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Category: How To’s

Global Call Forwarding Releases an Updated Softphone with New Features and Integrations

25th March 2024 Press
softphone PR

Global Call Forwarding has released an updated GCF Softphone for Windows users. DELRAY BEACH, FL, Jan 2024 The new softphone is designed to improve business communication, facilitate efficient calling experiences, …Read More »

How to Establish a Local Presence in Lakshadweep?

19th March 2024 blog
An image showing business expansion to lakshadweep.

Collaborated with Vasudha K Thinking of expanding your business to South Asia? Consider Lakshadweep’s scenic and promising shores. Situated near international shipping ports like Karnataka, this archipelago beckons with untapped …Read More »

Phone Number Testing: Benefits and How to Do It

18th March 2024 blog
An image of our guide to business phone number testing.

Many of the insights for this article came from a breakout session at Cyara Xchange 2024. Global Call Forwarding also uses the Cyara Voice Assure product. Despite the emergence of …Read More »

How Forex Companies Use Virtual Numbers (5 Use Cases)

1st March 2024 blog
how forex uses virtual numbers

The forex market is inherently international as it involves the exchange of global currencies. While the forex market has no central location, most traders are in major financial centers and …Read More »

Nigeria Phone Number Guide: An Explainer

26th February 2024 blog
nigeria phone guide

A Nigeria phone number is a vital asset for businesses looking to make their mark in the heart of West Africa. With a population exceeding 200 million, Nigeria offers a …Read More »

Understanding Telephone Numbering Plans Globally

19th February 2024 blog
Understanding global telephone numbering plans.

Telephone numbers typically get assigned according to national telephone numbering plans, such as the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for the United States and Canada. These plans can be “open” …Read More »

How to Call 1800 Numbers From Puerto Rico

21st November 2017 How To's, Learn

There are many questions that you may have regarding making calls across borders, especially when you are calling another location in the world. If you are in Puerto Rico and you have to make an international call using a 1800 number, do you know exactly how to do it? If you do not know how to go through the prompts, it can be a bit complicated. You may end up spending a lot of money for a single call. Above all, you need to know the steps for calling 1800 numbers from Puerto Rico.

Do you Need to Call the US From Puerto Rico Often?

There may come a time when you need to make calls from Puerto Rico. Perhaps you want to call 1800 because your family is in another location and it will give you peace of mind if you can speak to them as often as possible. All the while, it will be of utmost importance to be able to make calls without huge expenses.

Here are the steps for how to call US 1800 numbers from Puerto Rico to the United States:

  1. Dial 011-1
  2. Dial 1800
  3. Dial the landline number or the mobile phone number that you are trying to call.

If in the event you do not understand the numbers that are mentioned above, you should remember the following:

  • 011 – This is the exit code for Puerto Rico. When you dial this, it means that you are making an international phone call.
  • 1 – This is the country code of the United States.
  • 800 – This is one of the area codes of the United States. Remember that there are different codes available. You need to dial a different area code if you are calling a person or a company located in a different country.

Let us say that you want to know how to call Puerto Rico when you are in a different location. You also have to know the international code (+787), the area codes and the actual Puerto Rico phone numbers in order to proceed. This is the same with all other destinations.

What If You Need Unlimited Calls?

It was mentioned earlier that if you needed to make calls to your loved ones and you would be calling internationally all the time, the phone bills will be exorbitant. As an alternative, there are different ways that you can get unlimited calls to the US from Puerto Rico.

Use Call Collect – This is ideal if you are calling to contact a company. Perhaps you have some questions about some products you have purchased recently or you have some inquiries about the availability of the products you want. A company may offer call collect so that you can call them and not pay for the call. It will also help to know Puerto Rico toll-free numbers that you can use for your calling needs.
Use an App – Applications have truly changed the way that people communicate with each other. Gone are the days when writing letters was the only method available in order to communicate. Calling via phone used to be very expensive; but now you can use an app to call people for free. Whether you are going to call sellers, companies, your friends, or your family members, the right app can be effective. With different features available, there are things you can utilize that would not otherwise be available via other platforms.
Find Affordable Phone Services – There are phone providers that offer various packages that will fit your different needs. Global Call Forwarding is one of such companies that can provide the services you want by looking at their offerings. They even offer plans with unlimited calls. Subscribers have the option to reach more than one number when they call from Puerto Rico to another country. There are different considerations to think about, but with the right service provider, meeting your needs as a caller will be possible.

Some Tips on Calling Internationally

  1. Make sure that you know the right area code. There are various prefixes assigned to different countries. The moment that you make a mistake with even a single digit, you will be dialing a wrong number. This can be a hassle not only for you but for the household, company, or person that you called.
  2. Take note of the time difference. A 12-hour time difference is no joke, especially if the receiver is getting the call at an awkward or absurd hour. Companies normally offer 24-hour services but if you are calling 1800 for personal reasons, take note of the time zones.
  3. Calling via landline or mobile phone is almost the same. You just have to know the exact number to call so you will not make a mistake.
  4. If you are going to use phone services in order to make calls, make sure that you choose the best one available depending on your needs. There are different packages and plans offered by different companies. It will be up to you to choose.
  5. Have a phone that can call internationally. In some countries, though you may have a phone to make outgoing calls to international locations, there are some types of calls that are limited. Make sure that your phone can be used internationally before you start calling, however.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that people assume that calling from Canada, or other areas in North America will be the same as calling from Puerto Rico. This is not the case, and you should always learn the specifics prior to making calls to 1800 numbers so that no surprises will come up.

Additionally, there are still going to be some slight differences such as with the phone service plans that are being offered by different providers. Calling internationally will not be hard to do when you choose a service provider such as Global Call Forwarding that offers calling plans at affordable rates.

With all of the details that you have learned, you are now aware that calling 1800 numbers from Puerto Rico is possible, as long as you know what to do.

Building Credibility With Toll Free Numbers

1st November 2017 How To's, Learn

Business Credibility

A business can succeed in creating the perfect product or may have found the perfect solution that a market needs, but still struggle when it comes to credibility. Customers can be very skeptical when it comes to being offered new products and services, especially from a new company or start-up.

When new businesses discover new markets where they can offer their products and services, they often spend more time strategizing on how to convince prospective customers about their offerings and how they will benefit from them. However, the major challenges that they face are often related to credibility and how prospective customers will perceive new products and services. More importantly, customers want to know more about these new businesses that are offering these solutions.

The skepticism of customers towards a new business is rational even when they are impressed with the products being offered. They will always ask questions about the business and the products being offered to them. Therefore, it is the duty of new businesses to build some level of trust in order to win customers over.

For large businesses that already have a well-established reputation through many years of quality products and service delivery, selling a new product is a lot easier as they can resonate better with customers. Over their many years of existence, large businesses have developed numerous ways of building credibility and one of such ways is using a toll-free number.

In this article, we will focus on how businesses build credibility with toll-free numbers.

Toll-Free Numbers are Essential For Building Business Credibility

There are a number of factors that influence how customers perceive or assess the credibility of a business. One of such factors is the presence of a business near a customer’s location or the sense of it. Having toll-free numbers is one of the methods that businesses use in order to establish their presence. Toll-free numbers help businesses to extend their presence to as many places as possible, thereby building solid credibility.

It is often true that a business may offer a better product or service to prospective customers, but it may lack the presence that a bigger business has, which is often a key factor to consider in a competitive market. Bigger companies will always leverage on credibility when the issue of reputation is raised, while smaller businesses often play catch up in that area. However, the playing field has become quite level with the development of toll-free numbers; allowing smaller businesses to establish a business presence without having to be physically present.

Bigger businesses are better funded, which means that they can afford to buy or rent a new office structure in any country that they have identified opportunities within. Many years ago, it would have been impossible for smaller businesses to compete because there were no methods of establishing a business presence in a country of interest without having a new office or at least a few personnel. Today, smaller businesses can now compete for a share of the customer base easily due to technology.

When businesses utilize tools such as international toll-free numbers, their credibility becomes stronger and customers are able to trust them even better. Having an international toll-free number is another way of showing your customers that your business is closer to them rather than being a foreign brand, trying to sell them products and services. With the benefit of toll-free numbers, your business can be seen as international with a local presence.

A toll-free number through which customers can call your business is a very effective way of proving to them that your company can deliver. Customers are more comfortable with patronizing businesses that have toll-free numbers because they need the assurance that they can contact them should they have any inquiries or complaints. Also, they get to call without incurring any long-distance call charges. Therefore, a small business that is serious about establishing a presence can benefit from toll-free numbers.

A business can portray itself as a local brand or an international brand depending on the type of toll-free number that it is subscribed to.

International toll-free numbers are ideal for businesses looking for an international appeal while being easily accessible to customers in multiple countries. Businesses with a specific country of interest can leverage on country-specific toll-free numbers such as USA toll-free numbers, Italy toll-free numbers, and so on.

In order for businesses to fully maximize their toll-free numbers, they must place their 1-800 number on all their advertising platforms, such as handbills, billboards, flyers, radio and TV ads, newsletters, social media, and so forth. This way, prospective customers have your contact information available to them at all times.

Vanity Numbers

Vanity numbers are also a great way to make your toll-free numbers memorable by interchanging digits for letters. A vanity number also provides a great opportunity for branding. A business can interchange numbers with a word that resonates with the brand for better results.

How Do I Sign Up for Toll-Free Number Services

Global Call Forwarding is a leading toll-free number provider that offers services for businesses. Signing up for a toll-free number is very easy. All you need to do is visit the Global Call Forwarding website. They offer different plans depending on the volume of incoming calls that your business receives monthly, as well as other plans like minute-based packages. They also offer additional services like SMS forwarding, roll-over minutes, international toll-free numbers, and many more to boost your business’ communications.

Other Benefits Of Toll-Free Numbers

  • Toll-free numbers allow businesses to centralize their operations. Because toll-free numbers can be used from any location in the world, businesses with employees in multiple countries can communicate using just a single number.
  • Due to the portability of toll-free numbers, your business can retain their toll-free numbers even when they move from one network provider to another. Global Call forwarding ensures that your business enjoys uninterrupted services.
  • Global Call Forwarding offers additional features such as call forwarding and voicemail, all of which ensure that you do not miss a call even when you are on the go.
  • Your business can take advantage of toll-free numbers in generating leads. Because toll-free numbers are free to call, they help increase customer engagement.
  • Toll-free numbers are great for tracking customer location. If you have dedicated toll-free numbers for each of your marketing activities in different countries, you can easily identify where calls are coming from and where you need to increase marketing efforts.

Virtual Office Systems Provides Relief: Home Business Tips

8th September 2016 How To's, Tips

Home office professionals and entrepreneurs find accessibility with virtual office system benefits

Managing the day-to-day administration of paperwork, phone calls and accounting is one of the most difficult challenges of a home business professional. You don’t have the support system that you find in large corporations, with switchboards, trained customer service personnel and personal assistants. So when you’re running the show all on your own, you need help. It’s that simple.

One of the easiest ways to find help is to contact a virtual phone number provider, which can immediately make your life easier. By setting you up with a toll free forwarding number, and by providing you with the benefits that a competent provider can offer, you can propel your business to the next level. Here are some of the ways you’ll benefit:

Accommodations for travelers. Some of us travel across town, the state or the country in order to meet clients and get our business done. That’s a lot of time on the road, and if you’re not reachable, you’re losing clients. With a virtual phone number you’ll never miss another call! You can get the “follow me” voicemail solution that will find you no matter where you are. The phone service can try as many numbers as you’d like until they reach you. They can even screen your calls, so that you can decide which calls you want to take and which ones you’d like to send to voicemail.

Consultant assistance. With a phone service, you can create the important image of success a consultant needs to succeed, as well as serve your clients better and create more billable hours. Call forwarding service will allow you to maximize your availability during working hours and free yourself from calls after hours. You can control the numbers where you can be reached as well as the times of day and days of the week you are accessible.

Home business management. With a virtual phone system, you can present an image of success and professionalism that will give your customers a sense of confidence in your company. You will have a voicemail solution that allows you to work successfully from your home without sacrificing your personal life.

As a home office manager and entrepreneurs, finding help can be crucial for the success of your business. By finding a virtual office system that works for you, you can take a positive step in improving your business.

Home business and small business owners benefit from virtual office system features

Shopping for a virtual office system that can offer you things like 800 phone numbers, vanity numbers, and office management assistance can be mind-numbing. Especially if you’ve never had such a service before. Where do you start? There are dozens of companies out there that can offer you countless benefits.

Once you narrow down the main services you want, you’ll probably have lots of additional questions.

Here are some basic features that you’ll want to look for that will enhance your benefits and help your company see results:

  • Look for a competitive rate. Toll-free rates can be as low as 4.5 cents per minute, which is very competitive in today’s market.
  • Beware of lengthy contracts. Instead of getting tied up in a long-term commitment, look for a company that offers monthly subscriptions for toll-free numbers.
  • Rely on technical support. Make sure that the company you sign up with offers a client services department to help you with any questions that come up. You don’t want to be hung out to dry in the middle of the afternoon when you have a question or concern.
  • Look for customization. Your company may have special needs, like you may need rotational voicemail for different people or groups. You also might need a script for special recordings, or rather you might choose to utilize a voice talent service. Make sure you are given these options for maximum impact.
  • Look for accessibility. Make sure that you have call forwarding available to you. Also, investigate the features to the call forwarding service. For instance, can you choose the time of day or days of the week you would like to get calls from a particular number? Make sure you have options with this feature, as well as with Call Back and Paging options.
  • Number flexibility. If you have an existing 800 number, make sure you can direct it to your new system. You should also be able to attach multiple 800 numbers to your system as well.
  • Look for payment options. If suitable for your needs, look for a pay-as-you-go plan. This allows for additional flexibility. Another option is a prepaid minute plan, which can help you stay in control of your usage.
  • Consider additional customer benefits. Some companies offer customer referral programs, which might include giving you credit for every new customer you refer. These benefits can add up over a month or a year and help you save money.

As you consider signing on with a virtual office service, knowing the benefits to look for and the questions to ask can help save money and lots of time.

Small Business Tips: Improve Your Company Image with Call Forwarding Numbers

8th September 2016 How To's

Small business owners and home based businesses can improve business image with advanced call forwarding services.

At some point in in time, every entrepreneur or small business owner will have one of those moments where a light bulb goes off and you realize, “Oh, my. My business is growing so fast that I can‘t keep up with everything.”

It’s a good problem to have, but it also is one that requires action. If you’re buried with paperwork, burning the candle at both ends and working more hours than you can physically spare, it’s time to get help.

One of the easiest and fastest ways to relieve some of your stress while improving your company productivity, customer relations and image, is to seek the services of Global Call Forwarding. This company features toll free services that have helped thousands of entrepreneurs like you launch and grow their business.

Here are some of the most immediate and gratifying benefits you’ll experience:

  • Enhanced company image
  • Increased productivity
  • Potential increase in profits
  • Toll free numbers
  • Vanity numbers
  • Unified messaging
  • Follow-me call forwarding
  • The ability to give off the impression of being an established corporation
  • Easy-to-use applications
  • Full range of features and options to fit your unique needs
  • Enhance your personal branding with call forwarding numbers

And that’s just the beginning. If you know it’s time to expand your business, improve your offerings and provide great customer service, then using a qualified voice system provider is your next step. It’ll be one of the easiest business moves you’ve ever made.

In the professional world, you are your brand. How potential clients find you and how others in your industry look at you will depend almost entirely on the personal branding strategy that you set forth. It should not be a surprise then that personal branding extends to every aspect of your professional persona. From the clothing you wear to the design on your business card your personal brand needs to be unique, memorable and simple to remember.

While personal branding is important in all aspects of your professional life, one area that it may be most crucial is your contact information. Applying your personal brand to your telephone number is easier than you might think thanks to call forwarding.

man at phone warehouse

A customized call forwarding number is a great way to increase your exposure and propel your career. By changing your existing number into something simple to remember and easy to share you can start promoting your business through platforms like websites, blogs and social media—all in a completely safe fashion. Customized numbers eliminate the long and awkward sequence of numbers, making it possible for you to make yourself easily identifiable with a simple word or even your name in lieu of a standard phone number.

Whether you are handing out your number on the fly, are posting it to social media accounts or building your web presence elsewhere, a customized, unique number can really boost your personal brand. Call Forwarding numbers can protect your personal identity by unifying your personal contact information with that of your company, offering you a level of anonymity that handing out a personal number exposes. As an added benefit, changing your personal number to a forwarded number will reduce unwanted telemarketing calls.

By forwarding your number to a single, customized line you can unify multiple lines into one simple number. This makes it easier as you grow, making it possible for all potential employers or clients in multiple cities to contact you through one simple number—without requiring different numbers for different locations and area codes. Your customized number can be toll free, which increases your business persona and adds a higher degree of validity to your professional name.

Don’t let your contact information be just another forgotten number. Enhance your personal brand by customizing a forwarded number and spread your name to a whole new world of potential clients.

How to Call a US 800 Number from Mexico

25th August 2016 How To's

Calling a US Toll Free Number from Mexico

Mexico is the 3rd largest trading partner of the United States, behind Canada and China. Because of its close proximity to the United States and advancements in IT access, Mexico is an open and welcoming market for US products and services. People in the United States also purchase goods from Mexico. In fact, the United States has a trade deficit of approximately $50 billion!

This means that the United States buys more goods from Mexico than it sends. There are opportunities for trade between US and Mexico businesses, and you can get a US toll-free number to take advantage of these opportunities.

In 1994 Canada, Mexico, and the United States signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to create a trade bloc in North America. The goal of this agreement was to facilitate trade and investment between the three countries. Trade between Mexico and the US benefitted in particular because US 800 numbers connect businesses in Mexico with US customers.

Since 2010, American trade with Mexico has grown by nearly 30 percent. Both importers and exporters will benefit when they buy US 800 numbers.

How to Dial a US 800 Number From Mexico

Every business that operates in Mexico should buy US 800 numbers so that their employees can easily call US headquarters. Communication is vital in today’s business environment, and professional contacts should be able to reach your business. Dialing a US 800 number from Mexico is easy:

  1. Dial 001
  2. Dial 880 for 800, followed by the phone number.

This process is simple and inexpensive. By encouraging communications, the operations of your business are streamlined. Buy US 800 numbers and your operations will run more smoothly.

US 800 Numbers Help Attract Customers in the United States

US 800 numbers can make it easier for a company in Mexico to do business with US customers. When a business advertises a US 800 number on its website, they increase the likelihood of incoming calls from US customers by 30%. This is because US 800 numbers are more convenient to dial than a local Mexico phone number.

Your business is more inviting to US callers when you provide a US toll-free number. Call forwarding services will automatically route incoming calls from the US to a destination phone number in Mexico, or anywhere else in the world.

A business that advertises US 800 numbers also appears more professional. Most successful businesses utilize toll-free numbers because a 1-800 phone number is more appealing for foreigners to call than +52 followed by a string of digits. US toll-free numbers are an inexpensive marketing tool for a Mexican business looking to sell its good in the United States.

Operating in Mexico

Cheap labor made China the #1 destination for US companies looking to outsource their manufacturing in the 1990s. The cheaper Yuan, China’s official currency, made Chinese labor more affordable and it made raw materials easier to buy. However, wages in China have been increasing in the past few years. Businesses need alternative countries to outsource their manufacturing.

Relatively low costs paired with high quality and fast response times have made Mexico a prime manufacturing location. According to Forbes, manufacturing costs in Mexico are 20 percent lower than in China. A large portion of U.S. manufacturing already takes place in northern Mexico.

Large Companies Are Moving to Mexico

Many successful businesses have already moved their factories. While experts were unable to determine the official tally of businesses closing plants in the United States, a significant number of firms have moved their operations to Mexico.

For example, United Technologies recently opened a plant in Monterrey, Mexico, with a US toll-free number. Numerous other large global companies have successful manufacturing operations in Mexico, including GM, IBM, 3M, and many others.