Google Voice

[Bluebell]

Tell me more about Google Voice...

Here's what I know so far:

I receive a cold call every now and then - usually a SEO company or vitamin pusher. I use Google Voice for my business phone line. I can simply mark the caller as SPAM. I never receive a call again and when they call they get a recording stating that the number is invalid. I have also used the SPAM option for one client who was looking for a prostitute. I love Google Voice!

 

[Tomb Raider]

Google Voice

I'm on the fence about using it as the "catch all" office number for the center. We've grown so much in the last year that I'm considering whether it would be useful to give the Google Voice number out and then forward the voicemails via email to the different practitioners when they come in.

In the past I've loved my Google Voice number for online transactions - selling a piece of used fitness equipment on Craigslist, replying to a Craigslist ad for canning jars, that sort of thing. I have it setup to ring my cell phone and if I don't answer the voicemail is collected by Google Voice and shows up as an email in my inbox.

 

[free_angel]

Google Voice

As a sole practitioner Google Voice works well for me. I am not sure how it would work for a larger business. First off, it's free so there is nothing to lose if you want to just check it out. If you don't already have a GMAIL account you will need to set one up. Their system will allow you to select a phone number based upon your geographic region.

My Google Voice calls are sent to my Blackberry. I downloaded the application to both my Blackberry and my iPad. If I do not answer the call it goes to my Google Voice voicemail. I also receive text messages to this line that are delivered to both my BlackBerry and my iPad. I can respond from either device.

When I make a call from my Blackberry I click on the Google Voice icon and select to make a call from that number, as opposed to making a call from my personal phone number associated with the Blackberry.

When you log into your GMAIL account you can see all of your calls. From there you can mark them as SPAM so that the caller hears a recorded message that the number is no longer in service and you no longer receive calls from them.

Here is a brief video on the service: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOZU7BOeQ58

Let me know if you have any other questions. I will do my best to help.

 

[Soong Bae]

Google Voice

When I make a call from my Blackberry I click on the Google Voice icon and select to make a call from that number, as opposed to making a call from my personal phone number associated with the Blackberry.

Now that is something worthwhile!

Matt, is this icon called an "app"? If so, it may be useful to post it here, too.

 

[mesquiteskeetr]

Google Voice

Here are a couple things I really like about Google Voice:

1) If I miss a call, I get an e-mail notification. This is VERY useful if my phone is off (the old thing periodically crashes).

2) Google is continually working on improving their voice mail transcripts. If I'm having trouble understanding someone's message, I can look the transcript over and try to piece the message together. Granted, there's difficulty in transcribing if the person is unintelligible, but visualizing the message can help. Sometimes.

 

[Eclipse Vancouver]

Google Voice

What everyone says about the pros of google voice are true. It's amazingly powerful and free!

What completely sucks about google voice is that on a regular basis I hear that it tells callers my number is disconnected. I can't even imagine how many people get this that I don't hear from. The connection is terrible most of the time (like you're on a cell phone in the boonies, but you're not!) with a bad time lag, like talking on walkie talkies, and frequently even when the call does connect neither caller can hear the other. For a business that gets any volume of calls it is unreliable. If there were a reliable service with the same features I'd be happy to pay for it. As it stands now I have this basically dead number printed out on my signs (and rack cards and business cards and phone book!) that i now have to get made all over again with my reliable land line printed on it to replace them.

If you do get google voice I recommend trying it out for a solid 6 months before committing fully to the number by getting anything printed (signs, brochures, bus. cards, etc.)

 

[C. Jean - Muttlvr]

Google Voice

In my practice I only see clients on evenings and weekends. My office building automatically locks the doors at 6:00pm - which is when I take my first client. I ask every client that comes to see me to call me when they arrive so that I can meet them at the door and key them into the building. Every client has called or texted my Google Voice phone number without any issues. Thankfully I have not had any problems with this service since starting my practice last May.