Business Phone Number

That's a very good question. I was thinking along the same lines. Been using my 800 number for many years and hate to get rid of it but was thinking about forwarding to my computer and magic jack setup, so I have no land line phone bills. Anyway to do that with Google Voice too?

A question for Warriors is does having a published on the website 800 number (a real 800 number, not 877 etc) actually help with marketing or perhaps not? The 800 number costs less than $20 a month since we get few calls. Should I keep it?

A secondary question is how can we stop all the annoying spam calls (which will start costing us some coin if the land line is gone?) We get more spam calls vs legit ones most days!

Only need an 800 number if you're going to work with businesses outside your local geo.

Phone.com number(s) and Google Voice

I always want a local number for my listing and since I'm active in a lot of cities where I haven't even been, I use Skype to get the local numbers.

I suggest using only an 800 number outside of your local market. Locally use a phone number matching the area code. As stated, both Skype and Google Voice work for this.

Kristoffer has a good plan too with Skype in local markets. I'd go with Google Voice in those local markets so when you do outbound calling the local biz sees the local GV number in their caller ID. A toll free or long distance number screams telemarketing.

Dennis

Having a 1 800 # will add instant credibility and make your business look at alot bigger.

People see a 1 800 makes them think you are a lot more legit.

I have a 1 800 and outsource it.

Cheers,
Mukul

I respectfully disagree that 1-800 Numbers add credibility. I know guys that broker millions of dollars in merchandise over the phone and internet. You know what they use.... a local number.

I personally use my Google Voice phone number for an office line.... and my cell, skype #, or whatever is convenient, to answer it.

On down the road, if I decide to quit the home office model. I will forward that GV # to the office line.... and not have to make any costly changes. As for right now... if I am unavailable. I can have it rotate to someone who is.... doesn't matter where they are.

So.... my co-workers in Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, Texas, and/or San Francisco can pick it up when I am unavailable. Why would you not want that?

People like to do business with people. Sometimes projecting that you are bigger than you are can shoot you in the foot. I say this from experience. Not from an opinion.

Really.... a toll free number says to me... this person is far away, can screw me and I have no recourse. A local Skype or GV number says.... I can reach out and touch someone if I need to. Doesn't matter if you are calling from Canada or the Phillipines. The GV or the Skype number will show in the caller id.


As far as a business listing. That is easy enough. Go to YP.com and register a free business listing. It will give you the complimentary one liner in the phone book.

done.....

You want a number that you can control and that stays constant.

It is better if the area code is of that city...

I use Evoice. They give you a local number that you can fwd to any cell. Plus its free for 6 months. Also it worked with my Google Places listing, and I read somewhere from Google that you shouldnt use 800 numbers with the GP listings. Although Ive seen listings that do, so who knows?

I use My1Voice and it's incredibly professional. They have a 30-day free trial that you can get into with no obligation afterwards. The prices start at $10 per month and has a ton of features that make you look real professional.

You can go to my1voice.com and sign up or, if you don't mind, call and talk to Cale at (888) 733-0000 x 791. If you do it that way, I might get a little commission for it but either way I'd say it's well worth the money. They are a Canadian company in Ontario so I think this time of the year they're on EST. If you decide to call, please mention my name (Larry Perry).

BTW, I'm not suggesting them because of the potential commission. I'm seriously impressed with their service. You should take a look at them regardless how you sign up. However, a shameless plug never hurts ;0)

Google voice for when i travel overseas but also checkout phonebooth.com... its 'fairly new' but run by powerhouse bandwidth.com lets u assign actual call forwarding/operators, etc.. depnding on the # that's calling or what option they choose (if u enable the menu), etc.. btw its free too

another vote for Google Voice and getting a local number in each community you plan on serving.

A 1-800 number makes you look like a call center operation instead of a business consultant.

@ John... I agree wholly and absolutely...

Both local and 800 continue to work extremely well. Both continue to instill consumer confidence more than anything negative. And both serve to reduce or eliminate barriers to contacting you. Granted times have changed but not for 100% of the population. Irregardless what phone source I use if out of area I always opt for the toll free number.

I use vumber.com and have a local number forwarded to my cell. It gives you the option to have voice mail for the business number. This way if someone calls my cell number they get my personal vm, but if they call the "business number" it is the vm of the business. Works well for me and costs about $10/month after 14 day trial.

+1 for Google voice in your local area.

We can also provide your business with Gold numbers or memorable numbers. For instance (01159) 44 22 00 - you can call us on this number to test it out!