Businesses can no longer rely on old-fashioned telephone lines, especially as remote, mobile, and hybrid work has become the new reality. In fact, the latest data finds that almost 75% of U.S. companies either have or plan to implement hybrid work.
If you’re not sure how to get the flexibility you need for your and your staff to work whenever and wherever you want, then it’s time to consider a virtual phone number for your business. Learn how these lines work and how they can benefit your organization.
Key Takeaways:
- A virtual business number uses VoIP technology to allow you and your team to make secure business calls wherever you have an internet connection.
- A virtual phone number for your business saves time and money and can let you have a local presence in more markets.
- The features of unified communications help you boost productivity and allow you to easily customize your virtual phone service.
What Is a Virtual Phone Number for a Business?
A virtual phone number for your business is an online account that lets you make calls from anywhere you have an internet connection. In other words, no physical landline is necessary; it’s all digital.
All you have to do is have a smart device with a softphone app to make calls. You could also plug an Ethernet cable into an internet phone or connect a Wi-Fi-capable internet phone wirelessly.
How is this possible? Unified communications providers, such as Intermedia, use Voice over Internet Protocol technology. With VoIP functionality, you and your whole team can step into the 21st century with virtual business numbers.
What Can a Virtual Phone Number Offer Your Business?
Discover the top 10 advantages of a virtual phone number for your business.
1. A Local Presence in Multiple Markets
Having a local number in an area can boost your pickup rates when you’re doing outbound sales and marketing, but you don’t need to have offices around the world to do that. Virtual business lines allow you to get numbers with local area codes and register them in online directories for a local presence wherever you do business.
2. The Ability To Use Your Own Devices
You won’t have to hang around a particular office to get your business calls or hire an additional forwarding service. A virtual phone number for your business allows you to make company calls from a desk phone, smartphone, or PC. Employees can even bring their own devices and save you the investment in hardware.
3. Time and Cost Savings
Setting up a virtual line takes practically no effort. On the other hand, traditional phone lines require you to set up a private branch exchange in your office, which takes time and lots of money. Plus, you’ll have to maintain that equipment, which isn’t cheap.
You can set up your virtual phone system and have a fully operational service before the end of the week. This also means that whenever you’re ready to add lines or features, you can do so quickly because everything you need is digital.
4. Unified Communications
Your virtual phone service is much more than voice calls. When you get a virtual phone number for your business from Intermedia, you automatically get access to full unified communications as a service software.
UCaaS includes access to the following features:
- SMS and MMS text messages
- Video conferencing
- File sharing
- Secure team chat
- Automated attendant
You can also access many other advanced features through add-ons and upgrades as you need them. The value of UCaaS makes getting a virtual phone number for your business a no-brainer.
5. Instant Transcriptions
Recordkeeping of your communications is more important than ever, whether for the sake of human resources, regulatory compliance, training, or a reference for sales and marketing. UCaaS is able to record and transcribe calls and messages for your convenience.
You’ll also be able to easily archive these conversations for quick retrieval. In addition, artificial intelligence gives you insight into discussions to determine whether an interaction was positive or negative.
6. Customizable Service
As your organization grows and members take on new roles, you’ll have to switch where calls go and what permissions your team members have. However, you won’t have to wait for a technical team to rewire or reprogram your system.
A virtual phone number for your business using UCaaS lets you adjust it all in your administrative settings. You’re always in control.
7. Greater Mobility and Flexibility
Whether your team is in-office, remote, or anything in between, virtual business lines let you set up a secure private branch exchange your way. For example, you can switch calls from one device to another when you’re moving between the office and the field. You can also easily transfer conversations to other team members or make it a conference with other parties.
8. Reliable Customer Support
A virtual phone number for your business from Intermedia also means you can count on reliable support night and day. Our staff is ready to help you set up your system and is attentive to any of your needs. Our award-winning service ensures that the quality of your communications is the least of your worries.
9. Integrations With Your Favorite Applications
As you communicate with customers, employees, and business partners, you’ll collect and share plenty of information that you’ll need to enter into your business software. Unified communications even makes this easier.
Your virtual phone service integrates with everyday business applications, such as G Suite, Microsoft, Salesforce, NetSuite, and Salesforce. Plus, Intermedia’s Extend API platform allows your developers to create custom solutions that help you improve the customer experience, boost productivity, and access critical data.
10. Outstanding Security
When you handle sensitive data, a virtual phone number for your business helps you stay secure. Your phone lines always comply with the strict industry standards for highly regulated fields, including finance, medical, and legal.
How To Get a Virtual Phone Number for Your Business
Setting up a virtual phone number for your business is as simple as can be. Just contact one of our representatives at Intermedia so we can help you harness the power of unified communications with your own virtual phone line.
Rob Gold
December 22, 2023
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