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Providing Phone Number To Client???

by Shalach72
19 replies
Hey Everyone,

So I've gained two more clients since yesterday's testimonial (which is freakin awesome) but one of the clients wants to communicate outside of e-mail. He wants me to provide a phone number. I'm sorta hesitant about it, only because I don't want calls at all hours of the night, but I want to see what you guys think about it. Should I provide a phone number for this client? Or should I keep it strictly e-mail only.
#client #number #phone #providing
  • Profile picture of the author WPCHARLIE
    If the client is in the same country, and you need the client/work, then YES. Of course, only offer to speak during your business hours. You can always claim that you work only from 9-5 and are not in front of a computer thereafter.

    Otherwise, always NO.
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  • Profile picture of the author mattie77
    Even if you Get another cell phone just for Business prepaid will do. Just switch it off after hours.

    I have noticed a few things on here lately about providing clients with phone numbers or an address so they can send a payment. In my honest opinion you would be crazy not to. It builds trust with your clients. I honestly wouldn't do business with anyone who wouldn't provide these.

    If you dont Im sure it will raise alarms bells with the client and they will go else where.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alton Hargrave
      Get a Google Voice number. It is free, and you can monitor your calls. It takes messages, forwards calls, etc. This works great for me. I usually just return the calls later in the day. The system keeps up with everything about the call including a recording of the message and a written record.

      I think this is preferable to giving out your personal phone number.

      Alton
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  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    Or get a number from Twilio and use Open VBX. You can use it for this purpose as a number is a buck a month. You can also use it a tracking tool if you have any projects requiring that capability. Just set the number to go right to VM and then call back when convenient or timely for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author KellyOrtiz
    I don't like to cimmunicate with my client through call and I advice you as well. But If client really want to call you then fix a time for him, 1-2 hours in a day, in which client will call you. other wise do not pick his call.
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  • Profile picture of the author nthmarketing
    Honestly, I can't tell you how many times I have beat a proposal out by direct communication with the client. I often hear "they didn't want to talk to me" or "they didn't have a phone number to call" I ALWAYS talk to people I work with very seldom do I have a client that I have not had direct communication with them.

    This helps me build immediate credibility as well. So many times I have even tried to communicate with people that just don't seem to grasp what I'm trying to say and if I had to type back and forth it would be even worse

    For a real business I highly recommend it.
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  • Profile picture of the author ikme
    I agree with Alton Hargrave on using GV. You can setup custom call forward schedule so you won't be bother at odd hours.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
    I do give my clients my number but I train them to use email to communicate with me most of the time. But it does make you stand out to give them a contact number.

    I use Phone.com which allows me set the times it will forward to my cell 10am-5pm and if they call that number before or after, it goes to voicemail and emails me the message. Only starting at $4.88 cents a month and well worth it. They usually offer 30 days free and they have phone support.
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  • Profile picture of the author absolutelee
    Somebody's probably said this, but get a Google Voice number. That works well for me. Also, decide what your working hours are and don't under any circumstances return calls outside of those hours. You'll soon train your client when to call and when not to call, if they tend to call at odd hours.
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  • Profile picture of the author marketingva
    Hi,

    I won't do business with a company that refuses to give me a telephone number. Every reputable business offers a phone number. In many cases e-mail goes to your spam folder or disappears entirely. How would your client contact you then?

    Bonnie
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthony seoserviceagents
      100% agree how can a serious company refuse their phone number not even paypal does that or google lol


      Originally Posted by marketingva View Post

      Hi,

      I won't do business with a company that refuses to give me a telephone number. Every reputable business offers a phone number. In many cases e-mail goes to your spam folder or disappears entirely. How would your client contact you then?

      Bonnie
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  • Profile picture of the author Mreese601@gmail.com
    Yea, you have to provide people with your number doing business hours! I mean if I purchase your service I would want your number to contact you if I couldn't set something up. Just make sure you have your work schedule post it. I stay with host gator because of their support!
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    This has got to be one of the weirdest questions posted in OFFLINE forum. OP, if you really want to do big offline, you better answer the phone when people call you. For business owners, give a call is their way of doing things. Not many of them want to do everything using email or Skype. So yes, get a dedicated phone number for your business.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark_Austin
      Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso View Post

      This has got to be one of the weirdest questions posted in OFFLINE forum. OP, if you really want to do big offline, you better answer the phone when people call you. For business owners, give a call is their way of doing things. Not many of them want to do everything using email or Skype. So yes, get a dedicated phone number for your business.
      Absolutely agree with this, ALL my clients have my number and I can't really think of a good reason for not giving it to them. Considering the amount they pay monthly for our services it is only right that they can contact you when they want to. As stated above, get a seperate number for your buisness.
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  • Profile picture of the author purecapitalist
    I pay ~$6/month for my skype number that can easily be used in your situation. When you're offline, there's a traditional answering machine ... your client will never know it's a land line. Calling him back is handled just like any other conversation, even messages are kept in the thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shalach72
    Thanks.... I set up a number that my clients can call via Google Voice. I've actually found in most cases it works better than e-mail. I appreciate the replies.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
      Originally Posted by purecapitalist View Post

      I pay ~$6/month for my skype number that can easily be used in your situation. When you're offline, there's a traditional answering machine ... your client will never know it's a land line. Calling him back is handled just like any other conversation, even messages are kept in the thread.
      I used Skype for about 2 years as my business number but had switched after having clients tell me that they could not get through and also when a call would come in sometimes it would freeze my computer if I had skype open while the call came in. Also when something goes wrong you have no one to call an fix it.

      Originally Posted by Shalach72 View Post

      Thanks.... I set up a number that my clients can call via Google Voice. I've actually found in most cases it works better than e-mail. I appreciate the replies.
      Google voice is a bad choice for your business because if something goes down, who do you call? Do not build your business on free tools that you can get support on if it breaks. Your business is too important. Dont be cheap and spend the $4.88 - $20 a month for a virtual number.

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  • Profile picture of the author ramireec
    I use magic Jack and it runs pretty smooth. I have my line on wile doing work and then I change to voice mail and train the customers not to call after hours of course if there are those strange occasion when there is an emergency and I make it clear than they will have to pay a bit higher rate when calling of hours and on weekends, most of the time they just wait till Monday.
    Regards
    Suave
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