Summary
There are also 6-digit numbers. Companies often use them for advertising or marketing text message campaigns. These special numbers are also used by public administrations for various issues, like providing support to those with health or addiction problems, or information to families of disaster victims.
Whatever your business sector, setting up a virtual phone number is a great way for your customers or prospects to contact you free of charge. You've got everything to gain: offer a professional contact option, increase customer or prospect satisfaction, improve your brand image... The advantages of a virtual number are numerous.
And the good news is: It's very simple to set up this type of special number, even if you're a small organisation. In this article, we'll explain.
How exactly does a free virtual number work?
Virtual phone numbers work in the same way as any other telephone number. Callers simply dial the number from their landline or cell phone to establish a connection. The only difference is that calls are not billed to the caller. They appear under the heading "Calls to special numbers" on telephone bills, and will be billed to the recipient of the call.
The benefits of a virtual number
A virtual phone number can be of considerable benefit to your company, whatever its size. It can enhance your brand image and credibility. But above all, a virtual number can be a decisive element in your marketing campaigns, significantly improving ROI: placing orders, requesting product information...Companies that set up a virtual phone number can do so for a number of reasons.
Improving customer satisfaction
Imagine one of your customers tries to call you to order a product, report a problem, or request information. If this customer has to pay out of pocket to reach you, he or she is likely to be annoyed by that incurred cost. They may even hang up before reaching you–especially if he or she has to wait in line to speak to a representative–and your company's image is likely to suffer.
By offering your customers the option of calling you on a virtual phone number, you demonstrate your availability to your customers, meet their expectations, and increase customer satisfaction. They'll be able to reach you at any time. The better the customer experience, the more likely customers are to remain loyal to your company, and even recommend your brand to friends. In summary, it creates a positive snowball effect.
Increase credibility
While virtual phone numbers can be used by companies of all sizes, from SMBs to enterprise, they are particularly useful for organisations just starting out: startups, new businesses, solopreneurs, etc. Creating a virtual number for your business gives you greater credibility with your customers and improves your image, whether you're a one-man operation or have a whole team behind you.
Track your marketing campaigns
Did you know that a virtual phone number can help you track the results of your marketing strategies? If you launch several multichannel campaigns simultaneously, knowing which one results in a prospect call can be difficult. With a virtual phone number, you can create extensions to differentiate telephone traffic according to your advertising campaigns, and thus measure their effectiveness more easily.
Quick to set up
In telephony, there are two types of numbers: traditional numbers, which are directly attached to telephone extensions, and virtual numbers, which work with any device (computer, smartphone, tablet) via VoIP calling applications. For fast set-up, choose a virtual business number that you can use with your usual telephone system, computer or smartphone.
Advanced features
A virtual number also offers advanced telephone reception features:
- Configurable online telephone greeting
- CRM integration
- Call forwarding to mobile numbers
- Text message and email integration
- Teleconferencing and videoconferencing
All these features can be easily managed from a dashboard available on a web application.
Lower telephone costs
Regional and international calls to a virtual number can be automatically routed to the right department within the organisation via the Internet. In this way, customers' internal or incoming calls may appear to be calling a local number, but the call is taken on the other side of the world at no extra cost to the organisation. Similarly, with a virtual number, employees can be reached anywhere, anytime, on a variety of devices, at no extra cost.
A local presence
Customers and prospects generally prefer to deal with a local service provider. Purchasing virtual numbers enables your company to establish a local presence, even if your offices remain centralised or located in a completely different region. Using a local virtual number allows you to add a personalised touch to your relationship with your customers. Callers also appreciate calling a local number rather than an expensive long-distance number.
Enhanced security
The use of virtual numbers combined with call recording enables tight control over calls. An organisation can easily see who has called, where, when, and at what cost. Setting call limits for numbers can reinforce security and reduce costs even more. Associating a security profile with a virtual number rather than a physical device prevents users from making unauthorised calls, particularly to expensive long-distance numbers.
How do I get a virtual phone number?
To obtain your virtual phone number, you can choose between buying it from a traditional operator or from a virtual number provider. By using a virtual number provider like Ringover, you'll benefit from a number of advantages.
How much does a virtual phone number cost?
The price of a virtual phone number for businesses varies according to a number of factors:
- The country you're calling from and the country you're calling - some countries have restrictions that can affect prices, making virtual numbers more expensive
- The type of virtual phone number used
- The service provider
With Ringover, for example, you can easily activate your virtual number in just a few minutes. And all this for the modest sum of £19 per month. Please note that virtual phone numbers don't always work for your customers abroad, so check with your provider.
A cloud-based virtual number
You'll have access to a virtual phone number via the cloud. In other words, a number that won't be tied to a landline or internet phone line. As a result, setting up your virtual number will be easier and won't require any additional installation costs.
Immediate activation
With a virtual number provider like Ringover, no installation is required, and activation of your number takes just a few minutes. You'll have the option of creating a personalised telephone greeting of your choice. Ringover also provides you with all the tools you need to track calls, as well as a web-based analytics interface and a mobile application for iOS and Android.
Invoices under control
Creating a virtual phone number with Ringover means no more worrying about what your bill will say. That's because you can choose how many hours of fixed or mobile communications per month you want to use, including voice greeting and call tracking.
Flexibility to suit your needs
Ringover's virtual phone numbers are offered with monthly and annual bill cycles. Your company can cancel your virtual phone number at any time, without notice. With Ringover, take advantage of a complete service, including virtual phone number and a personalised greeting, and access your telephone interface from wherever you are, from a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Curious to see how a virtual phone number can transform your daily business operations? Ringover offers free trials, so you can experience the difference. Sign up for yours today!
