The Talkroute Blog

Running a small business means staying connected with customers, team members, and suppliers. But old-school landline phones don’t cut it anymore. That’s why so many businesses are switching to virtual phone systems. A virtual phone system is a phone service that works over the Internet. It lets people make and receive calls from anywhere using a mobile phone, laptop, or computer. Let’s talk about our top 5 picks of small business phone systems, what they offer small businesses and more! How a Virtual Phone System Works A virtual phone system is an internet-based phone service that allows businesses to make and receive calls without using traditional phone lines. It works using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, meaning it sends voice calls over the Internet instead of a wired phone network. Here’s a simple way to understand the process: Step 1: You dial a number using a mobile app, desktop …

Imagine this—you’re running your business, juggling a hundred things at once, and then you miss an important call. Frustrating, right? That’s where business phone systems with call forwarding services come in. They make sure you never miss a call, whether you’re out of the office, on another line, or just need someone else to pick it up. But here’s the thing—there are a ton of options out there. Some come with fancy extras like voicemail transcription, call routing, and virtual numbers, while others just send calls from one phone to another. So, how do you know which one’s right for your business? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Let’s go over the best call forwarding services, what they offer, and what people say about them. Let’s jump in! How Does Call Forwarding Work? Call forwarding lets businesses send incoming calls to another number, device, or voicemail. This helps make sure no …

Already have a phone system for business hours but nothing for after-hours calls? Talkroute can help. It works as a complete business phone system for daily calls, but you can also use it just for handling after-hours calls. This way, you won’t miss any important calls, even when your office is closed. In this post, we’ll teach you how to set up Talkroute as your after-hours phone system, why you need one, and more! How to Set Up Talkroute as Your After-Hours Phone System You can use Talkroute as your after-hours phone system in a few ways, depending on how your current system is set up. Here’s how to get started in three different scenarios: 1. If You’re Already Using Talkroute as Your Primary Phone System (One Account) You can use the same Talkroute account for both regular business hours and after-hours calls. During regular hours, all account features work …

Having a business phone number is a key part of running a professional company. Whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or managing a large company, having a dedicated phone number for business calls helps keep personal and work communications separate. In this post, we’ll be going into detail about how getting a business phone number can help manage your business and assist you towards success. Let’s start! Setting Up Your Business Phone Number Once you’ve chosen the right phone system, the next step is to set up your business phone number. Below, we’ll go through how to get your number, configure call settings, and connect it with other tools. Getting a Business Phone Number Setting up a business phone number takes just a few steps: Choose a provider – Pick a phone service that fits your needs (VoIP, local, toll-free). Select your number – Decide if you want …

VoIP phone systems have changed how small businesses handle calls. Unlike traditional landlines, VoIP systems run over the internet, making them flexible, cost-effective, and full of features that improve communication. With so many VoIP providers out there, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. So, we’re here to help you choose the best phone system that would offer your small business the call services it so rightfully deserves! Let’s begin! How Does a VoIP Phone System Work? A VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone system lets businesses make and receive calls over the Internet instead of using traditional phone lines. This system converts voice signals into digital data, which is then transmitted over the internet to the recipient. VoIP works by sending voice data in small packets over the internet. When a user makes a call, the system: Step 1: Capture voice input using a VoIP phone, mobile app, or …

Handling business calls can take up a lot of time, especially when calls need to go to different people or departments. Phone call routing software can help you manage your business calls by routing them to the right place automatically. In short, instead of answering and transferring calls yourself, the system does it for you. Let’s talk about how phone call routing software works, what it offers businesses, and more insights that will help you understand this helpful tool better! What Is Phone Call Routing Software? Phone call routing software is a system that automatically directs incoming calls to the right person, department, or location based on predefined rules. Unlike traditional phone systems, which require a receptionist or manual transfers, call routing software uses automated call distribution (ACD) and interactive voice response (IVR) to sort and transfer calls. The process of call routing follows a simple structure: A customer dials …

Running a small business means wearing many hats, but answering every call doesn’t have to be one of them. A live receptionist service makes sure your customers always talk to a real person, even when you’re busy. They can handle overflow calls, manage after-hours inquiries, and provide bilingual support, helping these small businesses stay responsive and organized. In this blog post, we’ll introduce to you some of the best live receptionist services available today, along with their key features to help you find the right one for your business. How Does a Live Receptionist Differ From an In-House Receptionist? Many small businesses struggle to afford a full-time receptionist. Hiring an in-house staff member requires paying a salary, benefits, and training costs. A live receptionist service provides the same level of support without the overhead expenses. Here is a table showing a comparison between a live receptionist and an in-house receptionist. …

A business phone number helps companies stay professional when communicating with customers, partners, and employees. It builds trust, keeps things organized, and makes customer support simpler than using a personal number. This guide covers everything you need to know about text messaging via dedicated business phone numbers. Types of Business Phone Numbers A business phone number is a dedicated phone number used by a company or organization for professional communication. It helps businesses manage calls from customers, clients, and partners. Businesses use texting to communicate with customers, employees, volunteers, and subscribers through SMS and MMS. It’s useful for both individual chats and mass messaging, including: Outbound texts: The business sends a message to a contact. Inbound texts: A contact messages the business. Automated texts: A contact’s action triggers a message from the business. Let’s discuss these types of business phone numbers in detail below: Local Business Phone Numbers A local …

Staying connected with your customers or clients is very important for your business. One missed call could mean a lost opportunity or an unhappy customer. This is where call forwarding comes in. Call forwarding is a simple but effective feature used to redirect incoming calls from one phone number to another. This can be a mobile phone, landline, or even a VoIP number. Whether for personal convenience or business purposes, call forwarding allows users to stay connected without missing important calls. Let’s talk more about this feature, how it works, and what it can do to keep your customers happy and satisfied. Let’s start! How Call Forwarding Works Call forwarding is a straightforward process that works behind the scenes to keep you connected. When someone dials your number, the phone network steps in and redirects the incoming call to another number of your choice. This can be another mobile phone, …

A toll-free number can be a powerful tool for your business. It not only allows customers to call you without being charged but also builds your professional image. Businesses use toll-free telephone numbers to increase trust, boost customer satisfaction, and make it easier for clients to reach out. In this blog post, we’ll talk about toll-free numbers and how you can get toll-free numbers assigned to your business with Talkroute! Let’s go! What Is a Toll-Free Number? A toll-free number lets customers call a business without being charged. The business covers the cost of incoming calls, making it a hassle-free option for customers. When someone calls a toll-free number, the call is routed to the business’s phone system or forwarding service. Businesses can choose where the calls are directed—this could be to a specific phone line, a call center, or even a mobile device. Toll-free numbers are widely recognized by …