Are you tired of missing important calls when you’re out of the office or simply unable to answer your phone? If so, call forwarding may be just what you need to stay connected with your customers and leads. 

In this article, we’ll explore the world of call forwarding. We’ll cover

  • What it is
  • How it works
  • How it can help you manage your calls more effectively

What is call forwarding?

Call forwarding is a telecommunications feature that allows you to redirect incoming calls to another phone number or device. In other words, it lets you transfer your calls to another phone, even if you’re not there to answer them. There are several ways to forward your calls, including using unconditional call forwarding, busy call forwarding, and no-answer call forwarding.

According to a Grand View Research report, the global call-forwarding services market is expected to reach $8.2 billion by 2025. This shows that more and more businesses recognize the benefits of using call forwarding to manage their calls.

An image of a person receiving a call on their mobile phone

How does call forwarding work?

Call forwarding works by rerouting incoming calls to another phone number or device based on your predefined settings. The process of call forwarding typically involves three steps: call forwarding activation, call forwarding destination selection, and call forwarding deactivation.

To activate call forwarding, you’ll need to access the call forwarding settings on your phone or through your phone service provider.

Once you’ve activated call forwarding, select the phone number or device to which you want to forward your calls. Finally, when you no longer want your calls to be forwarded, you’ll need to deactivate call forwarding. You can do that by accessing the call forwarding settings once again.

Benefits of using call forwarding

Call forwarding offers a wide range of benefits for businesses and individuals alike. Some of the most significant benefits include:

  • Improved customer service
  • Flexibility in managing calls
  • Cost-effectiveness
  • Increased productivity.

Improved customer service

Two people sitting at a desk answering calls as part of call forwarding service

With call forwarding, you can ensure your clients always reach you, even when you’re away from your desk. This ensures you never miss an important call, which improves your customer service and ultimately increases customer loyalty.

Flexibility in managing calls

Call forwarding also offers great flexibility in managing your calls. You can choose to forward your calls to a different phone number or device based on the time of day, the day of the week, or other predefined criteria.

This means you can customize your settings to meet your unique needs and schedule.

Cost-effectiveness

Call forwarding can also be cost-effective for businesses. Instead of paying for a separate phone line for each employee or department, you can forward calls to a single device. That also helps to reduce your overall communication expenses.

Cost comparison graph

Increased productivity

Finally, call forwarding can increase productivity by allowing you to focus on your clients. This means you can handle important calls and tasks from anywhere, at any time.

Common features of call forwarding services

Call forwarding services typically come with various useful features, including call routing options, voicemail-to-email transcription, call screening, and call transfer. These features can help you manage your calls more effectively and improve your overall communication experience. Coupled with a virtual receptionist service, it ensures your callers receive a friendly answer, even when you’re not available.

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global call forwarding market is expected to reach $8.3 billion by 2022. Businesses will be able to land more competitive and capable tech stacks and services. They’ll have more choices as an increasing pool of providers evolves to become more savvy and sophisticated.

Manager smiling looking at phone at desk

Choosing the right call forwarding service

When selecting a call forwarding service, there are several factors to consider, including cost, reliability, features, and customer support. Popular service providers include Google Voice, Vonage, and Grasshopper.

Or you can combine it with an answering service to forward calls to a team of virtual receptionists. These receptionists can then answer on your behalf.

Setting up call forwarding

Setting up a call forwarding service is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up call forwarding:

  1. Access the settings on your phone or through your phone service provider.
  2. Select the type of call forwarding you want to use (unconditional, busy, or no answer).
  3. Enter the phone number or device to which you want your calls to be forwarded.
  4. Save your settings.

If you encounter any issues while setting it up, check your phone’s user manual or contact your phone service provider.

Smiling receptionist on phone forwarding a call

Conclusion

In conclusion, call forwarding is a useful feature that can help you manage your calls more effectively. By redirecting incoming calls to another phone number or device, you can ensure you never miss a call. That includes when you’re away from your desk or out of the office.

Effective call forwarding can significantly enhance your business operations by streamlining communication and improving customer service. However, it’s essential to make an informed decision when selecting a service provider. Look beyond the cost and evaluate key factors. That includes

  • Reliability
  • Features
  • Customer support

By doing so, you can leverage the full potential of call forwarding to reduce costs, increase productivity, and provide superior service to your customers.

Want to try a call-forwarding service for your business? Click the button below to book a free consultation.