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5 Ways to Improve Phone System Automation with Call Forwarding

Beny Mouen 24th September 2020 Learn, VoIP

One of the most important parts of any business is to offer reliable customer support. This means that when a customer calls your business, you are always reachable and can provide quick and effective service. Offering such a support channel can prove difficult at times, especially when your team does not have the right business phone system tools. Fortunately, advanced services such as call forwarding and phone system automation can support your call volume.

Use Call Forwarding to Implement Phone System Automation

Call forwarding and phone system automation can work hand-in-hand to help callers get the assistance they need. This means transferring calls automatically or through an automated response system to the right agent, voicemail, or pre-recorded messages. Doing so can help your business offer quick and accurate customer support. Here are 5 ways to use call forwarding and phone system automation to improve your call flow management.

1. Interactive Voice Response

A cloud-hosted IVR system or interactive voice response is an automated phone system that answers incoming calls, identifies the purpose of the call, and proceeds to assist the caller. Your IVR system can present options to the caller through a series of menus such as “Press 1 for sales, Press 2 for customer support, Press 5 to make a payment, Press 4 for voicemail, and so on.” This way, callers can input the service they need.

2. Name or Company Directory

This feature is part of your automated phone system where you create a name or company directory so that callers can navigate by themselves to the department they want such as “Press 1 for marketing.” Having the automated system present customers with options means that they don’t have to know the department’s number or dial an extension themselves. You can list specific departments or even specific employees with an automated phone system. This also reduces the amount of transferring a caller has to go through before they reach the right department or employee.

3. Advanced Routing Strategies

An automated phone system will give you the opportunity to use various call forwarding and routing strategies for maximum productivity. For example, calls made during off-hours or weekends can be routed to remote employees who have an evening or weekend shift. This is called time-based routing. You may even forward those calls to your own smartphone or home office.

Or, you can have certain calls forwarded to remote employees or international offices located in different parts of the world with location-based routing. This type of automation is especially useful for companies with international reach and clientele. Lastly, you can have incoming calls ring on multiple devices at the same time. This ensures that the call is answered quickly and no call goes missed.

4. Multichannel Communication Options

Offering support only through phone conversations may be a disadvantage. Especially considering most customers look for emails, chat, or social media contact methods. This is why your business should consider using human collaboration with phone system automation. For instance, chatbots can help resolve issues through pre-recorded messages and rules. Automated responses inform customers that your business has received their message and will respond within a few days.

By executing multichannel support, your business caters to customers who do not prefer phone conversations. Thereby, increasing your customer base.

5. Voicemail

Your automated phone system can even forward the call to voicemail when the caller simply wants to leave a message and receive a call back. This is useful when the caller is not sure which department to speak with or if all employees are busy and the caller does not want to wait in line.

Get Phone System Automation with Global Call Forwarding

Here at Global Call Forwarding, we specialize in bringing advanced communication tools to businesses of all sizes and in all industries. You can use our call forwarding service to help automate customer service and build stronger relationships. Want to learn more? Call us at 1 (888) 908 6171 or chat online with one of our experts today!

How Do I Get a Business Phone Number?

Chase Rogers 11th June 2020 Learn

Need a business phone number for your small business? Here is everything you need to know about these numbers and what to consider when purchasing them.

What to Keep in Mind When Getting a Business Phone Number

Business phone numbers are telephone numbers used by businesses to open communication channels between them and their customers. In other words, business numbers are used by customers to contact a business, either to inquire about a product or service or for customer support.

Getting a business phone number is a must as it is one of the first (and most used) methods an interested customer uses. Once a call is made, your team has the opportunity to convert the call into a sale and provide excellent customer service that makes the customer come back for more.

When creating your office phone system, there are a few things to take into consideration such as how to choose:

What business phone system is right for you
The type of business phone number(s) that will complement your needs
What phones or softphones you’d like for placing and receiving calls

Choosing the Best Business Phone System

When you get a business phone number, it is important to invest in a business phone system that supports it. Choosing the right business phone system can be tricky if you do not know what is available. You want a phone system with call forwarding, recording, video conferencing, IVR systems, and more.

Most new businesses will first consider getting a traditional phone system. However, thanks to advancements in technology we can now use cloud phone systems that come equipped with multiple communication features and are more cost-effective.

A cloud phone system works through voice over IP (VoIP); that is, it uses the internet to send voice messages between two parties. This makes it possible to have multiple numbers on the same line, have remote offices connected through the same number, and more. No extra hardware or setup needed. You simply get a business phone number from a VoIP provider like Global Call Forwarding and start making calls using any device you want, anywhere in the world.

How to Pick the Right Business Phone Number Type?

Next, you must choose a business number most suitable for your needs. VoIP providers like Global Call Forwarding offer a variety of options. However, the ideal number for you depends on what you want to accomplish or achieve with it. Here are the different business telephone numbers we offer:

Local numbers
Local phone numbers have specific areas, cities, or states assigned. They have predetermined area codes that distinguish them from other number types. You can get a local number for any city or state you’d like to establish your business in.

Toll Free Numbers
Toll free numbers start with a 3-digit code such as 800, 888, 877, etc. Large and established corporations have been using toll free numbers for years as they tend to generate higher incoming call rates. This is because calling a toll free number is free for the caller. A toll free business number is easy to forward to any location.

International Toll Free Numbers
International toll free numbers (ITFN) give you access to customers and contacts in more than 160 countries across the world. This is a good option for businesses looking to enter new markets and provide global customer support. You can have incoming calls forwarded to your main office or remote offices through an international call forwarding service.

Vanity Numbers
These are great examples of vanity numbers: 1-800-TAXICAB or 1-800-FLA-BLUE. Vanity phone numbers use letters or patterns to create a more recognizable and memorable number.

Deskphones vs. Softphones?

Once you settle on a business phone service, you need to decide how you will handle incoming and outgoing calls. VoIP calls need an IP-based phone from brands like Cisco, Panasonic, etc., to function. A softphone or web dialer enables users to make and receive calls from their computer, laptop, tablet, or any device that is not a traditional desk phone.

Get a Business Phone Number

Now you know how business phone numbers work and what is involved in using a business phone system. To get business phone service from us, you can sign up on our homepage or contact sales at 1 (888) 908 6171.