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Business Phone Numbers

Learn what to keep in mind with business phone number types and phone etiquette to global expansion best practices.
An image showing international phone calls being made from your web browser.
12th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

3 Ways to Make International Calls from your Browser

consider 1 800 numbers
6th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

5 Things You Need to Consider Before Getting a 1800 number

Australia-1800 vs 1300 numbers
17th April 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

1800 Australia Toll Free Numbers vs 1300 Australia Phone Numbers

how to find right toll free provider
26th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

How to Find the Right Toll Free Number Provider?

Mobile vs Local Phone Numbers
11th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Mobile vs Local Phone Numbers

Fingers dialing a number on a deskphone
5th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

How to Dial a UIFN Number

Cisco IP Phone
4th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Using Virtual Telephone Numbers With My Cisco Phone System

A comparison of local versus toll free numbers.
2nd March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

What is the Difference Between Toll Free and Local Phone Numbers?

business-phone numbers with extensions
17th February 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Infographic: Must-Know Facts About Business Phone Calls

3 Ways to Make International Calls from your Browser

12th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

With advancements in cloud communications, connecting with international business contacts and customers is easier than ever. You can now initiate and answer international calls from your computer set-up anywhere in the world using only a reliable internet connection. Here, we will discuss how you can make international calls from your web browser.

How to Make a Phone Call from Your Web Browser

The best way to make a phone call from your browser is with international VoIP. This is a technology that converts your voice into a digital signal that travels over the internet. Most VoIP services will enable you to call anyone who has a phone number – even local, mobile, and long-distance international destinations.

The three most common solutions are Voice over IP software, a web phone, browser extensions, and international callback.

1. Voice Over IP Software

Voice over IP is the most commonly used communication technology to make international calls over the internet. This is because it is much more cost-effective than using a landline. Furthermore, some providers offer virtual features and services that are not available with traditional landlines.

To use VoIP effectively, a broadband (high-speed) internet connection is required, either through a cable modem or other high-speed services such as DSL. The strength of your internet connection will determine the effectiveness of this solution.

In addition, you will need Voice over IP software and an inexpensive microphone. VoIP software usually costs around $25 to $50 per month, depending on the provider. With good and reliable software, it’s easy to make international calls.

Calls can be made through the VoIP service directly, or the service can be integrated to make and receive calls through a CRM or help desk software.

Learn how to make international phone calls from a web browser.

2. Web Phone Dialer or Softphone

A web dialer enables users to make international calls over the internet. It operates largely like a traditional telephone on your computer, where you enter a phone number on a dial pad to initiate a call.

To make browser calls from a web phone dialer, log in to the service provider’s website with your username/PIN and password. After logging in, you have access to a dialer interface. This enables you to make international calls directly from your browser.

Similarly, a Softphone will enable international calling from a computer. Users will need to download an application on their computer and enter their credentials. Upon successful registration, they’ll be able to start making calls. However, you can consider Softphones to be native applications while web dialers work over web browsers.

Web dialers and Softphones will often offer features such as call transfer, call history, and other functionality to improve your international calling experience.

3. Browser Extensions

Some providers offer international calling through click-to-call Chrome extensions that enable you to dial a number from any webpage just by clicking on the phone number. In our experience, we highly recommend using click-to-call to make international calls from a web browser. Companies can enhance the online experiences of their agents using browser extensions.

Honorable Mention: International Callback

International callback is our top recommended way to make international calls if you don’t have a stable high-speed internet connection or if you are in one of the countries where VoIP is prohibited. Callback uses third-party countries, like the United States, to enable low-cost international calls.

Make International Calls Online

These solutions make it possible for businesses to make international calls online. Stay connected with your customers and contacts no matter where they are located.

To call internationally from a computer, businesses only need a stable internet connection and Voice over IP software. If you want to make international calls from your browser, follow the tips in this article. For more information, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171 and talk to an expert.

5 Things You Need to Consider Before Getting a 1800 number

6th May 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Getting 1800 numbers for your business is a big decision. One that needs to be deliberated over, researched, and thoroughly understood. Here we will go over some important factors to consider before getting a 1800 number for your business.

Which is the Best 1800 Number Service?

Finding the right toll free number provider can be a difficult task, especially when you do not know what to look for. The ideal provider offers you the perfect feature set with a budget that fits your pocket. This feature set should include services and tools needed to make your business communications better. This could include anything ranging from IVR, call recording, outbound calling tools such as a web dialer, etc.

While these are the most common aspects to consider, the following article will discuss the five main factors to keep in mind before getting a 1800 number service.

1. Number Prefix

The 1800 number prefix is a common and popular toll free number prefix. This means that it may not always be easy to purchase. Before settling on a provider, check with their customer support to ensure they have 1800 numbers available for your needs.

1800 are popular because they are the original toll free numbers. Prefixes such as 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888 followed once 800 numbers became exhausted. Callers generally associated 1800 numbers with large and professional corporations and therefore these numbers are in high demand as business numbers. They can add credibility and professionalism to a business’s image.

2. Amount of Call Traffic

1800 toll free numbers do not the callers anything; they don’t get charged for the calls. Instead, the receiver (that is, the business) incurs the charges. This helps your business build and manage high call traffic. Whether it is for customer service or to make a purchase/appointment, interested and returning customers can quickly connect with your business for free.

1800 numbers are known to increase call traffic by creating a free channel of communication for interested callers. Giving this opportunity to your customers shows them that you are determined to make caller experience better. And by extension, that you care about and value their business.

3. Destination / Number of Operators

Where do you want your calls to be forwarded to? And how many operators will these calls be directed to? Calls made to virtual 1800 numbers can be forwarded to select predetermined destination numbers. This way, when calls come in, they will go where you want them to; to your head office or a remote call center.

You can also have calls routed based on where a call is coming from or based on time. For example, off- or after-hours calls can be directed to an office in a different timezone. You can also have multiple destination lines so that incoming calls ring on multiple numbers or phones. This way, no call goes unanswered or missed. Before you purchase your 1800 number, consider and map out how you want your calls forwarded.

4. Length of Contract

Another important aspect to note is whether you want a contract with your provider. Some virtual toll free number providers offer one- or two-year-long contracts that are not easy to get out of. Part of signing up for their service is agreeing to use it for a set amount of time. If you are certain of this provider’s credibility and reliability, then this may be a safe choice.

However, it is also a good idea to sign up with a provider that has no contracts or long-term commitments, in case you want to change or cancel your plan. Global Call Forwarding, for example, has no contracts or long-term commitments. We hope that our high-quality service keeps our customers coming back for more.

5. Reliability of Provider

Finally, it is important to determine the provider’s reliability and credibility. How long have they been doing business? What are their customers or clients saying about the service? What features and services are they offering and are these up to date? The longer a provider has been in this business, the better they understand a company’s communication needs and will serve you better.

Purchasing 1800 Numbers

Feeling more confident about buying 1800 numbers for your business? Start by researching various toll free number providers. Global Call Forwarding offers virtual business numbers for more than 160 countries across the world. We offer local, international, and toll free numbers. Get your 1800 number with Global Call Forwarding today. For more information, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171 to speak with an expert.

1800 Australia Toll Free Numbers vs 1300 Australia Phone Numbers

17th April 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

What’s the difference between 1300 Australia phone numbers and 1800 Australia toll free numbers? When considering an Australian business number, it is important that you select the right one for your business. Here we will look at 1300 vs 1800 Australia numbers so that you can make an informed decision.

Australian Business Phone Numbers

Both 1800 and 1300 are Australia business numbers that businesses can use to connect with Australian customers and business contacts. These virtual numbers come with the same features and functions to support a business’ communication requirements. They are portable, making them usable nationwide. That is, they are not restricted to any specific geographical area within the country.

The main difference that separates these two Australian number types is in the call costs, for the caller and the receiver. In other words, the charges of the call for the caller (the customer) and the receiver (the business).

1300 Australia Phone Numbers

1300 Australia numbers are also called Local Rate or local numbers. Callers calling a 1300 number incur the cost of a local call. Furthermore, if called from a mobile or smartphone, then the calling charges may be even more, depending on the mobile and carrier companies.

The receiver, the business, or the 1300 number account holder, also incurs charges for these calls. That charge is based on where the call originates from. However, because the caller pays for these calls as well, the charges are lower for the receiver.

1800 Australia Toll Free Numbers

Calling 1800 Australia toll free numbers, on the other hand, is free for callers, irrespective of whether they are calling from a landline or mobile phone. These numbers also go by the name Free Call or Toll Free numbers.

Similar to the 1300 numbers, the receiver of the 1800 Australia toll free numbers incurs charges for these calls. This charge, similarly, depends on where the call is being made from. However, since the caller pays nothing for these calls, all of the charges fall on the receiver.

Which is More in Demand?

There has been significant competition between the two types of Australian phone numbers due to availability and cost. However, Australia toll free numbers were not as preferred because they were more expensive. Fortunately, with the rise of cloud communication and virtual phone service providers like Global Call Forwarding, 1800 numbers have become more affordable. This means that businesses can provide their Australian clients a free way to connect with them without having to pay exorbitant fees.

Furthermore, if you get Australia toll free numbers from a virtual service provider that routes calls using an international toll free service, then you will be saving more money. This is because using this service means routing calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. This means that you can forward incoming calls to any number of your choice, anywhere in the world, as long as it is connected to a reliable internet connection. And so, businesses outside of Australia can also connect with and sell to Australian customers and clients through their toll free number.

Australia Toll Free Numbers with Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding offers Australia toll free numbers to businesses in and outside of Australia. Our Australia virtual number plans come with various virtual communication features and tools to enhance the way your business interacts with its customers:

  • Call recording
  • Call forwarding and routing options
  • Outbound calling (customizable caller ID)
  • Unlimited extensions
  • Interactive voice response (IVR system)
  • Local and toll free numbers, and more.

To learn more about Australia business numbers or to sign up for Australia toll free numbers, contact us at 1 (888) 908 6171.

How to Find the Right Toll Free Number Provider?

26th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Choosing the right toll-free number provider can be a daunting task. Learn what toll-free numbers are, how businesses can use them, and how to find the right provider for your needs here.

Toll-Free Numbers: How to Choose the Right Provider?

Toll-free numbers offered by phone service providers make for an easy and free way for individuals to call a business. This is because calls made to these numbers charge the receiver instead of the caller. Large corporations and established companies will have a toll-free business number as their contact number to encourage interested and recurring customers to connect with them and, by extension, promote sales. You can get a toll-free number for the country you reside in. Calls made to this number from within the country will be toll-free.

Virtual Toll-Free Numbers

Virtual phone number providers, on the other hand, have more toll-free number options. Such cloud-based providers offer numbers with an international toll-free forwarding service. This enables your business to get a toll-free number for different countries spread across the world. Calls made to these numbers then get forwarded through the international forwarding service over the internet and are routed to a number of your choice.

Global Call Forwarding, for instance, offers virtual toll-free numbers for more than 160 countries across the world. For example, your business enterprise is based in London but you have clients and customers in India, Mexico, Canada, the U.S., and the U.A.E. You can get toll-free numbers for these countries, making it free for callers to call your enterprise. Calls are then forwarded to your London office for a cheaper rate than international calls usually charge.

Find the Ideal Feature Set

When thinking about which provider to go ahead with, consider the additional features and tools they offer. For example, do you have multiple offices working in different time zones? Then, you may take advantage of a time-related call forwarding service. Additionally, can your business benefit from tracking incoming calls to study where they are coming from, etc? Then, call logs and activity reports would be helpful. Furthermore, would you like to record business calls to see how employees are doing or to maintain compliance with regulations? And so on.

Global Call Forwarding offers the following features along with each plan:

  • Advanced IVR: automated voice response
  • Black and White Lists: to organize blocked numbers and accepted numbers
  • Call Transfer: manual transferring of calls between different departments
  • Customer Greeting: personalized greetings with company information
  • Dedicated Account Manager: account support to ensure smooth functioning
  • Failover Forwarding: forwarding calls to a set number of lines to ensure no call goes unanswered
  • Fax to Email: receive faxes in email format
  • Local Ringback Tones: plays the signal tone of the destination the phone is ringing in
  • Simultaneous Calling: calls multiple lines and numbers at a time to ensure no call is missed
  • Time of Day Routing: routes calls to different locations or numbers during certain times of the day
  • Voicemail to Email: receive voicemails as MP3 files in your inbox
  • 24/7 Customer Support: to provide support and customer care

And, you can get these additional features:

  • Call Recording Software: record up to 100% of incoming and outgoing calls
  • Rollover Minutes: accumulate unused minutes to be used the next month
  • Inbound SMS Plan: receive texts from customers
  • Outbound Calling: call local and international customers with customizable caller IDs

Research Providers, Reviews Plans

Once you have an idea of what communication features and tools you want from your international toll-free number provider, research different providers and see what they have to offer. Compare prices alongside the quantity and quality of features offered. Most providers have free trials you can use to test the quality of service before you make a commitment. They will also have different plans based on different business types or sizes. This will give you a better understanding of how much time and money you would need to spend on the service per month.

Toll-Free Numbers: Making Communication Easier

Toll-free numbers are often associated with big businesses. Having a toll-free business number will further solidify your company’s professional image. To learn more about toll-free numbers and how Global Call Forwarding can help with your company’s communication system, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171.

Mobile vs Local Phone Numbers

11th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

So, you’re in the market for a new business number and your service provider is throwing terms like “local access number,” “SMS-enabled mobile number” and whatnot at you. How do you decide what is the best option for your company when you do not even understand the different options available? Let us help. Here we will look at the differences between mobile and local phone numbers, in words you will understand.

Mobile vs Local Phone Numbers

So, what is being referred to when virtual phone service providers mention mobile or local phone numbers? Providers offer a variety of phone number types that can be used by different businesses, based on what they need. For example, a local business that just wants to connect with clients and customers within their immediate area can use a regular phone number. On the other hand, companies that want to give their callers a free way to connect with them may choose to buy a toll free phone number. Furthermore, an enterprise with customers all over the world will find that having multiple local numbers for different regions is ideal.

So, what exactly is the difference between local phone numbers and mobile numbers?

Local Phone Numbers: Target Locally and Geographically

Local phone numbers correspond to a particular city or state in a country of your choosing. Local virtual numbers work similarly to regular local numbers and have an area code at the beginning. These numbers are most popular because they are reachable from anywhere in the world and from most mobile networks as well. For example, say, you want to connect with clients in specific cities or states such as New York in the United States, Sydney in Australia, and Dublin in Ireland. All you need to do is purchase local numbers for these areas which come with local area codes.

Global Call Forwarding offers local numbers for many different countries across the world. Corporations that have offices or clients spread across different cities and states prefer buying multiple local phone numbers. This way, they always have a quick method of connecting with business contacts and clients, when needed.

Additionally, customers connecting with these businesses do not need to pay high international charges for their calls. Instead, they pay the regular, local calling charges because the call is going to a local number. That call then gets routed through a forwarding service to reach your business, no matter where it is located.
CSAT cta

Mobile Numbers: To Mobile, or Not to Mobile?

Mobile virtual numbers function similarly to local numbers, that is, they may or may not be bound to a specific geographical location. Calls made to these numbers are not free and depend on where the call is coming from. And these numbers, too, can accept calls from outside the country, making them reachable from anywhere in the world. They begin with a specific number range such as 06 or 07 in France, 07 for the UK, 04 for Australia. The United States, however, does not have a number range.

More importantly, what separates mobile numbers from local phone numbers is that they can be SMS-enabled. For example, Global Call Forwarding offers inbound SMS forwarding. This enables customers to connect with your business through SMS (instant messaging). Your business will receive these incoming texts as emails with the sender’s caller ID. This is yet another easy and convenient way for customers to reach out to a business.

So, Which Does Your Business Need?

Texting and calling are personal and quick ways to connect with a business. As a business that depends highly on customer interaction, you may want to provide as many ways of connecting as possible. SMS, international call routing, callback widgets on your website, live chats, and more can be utilized. The easier you make it for prospects to contact you, the more connections your business will make. Additionally, remaining accessible is key to building confidence and trust in a company. Want to learn more? Call 1 (561) 908-6171

How to Dial a UIFN Number

5th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

So, you’ve purchased a universal toll free number (UIFN) and want to learn how to use it. UIFN numbers are a good resource for businesses looking to expand internationally. But before we discuss how to dial a UIFN number, it is important to understand what such numbers are and how they work.

What are Universal Toll Free Numbers?

Universal International Freephone Numbers, or UIFN are similar to international toll free numbers. They make it free for customers to contact your business, with the added benefit of using the same number in multiple countries. Businesses looking to expand their growth to cover more countries across the world will find a need for a UIFN number.

How this works is that the UIFN number is a unique number that can be reached from any country in the world. And so, instead of advertising multiple contact numbers for each country, you can advertise one universal number that is toll free, no matter where callers are calling from.

Countries Where UIFN Numbers are Available

Now, you can also request a UIFN for the 3 or 4 countries you want to connect with. Say, your business is located in the United States but you want to create a communication channel with Australia, Brazil, France, and Germany. You can request a UIFN for these countries and then add new countries — that is, new markets — while keeping the same number.

Only a limited number of countries participate and work with UIFN numbers but more are being added. UIFN numbers are currently available in up to 62 countries spread across the globe. A few of these are:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Guiana
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Guadeloupe
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Martinique
  • Mayotte
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Reunion
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan

UIFN Calling: Regulations

While UIFN numbers seem like the ideal way to connect with customers across the globe, it is important to keep in mind that there are some regulations and restrictions applied. For example, certain origination countries may impose restrictions on calling abilities and the networks your customers can dial from. Additionally, countries have different prefixes that need to be dialed before dialing the 800 number. Some of the regulations regarding purchasing and dialing UIFN numbers include:

1. The UIFN number needs to be registered in at least two countries.
2. These numbers require a one-time set-up fee.
3. The number needs to be activated for inbound calls from at least two country codes within 180 days.
4. A different format is needed to dial UIFN. Customers will have to include a country code or international access code as a prefix at the beginning of the 800 number.

Sign Up For UIFN

How to Dial a UIFN Number?

Now that you have a better understanding of how UIFN numbers work, let’s look at how to dial a UIFN number. UIFN numbers start with “800,” assigned to them by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). With this, customers from anywhere in the world can dial and call a UIFN number without being charged for the call. However, the format varies depending on which country is being called. The format generally is:

International access code (IAC) + 800 + 8-digit UIFN

And so, to successfully dial a UIFN number, customers need to know the appropriate international access code. Then, they can add 800 and dial the rest of your UIFN number. Always confirm with your provider what your customers will need to dial to reach you.

Now you know how to dial a UIFN number. But, as you can see, the process can be slightly complicated. Additionally, when dialing, customers may not recognize this number as a toll free number. They are typically more accustomed to 800 numbers or their national toll free number formats.

Universal Coverage with UIFN Numbers

If you want to expand your business globally and work with customers from different countries, then request a UIFN number.

For more global access with a single toll-free number, you may be interested in our Toll Free FlexDial solution — a popular UIFN alternative. Browse our FlexDial prices or reach out to a team member to learn more.

Using Virtual Telephone Numbers With My Cisco Phone System

4th March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Cloud communication is the future. Making calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines can increase efficiency and reduce costs. To set a VoIP office system, you will need a VoIP service provider offering virtual numbers as well as an IP phone or a softphone to make calls from. Here, we will look at how to use virtual telephone numbers with Cisco phone systems

Cisco Phone System: An IP Solution

Cisco is a telecom company offering a variety of phone products and software to enable better communications. Paired with virtual numbers from Global Call Forwarding, you can build a strong office phone system that will support your internal and external communications. So, how do you use virtual numbers and VoIP service with your Cisco phone system?

Purchase Virtual Numbers

To use virtual numbers through your Cisco phone system, first purchase virtual telephone numbers from Global Call Forwarding. We offer toll free, local, and international toll free numbers for more than 160 countries across the world. You can get one or multiple numbers as you see fit.

To purchase numbers:

  1. Sign up for a new number on our homepage.
  2. Under “Select Your New Phone Number,” enter the necessary information for the new number you desire.
  3. Then, on the right, enter the destination number. This is where you want incoming calls to be forwarded.
  4. View rates and select one that is suitable for you.
  5. Add additional communication features such as Call Recording software and Outbound Calling.
  6. Complete your purchase and activate your number(s).

Make a Note of your SIP Information

Once your numbers are ready to be used, you will need to locate your SIP information to use later for configuration purposes. You will need certain information such as your SIP PIN number, the password, and the domain.

To locate the PIN number for your account:

  1. Log into the Global Call Forwarding control panel.
  2. Under Account Overview, select Outbound Calling.
  3. In the first column, locate your PIN number.
  4. Then, navigate to the right side and click on the Tools icon.
  5. A pop-up will appear.
  6. Scroll down to Password.
  7. Now, note your SIP PIN number and Password.
  8. The domain for Global Call Forwarding is mysipaccount.net.

Configure Your Cisco Phone System

A Cisco phone system is a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone system that, once configured, will enable you to make quick and easy calls over the internet. However, it needs to be connected to your VoIP provider first. Begin by setting up your device:

  1. Remove device materials out of the packing box.
  2. Connect the main desk phone to the handset by connecting its coiled cord to the “Handset” port on the backside of the desk phone.
  3. Then, connect the desk phone and the internet. Plug one end of the ethernet cable into the “LAN” port of your desk phone and the other into a port on your internet modem.
  4. Now, your phone is powered on and connected to the network.

The next step is to locate the phone’s IP address. This depends on the type of model you have. The most common way to find the IP address is through the Network configuration menu within the Setup menu on the phone.

Now, type this IP address into your internet browser and it should open up a Cisco webpage. Here, enter your Cisco login information. Check the documents included with the phone for the login and password. Contact the seller, if you cannot find the necessary information.

Once logged in, navigate to Basic settings and under Voice > Ext 1, enter your SIP PIN, password, and domain/proxy. On saving, your phone should now be compatible with your VoIP provider.

Using VoIP with Cisco Phone Systems

As you can see, the set up here is pretty easy and straightforward. Once you have everything ready to go, you can make high profile calls with high call quality and reliability. Build your IP office system and watch it increase efficiency and manage calls better.

What is the Difference Between Toll Free and Local Phone Numbers?

2nd March 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Are you in the market for a business phone number but cannot decide between local and toll-free numbers? Selecting the right phone number type is crucial for your company’s communication strategy.

Whether you are a startup, a local business, or a large multinational corporation, choosing between a local phone number and a toll-free number will impact customer engagement and your brand image.

This guide will help you understand the key differences between these two types of numbers and why you might choose one over the other based on your business needs.

Local Phone Numbers vs. Toll-Free Numbers

Due to technological advancements, you now have more business telephone number options than ever before. Both local and toll-free phone numbers have unique benefits that suit different business strategies and use cases. Before you start, you should consider how the benefits of each number type support your business use case.

Why do Businesses Use Local Phone Numbers?

Local phone numbers correspond with a specific geographic location or city. These numbers have a designated area code for the city, town, or state they are issued in, such as 786 or 305 for Miami and 204 for London. Local numbers are beneficial for:

  • Establishing a local presence: They signal to partners and consumers that your business is part of their local community.
  • Enhancing local SEO: Local numbers improve your chances of appearing in and being contacted through local searches.
  • Building business relationships: Outbound calls are more likely to be answered because these numbers foster trust with local clientele.
  • Increased engagement: Customers and prospects are more likely to call a local phone number than an international one from another country.
  • Targeting specific markets: With virtual numbers, you can have multiple local numbers for different regions from one central location.
  • International reachability: Local numbers can be dialed from within the country and from other countries.

Calls made to these numbers are not free. Callers pay what their provider charges for local calls. However, people in-country can still contact your business to resolve their concerns over the phone without paying international calling charges. Local geographic numbers can also receive calls from outside the country and across mobile networks.

Thanks to its accessibility from in-country and abroad, a local phone number can be a local and regional contact number. And you can have one without physically expanding to another city and opening a local office. You can target different markets from one central location if you buy local phone numbers in other cities and countries. In this article, you can learn about using local numbers to establish a virtual business presence.

What Can Toll-Free Numbers Do for Businesses?

Toll-free numbers are not tied to specific local areas. They allow callers to reach your business without incurring charges. The business bears the cost of the calls, making toll-free numbers a suitable option for:

  • National reachability: They are ideal for businesses expanding to specific countries or servicing employees and customers in other countries.
  • Professional image: Toll-free numbers, such as 1800, 0800, or 888, are associated with established, customer-focused businesses.
  • Enhanced customer service: They encourage customers and local partners to reach out without concern for call charges.
  • Marketing and brand recall: Toll-free numbers have better brand recognition and are more effective in marketing materials.

While using toll-free numbers might seem obvious, you need to know that they are usually only reachable from in-country. They generally cannot be dialed from other countries, with only a few exceptions, making them a less-than-ideal choice for businesses that need a phone number that can be dialed from multiple different countries.

Does Your Business Need Local or Toll-Free Numbers?

The decision ultimately depends on factors such as your target market, expansion plans, desired brand image, and company documentation.

Local numbers may suit businesses with their sights set on having a hyper-localized brand presence, but their documentation requirements can be stricter. For example, local numbers in certain countries require a preexisting company presence. Toll-free numbers, on the other hand, are better for businesses aiming to project a corporate image to a wider national audience. Documentation requirements are also generally less strict with toll-free numbers than local ones.

Choosing Between Toll-Free and Local Numbers

So, how do you choose which phone number type will better suit your business? There are a few questions to review with stakeholders:

  • How will this phone number be used?

Your business phone number shapes customer expectations and trust. Local numbers create an impression of a community-focused business in a specific locale, while toll-free numbers convey a sense of a larger, more established company.

  • Do you need a local city presence or a wider national reach?

Local phone numbers are tied to specific cities, while toll-free numbers are nationwide. Choose wisely.

  • Does this phone number need to be reachable from other countries?

Toll-free numbers are generally not reachable from other countries, while local phone numbers can be dialed in-country and abroad. Choose a local number option if you need the phone number to be reachable worldwide.

  • Do you have the proper documentation requirements?

Review the country documentation required and learn more about why documentation is required to get a business phone number.

  • What is your budget for IT and telecommunications projects?

Toll-free numbers might have monthly initial costs due to the business bearing call charges, but they can encourage more customer interactions, higher sales volumes, and happier customers. Being more cost-effective, local numbers might be a better choice for smaller businesses with a limited budget focusing on a specific region.

Let Global Call Forwarding Help You Decide

Our team of experienced telecom experts can help you decide whether a toll-free or local number is right for your business. We can also walk you through each phone number type, present a demo, and help you get started with a free trial to test both options.

You can also experiment with both number types. Set up toll-free and local numbers simultaneously, and see which is better for yourself.

Infographic: Must-Know Facts About Business Phone Calls

17th February 2020 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Business communications are an important factor in the successful running of an enterprise. Whether you are using in-house customer care teams or outsourcing to a contact center, how you interact with potential customers can heavily impact your sales. Advancements in telecom technology have paved a way to enhance office productivity and sales with call forwarding, tracking and recording, high call quality, and more. And these tools have made it easier than ever to maintain good customer relations through business calls. Keeping some of the below stats in mind, you can determine what is the best way for your company to connect with users.

Business Calls: Increasing Productivity and Customer Retention

Business dealings consist of internal and external calls. Internal refers to correspondences within the company and its team members. External calls, on the other hand, relate to the incoming and outgoing calls that connect your business to its clients. A good office phone system will ensure the smooth running of all business communication channels. With good call quality and contact tools, you can attract more customers while making yourself always reachable for returning ones.

Reasons Why Business Calls are Still Important

Interestingly, more than 92% of all customer interaction happens on the phone. Convenience and good customer service are strong contributing factors. It is no surprise that individuals find customer care important. A business that is easily reachable increases trust in the eyes of the caller because they know that you can solve an issue quickly, if the need arises. On the other hand, a company that takes the time out to call a user to provide information or assistance can further pique their interest in the service. Welcome and follow-up calls are appreciated because the customer can feel valued and not just treated as another price point.

Another reason why they prefer calling over emailing is that they believe a phone call is the quickest and most effective way to get a response. More than half of website visitors prefer contacting an enterprise through phone calls rather than email or contact forms. Click-to-call ads and call-to-actions which appear on mobile searches have greatly increased this number. Click-to-call options appear on sponsored ads or business listings where they provide a call button. Web visitors can click on these buttons to immediately call the business instead of searching for the number and dialing it in their dial-pad to call.

Tools That Enhance Business Dealings

Virtual phone service providers offer a wide range of tools that can be used and customized to meet your corporation’s needs. You can use call distribution features like Call Forwarding, Simultaneous Ringing, Time of Day Routing to direct calls to different destinations and locations. The point of this is to ensure that if one agent or employee is unable to answer a call, another one can. Additionally, if you have offices spread across states and countries, you can forward calls to those areas during certain hours. Again, this makes sure that if your office is closed or busy, another team can answer calls. The key is to make your business accessible so that customers don’t have trouble reaching you. At the same time, effective call distribution will ensure that your employees are not overwhelmed with overflowing business calls.

You can use tools like Call Recording, Analytics, and Call Tracking to improve and strategize. Recorded calls can help train new employees and act as a refresher for current employees. You can also identify good and weak sales tactics, or conduct performance analyses based on how agents behave on call. Call tracking and analytics can provide insight into important call stats and metrics like:

  • Number of calls occurring over a day, week, or mont
  • Average handle times (AHT)
  • Customer effort score (CES)
  • Average speed of answering (ASA)
  • Queue times
  • Where incoming calls are coming from, etc.

Use this information to retrain agents or streamline marketing efforts, all with the end goal of refining customer relations.

phone call stats
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Make Good and Lasting Connections

Improving your business communications is the first step to attracting new customers and satisfying existing users. Sign up with Global Call Forwarding to take advantage of our virtual phone service tools and features or call us at 1 (888) 908 6171 to learn more.