Local Virtual Phone Numbers - America's Phone Guys in Portland OR Vancouver WA

Local Virtual Phone Numbers

Ever wondered why some companies seem to have local numbers in every city? Historically, local phone numbers were explicitly tied to a specific geographic area. That is no longer the case. If your company is conducting business in more than one “local” area you will likely understand the importance appearing nearby.

There’s no need to search for a local phone service provider in order to get a phone number from an area in which you aren’t located anymore. VoIP phone service providers have access to numbers from all over the globe. We do however recommend you work with a VoIP provider in the area that your business is located. Some VoIP carrier’s remote tech support is really not up to snuff and it’s always nice to have a local person available to help when troubleshooting is required.

How Local Phone Numbers Work

More and more businesses utilize VoIP technology for all or part of their telecommunications. Using VoIP phone lines can allow you to appear to be a local company in multiple areas. This is something that can be quite expensive with traditional phone service providers. VoIP carriers, like America’s Phone Guys, can provide these numbers and services at a fraction of the cost.

Traditional phone companies can assign “local” phone numbers to your account & then will set up call forwarding for which you will be charged by the minute in addition to monthly line and forwarding fees. It is much easier with VoIP carriers who will just find out which area and central office codes you would like and give you options for phone numbers within those parameters. Those chosen numbers are “ported” to your service and the charges are normally minimal with no usage fees unless you are calling high rate zone areas or internationally.

VoIP phone service uses the Internet and not traditional copper lines which is part of why the technology is so flexible. And you don’t have to convert to all VoIP phone lines to take advantage of the service. The numbers can be easily forwarded to your regular land lines if you are uncertain about the technology.

Why Would You Want Local Phone Numbers for Business?

Many customers like to know they’re doing business with a local company. Having local phone numbers for a business may help give them a sense that the company is familiar with the area and part of the community.

Toll-free numbers, on the other hand, can give the impression of a faceless corporation where often an automated attendant answers calls. This can be a turn off to those who don’t want to be dealing with a distant company that cannot meet their needs.

In addition, local phone numbers often can save the business money. Toll-free numbers can cost almost 3 times as much per minute as a local phone number. Since most people have nationwide cellular plans anyway, toll-free numbers are somewhat meaningless now. People won’t hesitate to call a number just because it is not toll free.

Why Would You Want Local Phone Numbers for Business?

Many customers like to know they’re doing business with a local company. Having local phone numbers for a business may help give them a sense that the company is familiar with the area and part of the community.

Toll-free numbers, on the other hand, can give the impression of a faceless corporation where often an automated attendant answers calls. This can be a turn off to those who don’t want to be dealing with a distant company that cannot meet their needs.

In addition, local phone numbers often can save the business money. Toll-free numbers can cost almost 3 times as much per minute as a local phone number. Since most people have nationwide cellular plans anyway, toll-free numbers are somewhat meaningless now. People won’t hesitate to call a number just because it is not toll free.

What is Spoofing?

Some unscrupulous folks will send out fake caller ID information that will appear as though they aren’t who they really are or show phone numbers that don’t belong to them. So, it can appear that a local phone number is calling you and if you were to try to call that number back you wouldn’t get the original caller. This should not be confused with having a local virtual phone number and is not something the carriers that America’s Phone Guys works with will do.

Conclusion

The final decision on this comes down to how you perceive the issue. Do you think there’s a benefit to being viewed as a local business for your particular area? Are there large faceless corporations vying for your customer’s business so that it could give you an edge to appear smaller and more local? Would it help your company to appear more in tune with the local community? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, a Local Virtual Phone Number or more than one may be for you!

Local Virtual Phone Numbers in Portland OR - Vancouver WA - Oregon Coast

SERVING CLIENTS IN NW OREGON AND SW WASHINGTON

PORTLAND | GRESHAM | TROUTDALE | SANDY | BORING | DAMASCUS | CLACKAMAS | OREGON CITY | WEST LINN | LAKE OSWEGO | TUALATIN | SALEM | NEWBERG | MCMINNVILLE | BEAVERTON | HILLSBORO | RAINIER | SEASIDE | ASTORIA | LINCOLN CITY

VANCOUVER | BATTLE GROUND | CAMAS | WASHOUGAL | LA CENTER | RIDGEFIELD | ORCHARDS | BRUSH PRAIRIE | WOODLAND | KELSO | KALAMA | LONGVIEW | CASTLE ROCK | LONG BEACH

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