I'm looking into ways for people to contact me over the phone, without having to give out my personal phone number. I've looked at Google Voice, but I'm curious to know if there is anything else similar out there. Does anyone use Google Voice, and what are your experiences with that service? Is there anything similar available without Google's privacy issues?

Thanks,

Sarah

I use Google Voice and I've not had any problems with it. In regards to the privacy issues... I've signed up for so much stuff and I'm out there with my own name, on FB, twitter, g+, Linkedin. I really don't like how "out there" I am but it's just a necessary evil of doing business online. I think you could try Skype as well.

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Susan Sheehan - VA Cape Cod
21 Steps to Better Networking

Thanks a lot! I was pretty sure about google voice, but I'd read a couple of negative reviews so I wanted to check with people who actually use it.

Hello,

I'm interested to know - what negative things did you hear? I happen to love Google Voice! It's free and it provides different area codes for our two locations.

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www.ni-she.com Specializing in web site maintenance, proofreading, copy editing, content editing, and document creation.

I love Google Voice as well. I've been using it since I became a VA and love it! I mean the phone number is free so you can't go wrong.

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Paulette R.
Romero Communications

There were some negative reviews I found on About.com, but I like to check the quality of a service from multiple sources and I decided to use the forum as a source! All in all Google Voice sound pretty good so it's definitely what I plan on using. Thanks everyone!

I use RingCentral. I love their service. Great price and lot of features (including texting, unlimited conference calls, faxes, etc).

Julie

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

I have Google Voice. Never have had a problem with it. The only thing I don't like is that It doesn't let you know that the call is from google voice so I can't assign a ring tone or anything to know it's business related.

I've been considering Google Voice as well. I had it "once upon a time" and never had an issue with it. I love the fact that it emails me a transcription of my voicemails.

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Jennifer Hodgson

I have been using GV for a few years now. I love how flexible it is and it is FREE! Never had issues and great quality. I use it from my cell (or you can have it forwarded to a landline)- also you can text and call OUT using your free GV# if you have the app for your cell.

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Francesca Esposito, Assistant ToGo ~ A VIRTUAL Necessity!® Since 2001 & Counting!

That's awesome, I didn't know about the availability of a Google Voice app! Is it available for android or is it only for apple products?

It's not really an app. It assigns a telephone number to piggie back your original number. So if your original number is 555-1212 you could get 555-1313 to piggie back that. When others call 555-1313 it rings to your phone.

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Niki

Originally Posted by JNSVirtualServices

I have Google Voice. Never have had a problem with it. The only thing I don't like is that It doesn't let you know that the call is from google voice so I can't assign a ring tone or anything to know it's business related.

JNS, when I realized I might actually start this business, I set up a Google Voice account. I had the same concern - how would I know which calls ring to my cell phone from my Google Voice number and which calls are personal calls? I discovered that the caller ID always shows my Google Voice number when a call is forwarded, so I added a Google Voice contact in my cell phone and assigned it a different ringtone from the rest of my calls. Problem solved!

The only problem now is that I can't tell *who* is calling my Google Voice number, unless I use the Call Screening function on Google Voice. Does anybody have any feedback on that function? How have your callers responded to having to provide a name?

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Spanish/English | Notary Public | Small Business Management
(615) 293-6141

Thanks everyone! I've gotten myself a Google Voice account and it seems to be working fine so far. I also put my VA number into my phone, so at least I know when I get a call directed at that number. I'd also like to know if anyone has figured out a caller id function for Google Voice, I'd love to know who is calling me!

In GV there is a setting for you to change which # you want to show on caller ID, the callers or your GV#.
The only problem with that is you won't know that it's coming from your GV line but you will see who is calling. It's a minor trade-off for the use of a handy, free service.

~C

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~Christina

Gotcha. So I guess you can choose, either see the GV number when a call comes in, or see the number of the person who is calling (without knowing they are calling your GV number). I'm still curious, does anyone use the call screening where callers are required to announce their names, and if so, how have clients responded?

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Spanish/English | Notary Public | Small Business Management
(615) 293-6141

Question regarding calling back your customers. Does your personal number show up instead of your business # if you are using Google Voice? Do your customers end up calling your personal number often if it shows up on their caller ID?