Google Voice is probably the most synonymous name for a voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone framework. Google Voice is a simple to set up option for businesses that have never used VoIP before, and its free version makes it accessible to almost anyone. Google Voice’s integrated communication framework makesuse of VoIP technologyto help you manage calls from any device.
So, how does Google Voice work for businesses? And why is it essential in today’s world?
Some of the main features of Google Voice include customizable voicemail, call forwarding, call screening, voicemail transcription, and group messaging. SMS support is also an essential feature of Google Voice.
How Does Google Voice Work?
Google Voice converts your voice into a digital signal that travels over the internet. It is a VoIP service with which you can make calls directly from a computer. If you are wondering how google voice works on cell phones, all you need is a connection to the internet to operate it properly.
Google Voice is a phone service that gives customers a US-based phone number and allows them tosend and receive text messagesand voicemails over the Internet. Google Voice converts your voice into a digital signal that travels over the internet. It is a VoIP service with which you can make calls directly from a computer.
If you are wonderinghow Google voice works on Android, you can simply enable it from the settings of the Google app. And if you are wonderinghow Google voice works on iPhone, download it from the app store, follow the instructions, and enable it from the settings.
If you are wondering how Google Voice works Internationally, note that It’s free for personal use, with unlimited texts and calls to any phone number in Canada or the US, as well as low-cost international calling. It also includes call blocking,automatic routing, call forwarding, and the ability to customize caller and contact voicemail greetings.
To be eligible for a free Google Voice number, you must already have a phone number in the United States. It’s also worth noting that while you can accept calls from anyone for free, you’ll need to add credits to your account if you want to call someone outside of Canada or the United States. The per-minute rate depends on the country.
It’s important to look for all the options while selecting the communication system for your business- that’s why we’ve covered every detail in this article.
Why Should You Use Google Voice for Your Business?
When it comes to business, everybody these days has a contact number.It can be a mobile number or a landline in their office or home. People even have multiple contact numbers for the same business. While some use the same number for personal and professional purposes, others prefer to keep these contact numbers separate. Adjusting and skipping between this multitude of various numbers and telephones can get complicated.
Google Voice is a useful tool for businesses, which provides centralized communication, call forwarding, professional voicemail, low-cost international calling, and custom greetings. These features improve efficiency, reliability, and professionalism for companies, making it a cost-effective communication solution.
This is where Google Voice comes in with its streamlining service. With the help of Google Voice, you can forward each number to one number, allowing you to answer calls from all your contact numbers on a single solution.
Here are some reasons why you should start using Google Voice:
Use Gmail for making and receiving calls
If you have a Gmail account, even a free one, you can make calls to anyone in the U.S. and Canada directly from your inbox. However, with every call, you’re given a unique telephone — and many people tend to ignore calls from unknown numbers.
With Google Voice, you can resolve that issue. When you sign up for Google Voice and choose your number, all your active Gmail calls will be made from that number. This way, the receiver will be able to see who’s calling. Similarly, you can answer calls within Gmail and Google Hangouts directly from your PC.
Get unlimited texts for free
Free messaging comes integrated with Google Voice. It is an incredible advantage as follow-up messages or updates can be communicated easily with instant messages.
You can also text from any platform and device if necessary. Access Google Voice from your browser, or install the Chrome extension to get notified and send and receive messages directly from the browser.
Forward calls to just one number
You canforward your calls to different numbersusing your Google Voice number. This comes in handy when it’s time to acquire a new phone or change service providers. Your Google Voice number can be forwarded to another phone number or your old phone number.
Transcribe voice messages
It takes things one step further by including Google Voices with phone texts. It converts your audio message into text using its high-level discourse acknowledgment technology.
Create call forwarding rules
This feature allows you to redirect all of your calls to a single Google Voice number. That is not, however, the end of the story. You can set up your own rules for the calls to figure out what calls go where and when.
Record your calls
Google Voice allows you to easily record calls and start and stop recording with a single click. You may always listen to the recordings whenever you want. This is an excellent alternative for large meetings over the phone. They can be saved and referred to whenever needed.
Switch phones easily
You can switch numbers in the middle of a call, which is a unique feature of this service. Different numbers that you’ve paired with your Google Voice will ring after tapping the star key. In a sense, you may get back on track with a good chance that the person on the other end of the line has no idea what happened.
How to Set up Google Voice for your Small Business?
Setting up Google Voice is fast and simple. Given below are the steps you need to follow in order to set up Google Voice:
Stage 1: Sign in to Google
Whenever you head over to the Google Voice landing page, you’ll see an option in the upper-right corner for you to sign in to your Google account.
Stage 2: Opt for a Google Voice Phone Number
- When you sign in, you’ll be prompted to choose a phone number in your area to use as your Google Voice Number.
- To discover the available numbers, type in your city name or area code. Try a nearby location If no access numbers are available in your region.
- It also allows you to get a virtual phone number for somewhere other than where you live. This allows you to use a region code close to your clients, client base, or whomever you’ll be calling.
Stage 3: Verification of existing phone number
- After you’ve found the virtual phone number you want, click Select.
- Then, you will be asked to confirm your current number. To do so, go to Verify and type in the phone number you want Google to forward your calls to (for instance, your phone number).
- Click Send Code, and Google will call or message you with the confirmation code. When you have the code; enter it into the relevant field and click Verify.
Stage 4: Finish the setup
- Click Claim to confirm that the number you confirmed is the same number you want your calls forwarded to. If you wish to, you can modify this number at a later time. After two clicks on Finish, you’re ready to use Google Voice on your computer.
Stage 5: Download the Google Voiceapplicationto get started
- Now you’d want to set up Google Voice on your phone. Browse the app store and download the Google Voice app from the Apple App Store (iPhone) or the Google Play Store (Android).
- Sign in to your google account after opening the application. Here, confirm the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and acknowledge them to get started.
Workspace Limitations Of Google Voice
Once you have an understanding of what google voice is for businesses, make sure you go through its limitations as well.
- Google voice can only be used with other Google applications.
- It costs more than other VoIP service providers.
- It has an upper limitation for ten users, even for the paid subscription plans.
- It does not offer shared plans and provides limited team collaboration.
- There are limitations imposed on texting.
- There is no availability for toll-free numbers.
Considering the above-mentioned limitations, it would be beneficial for your business to switch from Google voice to JustCall. JustCall is a feature-rich, convenient, and reasonably priced option. It enables various features that are not supported by Google voice.
In order to accommodate concurrency, quick failover, and outage proofing for hosting voice and messaging, JustCall also has data centers spread across seven different geographic areas, which makes it an ideal option for your business requirements.
JustCall is incredibly flexible because it allows users to place calls from a PC, mobile device, or app. Customers may now simply move between platforms due to this. Additionally, it connects rather well with more than 100 CRMs, allowing you to view customer history and call and text logs.
How Does Google Voice Work With Other Google Apps?
Google Voice integrates with several other Google apps, such as:
- Gmail:You can use Google Voice to make and receive phone calls directly from your Gmail inbox- it allows you to manage all your communication in one place without switching between different apps.
- Google Calendar:Google Voice can be integrated with Google Calendar to automatically decline calls when you are in a meeting and schedule calls from Google Calendar.
- Google Contacts:Google Voice can be integrated with Google Contacts to automatically populate your contact list with information from your Google Voice account.
- Google Home:You can use Google Voice to make phone calls, send text messages, and manage voicemails through Google Home devices.
Why Should you Switch from Google Voice to JustCall?
If you live in a country where Google Voice is not available, you can use another service like JustCall as an alternative. JustCall is a cloud-based phone system that provides various communication services, including call forwarding, voicemail, and texting. It is available in many countries and may be a good option for individuals or businesses looking to communicate using a single phone number.
Many individuals also face issues withhow to use google voice as a business line. In this regard, the most comprehensive solution for all of your business needs is JustCall. The support staff is essential to maintaining the clients’ satisfaction.
The following features of JustCall make it a better option than Google voice:
- Powerful autodialer & automation
- Toll-Free Numbers
- Automated Text Messages
- Call Recording Option
- Option to blacklist numbers
- Availability of business numbers
- Option to send and receive FAX
Additionally, JustCall has the option to create personalized greetings for welcome messages and for voicemail messages.
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How Much Does It Cost?
Google is mostly a free-to-use technology- creating a new account and getting a Google Services number is free. Calls made with Google Voice to phones in the United States of America are free, with a few limitations. Incoming Google Voice calls to other phone numbers will be charged.
(Besides,remember that Google makes the most money from “big data” advertisem*nts, not from fees and memberships.)
- All calls to some rural places in Canada and the US are charged at one dollar per minute.
- Per-minute fees for connections to other nations are prone to revision.
Conclusion
While as great as Google Voice is, if your needs are comprehensive, it’s a good idea to rely on enterprise-gradecloud-based business phone systems. For instance, sales and customer support teams that handle many inbound and outbound calls daily usually choose topVoIP phone systems.
Systems like JustCall come with many advanced features, fulfilling basic tasks and enabling better sales and customer service. To learn more about JustCall features, head over to their site.
