Shopping for a virtual phone service that can offer you things like 800 phone numbers, vanity numbers, and office management assistance can be mind-numbing. Especially if you’ve never had such a service before. Where do you start? There are dozens of companies out there that can offer you countless benefits. Once you narrow down the main services you want, you’ll probably have lots of additional questions. Here are some basic features that you’ll want to look for that will enhance your benefits and help your company see results: Look for a competitive rate. Toll-free rates can be as low as 4.5 cents per minute, which is very competitive in today’s market. Beware of lengthy contracts. Instead of getting tied up in a long-term commitment, look for a company that offers monthly subscriptions for toll-free numbers. Rely on technical support. Make sure that the company you sign up with offers a client services department to help you with any questions that come up. You don’t want to be hung out to dry in the middle of the afternoon when you have a question or concern. Look for customization. Your company may have special needs, like you may need rotational voicemail for different people or groups. You also might need a script for special recordings, or rather you might choose to utilize a voice talent service. Make sure you are given these options for maximum impact. Look for accessibility. Make sure that you have call forwarding available to you. Also, investigate the features to the call forwarding program. For instance, can you choose the time of day or days of the week you would like to get calls from a particular number? Make sure you have options with this feature, as well as with Call Back and Paging options. Number flexibility. If you have an existing 800 number, make sure you can direct it to your new system. You should also be able to attach multiple 800 numbers to your system as well. Look for payment options. If suitable for your needs, look for a pay-as-you-go plan. This allows for additional flexibility. Another option is a prepaid minute plan, which can help you stay in control of your usage. Consider additional customer benefits. Some companies offer customer referral programs, which might include giving you credit for every new customer you refer. These benefits can add up over a month or a year and help you save money. As you consider signing on with a virtual phone service, knowing the benefits to look for and the questions to ask can help save money and lots of time. | 
