When I get up and running, I would really like to answer my phone with the line 'Admin On Demand'. This means that I can't really use my home phone as I don't always want to answer like that, and it's hard to tell if the caller is a personal one or a client, so I thought I would use my mobile phone number. I only use this for family at the moment and they all have their id's come up when they call so it is easier to know when it is a client calling and I can answer appropriately.

However, in the UK (not sure if this applies anywhere else) there always used to be a bit of a stigma about mobile phones and some people will refuse to call them (presumably because of high call carges) and also, I sometimes feel that just having a mobile number can look a bit 'suspicious' (for want of a better word!).

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think just having a mobile number is offputting?

Are there any alternatives apart from buying a 0845/0800 number?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Lynda

My cell phone IS my business line. I have a free Google Voice account that takes messages for me and forwards calls to my cell phone; I publish the Google Voice as my business phone number.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Oh, I didn't think google voice was available in the UK, so i'm off to investigate that now as that sounds like a plan!
Thanks

I'm in Colorado (in the States) so I can't help there. i would ask the other UK VAs on this forum if they know of anything available to ya'all that works in a similar way.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I use Ring Central, which has worked out great for me. It answers your calls with a professional recording, and then rings directly to my cell phone. When I answer, I have the option to take or decline the call. It is really a great service that I highly recommend.

Ive just had a look at ringcentral and it does look good. The problem at the moment is cost! Until I get some paying clients I don't really want to commit to any monthly expenses (unless I have to).

I would really like to hear from some UK VAs about this as mobile calls are charged differently over here (I think) and I'm still not sure it is 'acceptable' to have only a mobile as a business line.

Is it not possible for you to install a business landline at home and when you're out and about divert it to your mobile? My brother-in-law runs a home business in the UK and I know he put in a seperate line. I don't know about costs though... perhaps you can get a special rate as a business owner if there are monthly fees.

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Sabrina L. Williams
For a bird's eye view of your business

I second the RingCentral option. This is what I use for my business. (http://www.ringcentral.com/) They have a variety of plans with a LOT of features. I never give out my personal numbers to clients (cell or home). I only use my business number that I have through RingCentral.

Best of Luck,
Julie

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Julie | Virtual Resource Services, Inc (VRSI)
http://www.vrsioffice.com