and then start the test. The results will then let you know how your internet is functioning.

Bandwidth Place

Besides testing your internet upload and download speed, latency, and jitter, Bandwidth Place lets you share your results with others as well.

Why Testing Your VoIP Speed is Important

As mentioned earlier, good VoIP and internet speed is essential to the proper running of your VoIP phone system. And so, it is good to occasionally test your speed to ensure calls made and received are not interrupted. And also, to ensure files are easily sent and received. Because VoIP systems don’t only route voice calls, they also enable video calls and file sharing. So, test your VoIP speed today with one of these top VoIP speed tests.

Creating The Perfect Phone Tree Template For Your Business

16th January 2020 blog, Call Management

Want to ensure that your customers have a pleasant experience when contacting you? Your customers should think of your company as approachable and, therefore, feel comfortable reaching out when they need help. One way to ensure good customer interaction is timely responses and resolution of conflicts. A well-planned phone tree template will achieve this.

Phone trees are becoming increasingly popular with business, big and small. They allow businesses to customize user experience when customers contact them for more information or to complete an action. The system recognizes tone presses or phrases and routes callers based on the rules programmed by the business. Automated voice prompts guide callers and, when unable to complete a request, forward the call to an employee. This way, businesses ensure responsiveness as well as productivity, with less time spent answering or making calls.

What is a Phone Tree?

A phone tree is an automated system that helps callers navigate menu options depending on their response and reach a solution. They are also used to contact large groups of people, where one person contacts two people, who each contact two more, and so on. Crisis phone trees are a great resource to quickly notify others during an emergency. With such systems, information is distributed quickly without the burden falling on one person.

A phone tree works as an interactive voice response system (IVR) to reduce a company’s cost and productivity. Customers dial into the system and choose from a menu list of options to complete their tasks. A well-built phone tree answers a variety of potential customer questions or concerns. Each option could lead them to another set of options, a voice recording with information, or a representative. IVR systems are beneficial for outbound calls as well. These phone trees can make calls to selected clients. They can also contact several customers at once to offer surveys or provide information updates. Phone trees can also work as a Private Branch Exchange (Cloud PBX) system. A PBX system is a private telephone network connects incoming calls to specific extensions.

Benefits of Utilizing IVR

IVR systems replace only the regular, mundane calls. This way, your company can focus on more complicated and high-value transactions. Companies in various industries and different services utilize this feature. For example, for customer service and feedback, browsing through healthcare or pharmacy queries, selecting plans and making payments, etc.

A phone tree has a variety of features to help your customers tackle their requirements or concerns. For instance, a clear voice prompt will let them know what options are available. The voice prompt can also spread mass information: inform customers of time changes, new company updates, or send them service reminders. Schedule calls to meet your customers’ and employees’ preferences. The IVR system will forward calls to a representative when it is unable to handle a request.

Pay Attention to Phone Tree Templates

It is, therefore, important to consider different options and features required to make the most of your phone tree. Does your business need an IVR to contact large groups of customers at a time? Would you like your customers to be able to resolve their issues automatically and quickly, saving everyone’s time?

A comprehensive phone tree template will focus on the features and phone menu options you require. It will also map out how you want your customers to interact with your IVR to make their experience comfortable. When creating your template, focus on developing a simple map instead of a list of complicated instructions. Customers appreciate an easier flow of information and instructions.

For example, the voice prompt for an insurance company can ask customers to indicate their enrollment status before proceeding. “Press 1, if you are an existing user. Press 2, if you wish to hear about available plans.” Depending on what users press, they will be directed to another set of menus or voice recording.

Therefore, when considering a phone tree, one needs to carefully plan:

  • What steps and actions will be made available to callers.
  • How the IVR system will collect and confirm information.
  • What should happen if there is an issue with one of the steps or the customer selects the wrong option
  • When the call should be forwarded to an agent or representative

Create Your Phone Tree Today

IVR systems not only make your employees’ jobs easier but also provide your customers with options to solve their issues. Creating a strong template with simple instructions and options goes a long way in increasing productivity. Global Call Forwarding provides you with a fully customizable phone tree system for your business. Buy a virtual phone number and use their Advanced IVR and PBX feature to customize your phone tree. Increase productivity, customer satisfaction, and reduce time consumption.

What is Meant by Inbound and Outbound Calls?

13th January 2020 blog, Call Management, Cloud Telephony

Are you in the market to outsource your customer service needs? Then, you are looking for either an inbound or outbound call center. But how do you decide which one is suitable for you? That starts by understanding the difference between inbound and outbound calls and which is the one your company needs.

Inbound vs. Outbound Calls

Both inbound and outbound calling are customer service tactics used to generate sales through phone conversations. And so, they are usually conducted by customer service teams or call centers. Deciding which service your business needs is based on what type of calls you receive more. Does your business run on calls coming in from customers and prospects? Or, do you make your sales, like a telemarketing company, by calling customers, making a pitch, and selling a product? In other words, do you have a high volume of incoming or outgoing calls?

What are Inbound Calls?

Inbound calls are types of calls that a customer makes in order to connect with a contact center or a call center. The help desk also responds to inbound calls just like a contact center, but calls initiated to a help desk will usually come from employees and less likely from a customer.

Inbound and outbound calls can be attended to exclusively or in a combination of both by the call center.

Customers who initiate an inbound call to a call center will usually be doing so to make inquiries about products and services, as well as to make complaints. The information gathered by the call center agent is then used to find a resolution to the complaint or to provide information that the customer has enquired upon.

There are several metrics that are used to measure the performance of an inbound call agent, these include average handle time (AHT), time in the queue, and first call resolution (FCR). Inbound call centers occasionally enumerate the service goals that the call center will aim for in a service-level agreement (SLA).

Due to advancements in communication technology, inbound call agents now communicate with customers via other means such as chat and emails, which allows customers’ needs to be met from a variety of methods.

What is an Inbound Call Center?

An inbound call center is a company that responds to calls initiated by customers.

Inbound call centers are designed to provide customer support or service. In many cases, inbound call centers have been found to be a part of the sales division by taking sales orders and also serving as an internal help desk for organizations and businesses.

Customers will call a business for a variety of reasons, such as:

  • To ask information about a product or service
  • Make an appointment or reservation
  • Resolve an issue
  • Connect with customer service
  • Make a payment
  • Register a complaint
  • Get support or assistance
  • Leave feedback and suggestions, and more.

In most cases, many organizations do not directly handle inbound calls. They usually contract that aspect to external inbound call centers. Businesses rely on external call centers to receive inbound calls because it is typically cheaper to purchase the service, rather than paying the cost of employing several call center agents, along with implementing an actual call center into their business.

Most businesses take advantage of incurring the cost of inbound calls on a “per minute” charging basis compared to incurring the financial burden of acquiring calling equipment and staff that the task needs. Appointment setters, customer service, inbound call centers, and customer or tech support teams are the ones that usually take care of inbound calls. Agents answer the call and help customers through positive interactions. An inbound calling service, therefore, is a suitable option for a business with a high incoming call volume.

What are Outbound Calls?

Unlike an inbound call that is initiated by the customer, an outbound call is a call to a customer from the call center or on behalf of a business. Have you ever received a call from a strange number with a voice that could be that of a man or a lady asking for or giving information about a product or service? That is what an outbound call is.

Outbound calls are part of a series of activities that businesses engage in by utilizing call centers to reach out to their customers and prospects.

Modern technology has improved the features of outbound calls that assist call centers in doing a better and effective job. New features such as auto-dialing and predictive dialing are tools that help call center agents maximize their time more efficiently.

Another great tool that helps in making outbound calls more efficient is the automatic call-back tool. Other features such as call scheduling, as well as customer relationship management tools all help to enhance the quality of outbound calls. Call center agents who have information about customer behavior are equipped to make better-quality outbound calls.

Generally, outbound calls have improved in efficiency over the last decade with improvements made to enterprise software, which are readily available and are at the disposal of the call center.

The typical nature of an outbound can include:

  • Fundraising calls
  • Sales calls
  • Telemarketing
  • Calls for contact list updating purposes
  • Surveys
  • Verification services

What is an Outbound Call Center?

An outbound call center is a type of business activity center that consists of a collection of call center agents who make calls to existing and prospective customers on behalf of clients and businesses.

Outbound calls are often facilitated with the use of modern technology in order for them to be efficient. With the help of tools like a predictive dialer, a large volume of calls can be made within a shorter time.

These are some of the uses of outbound call centers:

  • Make sales pitches
  • Generate and qualify new leads
  • Conducting market research
  • Provide company updates
  • Raise funds or donations
  • Appointment setting
  • Follow-up on previous purchases or visits
  • Leave reminders for renewals or appointments
  • Proactive customer service
  • Upselling and cross-selling
  • Collect feedback and surveys, and more.

This type of calling is generally more sales-focused. Sales teams and appointment setters use outbound calling due to their high outgoing call volume. They call clients on a list determined by metrics and market research to pitch a product or service, renew appointments, or collect data. And so, an enterprise that needs to make multiple sales calls will find an outbound calling service more useful. Basically, if more than 50% of your calls are outbound, then you can be considered an outbound call center.

Differences Between Inbound And Outbound Call Centers

The type of calls that take place at a call center ultimately determines whether that call center is an inbound call center or an outbound call center. This is the main factor that can differentiate between one or the other.

If over 50% of calls that take place at a call center are inbound, that call center functions as an inbound call center. The same criterion applies to outbound call centers.

If you operate a call center, determining the type of call center that you are operating or planning to operate is key to implementing the protocols and systems you want to run in your call center.

For example, if your call center handles primarily inbound calls, there may not be a need for technology devices like a predictive dialer. Your focus will be more on tools that are more suited to inbound calls.

For call centers engaged in outbound call activities, more resources are available in software programs that will help make them more efficient. Tools such as call scheduling, predictive dialing, and automatic callback are some of the essentials for an outbound calling center. Calling features such as call monitoring, which is great for listening in on outgoing calls should also be utilized for those interested in maximizing the services offered.

Related: Call Center Trends

Technology Used for Inbound and Outbound Calls

Depending on whether your company makes more inbound or outbound calls, you will require different technology and software to ensure smooth running. Virtual phone service providers like Global Call Forwarding offer these tools and features along with your business number to enhance your customer relations.

Inbound calling benefits from:

  • Call forwarding: to forward and direct calls to different office locations or during specific days and hours
  • Metrics and call activity: making note of average handle times (AHT), queue times, average speed of answering (ASA), customer effort score (CES), etc.
  • Call tracking: tracking when and where incoming calls are coming from
  • Extensions: for different offices or departments
  • Call transfer: the ability to transfer to different offices and departments
  • Interactive voice response (IVR): to welcome and direct callers through a series of menus.

Outbound calling technology includes:

  • Outbound calling with customizable caller ID: to call clients with a caller ID of a virtual number purchased for a specific location
  • Dialers: predictive or automatic dialing technology
  • Outbound IVR: proactively engage customers through voice calls, SMS or email, and by delivering personalized customer experience
  • Customer relationship management (CRM) systems: to record and note customer data and engagement.

Assisting and Empowering Call-Focused Businesses

Inbound and outbound calling can enhance the way your company interacts with returning and prospective customers. You can outsource your business communication needs to inbound or outbound call centers. Or, purchase your business number with Global Call Forwarding and get communication tools and features that support your calls. Call us today to learn more.

Building Credibility with Professional Toll Free Numbers

13th January 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

If there’s one thing that new businesses need when they enter the market place, it is the credibility to attract customers. And there’s no better way to do so than with the help of professional toll free numbers from Global Call Forwarding. In this article, we will explore a number of ways that professional toll free numbers build credibility with customers around the world.

Getting Professional Toll Free Numbers

Think about the last time you contacted a high-level organization, like a government organization, non-profit, or multinational corporation. Or, what about a high-volume business, like law firms and large retailers? Chances are that in each case, those entities offered a toll free number to the public to enable communication that would otherwise be pricey – or impossible.

As you may be aware, toll free numbers help accommodate the broadest audience for your business by picking up the charges that would normally be incurred by the caller. Instead, your business foots the bill to enable all callers to reach your business. By offering this service, your business gains an edge over lesser organizations that demand more out of prospective customers. Even subconsciously, customers immediately appreciate a business that makes it problem-free to contact them.

Geographical Agnosticism

One way to build credibility is to have a national presence instead of being tied down to a specific area code. With toll free numbers, your organization’s toll free numbers help to create something called “geographical agnosticism.” This component enables your business to gain a professional sheen that automatically implies that your organization has the capabilities to handle inbound calls from nearly anywhere.

And because most toll free numbers are national, geographical agnosticism can help obscure where your business is calling from, particularly if it is located in a less-favorable location or one not known to carry the same weight as major cities.

Accommodating International Customers

One particular challenge that comes with offering toll free phone numbers is that international callers are not able to receive these benefits when dialing a phone number located outside of their country and/or numbering plan. Instead, these callers are saddled with long-distance fees, saddled with the chore of dialing outside of their country, and may not be able to complete the call depending on their telecom service providers’ requirements. This can reduce credibility in the eyes of international markets and may render your efforts useless. Is there a better way to guarantee ease of communication?

Yes, there is. Luckily, with the help of Global Call Forwarding’s services, you can use two forms of toll free numbers that help bridge the gap: ITFS numbers and UIFNs (International Toll Free Numbers and Universal International Freephone Numbers, respectively). Both types of toll free numbers enable international callers to reach your business without incurring charges or service blockages. In most cases, these phone numbers match the area code and remaining digits identical to “normal” toll free numbers that those customers are already used to, which is something your international callers will certainly appreciate.

Professional with Toll Free Numbers Customer Service Directory
Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100077897772

Adding Professional Toll Free Numbers Directories to Your Business

Going back to our first example, another component you’ve probably encountered with large, high-volume organizations is first encounters a directory that allows you to self-select which person and/or department you’d wish to speak with, as well as provide information relevant to your inquiry (i.e store hours, frequently asked information, voicemail services, staff list, etc.). One common form of directory available from Global Call Forwarding is called Interactive Voice Response (IVR), which uses spoken voice commands to navigate through your company’s directory, which can reduce the hassle of constantly dialing numbers to navigate (or eventually dialing ‘0’ to reach an operator to guide you, if available).

Global Call Forwarding also offers PBX services, which is short for “Private Branch Exchange.” Essentially, by using a PBX, you can expand one phone number into many sub-directories for callers to reach various departments and staff members, usually by dialing * and the appropriate digits. Callers appreciate this and it helps build professional credibility, particularly when multiple calls need to be made quickly and directly.

Better Functionalities with Add-ons from Global Call Forwarding

Because modern professional toll free phone numbers are powered by cloud computing (supplanting the limitation of landlines), there is a host of new advancements that can be added to regular phone service to augment how your business operates. Let’s cover a brief list of some of the most popular add-ons to build credibility:

CallMe Click: As the name implies, when you use CallMe Click, a visitor to your website can initialize a call from their device to reach your business with a simple click. This makes contacting your business more instantaneous instead of having the customer dial the number manually. This allows for fast action, allowing for almost-instant connection with a customer, and wasting no time.

Time of Day Routing: This add-on enables inbound calls to be routed to a specific destination depending on when a call is placed. For instance, if callers reach your business outside of regular business hours, those calls can be forwarded to another destination, such as a call center in a favorable time zone or voicemail.

Call Recording: This add-on records and stores calls made between your phone number and the public. By using call recording, you can more adequately assess if your staff is following company protocol to establish the best customer service possible and follow best-practices – a crucial component to building credibility.

888 Meaning and How To Get an 888 Number

13th January 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Are you seeing the 888 phone number everywhere and wondering what it stands for? You’ll notice these numbers on billboards, ads, company contact details, and more. 888 numbers are toll free numbers used by businesses. You can get toll free numbers such as 888 numbers with Global Call Forwarding. In this post, we will talk about:

  1. 888 meaning
  2. Benefits of an an 888 number
  3. How to get an 888 toll free number.

What is an 888 Phone Number?

When you type in “888 meaning” in Google, most search results will give you information about the spiritual meaning behind the 888 number. However, 888 numbers are also phone numbers used by businesses and corporations to correspond with their clients and customers.

The internet is filled with people wondering, is 888 a toll free number? Yes, the 888 number is a toll free code. And these numbers work just like 1-800 toll free numbers. Toll free numbers are numbers beginning with a three-digit toll free prefix. Prefixes currently available are: 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 887, and 888. These numbers are preferred by businesses and their customers alike because calls made to toll free numbers charge the receiver and not the caller. Therefore, calling an 888 number is almost free for anyone calling. In cases of providers that offer text-enabled numbers, customers can also send and receive texts from toll free numbers.

Get an 800 number

Benefits of Using 888 Numbers

An 888 phone number can greatly boost the number of customer calls your business receives. This is because these numbers are free for US customers to call from within the US. Customers can call 888 toll free numbers free of cost while the call is forwarded to your business office. You can forward these calls to any location or device, wherever your sales and customer service teams reside. Help your customers reach your business easily when you get an 888 number.

How to Get an 888 Number for Your Business

You can get 888 numbers easily. These use voice over internet protocol (VoIP) systems to route calls over the internet. This is good for companies that have international clients or want to expand their business to neighboring cities and states. Calls made over an internet connection are much cheaper than through traditional phone lines, making them a viable option. So, how can you get an 888 phone number for your business? Here’s the process.

1) Find a Provider

The first step to getting an 888 phone number is researching various providers. A virtual phone number can give you added benefits and features that work over the internet, making sure you are always connected. So, you may also want to consider getting a virtual 888 number. Browse through a variety of plans available and see what rates work for you. Most rates are based on the number of minutes used or the number of users.

Global Call Forwarding has five 888 number plans: Basic, Value, Power, Premium, and Enterprise. And they are all based on the number of calling minutes you may need. We also offer a Rollover Minutes feature which lets you accumulate unused minutes and carry them forward to the next month. We recommend Global Call Forwarding for virtual toll free numbers because we have a plan for businesses of every size. And setting up your 888 number with Global Call Forwarding is quick and easy.

2) Choose Additional Features

Another thing to consider when selecting a provider is the kind of features they offer. For example, do you need features like call forwarding and call transfer? Does your company have international offices and therefore, do you need to route calls to alternate numbers during certain times of day to ensure no call is missed? Then, features like Simultaneous Ring, Time of Day Routing, etc can be very helpful. Additionally, if you want your company to seem professional to callers, setting up an interactive voice response (IVR) system may be a good idea. This will greet callers and direct them through a menu of options.

These aside, you can add additional benefits that you require such as our Hosted Call Recording feature or more. So, it is important to consider what providers can offer you and how these features can be customized for your specific needs.

3) Consider Making it a Vanity Number

Depending on the type of business you are running, you may want to consider making your 888 number a vanity number. Vanity numbers are unique and attractive numbers that utilize patterns or letters to make a statement. For example, 888-FLOWERS or 888-222-2224. Vanity numbers are easy to identify and remember which makes them a good marketing tool to have.

Get an 888 Number to Improve Business Communications

Improve your business communications by getting an 888 number with Global Call Forwarding today! Or call us at 1-(888)-908-6171 or chat with us through our website to learn more.

Appointment Setter Mistakes and How To Fix Them

9th January 2020 blog, Business Insights

The job of an appointment setter or call center agent is to call leads and make appointments or sales. Call center agents make multiple calls a day, promote the product, and work hard to generate a sale or appointment. But getting a customer to answer the phone and then stay on the line is a rather difficult job.

Common Mistakes and Solutions to Fix Them

Appointment setters and agents experience great pressure to make sales, as their commissions depend on it. However, you can prepare in advance to decrease the pressure and become a more efficient agent. It is, therefore, essential to be aware of common errors and solutions to fix them. Here are some of the most common ways to perform at the highest level, to achieve the most of your efforts as an appointment setter.

Calling Unqualified Leads

Call center agents and appointment setters may frequently call people that do not match the target audience or ideal customer. These leads are unqualified and they are less-influential prospects.

Fix: Identifying good potential leads helps with time-saving measures. One way to ensure you are calling the right leads is to conduct call center quality assurance (QA). Call center QA will help you identify customer data and create a precise buyer persona. This way, you can focus on contacting the most viable customers.

Straying Away from the Script

Customer service agents may slip away from the script when trying to connect and empathize with a customer. This may lead to a longer and less productive call.

Fix: Sticking to the script and promptly answering queries will demonstrate your qualifications to sell this product or service. It will also demonstrate that you are respectful of your customer’s time.

Ignoring Customer Concerns

Every once in awhile, a customer may ask a question that you’re not qualified to answer. Ignoring the query and moving on with the script will put your customer off, making them less likely to consider your product.

Fix: When this happens, do not ignore the query and move on with your script. Instead, let the customer know that you will find the appropriate response for them and follow up. It will also allow you to answer any other queries or concerns causing hesitancy. Adopt active listening, maintain clear communication, answer any doubts, and deliver unwavering courtesy and respect. If you want to learn more, check out these practical tips we wrote on how to be a good customer service agent.

Disregarding Customer Feedback

Customer feedback is very important. This is where you can identify where you are gaining and losing customers, while also identifying their preferences. This helps when incorporating changes and makes your company more approachable to your target consumer. Not providing customer feedback tools such as surveys or forms, or ignoring feedback received can negatively affect your business.

Fix: Adopt good customer relationship management (CRM) to enable healthy customer interaction. An appointment setter or agent needs to update CRM records. Make notes after a call that can be used as a reference later. Coordinate with marketing teams for information about prospective clients or customers who have previously interacted with your brand.

Mishandling Objections and Rejections

Consumers are often busy and do not have time to answer or indulge in your call. Not being prepared with the right rebuttal may result in the loss of a potential lead.

Fix: Prepare yourself ahead of time with rebuttals. Let your customers know that you are aware that their time is valuable. Tell them that you would like to make an appointment when they are available. They should know that their convenience is a priority. If a customer declines or rejects your service, politely request why or how you could do better. This information is very valuable for CRM records.

Reaching Out During Business Hours Only

Calls during business hours, when a potential customer is neck-deep in their responsibilities, are more likely to go unanswered. As an appointment setter, you need your lead to do more than just answer the phone. It is ideal if they are truly paying attention to what you have to offer. For this reason, calling during business-hours-only is not always productive.

Fix: Call during off-hours as well. This includes early morning or late evening calls, and because they are acutely-timed, they are more successful. Communicating via different media channels can also have a higher response rate. Sending emails and texts gives your clients more time to respond with well-thought-out answers.

Closing: Make Customer Interaction a Priority

Calling customers and leads may prove an exhausting and disappointing job when customer interaction is awkward or error-filled. Keeping just a few things in mind and maintaining a good attitude can go a long way. Global Call Forwarding provides virtual call center solutions to help you maximize your outreach efforts. One option is to have a virtual office, which will allow you to have agents available online at all times of the day. This way, your company is reachable to international customers as well. Sign up for outbound calling for your call center today.

Start Calling With Your Wireless VoIP Phone: Set Up With Global Call Forwarding

9th January 2020 blog, Cloud Telephony

So, you’ve given in to peer pressure and decided to switch to VoIP for more flexible and easy communication. But now you need help setting up your wireless VoIP phone. Global Call Forwarding makes it easy to prepare your phone for incoming and outgoing calls.

Wireless VoIP Phone Systems: Why You Need Them

A voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system allows you to make and receive calls over the internet. Because of this, you don’t need to pay traditional phone line charges or exorbitant long-distance calling fees. You only pay what you sign up for with your virtual phone service provider.

Setting up your wireless VoIP phone with Global Call Forwarding’s service is simple and easy to do. There are different applications you can use that are compatible with our service. Now, since VoIP systems work over the internet, you can use any device to make and receive your calls. For example, you can use your smartphone, laptop, iPad, tablet, or a desk phone. On our Outbound Calling instructions page, you will be prompted to choose between ‘Computer’ and ‘Phone.’ We’ll have a look at how to set up your VoIP on your smartphone.

Wireless VoIP Phone: Android and iOS

To make any of these apps work in configuration with your Global Call Forwarding service, you will need the following information: PIN number, Password, and Domain.

To locate the PIN number for your account:

  • Log into the Global Call Forwarding Control Panel.
  • On the left side, under Account Overview, select Outbound Calling.
  • In the first column, you will see your PIN number.
  • Then, on the right side, click on the Tools icon.
  • A pop-up will appear. Scroll down to Password.
  • Make a note of the PIN number and Password.
  • The domain associated with Global Call Forwarding is mysipaccount.net.

VoIP for Android

If you want to use your VoIP service over your Android phone, select ‘Phone’ from the outbound instructions page. Then, select ‘Android’ from the next dropdown menu. Then, you will have three software/apps to choose from: Zoiper, Grandstream, and CSipSimple. You can also download any of these apps from the Play Store app. After installing any one of the apps, open it and follow the prompts. Add an account by clicking the ‘+’ button, and click on Advanced Settings, if applicable. Next, enter your PIN number (under SIP username, ID, or authentication ID). Then, enter the password and domain, and you should be all set. Once the account is registered, start making calls with your wireless VoIP phone.

VoIP for iOS

Now, if you want to use our VoIP service on your iPhone or iPad, select ‘Phone’ and then iOS (Apple) from the instructions page. You will then be able to choose from Zoiper and Acrobits. These apps can also be found in the Apple Store as well. Install any one app, open it, and follow the prompts like you would for the Android phone. Add a new account and enter your PIN number, password, and domain. This will set your iPhone as a wireless VoIP phone.

Turning Your Laptop into a Wireless VoIP Device

Global Call Forwarding also gives you the option to convert your laptop or home computer into a wireless VoIP phone. On selecting ‘Computer’ from the Outbound Calling instructions page, you can select your operating system (OS): Windows and Mac. And then, download the appropriate software on your desktop to use our service. This way, you can make and receive business calls on your laptop, while multitasking and making call notes. This is a common practice for virtual call centers. Additionally, remote employees find this useful as well, since they need just one device to get all their work and calls done.

VoIP, a Virtual Communication Solution

Having mobile VoIP gives you many additional benefits that improve your communications: good call quality, call connection, group and video chats, and call conferencing. By converting your regular phone or computer to a wireless VoIP phone, you can make calls from just about anywhere. All you need is to set the software up once and then use a good internet connection. VoIP is a convenient and dependable way to ensure you are always accessible, even during international travel. Get equipped with a virtual phone system with Global Call Forwarding today and always stay connected!

What is an ITFS Number and How Does it Work?

8th January 2020 blog, Cloud Telephony

What is an ITFS Number?

An ITFS Number is an international toll free number that can be called with no charge to the person making the call. ITFS stands for International Toll Free Service. These phone numbers enable callers from a certain country to dial a number in a different country without a long-distance charge.

How Does an ITFS Number Work?

While the person making the call does not incur any charge, the person or business that subscribes to the international toll free service gets billed for incoming call activity.

An ITFS number works by forwarding incoming calls internationally. Calls made to an ITFS number can be delivered to other countries using public switched telephone networks (PSTN) or Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

International toll free service is particularly useful for customer support and sales in other countries. Let’s assume that a business located in the United States has customers in China. That business would get a China ITFS number. Customers in China could dial the number for free and those calls could be answered in the United States or anywhere else in the world!

Get ITFS numbers

International Toll Free Service versus Direct Inward Dial

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) is a telephone service that enables incoming calls to ring through to a specific phone instead of going to a menu. ITFS also enables incoming calls to bypass a menu and go directly to a phone.

However, the calling party is usually charged a local fee when calling a DID number. Calls to an ITFS number, on the other hand, are completely free of charge.

ITFS Format

The format of ITFS numbers signals to callers that the phone number can be dialed for free. Depending on the country of origination, international toll free service numbers usually start with 800, 0800, or 1800.

International Toll Free Service Around the World

ITFS is available from more than 160 countries around the world. However, the format of the numbers and overall perception can vary across different countries.

United States

For a foreign company wishing to establish a virtual market presence in the United States, the world’s largest economy, a US ITFS number is essential to your success. An ITFS number gives domestic callers access to your company. It allows customers in the United States to reach your foreign offices and virtual call centers at no cost to the customer. Prospective customers and business contacts are more likely to reach out to your company if the call is free.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a major participant in global business, and is a politically authoritative and economically dominant country. Therefore, companies would do well to establish a virtual presence there. Businesses in any country can establish a virtual presence in the UK with an ITFS number. The company simply needs to buy a UK toll free number and forward the calls to the intended destination, anywhere in the world.

Toll free prefixes in the UK include 0800 and 0808, and 0500 (decommissioned in 2017). Toll free numbers are free to call from within the UK. But the cost of calls to the toll free subscriber is dependent upon the international destination. For example, the cost of calls to a business located in the USA differs from calls made to a virtual call center in India.

Germany

Telephone numbers in Germany are confusing because they vary in length. They contain both geographical and non-geographical codes. Cities with larger populations have shorter numbers. Older telephone numbers are also shorter. Therefore, if your company subscribes to a Germany ITFS number, callers in Germany can reach you with ease. The caller can simply dial a toll free number, and not an international dialing code plus an area code, while also paying for the call.

China

China has a population of more than 1.4 billion people. Even the smallest company can gain access to this enormous consumer market, and project an international image in China with an ITFS number. The company simply needs to sign up for an international call forwarding service from China with an ITFS number. This will help the company grow its virtual business presence in China, and enable the firm to compete with large multinational organizations.

A China ITFS number will forward calls from China to a destination anywhere in the world. Call quality is important, and subscribers should look for a service provider that uses Tier 1 network carriers to forward calls from China.

UAE

The UAE is a rapidly emerging market and business center in Western Asia. GCF provides ITFS numbers for the UAE as either 800 plus 6-digit toll free numbers or local numbers with a +971 area code. These numbers allow foreign businesses to establish a virtual business presence in the UAE region. Many businesses have both UAE toll free numbers and local numbers to provide toll free call forwarding to their customers.

If you have these numbers, consider utilizing attendants who are fluent in local dialects and languages. Because of time-zone differences, subscribers should consider setting up a free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system that allows a computer greeting system to receive incoming calls from UAE and route them to the appropriate destination based on voice or keypad commands. By using IVR, your customers will appreciate you having gone out of your way to serve them.

India

India is one of the largest countries in the world and many Indian customers transact with foreign businesses. However, businesses extend their reach in India by subscribing to an India ITFS number. An India toll free number gives customers in India a free way to call your business, and will encourage prospects and business contacts to reach out. A toll free forwarding service can be used to route calls from India to your business anywhere in the world.

Related: Toll-Free 2-Way Voice

Get ITFS Numbers

Your business can get multiple ITFS numbers to communicate effectively with customers around the world. You can quickly sign up online and activate your number within minutes! Browse through our online inventory or call us to learn more!