Digital transformation is changing the way we communicate both professionally and personally. Telephony is going digital, and it’s time for businesses to future-proof their phone systems ahead of the 2025 legacy landline switch off.
When switching to a digital phone system, you’ll be issued a virtual phone number, which is a set of digits that is not tied to a physical location. Virtual numbers can be used on multiple devices from anywhere with an internet connection.
Here are some of the key benefits virtual phone numbers provide for small businesses, startups and freelancers.
What Is a Virtual Phone Number and How Does It Work?
Virtual phone numbers aren’t linked to a particularly device and are completely internet-based. They’re also not tied to a landline, allowing you to make and receive calls from your smartphone or tablet too. Great for working on the go.
1. Cost Efficiency
Virtual phone numbers are much more cost-effective than those linked to legacy landline phones. Firstly, there are fewer costs involved in the maintenance of a virtual phone system as the service provider will typically take care of updates. They can also be used to make and receive calls from anywhere in the world at flat rate-cutting costs associated with international calling or roaming charges.
2. You Can Establish a Local Presence
You can set up a virtual phone number in a city or country where you don’t have a physical location. This allows you to establish a local presence at a fraction of the cost, which is great if you have a strong customer base in a particular geographic area.
What’s more, customers tend to be more trusting of brands that use local numbers as they know they aren’t being charged extortionate fees to place a call.
3. It Provides You With Increased Flexibility and Mobility
One of the major benefits of a virtual phone number is that it allows you to make and receive calls from anywhere and on any internet or data-connected device. This means your employees are no longer tied to their desks.
Virtual phone numbers go where you go. So whether you’re working from home or from a co-working space in the city, you’ll have complete access to your business phone system. Moreover, calls to your virtual phone number can be routed to a mobile device so you never miss a call.
As companies worldwide adapt to hybrid and remote working models, virtual phone numbers are a vital technology to facilitate flexibility in the workplace.