Time of Day Routing

Route incoming calls to specific locations depending on the time of the day

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What is Time of Day Routing?

Call forwarding via time-of-day routing — also known as time-based routing — is an easy-to-use, straightforward feature that forwards incoming phone calls based on the time of day. Calls can be forwarded on a time-based schedule to any destination, whether it is a mobile phone, voicemail box, VoIP number, etc.
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How Does Time-Based Routing Work?

Using TOD routing, you can preset where calls get routed depending on the time of day.

When calls come into your virtual number, they are automatically forwarded to any of your destination numbers based on the time of day. The most significant advantage: the receiving telephone number can be located anywhere in the world.

This feature can be configured in just a few clicks. The diagram on the right shows how to set this feature up.

Key Points of Interest When You Route Calls Based on Time of Day

This feature helps businesses remain available 24/7 and ensures the best customer service is delivered. It also helps businesses expand across time zones. Here are some of the things you can do with time-of-day routing:

    • Set up business hours and choose how calls are handled when the business is closed.
    • Customize how calls are forwarded throughout the day; prepare for peak hours and slow periods.
    • Maximize efficiency by automatically routing calls based on the time of day they come in
    • Manage calls from different time zones easily by routing calls to agents in similar time zones
    • Enable calls to be received on different devices based on specific times of the day
    • Enable your phone staff by ensuring calls in each location are received during the most optimal times of the day
    • Adopt a follow-the-sun customer service model to offer 24/7 support in your customers’ time zones
    • Create monthly schedules in advance to manage employee and agent shifts

Setting up Time of Day Routing with Your Virtual Number

Global Call Forwarding offers the Time-of-Day Routing feature with all virtual number plans. It can easily be customized through our online control panel. Additionally, this feature doesn’t have any extra cost. The video below shows how to configure TOD routing in less than 2 minutes:

Examples of How Time-Based Routing Can be Used

This smart service allows you to organize how incoming calls get answered by setting up automatic routing. Here are some examples of how you can manage call traffic throughout the day:

  • Route calls received from Monday thru Friday between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM to your office line.
  • Route calls received from Saturday thru Sunday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM to your mobile phone.
  • Route calls received on Sunday between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM directly to your voicemail.
  • Advanced call routing combinations are unlimited, so you can create the Advanced Forwarding setup that best fits your needs!
  • Route calls based on your customers’ needs and typically calling times

rules list time-of-day

Time-of-day routing is one of the most useful and versatile options for a business in need of enhancing their communication efforts or supporting their current demand. It can be used in a variety of different circumstances while enabling support for businesses of all sizes.

Whether you have a startup and are expanding beyond your current location, or you have a large-scale corporation and need to handle a high volume of calls that may be coming in from other time zones, time-of-day routing can be an essential aspect of managing your customer support initiatives. This way, time-based routing helps businesses expand globally.

Time-of-day routing enables you to have the ability to route incoming calls to specific phone numbers depending on the time of the day; exactly as the name implies. In the same manner as call forwarding, time-based routing can also be used as a way to easily direct calls specifically to a different number, a mobile phone, or even a voice messaging system at certain hours.

Managers can easily set up monthly on-call schedules for their agents directly in the control panel. This is especially useful for businesses that rely on on-call routing to manage employee shifts. Managers can pre-select specific days of the week and time blocks to route incoming calls to designated agent phone lines—ensuring the right person is always reachable during their scheduled shift. This automation streamlines workforce management, reduces manual handoffs, and ensures 24/7 coverage with minimal oversight.


Benefits of Time of Day Routing for Businesses

  • Increased flexibility and mobility.
  • Support for high and fluctuating call volumes.
  • Ability to offer global and 24/7 customer support.
  • Forward calls to different phone numbers.
  • Increased connectivity between local, remote, and global teams.
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Why Your Business Needs a Call Forwarding Solution

Call forwarding is a valuable tool that successful businesses can use to optimize their business communications. You forward incoming calls to different phone numbers or locations, at various times of day, on any day of the week, etc. Simply input your rule and automate international call forwarding.

You can use time-based routing to forward calls effectively — whether it’s for rerouting your local business calls to your cell phone while at lunch, or forwarding all calls from a country overseas to your call center.

A solo entrepreneur or small business handling various tasks will want to streamline processes as much as possible. When you do this, teams can handle your clientele at the most professional level of service.

Looking for a simple method to organize and manage your calls? Try advanced call routing features like time of day routing. Contact Global Call Forwarding today to learn more about time of day routing and other types of advanced routing; all included in our phone number plan.

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F A Q | Time of Day Routing

Time of day routing is a time-based routing strategy that forwards calls from one location to another based on the time or day the call is being made. For example, calls can be forwarded to one’s smartphone or home office during off-hours or the weekend.

Time-based routing is a call forwarding strategy that routes calls from one destination to another during specific times of the day or days of the week. For example, if you have remote offices spread across different time zones, you can route calls from one place to the next to ensure continuity in customer service.

Time-based routing helps a business maximize efficiency and productivity by automatically routing calls from one destination to the next during specific times of the day. This enables businesses to provide 24/7 customer service and manage calls from different time zones effectively.

Global Call Forwarding offers time-based routing with each of our virtual phone number plans. You can sign up on our website or speak with our representatives to learn more.

Yes, you can use time-of-day routing to automate call forwarding based on days and times in the month, routing calls to the right agent during their shift. It’s ideal for managing rotating monthly schedules and ensuring 24/7 coverage without manual updates.