Google Voice is a virtual phone system that allows users with a local number. Businesses can sign up for the pro plan or opt for their free Google Voice plan, which is a little less extensive. All plans let you make separate calls for personal and business when using your phone. To obtain a Google Voice number for your company, you first need to create an account on Google. Choose a phone number and connect it to your existing number, then download Google Voice. You can then download the Google Voice app to use the features designed for businesses.
The system is a cinch to set-up & has some useful calling and call management features for businesses. That does not need a full-fledged voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) business phone system. Here are four simple steps for getting an Google Voice phone number to utilize for your company:
1. Create a Google Account
In order to begin the process of obtaining a Google Voice number you must have to have an active Google account. It is your Google account that you are using to sign into other Google apps and tools like the Chrome browser or the Google Workspace suite.
If you don't have an account, making one is easy and takes only some minutes to complete. Visit Google's Google Account sign-in page and select "Create account." Choose the account you want for your child, you as well as "To manage my business" on the pop-out form. After that you'll be directed to a form in which you'll type your first and last names into the boxes that are provided.
After that, choose a brand username or email for your account, or choose to use an existing one If you'd rather. If you decide to set up new email addresses, Google will let you know if the email address is in use or not. If you choose to use an existing email, you'll have to confirm that it's the email account you have before connecting the account to Google. Google account.
Then you'll need to make a password to your account. The password should be at least 8 characters long and contain lower and uppercase characters as in addition to symbols and numbers. Be sure to select an extremely secure, unique password that you will not use on other accounts. After you're happy with your security settings, click "next" to go to an area where you can set security settings.
The security measure is not mandatory however, it's a great idea to finish this step. To ensure the safety that you have created for your Google account, you must enter the phone number as well as another email address in the event that you have to retrieve your account. The form also requests your birth date and gender. After all the data is completed you can select "next" to activate the account.
2. Select Your Google Voice Number
After you have your Google Account set up and you are logged in, visit your Google Voice website. Then, you'll be asked to choose if the account will be used for personal purposes as well as for commercial use.
If you choose "For personal use," the drop-down menu will give three choices: Android, iOS, or web. Picking the phone option (Android as well as iOS) will lead you to the appropriate website for downloading apps. By selecting "Web" option will prompt you to enter your credentials and sign the T&C of service before proceeding.
If you select "For business," you must choose three plans that are professional. Plans cost from $10 to $30 monthly. You'll also need to sign up for an Google Workspace account, which costs between $6 and $18 per month. Choose the plan that is most effective for your business's needs. After you have selected one plan, you will be able to select a corporate number to connect in conjunction with Google Voice.
The first step is to type in an area code in order that Google can locate available number numbers that are within your area code. Browse through the available numbers to locate one that's simple to remember, particularly in the case of your company. If you aren't happy with one of the numbers listed then you can click the "show more" button to offer you additional choices. Select "Select" once you find a Google Voice number that will be beneficial to your company.
3. Verify And Link Your Existing Phone Number You Use
When you've completed the steps required to obtain the Google Voice number, you have to connect to an existing phone number to be forward to, for example, the current number on the mobile number you have. The number you have already linked to must be either a cellphone or a landline that is located within the United States.
Google will request you to verify your current number. To verify this, they'll send you a six-digit code by text message. If the number is for a landline number then you'll be able to select an option to verify the number through an incoming phone call. When you have received the code enter it into the field provided, then select "finish" to complete your account set-up.
4. Download the App on Your Devices
Google Voice is a great alternative for mobile communications for small companies, and it's crucial to have access to your new number no matter where you go. To accomplish this, you'll require an account with the Google Voice mobile application available on either or both the Apple app store or in its Android apps store.
After you find the app, tap on the "download" button to begin the installation process. It will prompt you to type in the Google login username as well as password in order to make calls after the application is installed. If you don't own any mobile phones to connect in conjunction with your account, an internet browser may be used to call and send messages.
Here are a few Google Voice features to consider before deciding if it's the best provider for a second number for your small-sized business:
Google Voice has a text-to-speech (TTS) feature that converts the text you type into spoken words to make menus for the customers who use it to explore through your system. You can also record audio in order for your auto-attendant system to have more natural sounding callers.