Virtual Phone Numbers – Reasons To Consider Using One
A virtual phone service uses a virtual phone number that isn’t connected to an associated landline phone. Calls placed to virtual numbers go through a computer, a mobile phone or another landline network. They are sometimes called VOIP phones.
Some businesses have a virtual office as well as a virtual phone number; there is no actual address, or phone connected at it, or it is in a different location than the one suggested by the number. You can choose a virtual number with any area code to make it seem as though you are located in that area, even though you may be in another state or country.
Even so-called ‘toll-free’ phone numbers are virtual numbers, to enable potential customers to place a call for the price of a local call. This encourages people to phone even if they live outside the area. Another advantage of virtual numbers is that the actual location of the number is unknown to the caller, and they don’t realize that they are not dealing with a local entity.
A virtual phone number looks just like a normal local phone number, can be used just like a normal land line phone number and anyone calling from a conventional telephone can place a call to it just as they normally would to traditional phone numbers. No matter where the call originates, or where you currently are, the remote call forwarding portion of the service directs calls to the proper location. People calling a virtual phone number do not know that they have not called a conventional landline number.
Business associates, family and friends can call you, wherever you are in the world, by dialing a local phone number. They pay for a local call, no matter how far away you are. Your virtual phone number can be connected to a phone that is designated as that number, to any landline or mobile phone.
You can buy a virtual phone number, with any area code you choose, from as little as a few dollars per month in the US. Overseas numbers are available in around 40 countries and cost a bit more, plus a once-only establishment fee in most cases.
Filed under: Small Business