The Right Number. The Right Impression
Considering a Virtual Number for your business?
Virtual numbers are numbers that you can use to give you a presence anywhere in the UK, or even a ‘special’ number (such as a free-phone one).
You don’t need a physical phone to have a virtual number – the number can just be pointed to your mobile phone, or if you have a virtual reception service, directly to them.
From the right supplier, these are a very low-cost, efficient way of separating your business from your personal life, without the need for a second mobile phone or SIM.
Do I need a Virtual Number?
That depends!! Sometimes a mobile number works fine (particularly for a mobile service) but a non-mobile number makes your business look professional & established.
First impressions count – so the best thing to do is think about what your company’s number says about your business – and if you were looking to contact a company like yours, what would make you feel most reassured?
Do you want to create a local or national presence?
Do you mainly target customers in your area?
If so, a local number puts you on the map for your potential clients.
When potential clients are searching for a service where they’ll either visit or be visited, a local number instantly reassures the customer that they are calling someone in their area.
Are your customers nationwide or worldwide?
For a national or even international client base, a non-mobile number reassures your customers that you are established and aren’t going to disappear.
There’s no “one-size fits all” answer – the correct number for your business. For recommendations and guidance, please get in touch.
What phone number should I use???
How do Virtual Numbers work?
It’s simpler than you might think!
You decide which type of number you want for your business – i.e.
- local to you (or somewhere else)
- national
- freephone etc.
You then find a reputable provider, pick your number and point it wherever you wish (usually through an online portal) – i.e. to your own mobile, a virtual reception service, your office or even an answerphone (there are merits to each solution dependent on you and your business).
You don’t need to have a physical phone (but you can have one if you want) and can usually save a fortune vs getting a physical landline, with increased flexibility over a physical phone line.
There are a multitude of virtual number providers out there, with differing pricing models and different potential features and add-ons (we’ve outlined some of these below).
We have years of experience of using virtual numbers (and in fact our contact number is one) so if you’d like some guidance, or just some pointers on who we use and what to look for, please just get in touch!
Features, Benefits & Add-ons
Virtual numbers provide a whole host of features and add-ons to help you with your business.
Low costs
from just a few pounds per month
Flexibility
Answer your calls wherever you are
Continuity
Even if you move, your number can move with you.
Professional Image
Give the right impression
Just some of the Potential Add-Ons…
Voicemail
For out-of-hours or even during the day
Announcements
“Thanks for calling Launching Pad”
Time Based Routing
Direct your calls to different people at different times.
Call Whisper
Warning you that it’s a work call before you answer!
Virtual Switchboard
“Press 1 for sales, 2 for customer services…“
Call Recording
Listen back to your calls.
Call Tracking & Statistics
Track your enquiries
Dial Through
Dial out showing your number to your customers.
Hunt-Group Routing
Calls can route to multiple people in your team at once or sequentially.
Call Blocking
“Press 1 for sales, 2 for customer services…“