If you or your employees travel often, or if you have clients and staffers in other countries, virtual phone numbers are a great way to keep your communication costs down. Virtual phone numbers use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which lets your employees make phone calls with a high speed Internet connection instead of a phone line. Because of this technology, calls are much cheaper to make.

A virtual phone number will keep the costs for calling locally and long distance down, whether you are making the call or customers are calling you from far away. With a high-speed Internet connection, virtual phone numbers include the following benefits:

1. Make affordable international and long distance phone calls.

2. Use your virtual phone number no matter where you travel.

3. Get a virtual phone number so your global customers won't have to pay to call you.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a virtual phone number to save on your business calling costs

If you already have high-speed Internet, you can save big by using VoIP services and getting virtual phone numbers for your business. Because of VoIP technology, you can have several phone numbers for a fraction of what you would pay with traditional service.

I recommend: Compare the business plans for popular VoIP providers such as Vonage, VelocityTel, Packet8 and Quintum.

Compare long distance rates with virtual phone numbers

Long distance and international calls are much cheaper for your business when you have a virtual phone number. Also, if you travel a lot, you can use your virtual phone number wherever you go so your employees and clients won't have to pay high long distance rates.

I recommend: At OrderVoIP.com, you can compare VoIP plans. Also look for comparisons from countries like MyViopProvider.com and 5 Point Communications.

Get virtual phone numbers for countries where you do the most business

If you routinely conduct your business in a different country, consider getting a virtual phone number so your clients won't have to pay costly international long distance. When they call the number, which is a local call for them, it will automatically forward to your business or cell phone.

I recommend: At VirtualPhoneLine.com or Net2Phone.com, you can choose from more than 40 countries in which to get a virtual phone number.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Try to bundle up your Internet and costs for your virtual phone numbers. By getting both from the same provider, you might be able to get better rates.