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9 Ways for a Call Center to Use a Web Dialer

17th June 2020 Learn, Tech

More and more companies (call center or not) are using a call center dialer or a web dialer to support their outbound calling strategies. The main reason is that this type of dialer can be used on any device and from any location. Here we will discuss what these dialers are and 9 practical ways you can use them to increase productivity and customer relations.

what is a web dialerWhat is a Web Dialer?

A web dialer or call center dialer is a keypad tool that allows your employees to make business calls through a computer or smartphone. Call center dialers and web dialers are not meant for call centers exclusively. Regular businesses that engage in outbound calling for sales or customer retention purposes can use this dialer to connect with local and international customers. Virtual phone service providers like Global Call Forwarding offer web dialers with their outbound calling service.

Who Can Use a Call Center Dialer?

Businesses of every kind — start-ups, remote and hybrid workspaces, small businesses, large enterprises — can use a web dialer to manage their inbound and outbound calling efforts. Depending on what type of company you operate, there are two types of calling:

  • Inbound calling: incoming calls by customers, prospects, and vendors usually for customer service and support.
  • Outbound calling: outgoing calls made by your team to customers and prospects to increase sales.

A web dialer allows you to receive and make calls from your computer or smartphone. This means that you do not need to invest in desk phones for every employee. They simply download a software, application, or browser extension. Most providers will offer a call center dialer with additional features such as the ability to save caller notes, update contact information, check voicemail, CRM integrations, etc.

Web Dialer: 9 Practical Uses

Here are the top 9 ways your team can use a call center dialer to increase productivity and efficiency.

1. Sales and Lead Generation

Use the call center dialer to quickly contact various prospects on your sales list and generate new leads. You can store and update prospect information, notes on the interaction regarding whether they qualify, whether they demonstrate an interest in the product, need a follow-up call, and so on. This way, you create a contact and the next time you call them, you have a history to build off of, and can quickly dial the number. Dialers are a call center favorite when it comes to calling large volumes of customers.

2. Increase Brand Awareness

Besides merely calling to make a sale or appointment, you can use a web dialer to promote your brand and increase visibility. Use market research to identify target audiences and demographics. Then, contact these potential prospects from this list and introduce them to your brand and its products and services. You can offer them a promotion or direct them to your website where they can learn more about the services you offer. This will help you get closer to target consumers.

3. Connect with International Clientele

Global Call Forwarding’s outbound calling service comes with a customizable caller ID capability. This means you can customize your outgoing caller ID and override it with a toll free or local number (of the location being called) previously purchased. Customers who receive such calls will see a toll free number or a local number and are more likely to answer the call. The main reason is that local or toll free calls are inexpensive compared to international calling.

You can get multiple international toll free and local numbers for countries across the world. With this service, you can call internationally for much cheaper rates and avoid paying long-distance calling fees.

4. Welcome New Customers

Use your call center dialer to welcome and verify new customers when they sign up or make their first purchase. This will demonstrate customer care as it shows that you value their business. You can verify purchases, offer to help them understand your service better, activate accounts, and so on.

5. Follow-Up on Recent Purchases

Check in with customers who made recent or repeated purchases with follow-up calls. Ask for feedback, how the experience was, or anything that can be done to improve the service. This too will display that your business cares about how customers interact with it. Your team should always try to improve customer service and this is one way to do so.

6. Reach Out to Abandoned Carts

Abandoned carts occur when an interested customer starts the check-out process but does not complete it. In other words, they abandon their cart and don’t make a purchase. Follow-up on abandoned carts with calls to identify reasons why customers may hesitate to purchase your product or service. Inquire how processes can be made simpler or help them complete the purchase.

7. Execute Customer Retention Strategies

Bringing new customers abroad can be more expensive than retaining customers. Having the ability to quickly contact important and valued customers can help you improve customer relations. Some good customer retention strategies include calling customers and prospects to:

  • Schedule new appointments
  • Set sales appointments at more convenient times
  • Remind them of upcoming appointments, payments, renewals, etc
  • Help reduce abandoned carts, and more

Keeping in touch with customers shows that your business is customer-focused and this will help you retain existing customers.

8. Raise Funds/Donations

Another useful application of a call center dialer is when your organization is conducting a fundraising campaign. You can reach out to members or prospects, present your campaign, and more through an outbound calling service.

9. Collect Customer Surveys and Feedback

Finally, a call center dialer can speed up phone surveys and help you collect feedback from customers about certain services, products, or interactions. Use this feedback to improve your overall service and offer better customer care.

download web dialer guide

Need a Call Center Dialer for Your Business?

Voice IP and web dialers can work together to give you the right tools to support inbound and outbound calling. Your business may fall behind if you do not take advantage of the right tools.

You can get a web dialer with our outbound calling service attached to your virtual phone number plan. Sign up today on our homepage or contact us for more questions!

How Do I Get a Business Phone Number?

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:

  1. What business phone system is right for you
  2. The type of business phone number(s) that will complement your needs
  3. 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.

6 Practical Tips for Managing Virtual Call Center Agents

9th June 2020 Tips

What are some ways that you, a virtual call center manager, can encourage your employees and agents to perform well? Agents who do their job well will bring more business to your remote contact center and therefore, it is important to keep them motivated and trained. Here are 6 tips to motivate your agents while executing your duties in the most effective manner.

How to Manage Remote Call Center Agents

Managing work-from-home call center agents can be tricky if you do not know where to start. A remote call center works through virtual agents and offices. And this lack of physical office location can prove difficult when it comes to monitoring agents and their interactions. However, there are tools and options available to make this process much easier for managers. Here we will look at the different methods you can try to motivate your agents, monitor their work, and train them to do better.

1. Set and Reiterate Goals

It is important to always be on the same page about the goals and standards of the company. As an agent, what is the agent’s ultimate goal and what steps do they need to take to reach these goals? Provide clear and easy-to-follow instructions and make yourself approachable for any questions or concerns that may arise. Refresh these goals in team meetings or group chats to keep it fresh.

2. Train and Retrain Your Employees

No matter how experienced an agent may be, it is always a good idea to have them go through a brief period of training. This may include refreshing the way certain things are done or running through new software together or doing some practice calls. You may even choose to listen in on a few calls to study how the agent handles themselves. On a similar note, conduct online workshops or group seminars to run through essential training as a refresher for existing agents.

3. Provide Helpful Training Materials

Besides workshops and training, give them access to sales webinars, software tutorials, textbooks, and classes that may help them improve their sales techniques or outbound calling strategies. Having access to these materials will help them stay in touch with the system and processes being used. It will also help them learn about new trends in sales and customer service.

H3: 4. Explain the Importance of Building Strong Customer Relationships

Since this is a virtual call center, efforts must be focused on building strong customer relationships. Therefore, it is important that your agents understand why and how they need to pursue this goal. Educate them on the value of having long-term and returning customers and how loyalty can impact customer retention rates. This information should motivate them positively and encourage them to provide stellar service. This will help improve CSAT scores.

5. Provide Agents with the Right Call Center Tools

Helping your call center agents also includes choosing the right call center software for your call center. Whether it is getting an outbound calling service with an easy-to-use dialer or an IVR system that distributes calls evenly so that no agents become overwhelmed. Having the right resources can make sure your agents are not overloaded with calls and are able to provide solid support.

6. Focus on Improving Quality Assurance

Consider using VoIP call recording to evaluate how agents interact with customers and callers. Here you can identify areas of improvement and highlight appropriate agent behavior. This can also be used for training purposes with the goal to improve virtual call center quality assurance.

Improve Your Virtual Call Center with Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding offers virtual call center tools such as IVR, outbound calling, call recording, and more. Learn more about our services by talking to an expert today!

Top 9 Virtual Phone Number Providers [2024]

4th June 2020 Learn

Choosing a virtual phone number provider can be a daunting task. There are so many service providers that exist in today’s market. This guide helps you navigate the best virtual phone number providers in 2024.

What is the Best Virtual Phone Number Service

Virtual phone numbers (also called hosted phone numbers) are telephone numbers that route calls over the internet; that is “virtually.” VoIP services make a lot of sense for small and medium sized businesses. In fact, studies show that more than 30% of all businesses worldwide are using some type of virtual number service.

It can help businesses reduce telephony costs while scaling their communication systems. There are so many options available today that can expand the capabilities of any business phone system.

What Are the Types of Virtual Phone Numbers?

There are several different types of virtual phone numbers available from providers in 2024. We consider the most common types:

  • Local phone numbers: assigned to specific states or cities within a country
  • Toll free numbers: assigned to specific countries with a designated prefix; charges the receiver instead of the caller
  • International toll free numbers (ITFN): toll free numbers for international countries; best for businesses with global offices

Hosted phone number services are typically made possible through international call forwarding. This enables providers to offer number originations in a certain country while they forward calls to other countries worldwide.

Key Factors Considered in Our Evaluation

The most important things to consider when choosing a virtual phone number provider are service, quality, and reliability. First off, we recommend choosing a provider that has been in business for more than ten years. It is also important to choose a provider with an outstanding reputation for call-quality and customer support.

We evaluated the best virtual phone number providers based on more than twenty different factors. Here are some of the many factors that we considered in our evaluation:

  • Pricing: this includes the total pricing for virtual phone number service. We consider whether their plans are priced monthly or annually and whether services are billed annually versus monthly. Some virtual number providers also charge per user. Also, setup costs were taken into consideration.
  • Convenience: it is important to choose a provider that offers convenient ways to get numbers and manage your services.
  • Ease of Use: we always recommend choosing companies that have an easy to use control panel to manage service features.
  • Service Features: IVR is essential in today’s business environment.
  • Customer Support: service and support should be a company’s top priority.
  • Reputation: we checked the Better Business Bureau for complaints against companies in our list.

Who are the Best Virtual Phone Number Providers?

We have put together a list of 9 virtual phone number providers for your convenience based on features offered, variety of plans, set-up/cancellation options, etc.

*Note: Prices and information about the providers mentioned here are current and subject to changes.

1. Global Call Forwarding

Features:

  • Variety of hosted phone numbers: toll free (160+ countries), local, ITFN, UIFN, vanity
  • Mobile accessible numbers
  • SMS-enables numbers
  • Unlimited extensions for different departments
  • SIP trunking and VoIP phone systems
  • Call forwarding options
  • Outbound calling (customizable caller ID function)
  • Call recording (inbound and outbound)
  • Customizable IVR systems

Cost: Global Call Forwarding offers 5 different virtual number plans based on business needs: $12.95/mo, $23.95/mo, $78.95/mo, $158.95/mo, $248.95/mo

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contract: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: 7-day free trial for business accounts

2. Jive Communications

Popular Features:

  • Call management tools
  • Call blocking
  • Custom schedules
  • Find Me/Follow Me feature
  • Integrations
  • Unlimited SMS and messaging

Cost: Contact a Jive representative

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: First month free

3. Talkroute

Popular Features:

  • Toll free, local, vanity numbers
  • Outbound calls
  • Interactive voice response (IVR)
  • Call Logs and Reports
  • Single and multi-digit extensions

Cost: Talkroute offers 4 different virtual number plans: $19/mo, $39/mo, $59/mo, and $99/mo.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: Yes, 7-day trial

4. Vonage

Popular Features:

  • Call screening
  • Do Not Disturb function
  • Call monitoring
  • Voicemail (transcript form)
  • Integrations: Salesforce and Zoho

Cost: Vonage offers three virtual phone number plans: $19.99/mo/line, $29.99/mo/line, and $39.99/mo/line.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: 14-day free trial

5. CallHippo

Popular Features:

  • Local, toll free, and vanity numbers
  • Call conferencing
  • Call queuing and barging
  • Smart call forwarding
  • Simultaneous ringing
  • Call recording
  • Analytics and reports

Cost: CallHippo offers 4 virtual business number plans: $18/user/mo, $24/user/mo, $40/user/mo, and customized solutions with features of all the previous plans.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: No

6. RingCentral

Popular Features:

  • Unlimited calling
  • Call recording
  • Voicemail-to-text
  • Analytics and reports
  • Flip calls between devices
  • Call screening

Cost: RingCentral has 4 virtual phone number plans: $29.99/user/mo, $34.99/user/mo, $44.99/user/mo, and $59/99/user/mo.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No, cancel anytime

Free trial: Yes

7. OnSIP

Popular Features:

  • Unlimited voice and video calling
  • Call recording
  • Website chat
  • Inbound bridge
  • Voicemail boxes
  • Polycom phones included

Cost: OnSIP has 2 virtual business number plans: $18.95/user/mo and $49.95/mo for each account + 2.9¢ per minute.

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: N/a

Free trial: Yes, 30-day

8. Phone.com

Popular Features:

  • International, toll free, and local numbers
  • Call routing
  • Unlimited extensions
  • Texting services
  • Call management tools (call transfer and forwarding options)
  • CRM integration
  • Voice tagging
  • Ring-ready phones

Cost: Phone.com offers 3 pay-per-minute virtual number plans: $12.99/mo, $19.99/mo, and $39.99/mo. They also offer 3 unlimited plans: $29.99/mo, $37.99/mo, and $49.99/mo.

Set-up fees: N/a

Long-term contracts: N/a

Free trial: No, 30-day money back guarantee

9. Nextiva

Popular Features:

  • Unlimited calling
  • Unlimited video conferencing
  • Call recording
  • SMS
  • Mobile VoIP app

Cost: Nextiva offers two virtual phone number plans: $20/user/mo and $27/user/mo

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No

Free trial: Yes

Get Virtual Phone Numbers From a Trusted Provider

We can help you get virtual numbers most suitable for your business needs. For an efficient and reliable virtual phone system, consider virtual phone number provider Global Call Forwarding. To learn more, speak to an expert at 1 (888) 908 6171 today!

15 Best Business VoIP Providers [2024]

3rd June 2020 Tech

Need to find a new business voice over IP provider for your office phone system? Look no further! We have put together a list of the top 15 VoIP providers for your convenience.

Who is the Best VoIP Providers for Business?

A voice over IP phone system uses the internet to transmit voice and video messages between two parties. This makes VoIP an ideal and cost-effective solution for businesses with considerable call volumes as virtual calls are cheaper than traditional calls.

Sorting through VoIP providers can be overwhelming. To make the process easier, we have listed 15 voice over IP providers and provided information regarding:

  • The features they offer
  • Any set-up or cancellation fees
  • Long-term commitment requirements
  • Free trial information
  • Costs and plans available

With this information, your business can find the ideal cloud phone system for office communication. To learn more about the various factors involved in finding the most suitable provider, read our article about choosing the right VoIP provider.

*Note: Prices and information about VoIP providers noted in this post are current and subject to changes.

1. Global Call Forwarding

Features:

  • Variety of virtual phone numbers
  • International toll free numbers for more than 160 countries
  • Unlimited extensions for different departments
  • Fax, SMS, and Voicemail to Email
  • Various call routing options
  • Business VoIP
  • Virtual call center features:
    • Call recording
    • Outbound calling with customizable caller ID
    • Customizable IVR systems, etc
  • Online account management
  • 24/7 customer support

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contract: No; cancel anytime; no cancellation fees

Free trial: 7-day free trial for business accounts

Cost: Global Call Forwarding offers 5 different virtual number plans that come equipped with VoIP features. These plans start as low as $7.96/mo.

2. Nextiva

Features:

  • Unlimited calls, texts, faxes nationwide
  • Unlimited video conferencing
  • Free HD phones
  • Mobile VoIP app
  • Call recording
  • Toll free minutes
  • SMS

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No

Free trial: Yes; 30-day full refund guarantee

Cost:

  • Professional — $20/user/mo
  • Enterprise — $27/user/mo

3. Vonage

Features:

  • Call analytics and reporting
  • 24/7 US customer support
  • Expert installation
  • Integrations: Salesforce, Zendesk, Zoho

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime; no cancellation fees

Free trial: 14-day free trial

Cost:

  • Mobile — $19.99/mo/line
  • Premium — $29.99/mo/line
  • Advanced — $39.99/mo/line

4. RingCentral

Features:

  • Unlimited calls, fax, SMS, conferencing
  • Document sharing
  • Voicemail-to-text
  • Call recording
  • Integrations: Office 365, G Suite, Slack, etc
  • Analytics and reports

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No, cancel anytime

Free trial: Yes

Cost:

  • Essentials — $29.99/user/mo
  • Standard — $34.99/user/mo
  • Premium — $44.99 /user/mo
  • Ultimate — $59.99/user/mo

RingCentral offers discounts if plans are paid annually instead of monthly.

5. 8×8

Features:

  • Unlimited calling and faxing (up to 47 countries)
  • Video conferencing
  • Mobile app
  • SMS
  • Team messaging

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: Yes, 30-day

Cost: Plans starting at $12/mo. To get a customized quote, contact 8×8’s sales team.

6. Ooma

Features:

  • Mobile app
  • Easy DIY set-up
  • Virtual receptionist
  • Extension dialing
  • On-hold music
  • Conferencing
  • Keep your current phone number or purchase a new one

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: 30-day free trial

Cost: Plans starting at $19.95/user/mo

7. Dialpad

Features:

  • Voice, video, text sharing on any device
  • AI tech to transcribe calls
  • Add and edit employees and users
  • Encourages remote working
  • Business SMS
  • Integrations: G Suite, Salesforce, Zendesk, etc
  • Analytics
  • Call routing

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: 14-day trial

Cost:

  • Standard — $20/user/mo
  • Pro — $30/user/mo
  • Enterprise — contact customer service for a quote

Dialpad offers discounts if paid annually instead of monthly.

8. Zoom

Features:

  • Single app for voice calls, video, meetings
  • HD audio
  • Voicemail
  • Call recording
  • Video and web conferencing
  • Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, G Suite

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No

Free trial: 14-day trial

Cost:

  • Basic — Free
  • Pro — $14.99/mo/host (up to 9 hosts per account)
  • Business — $19.99/mo/host (10+ hosts per account)
  • Enterprise — $19.99/mo/host (100+ hosts per account)

9. Jive

Features:

  • Convert computer, mobile into calling device
  • Free video conferencing
  • Screen sharing
  • Unlimited SMS and messaging
  • Auto-attendants
  • Call queues
  • Integrations
  • Voicemail and fax

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: First month free

Cost: Contact sales for an exact quote.

10. OnSIP

Features:

  • Polycom phones included
  • Unlimited voice and video calling
  • Call parkingCall recording
  • Sayso website chat
  • Ring groups
  • Announcements

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: N/a

Free trial: Yes

Cost:

  • Unlimited —$18.95/user/mo (includes phones and headsets for 5+ users)
  • Basic — 49.95/mo per account + 2.9¢ per minute

11. PanTerra

Features:

  • System suitable for multi-location and remote users
  • Team collaboration features
  • Free SIP phones
  • Mobility on any device
  • Contract discounts

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: no; cancel anytime

Free trial: 30-day trial

Cost:

  • New Customer offer — $14.96/user/mo
  • Get an exact quote by contacting customer support

12. 1-VoIP

Features:

  • Call forwarding
  • Call recording
  • Extension transfer
  • Auto-attendant
  • Call queues
  • Phone included with the Professional plan

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: No

Cost:

  • Contact sales for an exact quote.
  • Metered — $14.97/mo/extension
  • Corporate — $19.97/mo/extension
  • Professional — $29.97/mo/extension

13. Mitel

Features:

  • Unlimited calling and conferencing
  • Integrations: Outlook, G Suite
  • Video collaboration
  • Web conferencing (desktop sharing)
  • Mobile apps

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: N/a

Free trial: N/a

Cost:

  • Essentials — $20.99/user/mo
  • Premier — $26.59/user/mo
  • Elite — $38.49/user/mo

14. ClarityTel

Features:

  • Virtual PBX
  • Unlimited calling
  • 40+ calling features
  • Call recording
  • Call transfer and waiting
  • Logs and activity reports
  • Mobile connect and apps

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No

Free trial: 30-day money back

Cost: Plans starting at $14.99/mo/line. Contact customer support for an exact quote.

15. Intermedia

Features:

  • Free business phone for every user
  • Conferencing calling
  • SIP trunking
  • Contact center reporting and analytics
  • IVR and call routing

Set-up fees: No

Long-term contracts: No; cancel anytime

Free trial: N/a

Cost: Contact customer support for a price quote.

Get VoIP For Your Small Business

Global Call Forwarding offers outbound calling and various call center features for businesses across the globe. These features encourage communication across borders through reliable and high-quality calling. To learn more about VoIP providers and how we can help you build a strong cloud phone system, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171 today!

3 Ways to Make International Calls from your Browser

12th May 2020 Tips

With advancements in cloud communications, connecting with international business contacts and customers is easier than ever. You can now initiate and answer international calls from your computer set-up anywhere in the world using only a reliable internet connection. Here, we will discuss how you can make international calls from your web browser.

How to Make a Phone Call from Your Web Browser

The best way to make a phone call from your browser is with international VoIP. This is a technology that converts your voice into a digital signal that travels over the internet. Most VoIP services will enable you to call anyone who has a phone number – even local, mobile, and long-distance international destinations.

The three most common solutions are Voice over IP software, a web phone, browser extensions, and international callback.

1. Voice Over IP Software

Voice over IP is the most commonly used communication technology to make international calls over the internet. This is because it is much more cost-effective than using a landline. Furthermore, some providers offer virtual features and services that are not available with traditional landlines.

To use VoIP effectively, a broadband (high-speed) internet connection is required, either through a cable modem or other high-speed services such as DSL. The strength of your internet connection will determine the effectiveness of this solution.

In addition, you will need Voice over IP software and an inexpensive microphone. VoIP software usually costs around $25 to $50 per month, depending on the provider. With good and reliable software, it’s easy to make international calls.

Calls can be made through the VoIP service directly, or the service can be integrated to make and receive calls through a CRM or help desk software.

Learn how to make international phone calls from a web browser.

2. Web Phone Dialer or Softphone

A web dialer enables users to make international calls over the internet. It operates largely like a traditional telephone on your computer, where you enter a phone number on a dial pad to initiate a call.

To make browser calls from a web phone dialer, log in to the service provider’s website with your username/PIN and password. After logging in, you have access to a dialer interface. This enables you to make international calls directly from your browser.

Similarly, a Softphone will enable international calling from a computer. Users will need to download an application on their computer and enter their credentials. Upon successful registration, they’ll be able to start making calls. However, you can consider Softphones to be native applications while web dialers work over web browsers.

Web dialers and Softphones will often offer features such as call transfer, call history, and other functionality to improve your international calling experience.

3. Browser Extensions

Some providers offer international calling through click-to-call Chrome extensions that enable you to dial a number from any webpage just by clicking on the phone number. In our experience, we highly recommend using click-to-call to make international calls from a web browser. Companies can enhance the online experiences of their agents using browser extensions.

Honorable Mention: International Callback

International callback is our top recommended way to make international calls if you don’t have a stable high-speed internet connection or if you are in one of the countries where VoIP is prohibited. Callback uses third-party countries, like the United States, to enable low-cost international calls.

Make International Calls Online

These solutions make it possible for businesses to make international calls online. Stay connected with your customers and contacts no matter where they are located.

To call internationally from a computer, businesses only need a stable internet connection and Voice over IP software. If you want to make international calls from your browser, follow the tips in this article. For more information, call us at 1 (888) 908 6171 and talk to an expert.

Using Virtual Telephone Numbers With My Cisco Phone System

4th March 2020 How To's, Learn

Cloud communication is the future. Making calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines can increase efficiency and reduce costs. To set a VoIP office system, you will need a VoIP service provider offering virtual numbers as well as an IP phone or a softphone to make calls from. Here, we will look at how to use virtual telephone numbers with Cisco phone systems

Cisco Phone System: An IP Solution

Cisco is a telecom company offering a variety of phone products and software to enable better communications. Paired with virtual numbers from Global Call Forwarding, you can build a strong office phone system that will support your internal and external communications. So, how do you use virtual numbers and VoIP service with your Cisco phone system?

Purchase Virtual Numbers

To use virtual numbers through your Cisco phone system, first purchase virtual telephone numbers from Global Call Forwarding. We offer toll free, local, and international toll free numbers for more than 160 countries across the world. You can get one or multiple numbers as you see fit.

To purchase numbers:

  1. Sign up for a new number on our homepage.
  2. Under “Select Your New Phone Number,” enter the necessary information for the new number you desire.
  3. Then, on the right, enter the destination number. This is where you want incoming calls to be forwarded.
  4. View rates and select one that is suitable for you.
  5. Add additional communication features such as Call Recording software and Outbound Calling.
  6. Complete your purchase and activate your number(s).

Make a Note of your SIP Information

Once your numbers are ready to be used, you will need to locate your SIP information to use later for configuration purposes. You will need certain information such as your SIP PIN number, the password, and the domain.

To locate the PIN number for your account:

  1. Log into the Global Call Forwarding control panel.
  2. Under Account Overview, select Outbound Calling.
  3. In the first column, locate your PIN number.
  4. Then, navigate to the right side and click on the Tools icon.
  5. A pop-up will appear.
  6. Scroll down to Password.
  7. Now, note your SIP PIN number and Password.
  8. The domain for Global Call Forwarding is mysipaccount.net.

Configure Your Cisco Phone System

A Cisco phone system is a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone system that, once configured, will enable you to make quick and easy calls over the internet. However, it needs to be connected to your VoIP provider first. Begin by setting up your device:

  1. Remove device materials out of the packing box.
  2. Connect the main desk phone to the handset by connecting its coiled cord to the “Handset” port on the backside of the desk phone.
  3. Then, connect the desk phone and the internet. Plug one end of the ethernet cable into the “LAN” port of your desk phone and the other into a port on your internet modem.
  4. Now, your phone is powered on and connected to the network.

The next step is to locate the phone’s IP address. This depends on the type of model you have. The most common way to find the IP address is through the Network configuration menu within the Setup menu on the phone.

Now, type this IP address into your internet browser and it should open up a Cisco webpage. Here, enter your Cisco login information. Check the documents included with the phone for the login and password. Contact the seller, if you cannot find the necessary information.

Once logged in, navigate to Basic settings and under Voice > Ext 1, enter your SIP PIN, password, and domain/proxy. On saving, your phone should now be compatible with your VoIP provider.

Using VoIP with Cisco Phone Systems

As you can see, the set up here is pretty easy and straightforward. Once you have everything ready to go, you can make high profile calls with high call quality and reliability. Build your IP office system and watch it increase efficiency and manage calls better.

International Forwarding for Google Voice and Skype

25th January 2018 Learn, Tech

If you’re someone who frequently travels overseas, particularly for business, you are probably familiar with the complications and expenses of your mobile service provider’s international roaming and data charges. While you might be able to disconnect when you’re taking a relaxing vacation, these days when you’re traveling overseas for business, having access to a reliable communication network is essential. Being disconnected during the middle of a business call is simply unacceptable. The problem is, most mobile service providers realize this so they hike up their fees for international plans. However, don’t think you don’t have other options. You don’t have to bust your budget to stay in touch when you’re abroad; the internet offers a couple of very affordable and efficient alternatives.

google voice

What are Google Voice and Skype?

Google Voice and Skype are both VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone services. As such, they send and receive calls via the internet between people who are on the same platform or between the platform and a landline or mobile phone.

Google Voice

When you sign up for a Google Voice number, you will be able to make and receive calls from within the Gmail platform. This service is also integrated with Google Hangouts. You can also send text messages from within Gmail, and it won’t cost anything. Here’s a rundown of Google

Voice features:

Video chat: this is available only with Google’s plug-in installation called Voice and Video Chat.

Free international calling: this service is not included.

Unlimited domestic calls: this service is available.

Single platform integrated voice, video and IM: this is not available in a single platform; you have to add Google’s Voice and Video Chat plug-in.

  • Free SMS: only domestic SMS is free.
  • Free voicemail: available.
  • Free voicemail transcription: available.
  • Free call recording: this is available for incoming but not outgoing calls.
  • Free call blocking: this is available.
  • Free individual phone number: this is available.
  • Requires a phone plan: You do need a phone plan to use Google voice, though you may use Google Voice and Video Chat for free if you are connected to the internet.
  • Free group video chat: This is available but only on Google+ hangouts.
  • Place 911emergency calls: this is not available.
  • The corporate version of this service: this is not available.

Skype

Skype is one of the most widely used VoIP platforms in the world, and it has been widely popular for almost a decade. Though there were other means of chatting and communicating over the internet before Skype, this platform really changed global communication for the better.

Skype has made it easy and affordable to communicate with others all over the world with the easiest access. It’s simple to use and offers a user-friendly and cost-effective way to stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues, wherever you are in the world and whenever you are traveling overseas. You can use Skype on your Mac, PC, iPhones and Android devices. You can connect with other Skype users via the internet for free. If you are calling a landline or a mobile number there are varying fees depending on the location you are calling.

  • Video chat: Skype allows video conferencing.
  • Free international calling: only direct calls from one Skype user to another are free.
  • Unlimited domestic calls: you may make domestic calls for free from one Skype user to another, but you will have to pay for a Skype subscription to make calls to landlines and mobile phones. The rate will be charged per minute and will depend on the country you are calling.
  • Single platform integrated voice, video and IM: this is available.
  • Free SMS: you must purchase credits to send text messages. The rate will vary depending on the country you are sending to.
  • Free Voicemail: available.
  • Free Voicemail transcription: this will cost you 25 cents/ message.
  • Free call recording: this is not available.
  • Free call blocking: available.
  • Free individual phone number: in the U.S. you may purchase a number for a three-month period for the price of $18. The Skype Premium plan also allows users a 33% discount for three months on their numbers and a 50% discount for a year.
  • Requires a phone plan: this is not necessary because you can connect via the internet.
  • Free group video chat: this is not available. In order to have group video chats, you must subscribe to Skype Premium. The cost will vary depending on your country.
  • Place 911 emergency calls: this is not available.
  • The corporate version of this service: to obtain this you must purchase a subscription to Skype for Business. The cost will vary depending on the size of your company. This version features group calling, less expensive calls, contact with non-Skype customers and, collaborative functions.

International Number Forwarding

Google Voice offers free number forwarding using (Public Switched Telephone Network [PSTN] integration). Skype users have the option of call forwarding with certain paid subscriptions. However, if you wish to take advantage of international number forwarding, you will need to purchase a virtual international number from a third party and have the calls routed to your Google Voice or Skype number.

What is International Virtual Number Forwarding?

A virtual phone number is not like any other phone number. International number forwarding is most often used to forward calls to businesses overseas. As such, a virtual number is more of a redirect route which passes through a service, rather than an actual phone number. International forwarding allow you to connect with overseas customers without having to change your main contact number. It allows customers from all over the world to contact you via a local toll-free number, providing you with a virtual presence all over the world. This method is advantageous because it facilitates global communication and gives overseas customers confidence in your company and your brand.

No matter where in the world you are trying to reach out to, international forwarding will allow you to offer a toll-free number for clients to reach you, eliminating their need to use confusing international dialing codes and pay expensive international calling fees. Not only will you build your global presence, but you will also seem like a local company in many different countries.