I am not sure if I am posting this in the right spot, but here goes...I know that alot of you have established businesses. Being new to this and still trying to figure out everything, I want to know when I do start my company and put up my website, should I have an entirely new phone line installed in my home. Or should I rely on emails and maybe skype or that type of idea. I want to be able to offer over seas services as well as local. Any thoughts would be great! Thanks!

I've relied solely on VOIP type services for the 3 years I've been in business.

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indulging entrepreneurs with the gift of time & money via nonpareil support.

Thank you....I will look into that.

My cell phone is currently my biz line. The default ring is set to '30-seconds-of-silence.' Less distracting that way! I've heard good things about Google Voice and will be checking into that, as well. I want the option of getting my messages from anywhere and keeping the cost down. I already carry a cell phone...

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

Hi
I don't have a land line. I keep in touch with my cell phone, emails and Skype

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Ann du Plessis
www.virtuallythere.co.za

I have a separate VOIP number that I can access from my cell when necessary. I prefer to keep my cell phone number private so I obtained another number immediately. I use RingCentral by the way.

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Stacey Harris
On Demand Virtual Assistant

I only communicate via email (and then, only during weekday business hours).

I will schedule calls in advance if necessary for clients and PCs (and use a separate account on Skype as often as possible in those cases), but I do not publish a business number or give my phone number out to clients.

It hasn't hindered my business growth at all doing it this way and I don't have to worry about being interrupted with requests at odd hours, or pinning myself to work during specific times.

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Originally Posted by Tess

I only communicate via email (and then, only during weekday business hours). I will schedule calls in advance if necessary for clients and PCs (and use a separate account on Skype as often as possible in those cases), but I do not publish a business number or give my phone number out to clients. It hasn't hindered my business growth at all doing it this way and I don't have to worry about being interrupted with requests at odd hours, or pinning myself to work during specific times.

This is very encouraging; and, I'm glad that you posted your client communication process. I have been wondering about the efficacy of getting an online phone service; but, you have given me some food for thought. If I can save a few dollars in my start up phase, all the better!

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Collaborative Business Support

I'm also new to the field so I will be looking into some of the solutions that have been offered but I currently use Google voice and I absolutely love it. There are so many features on it that really lets you customize the actions taken for each call.

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