Virtual Numbers – What are They and Why Should You Care?
There has been a lot of talk about virtual numbers because of the number of quality providers that offer such services to the public. One of these is Freeje. Thanks to them, businesses working with minimal budgets can still maintain a strong and functioning communication system.
But is a virtual number something that’s truly worth looking into? Only you can decide that. Learn more about this tech by reading this article. We’ll cover everything you’d like to know about it.
What Should You Know About a Virtual Number?
According to the Federal Trade Commission, those numbers starting with “800, 888, 877, and 866” are examples of virtual numbers. These are common for call centers that help customers find a live operator. Many people think they have no impact on your business, but they can make a big difference.
A good example of this is that some companies offer their customer service staff virtual numbers in order to help customers leave messages. Depending on how you approach the message, this could mean the difference between your email being saved or it being sent to the trash.
Virtual phone numbers are an effective tool to attract new customers in both B2C and B2B businesses. Although many of us may feel that virtual numbers are foreign, they are very simple to understand and use.
How Does It Work?
Essentially, your virtual number works just like your regular number. When someone wants to make a phone call, he or she enters a phone number into a phone app. Once you’ve attempted to complete the call, you’ve already given the phone number to the owner of the number if they have a caller ID.
Your virtual number can help you better serve your customers and increase your sales, but there are some important differences between your virtual number and its regular counterpart.
For example, a regular phone number cannot be shared among phones. If you want to share your number with people, you should probably look for a VoIP number instead. With that option, you just need a data plan to connect.
There’s another key difference. You cannot use your virtual number to make an emergency call because a virtual number isn’t tied to a location. So if you’re in a high-risk occupation, you may want a regular number as a backup.
You can use your virtual number on Facebook or Instagram, as well. Just remember that you’ll need to register your virtual phone number with both apps. You can change the number that people call you by going to “Manage your phone number” on Facebook and then choosing “Set as primary.”
A variety of options exist for using your virtual number, and choosing one is up to you. You can use a web browser or even a voice command app. There are also many different types of VoIP calling apps that you can download for free. You can find an app for your phone on any app store.
What are the Different Types Available?
Essentially, VoIP numbers can be subdivided into two: fixed and non-fixed VoIP numbers. The latter isn’t connected to any physical address. This means that you can get one from the United States even if you’re in Japan.
Meanwhile, for the fixed version, you need to provide proof of address. Only then would your provider grant you a number from a specific area. However, VoIP can be categorized based on its functions as well. Here are the most basic things that you should know about:
1. Toll-free number
If you have a virtual toll-free number you can use, this makes it easier for customers to contact you directly.
A virtual toll-free number will allow you to offer your customers the ability to reach you without having to pay a fee. You can use a virtual toll-free number to provide customer support for your products or services, such as answering questions, responding to requests for services, or providing general information about your products or services.
The right toll-free number is important, so it’s worth considering if you want to become more accessible to customers without the financial burden of a regular toll-free number.
2. Vanity number
A vanity number is a number that, though not necessarily representative of anything real, is meant to create a feeling of exclusivity for the owner.
The vanity number should generate at least 5% of people who land on the vanity number to become actual customers. If a vanity number is having a conversion rate lower than 5%, then it’s not working. This means you should reconsider its value to your business
3. Local number
Your local number only works in a specific area. So in a sense, it’s like your regular number only with much more benefits. Consider this option if you’re operating in one area only.
Final Words
Virtual numbers are dynamic enough to respond to your needs. We hope this article gives you an insight into how they can benefit your business. You can check for more information https://www.ringcentral.com/
