Home » Archive by category 'How To’s' (Page 2)

5 Toll-Free FlexDial Use Cases

An image of toll-free flexdial use cases.

Well-run businesses understand the importance of communication and accessibility. Whether communicating with customers, leads, or internally with employees, phone calls remain among the most effective ways to exchange information. While …Read More »

The Pros and Cons of Toll-Free FlexDial

The pros and cons of toll-free flexdial.

A quick overview of the pros and cons of Toll-Free FlexDial, a global cloud communications solution. Understanding The Advantages And Disadvantages of FlexDial Toll-Free FlexDial has emerged as a pioneering …Read More »

Mexico Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

An image of Mexico's phone numbers format with an example.

A Mexico phone number serves as a strategic tool for businesses looking to expand into this vibrant market. Thanks to its strategic geographical location, Mexico has the second-largest economy in …Read More »

UK Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

The ultimate guide to UK phone numbers.

The United Kingdom, as the third-largest economy in Europe, boasts a flexible and transparent business market that encourages entrepreneurial growth. It stands as one of the global financial hubs, with …Read More »

Germany Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

Guide to Germany phone numbers.

A Germany phone number is a crucial asset for businesses aiming to establish a presence in one of Europe’s economic powerhouses. The country boasts the fourth-largest economy in the world …Read More »

Australia Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

An image of our guide to Australia phone numbers.

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

How To Delete Google Voice Number

Switching to a new phone service and want to get rid of your Google Voice number? It’s absolutely doable but a little complicated. However, by following a few steps you can disable your Voice number and over time the number will get passed on to someone else. So, how to delete a Google Voice number? Read on!

Why Do Users Want To Switch From Google Voice?

Google Voice was launched by Google in 2009 after acquiring GrandCentral, the original owners of the service. Voice is a telecommunications service that works alongside existing phone services as a secondary phone number. It offers additional benefits of voicemail transcription, call forwarding, call screening, and SMS capabilities. You can use this number over different devices including laptops and computers, as this service works through the internet and a web-based application. You can download the Google Voice app from Playstore for Android phones or Apple store for iPhones. To access Voice on your laptop or computer, simply log in through its website.

While Google Voice provides all these useful services, there are a few limitations causing its steady decline. These drawbacks are:

Inability to make emergency calls: Users cannot make or receive emergency calls through their Google Voice number. For example, if a user dials 911, it will appear as an invalid number.

Limited international texting:

Users can send text messages to phone numbers in the U.S. and Canada only but can receive messages from all over the world.

Call screening affecting call forwarding:

Users can set up Google Voice to forward calls from the Voice number to the desired number. However, when forwarding, if the desired number does not answer within 25 seconds, the call is rerouted to Voice’s voicemail system. This is Voice’s screening service where it provides caller information for users to decide if they want to answer or not. So, if the call is not answered in 25 seconds, it is considered unimportant and directed to a virtual voicemail, allowing little time to answer.

Delete a google voice number

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No phone support for customer service:

Lastly, Voice has no direct phone support for customers who have queries or concerns about the service. Users can, however, find help through the Google Voice Help Center FAQ or Google Groups’ Voice forum.

How To Delete Google Voice Number

It is important to note you cannot delete your Google Voice account but you can delete call logs, voicemail, and text messages. If you are certain you don’t want or need a Google Voice number, you can disable Voice and then delete the Google Voice number. Since Voice has many pieces that make it work, you have to disable the different pieces in order to fully disable Voice. Let’s have a further look at how to delete Google Voice Number.

Steps to Delete Your Voice Number

Step 1: On your computer or laptop, go to Google Voice’s website.
Step 2: At the top, click on the ‘Menu’ icon and select ‘Settings.’
Step 3: You will be able to see your Google Voice Number here. Turn off voicemail by clicking on ‘Voicemail’ on the left and unchecking the box to ‘Get Voicemail via Message.’
Step 4: Uncheck other services you wish to stop.
Step 5: Enable Google Voice ‘Do Not Disturb’ on the left to stop calls ringing on your personal phones.
Step 6: Then, click on ‘Account’ on the left.
Step 7: And under your Voice number, click ‘Delete.’
Step 8: Finally to confirm, click ‘Proceed’ and that is how to delete Google Voice number.

Note that after deleting your Voice number, you will have 90 days to recover it. After 90 days, the number will be assigned to someone else. Your Google account will be accessible on the computer so you can listen to past call recordings and voicemails, unless you delete them.

Steps to Delete Your Text, Call Logs, or Voicemail

Note that once you delete texts, call logs, or voicemails, you won’t have access to them again. Additionally, you can only delete text messages one at a time. To delete texts, calls, and voicemails:

Step 1: Open Voice on your computer.
Step 2: Open the tab for ‘Messages,’ ‘Calls,’ or ‘Voicemail.’
Step 3: Select the items you want to remove by pointing your mouse over it and clicking the checkmark sign.
Step 4: Then, after making your selection, click on ‘Delete.’
Step 5: Confirm by clicking ‘Delete’ again.

Looking For A New Virtual Phone Service

In the market for a new virtual phone number for personal use or for your business? Consider Global Call Forwarding for your phone number needs. We have local and toll free numbers in over 150 countries and aim to keep expanding. Give us a call today at 1-(888)-908-6171 or check out our website to see how we can help you with our cloud communications solutions.

How To Make a Private Call

Almost every smartphone can detect who is calling, and more recently landlines have been able to do the same as well. But what if you want to how to make a private call? Is there a way to hide or block your caller ID when making calls? The answer is yes.

“No Caller ID,” “Scam Likely”: What Are Private Calls?

One way to display caller ID is to save contacts of people you know on your device. This usually applies to family and close friends and any other important people or businesses. However, that is not the only way caller IDs work. Most phones will also be able to notify you of the caller’s ID if their business or organization is registered. This way, you almost always know who is calling you. But what of those “No Caller ID,” “Private Number,” or “Scam Likely” calls?

Most phone carriers notify you about potential spam calls by displaying “Scam Likely” when you receive a suspicious call. Android users who have their “Caller ID and Spam Protection” on can see information about callers and business numbers not in their contacts. This is enabled to warn them against potential spam callers. Global Call Forwarding has a feature called “Black and White Lists” which allows you to white list (approve) and black list (block) calls.

However, private calls are made by hiding one’s caller ID. This is when a person or business willingly hides their contact information to ensure a call goes through. In some cases, this may work even if they are on the caller’s no-call list. This is usually the route taken by telemarketers doing illegal business or angry exes or creepy stalkers trying to get in touch with you. It is safe to ignore these calls as anyone important will leave you a voicemail to get their message across. If you think it may be important, it is also possible to call-back a restricted call.

Related: How to Prevent Your Phone Numbers from Being Marked as Spam

How to make a private call
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How To Make A Private Call: Block Your Caller ID Permanently or Temporarily

There are a few different ways to hide or block your phone number from being displayed on the receiver’s screen. Let’s look at how to make a private call either on your own or through your phone number provider.

You can temporarily deactivate your number to make it appear as a private number by dialing ‘*67’ before the number you are calling. For example, if you wish to block your ID when calling 698-334-5647, dial *676983345647. Calls made this way cannot be called back. However, you must contact your phone service provider to block your ID permanently by requesting a line block. Before you do this, remember that when you block your number permanently, it cannot be reversed. It is important to remember, however, that calls made this way remain traceable by police services.

Hide Your Caller ID Through Your Phone’s Settings

The other way to mask your caller ID is by turning certain phone settings on or off. Most Android phones and iPhones provide caller ID settings. Below is the process of how to make a private call from an Android phone and iPhone. Note, however, that the process varies depending on the phone’s model and software version.

To block your number when calling from an Android phone:

  • Go to the ‘Phone’ app
  • Tap ‘Settings’
  • Then, click on ‘Call’
  • Tap ‘Additional’
  • Select ‘Caller ID’
  • Select ‘Hide number’ or ‘Show number’ to turn the Caller ID on or off

To hide your number when calling from an iPhone:

  • Go to ‘Settings’
  • Tap ‘Phone’
  • Then, click on ‘Show My Caller ID’ and turn it on or off

For Business Reaching International Clientele, Local Numbers May Be A Better Option

Users generally hesitate to answer calls that display “Private Number.” If you are an international business trying to expand your clientele and are choosing to contact them by hiding your foreign number, we may have a solution for you. Global Call Forwarding has local numbers in over 140 countries which are meant for local and international businesses. Purchase a local number for the country or state you want to extend your business to. A local number will make your customers more comfortable with answering a call from your business because it is a number they recognize. Don’t get lost in all the “Private” or “Scam Likely” call your prospective client is receiving. Purchase a business number from Global Call Forwarding today and stand out among the virtual crowds!

How Does IVR Systems Work?

Want an efficient solution for your corporate call center? Interactive Voice Response (IVR) can help reduce your company’s costs and improve productivity.

IVR systems are basically automated systems that are voice-activated. For example, one of your customers simply wants to pay an overdue bill. They dial into the system, choose from a menu of options using their voice as an indicator, then pay their bill over the phone. The information gathered from IVR systems is stored in an electronic database you and your teams can access anytime.

It’s not just inbound calls, either. IVR systems can make outbound calls to a pre-chosen list of clients. Once you install it, IVR can dial multiple consumers at once to offer surveys or relay important information. In fact, IVR is frequently used by drugstores to automatically let people know when their prescriptions are in. Since IVR systems handle thousands of customers much faster than a real person, your company can manage large volumes of calls while saving money on labor and payroll.

What Are The Cost Saving Features of an IVR System?

Before calculating the costs of an IVR, it’s fair to point out the cost-saving opportunities this system will afford you. A flooded call center overcrowded with simple inquiries burns employees out easily. If you’re using a team of real people in your current call center, you don’t have to worry about completely replacing them. In fact, an IVR system only replaces the more mundane calls. This frees up your live team to handle high-value transactions and potential sales calls. Not only that, but your organization can also better prioritize customers through customized routing.

Here are some of the other cost-saving features of an IVR system:

  • Voice prompts: A consumer will clearly hear and understand all of their options. There’s no time lost from miscommunications.
  • Call scheduling: Calls can be conducted before, during, or after business hours. Your staff does not have to go into overtime to make these calls.
  • Call statistics: Being able to analyze call center data can give you valuable metrics for the future, along with truly understanding a client’s level of satisfaction.
  • Call transfer: If the IVR system cannot handle a special request, a caller will be directed to the appropriate agent.

How Much Does an IVR System Cost?

The actual cost of the IVR system will vary based on the size of your company, the number of lines needed, and the features you want. There will be upfront, one time fees as well as monthly and ongoing fees. And as your business grows, you will need the system to be scalable and to grow with you, which may mean an increased cost. However many organizations will offer volume discounts for loyal clients.

Usage Fees

Usage fees are typically monthly fees. They include the actual “use” of the IVR platform, as well as the infrastructure’s initial build, ongoing security, regular maintenance, and the use of enhanced services. This fee will also include keeping the IVR in compliance with your industry’s standards, if that is one of your requirements. An IVR provider will offer you an enterprise contract outlining all of these details and what they entail. The longer the contract, generally speaking, the better the rates.

We’ll start with the base monthly fee, which is a flat fee for up to 100,000 minutes of usage per month, for example. This rate does not change and gives you an allowance of minutes. Sometimes providers will let you “roll over” extra minutes into the following month, and some will not.

In addition to the flat monthly fee, you may also be charged “per minute”. So the cost of a usage fee can be as little as one penny per minute, a few cents per minute, or as much as twenty-five cents per minute, depending on call volume.

Usage fees will depend on whether you as a consumer choose to be a Client Of Record (COR) or Non Client of Record (NCOR) for the phone company. It’s normal to keep an existing contract with a telecommunication provider if they offer you a special deal. However, IVR providers also get special rates and have the ability to pass those savings on to their clients.

Professional Service Fees

Companies will have different names for this, but they all fall under the umbrella of “professional service fees”. Professional service fees cover the initial setup of your system. So of course, the more complex the system, the more you will be charged.

Larger organizations will need to pay close attention to the “flow” of their configuration. This requires great planning. For instance:

  • The IVR answers a call from a customer.
  • The IVR plays a message asking the caller to confirm their information.
  • If the information is incorrect, Step 2 will be repeated.
  • If the information is correct, the IVR system will take the caller to the next step.

If your configuration needs are quite great, such as integrating text to speech features, then this will be included in your professional service fees. Some fees are one-time, while others are rolled into a monthly charge.

Professional service fees can range from a few to several thousands of dollars, depending on your system’s complexity. It’s best to clear up what these charges will be moving forward in your contract.

A Trusted IVR System Vendor

Now that you know all of the costs associated with an IVR system, you’re ready to make an informed decision. Before choosing a vendor for your company, write down a list of questions you may have first. This way you can easily evaluate what’s best for your situation.

Not only that, you must know all of the services a certain vendor offers and for what prices. This is why transparency is key before you get started. Hidden fees and charges have no place in a standard IVR contract. That’s why Global Call Forwarding is a leading provider of IVR systems across small, mid-size, and large businesses seeking growth. We let you know exactly what features we offer and at what price points.

The costs don’t have to be complicated. Give our team a call for all of your IVR system today.

How To Hide Your Phone Number

Have you wondered how to hide your phone number when making calls and what it looks like to the receiver? When you hide your phone number, it appears as a “Private Number” or with “No Caller ID.” These are calls from individuals or organizations who have purposefully blocked or masked their number. With no caller ID, it is difficult to identify who may be calling you. But how do these callers hide their numbers and why?

Different Ways To Hide Caller IDs

There are a few different ways to keep your caller ID unknown. Let’s look at how to hide your phone number temporarily or permanently, depending on your requirements.

Temporary vs Permanent

One way to block or hide your phone number is by dialing ‘*67’ before the number you are calling. This will temporarily deactivate your number and make it appear as a private number on the receiver’s screen. For example, if you are calling 745-332-5987, dial *677453325987 to mask your number. Phone calls made this way cannot be traced.

To permanently block your number, you will need to call your phone service provider and request a line block. When you do this, the phone number will remain blocked for all future calls. Note that this cannot be reversed.

Hide Your Caller ID With Mobile Settings

Most iPhones and Android phones allow you to turn your caller ID on or off through the phone’s settings.

how to hide your phone number
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So, how to hide your phone number with an iPhone?:

  1. Go to ‘Settings’
  2. Select ‘Phone’
  3. Then select ‘Show My Caller ID’
  4. Here you can turn your Caller ID on or off.

To hide your number on an Android device:

  1. Open the ‘Phone’ app
  2. Select ‘Settings’
  3. Click on ‘Call’ settings
  4. Then select ‘Additional’ settings
  5. Click on ‘Caller ID’
  6. Select ‘Hide number’ or ‘Show number’ to block or display your caller ID.

How To Hide Your Phone Number in Other Countries

*67 is the common code for blocking caller IDs in the United States (except with AT&T), Canada, and New Zealand (using Vodafone phones). However, other countries have their own blocking codes. Here’s a list:

Argentina (landline), Germany, Switzerland (landline) *31#
Australia (landline) 1831
France (landline) 3651
Greece (for landlines), Iceland, Netherlands (with majority of carriers), Romania, South Africa (Telkom phones) *31*
Hong Kong 133
Israel (landline) *43
Italy (landline) *67#
Japan 184
New Zealand (Telecom or Spark phones) 0197
Rotary phones in North America 1167
Nepal (NTC prepaid/postpaid phones only) *9#
Pakistan (PTCL phones) *32#
South Korea *23 / *23#
Spain (landline) 067
United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland 141
United States (AT&T phones), Australia (mobile), Albania, Argentina (mobile), Bulgaria (mobile), Denmark, Canada (mobile), France, Germany (some mobile providers), Greece (mobile), India (only after network unlock), Israel (mobile), Italy (mobile), Netherlands (KPN phones), South Africa (mobile), Spain (mobile), Sweden, Switzerland (mobile) #31#

Why Do People Hide Their Phone Number?

Usually, telemarketers conducting illegal marketing businesses choose to block their numbers. This is the preferred method of communication because these numbers cannot be traced. Other times, people who have been blocked can resort to hiding their phone number or Caller ID to ensure the call goes through.

Most receivers who get “No Caller ID” calls are interested in who is calling and may answer. Others, however, are suspicious of unknown or private numbers being spam or telemarketers and avoid answering them.

Benefits of Hiding Your Phone Numbers

Since customers are less likely to answer numbers they don’t recognize, consider local numbers if you have a business in a different country. Global Call Forwarding is a phone service provider that offers virtual phone numbers for local and international businesses. With a virtual number from Global Call Forwarding, you can have a local phone number for overseas countries where your business extends to. Customers prefer local or toll free numbers over unfamiliar international numbers. Make your customers more comfortable with a local or toll free number from Global Call Forwarding today.

Using Toll Free Numbers as a Marketing Tool

Getting potential customers to call you for business leads is a huge step in the corporate world. This can allow you to shift your focus from finding customers yourself to providing the service you specialize in as the customers continue to come your way. A good marketing campaign can help you achieve this influx of customers, but there are a few steps you will need to take along the way to make the most out of your efforts.

Setting up a personal toll free number for potential customers to contact you through is one of the best things you can do for your company, and call forwarding can help you with this.

Call forwarding can help your business grow by turning your existing line into a toll free number.  This means you can keep your existing line and as customers call they will be seamlessly patched through to your new, toll free number. This can help you manage calls and promote your new line without losing potential business that would come in through your old clientele.

Benefits of a Toll Free Number

A toll free number offers validity, reliability and security to a business. A toll free number can make your business appear more established than another type of number, especially if the number you would be giving clients is out of town. Customers will hesitate to make long-distance calls, and the fact that a competitor offers a toll-free number could be the difference between a lead and lost opportunity.

Opening a second contact line can often spell out confusion. As your company grows you may find the need for multiple lines, but generally you will want to allocate those lines based on department or purpose, not simply call capacity. Customers could potentially become turned off by multiple numbers listed for your company across different directories. The best marketing tactic you can use is uniformity. You want your company easily recognizable through your logo, your website and your phone number. Too many numbers assigned arbitrarily can throw off the uniformity of your company’s brand.

A toll free number can do wonders for your business. Use call forwarding to roll over your existing telephone lines into one that you can advertise. For help or information about call forwarding options, contact us.

How to Call a Phone From a Computer

Everything we do now revolves around the use of our phones or laptops. We search for information, news, restaurants, services, and even find new people through this virtual web. But what the internet does best is connect us all with its ability to enable easy and comfortable communication. First with texting, then with video calls, and now, we have the ability to call phone from computer as well.

Benefit Of Using Virtual Numbers

The next time your network coverage is down when traveling, you can make a virtual call straight from your computer. All you need is a virtual phone number with outbound calling, and Global Call Forwarding can help with that.

How To Get Outbound Calling?

To start making virtual calls, the first step is to get a virtual phone number by browsing Global Call Forwarding’s available plans and signing up.

Sept 1: Visit Global Call Forwarding and select your new number, then enter the destination number. This is available on this page at the sidebar, or on the virtual phone numbers page.
Step 2: Select a plan, select their optional features, and complete the checkout. Make sure to select “Outbound Calling” during the checkout process.
Step 3: After signing up, a customer service agent from Global Call Forwarding will contact you within 24 hours to complete the process.
Step 4: Once your account and number are set up, log into the Control Panel.
Step 5: Select ‘Outbound Calling’ at the left-hand corner of ‘Account Overview.’
Step 6: In the first column on the left, you will see your PIN number.
Step 7: Select your line. Under the ‘General’ tab, make a note of your Line Password.

How to Call Phone From Computer
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Call Phone From Computer With Zoiper

Outbound calls through the internet are becoming increasingly popular because of their great speed and quality connection. Zoiper is a softphone application that allows users with a VoIP connection to make calls through any device. Here are the steps to follow for using Zoiper to make phone calls via computer:

Step 1: Follow the Outbound Calling instructions and download Zoiper for Windows or Mac. Other options available are X-Lite, MicroSIP, and Phoner.
Step 2: To log onto Zoiper, enter your Outbound Calling PIN as the username and Line Password as the password.
Step 3: For ‘Domain,’ enter ‘mysipaccount.net.’ This is the Global Call Forwarding domain name.
Step 4: Go through the rest of the login process and once your account is ready, you will be able to call phone from computer.

Calling Virtually

Open the Zoiper desktop app, locate the dial pad on the top left, and enter the number you wish to call. You are now making virtual calls from your computer!

More Useful Features

Your calling experience can be made more comfortable and professional with additional features such as Call Recording, Call Transfer, changing your Caller ID, and more.

Receiving Calls On Your Computer

Having a virtual phone number not only allows you to call phone from computer but also lets you receive calls on your computer. To do so:

Step 1: Select ‘Call Forwarding’ from the left-hand corner of your Control Panel.
Step 2: Locate your line. Click ‘Call Forwarding Action’ and enter ‘SIP:[your Outbound Calling PIN].’ For example, if your Outbound PIN is 4572694, then enter ‘SIP:4572694’ in ‘Call Forwarding Action.’
Step 3: Once you make the changes, click ‘Apply’ and then ‘Save.’ Now, you are ready to receive calls on your computer.

Why Change Your Caller ID?

Many people have a cell phone or home answering machine that can detect and display an incoming call’s caller ID. When contacting a customer in a different country, it helps to display a local number on their caller ID. This feature can help your business gain a virtual presence and keep different businesses separate and organized. To change your caller ID on your virtual number, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: In the Control Panel, select your phone line in ‘Outbound Calling.’ Under ‘General,’ you will see your current Outgoing Caller ID.
Step 2: To display your Caller ID as a number from a particular country, choose the desired line from different lines available.
Step 3: Once you make the changes, click ‘Apply’ and then ‘Save.’

Start Making Calls From Your Computer

Virtual phone numbers make business communication much more accessible by providing yet another way of finding and maintaining leads and clients. As the world becomes more digital, it is necessary to keep in touch with new features and services available. This way you can ensure you are doing the best for your business and your customers. Sign up for Outbound Calling with Global Call Forwarding today or contact us for more information on how virtual calling can benefit your business.

How to Call Ireland from US

If you’re from Ireland or you frequently need to do business with people in Ireland, you may be wondering how to call Ireland from US states. So, if you need to frequently make out of country calls to Ireland, you might be looking for an easier way. In this article, we determine how to call international to Ireland. And, provide an option for affordable long distance calling options through Global Call Forwarding.

How to Call Ireland from US Phones Step by Step

Before calling people in Ireland, first thing’s first – you need to figure out the present time in Ireland. Surely, you don’t want your call to catch anyone while they’re sleeping or super late at night. Typically, it’s best for people in the US to call people in Ireland in the mornings.

Step 1: Dialing Out

Once you figure a good time to make your call, it’s time to dial out. But, remember, calling Ireland isn’t like calling people in the states. First, you’ll need to exit the US calling code system. To do this, you need to dial the numbers 011. Anytime you want to call outside of the US or Canada, you’ll need to first dial these numbers.

Step 2: Ireland Country Code

Next, after the exit country digits, you’ll need to dial Ireland’s country code. This number is 353.

Step 3: Dial the Area Code

Once you’ve dialed both 011 and 353, you’ll then need to punch in the area code of the person you’re calling. Just like in the US, there are many different area codes for the people living in Ireland. So, you’ll need to know this number before dialing. If you don’t know the area code of the person in Ireland you’re trying to reach, check out this Ireland area code list.

Step 4: Dialing the Phone Number

Now that you know the area code of the person living in Ireland you’re trying to reach, you can dial that along with their entire 7-9 digit telephone number. So, all in all, the format of the number you’ll be calling will be: 011 (exit USA) – 353 (Ireland’s country code) – XX (Ireland area code) – XXXXXXX (full phone number).

How to Call Ireland from US
Source: Depositphotos.com Lic#162768592 ID#9993456

How to Call Ireland Cell Phone Numbers from the US

Another thing that you’ll need to consider before making your call is if you’re calling a wireless cell phone or a landline. This is because Ireland has a different area code for people with cellphones. So, after the US exit code and Ireland’s country code, you’ll dial a specific area code to a specific region. Or, the standard wireless code for the country (80 or 81). So, if you’re not sure of the area code that you’re calling, you might need to use this as the area code. Specifically, if the person you’re calling has a wireless cell phone.

Choosing a Provider for Your Long Distance Calling

If you don’t set up a long-distance calling plan with your current cellular or telephone service provider, you might want to think about doing so. Especially if you have friends or family in Ireland and you plan to call them often. If you don’t get a good plan for out of country calls, you could be looking at steep international charges on your next phone bill. However, while your current provider may offer options for international calling, it still may be a bit more expensive than you’d like. If this is the case, consider other options, like purchasing a national virtual phone number from Global Call Forwarding.

National Virtual Phone Numbers for Calls to Ireland

Maybe you already know how to call Ireland from US phone lines. But, you’re looking for a cheaper way to call friends, family, or potential customers. If this is the case, virtual phone numbers may be right for you. Simply, a national virtual phone number is a phone number that’s given an Ireland area code. This way, you can call people in Ireland without racking up international charges. And, your friends, family, or Ireland customers don’t have to rack up international charges either. With virtual phone numbers from Global Call Forwarding, you pay a monthly fee for the minute plan you select. This way, you can make as many overseas calls to Ireland as you want without paying outrageous charges. Plus, you even have the option to set up SMS at an additional charge.

Getting Your Virtual Phone Number Today

If you think that national virtual phone numbers may be the right solution for your Ireland phone calls, learn more about our services right from our website. And, contact us today to set up your virtual phone number so you can call your Ireland contacts today.

How to Start an Order Fulfillment Company for E-commerce Business

Year after year, an increasing number of retailers take their businesses online. Recent data indicates e-commerce accounts make up close to 10 percent of all retail sales. However, research anticipates growth around 15 percent annually in this sector. In other words, the precedence of the Internet has customers worldwide shopping online. So, to keep customers happy, a business owner must ensure accurate fulfillment of orders, quickly, and efficiently. Optimizing e-commerce fulfillment strategies is the key to success.

To clarify further, this means order fulfillment companies are in-demand and the demand will increase. Below are steps explaining how to start an order fulfillment company for e-commerce business and what to expect in the process.

What is Order Fulfillment?

Order fulfillment refers to the method that is used to fulfill customer orders. For e-commerce, companies may choose to manage their order fulfillment in-house, while other companies may choose to operate using drop shipping or third party fulfillment. For third party fulfillment, some companies are solely dedicated to fulfilling the orders of their clients (other businesses). This offers businesses the ability to devote more of their time other aspects of the business, while still being able to access data regarding inventory and sales. Third-party fulfillment is often chosen because it decreases costs related to packaging and shipping.

Deciding Which Type of Fulfillment the Company Will Offer

There are a number of roles your fulfillment company can play. A business owner decides whether the fulfillment company holds responsibility for storing, packaging, shipping, tracking, and more. Based on this decision, a business owner will make other decisions regarding equipment, facility, and staffing.

Phones and Communication Systems

Most notably, a fulfillment company is a high-tech business. This means there is a strong need to respond in a high-tech fashion. A business owner must understand this is not the place to cut corners. The right access to websites, operational equipment, and phone systems is critical.

Staffing a Fulfillment Company

A business owner can launch a fulfillment company with two or three people. A business owner will name a fulfillment manager, a warehouse manager, and a fulfillment specialist. The fulfillment center manager should have the ability to make sales calls. A fulfillment manager will also be responsible for walking clients through the initial setup. The warehouse manager is responsible for installing any warehouse management system. Furthermore, this person is in charge of writing all back end procedures and training personnel.

How to Start an Order Fulfillment Company
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Sales

It is imperative that a fulfillment company makes a consistent effort to market and sell its capabilities. A business owner must focus on sales efforts to add more customers and grow. One method is to use sales personnel to generate leads and then have the fulfillment manager drive the sale moving forward. A larger fulfillment company may need a specialist to come in and provide advice including selling skills.

Marketing a Fulfillment Company

A business owner must provide a basic marketing campaign to take an order fulfillment company’s messaging forward to the current client base as well as potential clients. A business owner should not solely rely on existing sales personnel to develop accounts. Sales representatives are, at times, reluctant to offer new services to their clients. Because of this, marketing campaigns can prove to be very useful.

Pricing Matrix For Order Fulfillment Services

Establishing a pricing system for the fulfillment company may present challenges at first. The company’s pricing system must include all services that are completed. Therefore, fees may include storage, customer service, and more. Some pricing options may include:

  • Storage charged at a price per pallet, per month
  • New product set up fee
  • Warehouse fee
  • Receiving services fee
  • Order receipt fee
  • Shipping materials cost
  • Reporting fees
  • Customer service
  • Initial set up fee

Challenges Faced by E-commerce Businesses

E-commerce businesses face challenges, which include competition, finding the best products to sell, reaching a target audience, generating traffic, retaining customers, choosing the right technology, and achieving long term growth. Understanding these challenges will help you run a successful order fulfillment company.

In Closing

In essence, order fulfillment is the backbone of an e-commerce business. The strategy for order fulfillment for customers directly affects everything from customer satisfaction to profit margin. Therefore, a business owner must consider this carefully. Another thing to be considered carefully is scalability. A business owner who starts a fulfillment company has a goal to grow. Likewise, having a plan in place that outlines how you will grow and keep up with the growing needs of clients as well as adding new clients is very important. As a result, providing customers with the best value through order fulfillment is key to an effective operation. Above all, a business owner that helps clients to maximize profits and efficiency is destined to succeed.

How to Get a Business Number

Need to know how to get a business phone number? Whether for a large business or a small one, Global Call Forwarding offers virtual phone numbers to meet your needs. In this article, we will take a look at a few aspects to consider when purchasing a phone number, including:

  • Types of phone numbers available
  • Choosing a location
  • Enhancing your phone number with add-ons
  • Subscribing to a service for a business number

Types of Phone Numbers Available from Global Call Forwarding

Perhaps the primary consideration you should keep in mind when thinking about a business phone number is the type that fits your needs. Global Call Forwarding offers the following varieties of numbers:

These virtual numbers can be augmented with mobile accessibility, enabling cellular phones to reach them, and vice versa. Also, it should be noted that virtual phone numbers are based on current inventory and availability.

Choosing a Location

Second, to the type of number that you will be using, choosing a location is the next important step. You will want to consider two location-based aspects:

  • Where you want to be reached
  • Who you want to reach
How to Get a Business Number

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Location-Specific Phone Numbers

First, a virtual phone number serves as a type of location marker for your business. A business that uses a Canada local number will be perceived as having Canadian origins. Of course, thanks to the routing capabilities of cloud-based telephony, your business can be located anywhere in the world and still be reached instantly.

Canada’s virtual phone numbers are identical in function and appearance to “normal” Canadian phone numbers. The only difference is their added routing capabilities. Having the same country code and corresponding region/area code helps with the localization process of your business, while also circumventing typical long-distance calling obstacles, such as:

  • Long-distance fees
  • Service blockages
  • Customer preferences to deal with only domestic business entities

Gaining Freedom of Location with Toll Free Numbers

Another location-based concern is whether you want to be based on a certain region or remain geographically agnostic with toll free numbers. Considering that toll free numbers not only make calling free for your customers but they also work nationwide. As a result, you can use toll free numbers as a way to obscure where your business is headquartered. Instead, toll free numbers impart a nationwide quality. This encompasses different states, regions, provinces, and so forth based on the toll free prefix you select.

Enhancing Your Phone Number with Add-ons

Now that you’re aware of business numbers from Global Call Forwarding, you should know they can be enhanced with add-ons. These add-ons can completely change how your phone number functions, opening up new possibilities of usage and profitability.

One of these is rollover minutes. This add-on allows you to retain any unused minutes each month, so they are available for future use.

Another popular add-on is call recording which, as the name implies, records and stores calls made using your phone number. This can be effective as an aid for on-the-go entrepreneurs. Additionally, it’s also useful for managers that want to create training materials from prior calls.

Subscribing to a Service for a Virtual Business Number

Now that you have a good idea of the benefits of business phone numbers, it is time to subscribe with Global Call Forwarding. The process of purchasing is simple and easy. You will begin by navigating to their home page at www.globalcallforwarding.com.

Once there, a series of dropdown menus will appear at the top of the page. At that point, you can select your new phone number (including location and type) choosing from a list of currently available phone numbers.

Second, you will enter your destination number (where calls will be rerouted to and from). This will include the country code, area/region code, and remaining digits. After this, you will choose a payment plan and add-ons that fit your intended usage. The process is similar to most online transactions, requiring billing info, contact info, and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions.

Once completed, a customer service rep will contact you within 24 hours or less to assist you with setting up, enabling you to begin using your phone number immediately. Now that you know how to get a business number with Global Call Forwarding, you can purchase as many as needed. Feel to contact them today if you have any questions or issues.