how do you use skype as business phone? anyone have experience?

Hey

I've bought Skype numbers before. Very handy - if you target globally, you can buy numbers in each country (although Skype asks that you buy only in the country you live in....not sure why) that you are targeting, to offer "local" support, but just have it redirect to yourself, in whatever country you might be in at that time.

The benefit is that the client is making an international call but paying for a local/national call only - you foot the difference/redirect costs, which is pretty low compared to other providers.

Of course the only thing to keep in mind is the time difference - you could be up all night answering calls! In which case, it's time to start outsourcing that part of your business to a 24 hour callcentre....

If you are only targetting US customers then by all means you should get a subscription - I believe it gives you discounted rates for calling interstate and even to Canada, but not too sure about this one - I'm not in the US.

I'm pretty sure you don't have to buy a subscription, although they will probably try and upsell it to you. The last 3 times I've bought numbers I didn't buy a subscription.

As far as I'm aware, Skype doesn't offer 1-800 numbers.

In many European country's you can use instead standard GSM phones. They are same price but voice quality is always great. And your clients can hear you. It's important from time to time