| For a small business the cost of a phone | | | | attachments that you can listen to on your |
| system can seem disproportionate to its | | | | computer.Receive Notification Of Failed |
| advantages. But not having one can make a | | | | CallsSome virtual switchboards also have a |
| business seem less professional and, worse | | | | very useful feature whereby, if a caller |
| still, can lead to lost business from | | | | hangs up without leaving a message, you'll |
| inefficient handling of calls.The same | | | | receive an email with the caller's phone |
| dilemma faces a small business start-up, | | | | number so you can call back. In fact, with a |
| which these days can often mean working from | | | | virtual switchboard you need never miss |
| home. One of the first considerations is what | | | | another call.Track Advertising ResponseIt |
| phone number to use in order to effectively | | | | isn't just business start ups that can |
| handle phone calls. Four options immediately | | | | benefit from a virtual switchboard. It never |
| become apparent: Use a mobile cell phone for | | | | ceases to amaze how many established |
| business but risk not seeming professional. | | | | businesses pay for expensive advertising then |
| Immediately stand the cost of an extra | | | | fail to answer every call. Just call a few |
| business phone line. Use a home phone and | | | | tradesmen out of Yellow Pages and notice how |
| again run the risk of seeming unprofessional | | | | many don't answer. In fact a recent survey by |
| when one of the kids picks it up. Or use a | | | | TagMe found that a sample of their customers |
| human answering service, which adds | | | | was losing hundreds of thousands of pounds in |
| unnecessary cost to a start up | | | | missed calls.This is a situation where a |
| business.However, now, thanks to modern phone | | | | virtual switchboard can easily track |
| switch technology, small businesses whether | | | | advertising response. By placing a different |
| established or just starting, have a fifth | | | | 08 phone number into each advert, calls can |
| option called a virtual switchboard. And for | | | | be tracked in two ways. First, when answering |
| those based in the United Kingdom, it is | | | | a call it can be announced, as described |
| often free.A virtual switchboard enables any | | | | above, by the name of the source that |
| business to enjoy all the features of a | | | | generated the enquiry. Second, by referring |
| business phone system without any capital | | | | to the call statistics made available by most |
| expenditure or other costs such as | | | | virtual switchboard operators. This means you |
| installation, rentals, maintenance etc. In | | | | can easily verify which adverts produce an |
| fact all you need is a land line phone number | | | | acceptable level of response and which do |
| on which to receive calls.Switchboard | | | | not.Record ConversationsThere are many |
| Features For Little Or No CostThis is how it | | | | situations when a recording of a phone |
| works. Most virtual switchboard operators in | | | | conversation can be of immense value either |
| the UK provide a free non-geographic phone | | | | as a training aid or to resolve disputes |
| number with a 08 prefix. When someone calls | | | | about precisely what was said. Some credit |
| your 08 number, the call will route through | | | | card companies now require merchants to |
| the phone company's switch and it this that | | | | record all credit card transactions that are |
| does all the clever work.The caller hears an | | | | made by phone. But to record conversations |
| announcement that says something like "Please | | | | requires a capital expenditure on specialised |
| hold whilst we connect your call". | | | | recording equipment. However, many virtual |
| Simultaneously your home phone will ring. | | | | switchboard operators offer a call recording |
| When you pick it up you'll hear an | | | | facility as well.Call Handling VersatilityA |
| announcement such as "You have a call for the | | | | virtual switchboard can be used for your main |
| sales department. Please press any key to | | | | business phone number or as a way to easily |
| accept". This is how you know it is a | | | | obtain additional phone numbers for other |
| business call. If one of the kids has picked | | | | purposes such as marketing, customer services |
| up the phone, this is their signal to pass | | | | or support. Because your 08 switchboard |
| the phone to you to accept the call. This | | | | number can easily be rerouted, it's also |
| same feature can be used to enable you to don | | | | useful when certain services, such as product |
| an appropriate hat for sales, support, | | | | support, have been out sourced. If you change |
| accounts etc.If you are particularly busy, | | | | to a different outsource company, it is a |
| most virtual switchboards will advise the | | | | matter of moments to reroute calls to a new |
| caller of their queue position and play music | | | | one.All in all a virtual switchboard can be |
| on hold. And if you are engaged, the call can | | | | of enormous value to businesses of all sizes |
| be routed to a colleague at a different | | | | in all sorts of situations that require calls |
| number. If the phone isn't answered, the | | | | to be handled effectively. And when many are |
| caller will be sent to voicemail where they | | | | available at no cost it behooves any |
| can leave a message.Voicemail Is | | | | business, large or small to take advantage of |
| StandardVirtual Switchboards all have | | | | their flexibility to improve their call |
| voicemail and most will also send voicemail | | | | handling. |
| messages to your email inbox as voice file | | | | |