Skype - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 12-19-2010

I have been seeing a lot of talk on here about people using skype.

I am confused on what skype is exactly. It appears to be similar to Vonage, am I wrong?

What are the advantages to skype over Vonage?

#2 (**permalink**) 12-19-2010

Krausen,
I do not know what Vonage is, but Skype is free skype-to-skype videocall service. Skype also offers low phone rates. I would suggest you look it up on the internet. It's easy to find.

I use it for all my business calls since I haven't been able to find a cheaper provider. I find Skype is also very reliable both for video and normal calls.

#3 (**permalink**) 12-19-2010

EAinSpain's is right. I highly recommend Skype as well and believe you will find this to be useful for your business.

#4 (**permalink**) 12-19-2010

I have used Skype since the inception of my business. It runs me a little over $60 per year. First I chose a phone number (around $30 for the year - other plans available), and so that I didn't have to buy credits to use the system for non-Skype calls, I selected a subscription plan (approximately $30 for the year - depends on what country/countries you choose) that best suited the country/countries I would need free calling to and from for non-Skype calls (for me it was US and Canada).

In order to use Skype, you download Skype's software to your computer (different OS's available - mine was Windows version).

The reason I did it this way is because not all folks have Skype, so this gave me a phone number that I use for my business, and I can call anywhere in the US or Canada from my Skype phone from my computer - free.

Skype has some very cool features: video conferencing, instant messaging (IM), screen sharing, text messaging, file sharing, voice mail w/personalized message, among other features.

I had also checked out RingCentral, but found Skype to cover my needs at a lower cost - and I love the IM feature especially because I can chat or send a quick IM to others that have Skype easily.

HTH a bit!

#5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2010

Nice post, Jules. (You are always looking for great blog material...that would be a nice post.)

Thank you for that explanation. I don't use Skype for much more than videoconferencing but I wasn't aware of other features. I'm using Google Voice (for the number) and I'm not terribly satisfied.

Janine

#6 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010

Originally Posted by Your Virtual Wizard

Nice post, Jules. (You are always looking for great blog material...that would be a nice post.)

Janine

Hmmm...I hadn't thought of that, Janine. Great idea.

I've been working on my very first post for my soon-to-be blog and the blog challenge.

Thanks!

#7 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010

Yes thank you Jules

I was on the skype website but they do a poor job of explaining what they have and how it works. Maybe you should contact them for a website overhaul.

I assume I have to buy a skype phone for it to work? And everything I read says about making calls and nothing about receiving them. I assume I can receive calls also?

#8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010

Yes, you can call and receive calls via Skype. I have a Skype number (not availble for all countries). I find their website quite informative and they have a very good helpdesk which responds very quickly and thorougly. I'm very happy with them.

#9 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010

Originally Posted by krausen

Yes thank you Jules

I was on the skype website but they do a poor job of explaining what they have and how it works. Maybe you should contact them for a website overhaul.

I assume I have to buy a skype phone for it to work? And everything I read says about making calls and nothing about receiving them. I assume I can receive calls also?

Yes, their website is hard to decipher what you need to do or subscribe to. (I included links in my post just because of this, and because I had this problem when first signing up as to what I needed for my business phone.

)

You don't need to buy a special phone - all you do is download their software to your computer (also in the links I included previously). And yup, you can call people or they can call you (if you provide them your Skype phone number). You don't have an actual physical phone that you use - the software has a key pad that you can use to "dial" numbers.

One thing to note: you do need to have computer speakers and a mic, or headset w/mic, to hear and talk.

If this is about as clear as mud, just ask away about anything that you need additional help with.

We're here to help.

#10 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010

Skype is a terrific tool -- I used it for calling my daughters when they were studying abroad in England and Ireland. I did have a Skype account before then (when my oldest daughter went off to college, as many moms do when their kids go off for the first time). Making calls internationally was very inexpensive, and because you need to purchase "credits" to make the calls, you never have to worry about a huge bill slapping you in the face at the end of the month. In addition to simply making those calls, you are able to use it as video conferencing (one-on-one) absolutely free!

I love using Skype. I know many of us in this business are always sort of "cut off" from the world. We work in our own little offices that are in a little area of our homes, and it's nice to speak with someone over Skype. To me, it just makes a conversation so much more personal. And as noted, the IM is terrific as well. You can send links to files as you are conferencing. I couldn't live without it!

If I can help you in any way, just let me know. I'm an "old hat" at Skype. But, hey, I'm not old!!

#11 (**permalink**) 01-21-2011

How is the quality of calls? Do you get a lot of cutting in and out during a call?

#12 (**permalink**) 01-21-2011

Originally Posted by VA17_CS

How is the quality of calls? Do you get a lot of cutting in and out during a call?

I don't have any trouble hearing people. But because I use an external microphone there is always a lag of about 3 seconds. I would need to upgrade my computer to not have that lag since my computer doesn't have an internal microphone.

#13 (**permalink**) 01-21-2011

I am not familiar with Vonage, but utilize Skype for my business calls. I have my own personal phone number, voice mail, notification on my cell/email when a voice mail message is left - I can check voice mails on my cell phone but can't dial using the Skype number on my phone. I think you need Verizon to do that - I have Sprint.

My subscription is yearly and it is significantly less expensive than other phone plans.

I've used the service for both incoming and outgoing calls without significant problems. I use a plugin headset w microphone, rather than a wireless set up.

Give it a try!

#14 (**permalink**) 01-21-2011

One last question for me, Does anyone know if you can forward the calls to another phone that uses an extention? For instance, I would like to have my skype call forwarded to can another phone but to reach me an extension has to be dialed.

#15 (**permalink**) 01-21-2011

Originally Posted by VA17_CS

One last question for me, Does anyone know if you can forward the calls to another phone that uses an extention? For instance, I would like to have my skype call forwarded to can another phone but to reach me an extension has to be dialed.

https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA5...irstPage=false It doesn't really look like it based on the set up for SKYPE, they need a direct number, you would also need to subscribe as forwarding calls to a non skype number would cost you money. You might want to try Google Voice though, you can forward messages directly to your email for free.