Dedicated Phone Number | Houston | Office In America Co.
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DEDICATED PHONE NUMBER

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does a virtual phone number cost?
 

  • If your primary focus is obtaining a Houston phone number for your business, our Basic Package gives you your own line that includes call forwarding and a physical corporate address for $69.99/month or $58.33/month for 1 year. 

To start using our professional corporate address to a high rise building, choose our Basic Package for $58.33/month

What do Houston phone numbers start with?

 

  • Houston has four area codes. 713, 281, 832 and 364. The 281 number was created for the expansion of surrounding areas like Sugarland, Katy, Cypress and southeastern areas. 832 came into effect in 1999 as the emergence of cell phones became more prevalent. The newest area code 364 came into effect in 2014, although many people still consider it brand new because it is not a common number to have.  

 

How does a virtual telephone number work?

 

  • A virtual phone number does not use a SIM card or physical address. It uses a secure network to connect calls. The primary reason someone chooses to use a virtual number is to separate business calls from personal calls. Having a secondary number to organize your business calls helps tremendously. It can also become a matter of privacy and security when using your personal phone publicly for business matters.​

 

What is the best virtual phone?

 

  • There are several good options like Nextiva, Grasshopper, eVoice and Google Voice for virtual numbers, but many of these companies' plans are generic and don’t offer business specific features. If you’re looking for more than just having a virtual number, we have packages that include live receptionist service and more to help your business communications.
     

To get a live receptionist who handles your mail, greets your customers and answers your calls, choose our Classic Package for $83.33/month

Do I need a phone number for my online business?

  • A phone number makes you look more professional. When customers see that you have a dedicated phone number for your business, it tells them that you’re serious about your enterprise and that you’re invested in providing excellent customer service.

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  • A business phone number is an important part of any online presence. Even if you run your business solely online, many customers still like to talk with someone about any questions they may have about a product or service. Virtual numbers are very handy when traveling because you can keep your same number and still receive calls. Ultimately, having a business phone number also leads to more sales. If you don’t have one yet, now is the time to get started!

What is a 411 business listing?

  • It is a directory of numbers for people to find you. Having a 411 listed telephone number for your business is also essential for attaining business credit. Vendors will look if you are listed in the 411 directory, as well as if you have a business address. At Office In America, you will receive a 411 listed number, as well as a Google verified business address so you won't have to worry!

Is a business phone number necessary?

  • It can be difficult to distinguish between customer calls and personal communications if you use your cell phone number for your business. Having a separate business phone number is key for optimal organization. It also ensures that customers will see a caller ID with your business’ name.

 

  • Using a business number for your business will allow you to deduct your monthly phone bills with the IRS which can save you money.

  • Use a virtual phone number to keep your privacy protected while you conduct business online. You can list this number as your contact information on your website and other online directories without having to worry about your personal safety or privacy. When people call the number, they will be connected with a professional operator who can help them with their inquiry or direct them to the right person at your company.

Should I get a phone number for my business?

 

  • People connect with businesses through phone calls more than any other way. You want customers to reach out to you with ease by having a listed phone number posted online. 

  • You could do this with your personal phone, but you are displaying your information out for the public eye which puts your privacy at risk. When criminals have access to your personal phone number and name, it makes it easier for them to hack your accounts that store your number for login methods.​

  • Having a separate business and personal phone number ensures that you face minimal inconveniences when communicating with customers. You can change your personal number when you like, without hurting your business.

What is VoIP and how it works?

  • Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a protocol that allows phone calls to be made using an internet connection rather than a local phone company.

  • The process of turning your voice into a digital signal, compressing it, and sending it across the internet is referred to as VoIP. People choose for VoIP because they can make regular phone calls without the use of any telephone service, which saves them money on long-distance fees. You don't need any extra copper wires if you have access to the internet.

  • At Office In America Co., we use secure VoIP numbers that provide you access to calls around the world. There are no limitations on who can reach your business!

Can I get a virtual business phone number?
 

  • There are a lot of different providers that offer virtual business phone numbers. This is a great option for businesses that want to have a professional phone number but don't want to pay for the cost of having a physical office line. Virtual business phone numbers can be set up to forward to your personal phone or to another number of your choice. You can receive a 411 listed business phone number and live receptionist service for your business by starting with our Classic Package. If you're interested in learning more, click here.

Can I use my personal phone number for my business? 

 

  • While it is possible to use your personal phone number for business purposes, it is generally recommended to have a dedicated phone number for your business. This helps maintain a clear separation between personal and professional calls and ensures a more professional image for your business. Combining professional and personal calls on one phone number makes it very hard to switch off business calls during the weekend or when vacationing. You end up being “on call” 24–7 

 

Why Having a Dedicated Phone Number Matter? 

 

  •  Improved Customer Service 

One of the primary advantages of having a dedicated phone number for your business is the ability to provide better customer service. With a dedicated phone number, customers can easily reach out to your business with any questions, concerns, or inquiries they may have. This direct line of communication allows for personalized interactions and prompt resolutions, leading to higher customer satisfaction. 

 

  • Increased Credibility 

Having a phone number associated with your business adds a level of credibility and professionalism. It reassures potential customers that your business is legitimate and trustworthy. Customers are more likely to engage with businesses that have a phone number listed, as it provides a sense of security and reliability. 

 

  • Enhanced Marketing Opportunities 

A dedicated phone number opens up a world of marketing opportunities for your business. You can use your phone number in various marketing campaigns, such as print ads, online advertisements, and social media promotions. By including a phone number in your marketing materials, you make it easier for potential customers to contact you and inquire about your products or services. 

 

  • Improved Call Tracking and Analytics 

With a dedicated phone number, you can track and analyze incoming calls to gain valuable insights into your business operations. Call tracking allows you to monitor the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns, identify peak call times, and measure customer satisfaction. By analyzing this data, you can make informed decisions to optimize your business strategies and improve overall performance. 

 

  • Local Presence 

If your business operates in multiple locations or serves specific geographic areas, having a local phone number for each location can help you establish a local presence. Local phone numbers make it easier for customers in a particular area to reach your business, as they feel more comfortable dialing a familiar area code. This can significantly increase your chances of attracting local customers and expanding your customer base. 

 

Are there any limitations on the number of incoming calls with a dedicated phone number? 

  • No, we DO NOT put any limits on your business. We do not use 1-800 numbers since they cannot accept international calls. 

 

What are the benefits of using a dedicated phone number? 

  • Dedicated office number with prestigious area code 

  • Separate personal from business calls 

  • Privacy of personal phones 

  • Marketing Identity 

  • Call forwarding to any USA phone numbers or answered by a live receptionist depending on the service package selected 

 

What is a dedicated virtual number? 

  • Dedicated virtual numbers are designed to only receive inbound calls from your local territory, not internationally. All dedicated numbers belong to Office In America Co. and you can rent any available number from us. Each dedicated number can only be used by one account at a time and cannot be shared between sub-accounts. 

Are there any security features to protect my dedicated phone number from spam or unwanted calls?  

  • At Office In America Co., one of the primary uses of our reception service is to screen calls so you do not ever have to waste your time picking up spam calls. If you are tired of being interrupted by misleading calls and spam calls, our reception service is exactly what you need. Get rid of robocalls for good by signing up! 

Can I get a US virtual phone number? 

  • You can get a dedicated Houston phone number with a prestigious area code within minutes (even if you're outside the US) and get your new business phone system up and running the same day.  Check out our packages.

What are the privacy benefits associated with using a virtual number?

Using a virtual phone number offers a range of privacy advantages that make it an appealing choice for various situations. One of the foremost benefits is the privacy it provides. By shielding your personal phone number, virtual numbers allow you to communicate without revealing your actual contact information. This aspect proves particularly valuable when interacting with unknown individuals or platforms where you want to maintain a degree of privacy.

Another notable advantage is the separation it allows between personal and business communications. For business owners or professionals, virtual numbers enable the compartmentalization of calls and messages, keeping work-related interactions distinct from personal ones. This organization not only streamlines communication but also keeps your personal privacy.

 

How do virtual phone numbers affect emergency services like 911?

Virtual phone numbers can sometimes present challenges for emergency services because they are not tied to an actual physical location. Some providers offer Enhanced 911 (E911) services that attempt to provide location information, but this may vary. It is crucial to recognize the limitations when it comes to emergency services. Always prioritize your safety and be aware of how your chosen communication methods can impact your ability to access timely assistance in emergency situations.

What happens if I'm already using a different phone service for my business?

  • Use the New Business Phone Number: Alternatively, you can choose to use the phone number of a business that has been provided by our service. This could be beneficial if you would like to have a local or toll free number, yet want people know that the call is for business.

  • Forward Calls: If you wish to preserve your current phone plan, it is possible that call forwarding from Office in America can be configured so as to land at your business number. Doing so redirects calls meant for us to your business phone of primary interest.

  • Maintain Separate Lines: Alternatively, you can have the new virtual number aside from your existing business phone service. In particular, the new virtual office number may be utilized to address some specific tasks like advertising campaigns or local presence while retaining your previous phone number for all other business activities.

  • Update Business Contacts: Update your contact details and marketing material such as sites, business cards and promotional products with the new phone number or to reflect changes in how u manage incoming calls.

You need an appropriate method based on your business requirements, finances and accessibility. Some companies prefer to do this for simplicity so they can bundle all their communication services with a virtual office provider. Others may choose another solution which is tailored more towards the specific needs of such businesses.

How does the call forwarding feature work?

The concept of call forwarding entails re-routing incoming calls from your selected Virtual Office phone number to a predefined destination telephone.

  • Setup: You subscribe to a Virtual Office service and while setting up; you choose a virtual office phone number. In the calibration, you define a phone number that will receive your incoming calls. This may be your cell phone, home telephone or any number you prefer.

  • Incoming Calls: When a call is placed to your Virtual Office phone number, the incoming call first goes through our system.

  • Call Forwarding: To start with, the Virtual Office system recognizes that it is a call meant for you and then directs the call to your designated number which was set up at onset.

  • Answering the Call: This call falls to your designated phone number for call forwarding. You can pick up the call as you would respond to any other incoming calls.

  • Voicemail (if applicable): If cannot be reached or you do not answer if your account is equipped with a voicemail feature then the call will go to mail.

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