5 Reasons Everyone Should Get a Google Voice Number

A Google Voice number is a virtual phone line powered by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) that lets you make and receive calls and texts via the internet instead of a traditional landline. It can be set up quickly in your area code, linked to multiple devices, and comes with features like call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and cloud-based management for seamless connectivity

What is Google Voice Number?

Google Voice is an internet-based phone service that users can use to place and receive phone calls. Google Voice uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), a technology that uses either a direct internet connection or wireless internet connection (Wi-Fi) instead of a traditional phone line (landline).

With quality VoIP, users can quickly and easily set up a virtual phone number as a business line using Google Voice and link it to one or more secondary phone numbers, like a cell phone. This gives businesses the freedom of remote connectivity. Google Voice’s cloud-based service offers many standard phone features, text messaging, and voicemail transcription.

Why Do I Need Google Voice?

For small business owners locked out of their offices during the pandemic, too many phone calls went unanswered. If you are a small business owner still tethered to your office by a landline, it may be time to change your technology to Voice over Internet Protocol.

5 Reasons Why You Should Use Google Voice

1. Easy, inexpensive call management. Using Chrome, another web browser, or via the Google Voice app, you can screen calls and messages, mark numbers as spam, forward calls, return calls, and more. Also, Google Voice is easily scalable for quick setup of new employees – no need to buy additional equipment. Google Voice offers both free and paid plans.
2. Keep your personal and business lives separate. With a Google Voice number linked to your cell, and the Voice app on your iPhone or Android device, any calls and messages to your Google Voice business line will ring on both your computer and your personal cell phone. It’s then easy to answer from your desk or on the road. The caller is none-the-wiser, and you no longer have to give customers your personal mobile phone number when you are out of the office. Plus, you can make outgoing calls from your “business line” set to your company’s caller ID. Your business texts and voicemails are stored to your Google Voice cloud, not co-mingled with your personal calls. Personal calls also come to your cell phone, but are not visible via your Google Voice account.
3. One number, multiple lines. Google Voice allows you to select a business phone number within your area code and link up not just a second phone number, but up to six different existing landlines or mobile numbers as forwarding numbers. When you give access to multiple employees, the phone rings on all devices increasing the answer rate of incoming calls. With remote connectivity, never miss a customer call again.
4. Cloud-based for easy access. Google Voice saves voicemails and text messages to your secure cloud allowing you to see all calls and messages in one place.
5. Desktop or laptop access. Google Voice is not just for mobile devices. For those conference calls and remote meetings, place and receive calls directly from your computer. You can also use one-click calling from web pages.

Google Voice Plans & Pricing

How to Get a Google Phone Number

For Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari browsers only:

1. Find the welcome email Google Voice sent you.
2. Go to voice.google.com.
3. Sign in to the Google Account from your work or school.
4. Follow the instructions.

If the Google Voice app doesn’t appear in your Google apps in Chrome, you can add it.

1. Go to voice.google.com.
2. In the top right, click Google Apps Dial.
3. Under Voice, click Add a shortcut.

For Android

1. Find the welcome email Google Voice sent you.
2. Follow the instructions to download the Voice app.
3. Open the Voice app.
4. Sign in to the account from your work or school.
5. Follow the instructions.

For iPhone & iPad

1. Find the welcome email Google Voice sent you.
2. Follow the instructions to download the Voice app.
3. Open the Voice app.
4. Sign in to the account with your work or school email address.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

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It’s Easy to Setup Your Google Voice Number

Manage calls to your business line 24/7. Establishing a new Google Voice number lets you make and receive calls at voice.google.com or through the Google Voice app.

From your Google account simply go to the Google Voice website, download the Google Voice app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store (Android or iOS, respectively), select a new number, link it to your cell phone, and get started.

Why Not Google Voice?

Even though Google Voice is a game-changer for many business owners, you may not want to be fully reliant on it. Google Voice is considered an entry-level VoIP system and is limited in its features.

Google Voice is easily scalable for quick setup of new employees – no need to buy additional equipment.

Before you ditch your landline, consider your call volume and the number of employees. Do you have more than 10 employees? Do you need to make and receive international calls? If so, Google Voice may not fully support your needs.

You also must have enough bandwidth to handle concurrent phone calls and teleconferences, as well as manage your day-to-day web-based processing.

Explore Your VoIP Options Today

Not all Google Voice options mentioned are available under Google’s personal use, free service plan; some are available under Google Voice Starter, Standard, or Premier plans. Weigh the pros and cons of the options to determine which Google Voice account is right for you.

For a more robust VoIP plan, see our comparison of VoIP providers. At Sonary, we provide you with the knowledge to make better-informed and faster decisions.