Many businesses use call forwarding services to divert their calls to an automated system when unavailable. But consumers who reach a recording instead of a live person are less likely to do business with the company. According to Forbes, 72% of users say that automated services are a waste of time. Live answering provides a forward-thinking way to call forwarding services. “Call forwarding can be an extremely valuable addition to any businesses arsenal” says Natalie Ruiz, CEO of AnswerConnect. She continued to say “Having a virtual receptionist on hand to take your calls 24/7 is a surefire way to keep more customers, book more appointments and deliver comprehensive customer service. It’s a tool that can not only help you drive revenue but can also help scale your business explicitly on your terms.”
In this article we’ll be exploring
- What exactly is a call forwarding service
- The benefits of call forwarding services
- When call forwarding services might be used
- Different types of call forwarding services
- Call forwarding pricing considerations
- How AnswerConnect could be the right choice for your business
What is a call forwarding service?
A call forwarding service ensures that your calls are never missed by redirecting them from your main business line to another designated phone number. This allows you to stay connected wherever you are, ensuring you never miss a crucial inquiry or customer order.
Additionally, call forwarding offers the flexibility to establish local phone numbers in new territories or international markets. This not only enhances customer accessibility but also projects a professional image, projecting a local presence even from afar.
Additionally, call forwarding services often include customizable features, such as prioritizing urgent calls during business hours and directing non-urgent ones to voicemail or alternate contacts after hours. This ensures efficient call management tailored to your business needs.
Call forwarding is a versatile tool that empowers businesses of all sizes to manage their communications & customer service effectively. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a growing enterprise, integrating call forwarding into your workflow can greatly improve your ability to stay connected and provide exceptional service to customers.
Benefits of call forwarding services for your business (how it works)
Whilst we may have already touched on a few of benefits call forwarding can offer your business, we’ve come up with a handy list of benefits that using a call answering service can have, both in the long-term and in the short-term.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Users can set up call forwarding rules through their phone system, enabling them to redirect incoming calls from their primary number to other designated numbers, such as mobile phones or alternate landlines. This ensures that regardless of their location, important calls can always be received.
- Improved Customer Service: Businesses utilize call forwarding features to create customized routing rules based on criteria like time of day or departmental preferences. Incoming calls are automatically directed to the appropriate department or employee, ensuring swift and efficient assistance for customers. Need calls answering 24/7? No problem.
- Flexibility: Users enjoy the flexibility of customizing call forwarding settings according to their needs and preferences. This can be easily done through online portals or mobile apps, allowing users to redirect calls to different numbers or devices based on factors like availability or location.
- Cost Efficiency: By consolidating incoming calls into a single phone number or system, businesses streamline their communication infrastructure, reducing the need for maintaining multiple phone lines or devices. This results in significant cost savings on equipment, maintenance, and service fees.
- Increased Productivity: Employees remain productive even when away from the office by setting up call forwarding to redirect calls to their mobile phones or other devices, additionally this ensures continuous accessibility, enabling employees to stay connected and responsive while on the move.
When would I need a call forwarding service?
Everyone has their own unique needs and uses for a call forwarding service. Are you scaling your business? Or do you simply need more coverage? There’s no right or wrong answer. See some examples below as to how some of our clients use our call forwarding service.
| Scenario | Need |
|---|---|
| Remote Work or Travel | Ensure seamless communication while on the move by redirecting important calls to a mobile phone. |
| Business Expansion | Establish local presence and accessible customer support in new markets by forwarding calls to a centralized call center. |
| Customer Support | Streamline support operations by directing calls to specialized teams, ensuring prompt and efficient assistance. |
| Emergency Situations | Enable rapid communication during critical situations by instantly redirecting emergency calls to on-call personnel. |
| Sales and Lead Management | Maximize availability for engaging with potential leads by forwarding calls directly to a mobile phone. |
| Business Continuity | Maintain uninterrupted communication with clients and stakeholders during office disruptions by setting up call forwarding to alternative locations. |
| Personal Flexibility | Balance personal commitments with professional responsibilities by forwarding calls to a mobile phone or alternate number. |
| Work-Life Balance | Create space for relaxation outside of work hours by configuring call forwarding to manage work-related calls appropriately. |
| Entrepreneurship or Freelancing | Optimize communication management across multiple projects and clients by directing calls to separate lines or devices. |
| Time Management | Minimize distractions during focused work periods by customizing call forwarding rules based on your schedule. |
Different Types of Call Forwarding Services
Here are some of the different types businesses can use with an answering service.
Busy call forwarding
To only forward calls when your line is busy dial *90 or 90#. If you want to stop forwarding your calls when the line is busy, dial *91 or 91# from the same line.
Standard call forwarding
To forward your calls dial *72 or 73# from the number you want to transfer. Press the 10-digit number of the phone where you’d like your calls to be forwarded to. If you want to stop forwarding your calls, simply dial *73 or 73# from the same line.
Scheduled forwarding
If you want to set up a schedule for call forwarding, sending calls to a different number at certain times of the day or days of the week, you need to work with your phone provider. Or, clients can add an IVR to an AnswerConnect account and build the schedule into that system.
Call forwarding service pricing
Each service is different, so it’s important to stay aware of how pricing structures impact your setup and align with your own financial requirements. Here’s a list of the most common pricing factors to bear in mind. Please note, that this is a general representation and will differ upon each service.
| Pricing Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | Fixed monthly fee for access to call forwarding services, typically based on the selected plan tier and included features. |
| Usage-Based Pricing | Per-minute rate for forwarded calls, applicable when exceeding the allotted minutes included in the subscription plan. |
| Feature Add-Ons | Additional fees for extra features such as custom greetings, call recording, voicemail transcription, and advanced call routing. |
| International Forwarding | Additional charges for call forwarding to international numbers, varying based on the destination country and provider rates. |
| Toll-Free Numbers | Cost associated with obtaining toll-free numbers for call forwarding, potentially higher than local number forwarding charges. |
| Contract Length | Discounts or incentives offered for signing longer-term contracts, with pricing varying based on month-to-month or annual commitments. |
| Setup Fees | One-time fee for setting up call forwarding services, may be waived by some providers or included in the subscription plan. |
| Overage Charges | Charges incurred for exceeding the included minutes or usage limits of the subscription plan, often calculated on a per-minute basis. |
At AnswerConnect, we like to keep pricing simple and flexible. If you want to find out more about AnswerConnect’s range of competitive & flexible plans click below. Remember, you can upgrade or downgrade at any time.
Why choose AnswerConnect as a call forwarding service
If you’re looking for a reliable call forwarding service, AnswerConnect should be at the top of your list.
Thousands of businesses across the United States trust us for their call forwarding needs, and it’s easy to see why. Our extensive client base is a testament to our proven track record of reliability and effectiveness in meeting the communication needs of diverse industries and organizations. One of the standout features of AnswerConnect is our 24/7 availability. With our round-the-clock support, your calls will be answered and forwarded at any time, ensuring constant accessibility for your customers, regardless of time zones or operating hours.
Integration with existing systems and processes is seamless with AnswerConnect. We can integrate our call forwarding services with your CRM software, helpdesk platforms, or other tools, streamlining communication and enhancing efficiency. Our call forwarding services are straightforward to set up, and our intuitive interface makes it easy for you to view call data, review conversations and see messages in real time.
Our team of professionals is always available to assist you with any questions, concerns, or technical issues. We understand the importance of responsive and helpful support, and we strive to provide the best customer service experience possible.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive and reliable solution for your call forwarding needs, AnswerConnect is the way to go.
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