Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

First of all I want to send regards to all StartupNationers :)

Second of all, I`m looking for great Virtual Phone System for my company. I`m the only person in my company. It`s mostly computer service for local consumers in Ocean and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey. It`s homes based on-site computer service. On my business cards I have my cell phone number. Everybody calls my cell. I start getting more customers. I want to be and look more professional. When customer calls my cell I think it`s not professional (maybe I` m not right) It`s like having companyname@aol.com or something like that. I hope you will understand what I mean. Please advise me, and tell what do you think about all this.

Tomasz B
Computer Clue
www.computerclue.com

-------------------------

Tomasz B
Computer Clue
info@computerclue.com
www.computerclue.com

Actually, I think you`re excused in this case. I like that fact that you`re on the road helping other customers. This is sort of what i would expect if i was looking for personal IT help.

Wouldn`t that be more pro if my virtual phone system forward customer to my cell ?

-------------------------

Tomasz B
Computer Clue
info@computerclue.com
www.computerclue.com

I don`t understand what you expect the virtual phone system to do,

The machine picks up ... and then what happens?

Visit Gotvmail.com and you will undestand what I mean.

-------------------------

Tomasz B
Computer Clue
info@computerclue.com
www.computerclue.com

I checked it out...
I can see the advantages, If there were several people in your company, and they were on the road I would see this as an interesting solution. When you`re one guy, either you`re going to pick-up or you`re not. Throwing more technology at it won`t change the situation too much.

I would feel a little strange being hostage to a company that owns my 800 #. What happens if they raise their rates, or go out of business... does your main phone # disappear?

Dell has an extremely complex phone system, but it doesn`t do them any good. Just answer he phone and return the messages, and you`ll be light years ahead of them.

Don`t underestimate the advantage of always answering your phone.  It is a competitive differentiator that will land you more business.  Someone seeking IT help might just move on to the next company if they get a voicemail since they probably have an immediate need.  Also, you don`t need to indicate it as your cell # on your business cards.  In the service business, responsiveness is the key to a lot of first time customers.

 

Kevin

-------------------------

Stay tuned...coming soon

Thank you guys.

I just thought about giving customers more info when they call me/my company. I`m getting more and more customers and only phone I use is my cell phone. I use call waiting all the time and switch between customers. Maybe if they would have music when they are on hold, it would be nicer. One more thing, how much further will I be able to go just with cell phone ? Let`s say my company will get larger in 2 years. Then I will have to get 2-3 phone lines and maybe change number on business card. I mean, if I have to change phone # I want to do it now, before my company will get really bigger.I want to use phone system that will be easy to expand. Get one phone # and have it forever, even if I will move to new office (5 miles from old one).

 

-------------------------

Tomasz B
Computer Clue
info@computerclue.com
www.computerclue.com

I don`t think that using your cell phone is unprofessional But...I do hate when I call a service professional, get them on their cell and they are not at a place where they can take my information.  This has happened to me!  They say "sorry, I am driving right now and can`t write down your number, can you call me back in an hour"

I don`t.

In your case, Banar, maybe a live person answering service would work? Someone to answer a phone for you...that could then get you on your cell and see if you are available?  I have no idea how much those cost...or if it is more cost effective to hire your own person.

Good Luck!

-------------------------

Laura Glynn www.parrotworks.com the art of e-learning the science of web design multimedia in a Flash!

You might take a look at Accessline (http://www.accessline.com). Many of the voip services like vonage have the same/similar features as well now that include what`s called "follow-me/find-me" and "simul-ring" services.

When I started my company, which is entirely virtual home-office workers, it helped us quite a bit. Rings cell, home or the hotel you are at if need be, does fax, voicemail, etc. decent customer service and you can get a member rate through Costco that`s dirt cheap.

The big bennie for me is controlling where a virtual # points to if an employee or temp worker changes or leaves. I just redirect that # to the new person or myself for the interim, if need be.

I don`t have a stake in the co or get any kickbacks for this either, btw.:)

good luck!