A virtual phone number is a telephone number that isn’t bound to a fixed location. Virtual numbers can be used to make or receive calls on any phone, such as VoIP desk phones, cell phones, or softphones. It’s perfect for employees in the office, or those who work at home. You can select which devices receive calls from the virtual number, and change them when needed. This flexibility is why they’re sometimes called “secondary” numbers.
How does a virtual number work?
Virtual phone numbers do not require a SIM card or a physical address. It uses secure internet technology to place real telephone calls between people. Instead, virtual numbers accept calls through Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Fundamentally, it’s the same proven technology used to make calls and text messages through iMessage, WhatsApp, or Google Voice. VoIP has flourished because it can provide real-time communication using existing broadband connections. With a cloud communications provider, your phone calls are digitized and connected over the internet and across traditional phone networks. Over the years, more VoIP codecs provide rich call quality without eating up too much data.
VoIP has flourished because it can provide real-time communication using existing broadband connections. With a cloud communications provider, your phone calls are digitized and connected over the internet and across traditional phone networks. Over the years, more VoIP codecs provide rich call quality without eating up too much data.
Differences between virtual and regular phone numbers
There are millions of phone numbers you can select. They fall into two categories: virtual and regular phone numbers. So, what’s the difference between the two? And how do you decide which is best for your company?
Let’s start with regular phone numbers. Traditional phone numbers usually are installed and provided by the local telephone company. Most people don’t know that they own the number, not the telephone company. Telephone companies typically assign phone lines to the street address of where it’s installed. Traditional phone lines require phone lines to run throughout the building to each desk phone. Installing telecom lines isn’t always easy nor feasible in every office.
A virtual phone number, however, can is location-agnostic, and it’s not bound to one location. It works for employees in and out of the office because they share the same cloud PBX (Private Branch Exchange). That means your in-house or virtual team can pick-up calls from the virtual number in the office, at home, or on their cell phone. And, you can choose who receives incoming calls from the virtual phone number depending on your staff availability.
Benefits of a virtual number
Here are a few useful benefits you should know about virtual phone numbers.
Highly Cost-effective
Virtual phone numbers are highly cost-effective as calls within the company can be automatically directed to another number. The charges of every incoming call are shared by both the parties involved in the call. With a virtual number, customers can be contacted from anywhere, at any time on different types of devices. Additionally, virtual numbers are entirely compatible with modern day devices such as desktops, laptops, standard mobile phones and smartphones.
Improves Business Image
business image and branding are of utmost importance for any enterprise. Small business owners highly prefer virtual phone numbers as they have the potential to significantly improve their business image without creating a hole in their pockets. It is so because having a separate virtual number for different departments or functions gives a notable boost to a company’s image.
Consistent Branding for Your Business
When it comes to business communication, it is extremely important to maintain a professional image to facilitate consistent branding for your business. Once you set up your customer service, you can easily welcome your callers with a custom message with your mentioned branding to let them know that they have connected with your business. Because the approach is inordinately effective, it will give you a professional edge over your competitors. Additionally, since virtual numbers are not linked to a device, it is easy to reach out to different departments, teams and individuals just by calling the same number, irrespective of the location they are working from and who is to respond.
Eliminates the Need for Dedicated Hardware
Virtual phone numbers are all about inexpensiveness and flexibility. There is no need to invest in a costly premise-based phone system or in extra phones for your business as calls on the virtual number can be easily forwarded to other numbers. Due to this virtual phone numbers eliminate the requirement for dedicated hardware.
Enhanced Analysis
One of the major reasons why a large number of businesses are turning to virtual phone numbers is that it offers call analytics. Using virtual numbers in combination with call analytics makes it possible for enterprises to control costs. Additionally, by monitoring all incoming and outgoing calls over call monitoring dashboard helps the business to keep track of all the activities on their fingertips.
How to get a virtual phone number
There’s no doubt that virtual phone numbers are more beneficial than traditional landline numbers. They work for small businesses with remote staff as well as larger companies who need to manage communication in their call centers.
Virtual phone numbers come in a few flavors:
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Local phone numbers
These numbers are based in certain geographic areas, also known as rate centers or area codes. -
Toll-free numbers
These are special numbers that start with 800, 888, 866, and others that allow people to call it without any tolls or fees.
