It’s easy to acquire free or at least low-cost personal and business VoIP service on your iPhone – you just need the right apps! For a full review of personal and business VoIP applications for the iPhone, keep reading.
Fring VoIP iPhone App
Fring is the premier iPhone VoIP application. It’s available for free and lets you make free VoIP calls with ohter fring members or use Skype to make Skype VOIP calls to other Skype users or simply through your Skype account.
It also keeps track of all of your instant messaging contacts from Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, Twitter and more – making it easier to keep it all in one region, instead of jumping around from application to application.
iCall actually lets you seamlessly transfer an inbound cell phone call to the free VoIP system – lovely slick. However, your iPhone has to be connected to wifi for this to work – that said, it’s a ample way to save your minutes. Right now, calls within the US and Canada are $0.02/minute on the iCall system with a basic iCall epic
To make international calls, you need an iCall Pro account and you will be charged a miniature per-minute fee ($0.06/minute).
Truphone was the first company with a personal and business VoIP app in the iPhone app marketplace. Basically, users can earn Truphone VoIP calls anytime they’re connected to a wifi network (less than $0.01/minute for large-scale business VoIP users). However, you can’t connect to the Truphone Anywhere service, a program that lets people make overseas calls on Truphone at an incredibly cheap rate.
This is a really provocative app for use in a business VoIP environment. For example, a ample office, job site or work position (parks, malls, complexes, conference halls, etc) could save thousands on business VoIP costs by using a walkie talkie iPhone program that essentially connects users into groups – treating each phone like a walkie-talkie. The cost? Just $1.99 per phone.
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Filed under Small Business Phone Service by on Feb 5th, 2012. 
When a customer buys a new cell phone, the phone is automatically “locked” to the wireless’s network that they choose. This simply means that it would be difficult take your phone with you if you determine a different network or carrier, regardless if originally there was a high price that was paid. When considering purchasing a new phone it is better to purchase one that is unlocked so that you can avoid this potential scrape or any others and it also comes with other benefits.
Several pros are associated with buying an unlocked phone from an alternate source, which is a phone that was originally not bought from your cell phone carrier.
First off, there is no contract that you have to deal with whatsoever when you have an unlocked phone. A discount is often offered in exchange for customers who decide to sign a contract with the provider. Therefore, the company will charge you a huge cancellation fee if you ever have to forfeit that contract. The fee is generally around $250-$500. With an unlocked phone rather you avoid the hassle of unwanted fees that arrive with a purchasing a locked phone to a certain network and thus having to sign a contract to find service from a specific provider.
Also, more phones are usually available for you if considering the unlocked option. 20-30 phones that are available to customers are usually carried in most cell phone stores. You can literally find hundreds of phones in the unlocked business, which means that there are so many options available to you that you can generally accept any phone with pretty much any feature that you want. It is important that the network you choose is capable of using all the features that are available on a particular phone.
Further, taking your unlocked phone with you to another domestic carrier is not the only good thing about it, should the need to travel oversees come about, it is simple to take your unlocked phone with you. All you have to do is insert your new prepaid SIM card into the SIM care slot on your cell phone. A small fortune of roaming charges is saved when you do this. This also saves the hassle of having to glean a new one while you are at your temporary location.
Lastly, the market is noteworthy more larger when trying to resell your unlocked phone than it is for locked phones. When you upgrade, you will have a better chance at getting your unlocked phone sold to another user than if u decide to sell a locked phone, this means some of your original costs can be regained for the phone after you have stale it.
People experience much freedom and ease when they have ownership of an unlocked cell phone, as no contracts are required. However, please be alert at the situation to where you purchase your cell phone as some vendors have been found to be better than other ones. It is good to work with a dealer that has a good reputation when buying an unlocked phone. Whether or not a warranty on an unlocked phone is offered is an indeed good way to help determine its credibility of a seller. You should have much more confidence buying from a dealer that offers warranties.
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Filed under Small Business Phone Service by on Jan 29th, 2012.
These days, everyone has an Internet-connected smart phone. Most of these phones at least have access to Google maps, if not full-fledged Google Maps enabled GPS navigation, known as Google Maps Navigation. For users of these phones, finding a restaurant, gas station, bank, or other type of business is a snap.
Google maps listings have the capability to provide the exact plot of a business, represented by a flag on the Google Maps layout. Selecting one of these flags will give you advanced listing information and options about the business. These include “call now” and “get reviews.”
Getting your restaurant, gas stations, bank, or other business listed in Google Maps via the Google Local Business Center doesn’t prefer much time, especially if you already have a Google epic (Gmail, iGoogle, etc.). For such a itsy-bitsy time investment, The payoff is increased visibility. In addition to displaying your businesses location, Google Maps will also display a button to call the business directly or to catch directions to the location. This will prevent the need for customers to call and derive directions, which will reduce the time your employees devote to answering phone calls providing directions and other information.
When clicked on, a Google Maps listing will show various information, such as your business’s name, address, phone number, email address, website, and description. In addition, a more complex entry will also include the category of the business, alternative locations, operating hours, payment options, photos and videos, and additional details. Additional details can be outmoded to display any category of information you’d like, such as menu items, brands offered, etc.
To begin the submission process, click HERE to go to the Google Business Center. You may be prompted to log in to your Google account, if you are not already signed into another Google service, such as Gmail. Once logged in, click “Add a new business.”
Business Location and Category
From this point, the first page of the process is quite simple. Fill out the information as requested until you come to “Category.” In the category field, categories will display in a drop down box as you begin typing. Don’t build up your maintain category name unless absolutely necessary, as this will manufacture your situation less likely to be found. Instead, acquire an already created category for your business from the suggested results. This is important because Google has already taken the time to determine the most searched and used terms for different types of business. Also, you can specify more than one category for your business, if appropriate, by clicking on “Add another category.” Once you have selected your category, click “Next.”
Service Areas and Set Settings
On the next page, the “Service Areas and Location Settings” gives you the option to plot the service radius of your business, or you can also select areas of coverage based on town or city names, or zip codes.
Hours of Operation
Below the “Service Areas and Location Settings” section, you will collect the “Hours of Operation” section. These fields will allow you to provide your customers with detailed information about when your storefront is open. You can even expend the “I’d like to enter two sets of hours for a single day” checkbox to enter split hours, such as lunch and dinner hours.
Photos
The “Photos” section is overlooked by many businesses, but with the option to attach up to 10 photos, you can give potential customers a feel for your restaurant both inside and out. You can add photos from a website, or directly upload them from your computer. Ensure that any photos feeble here are of the highest quality, and represent your business in the best possible way.
Videos
Like the “Photos” sections, the “Videos” section is often overlooked. Up to five videos can be associated with your listing, so especially if you have shelled out the money to make commercials for your business, place them here. Associating videos with your Google Maps listing will allow you to fully represent the environment and ambiance of your business.
Additional Details
The “Additional Details” section is where you can really add valuable information to your listing. In the “Additional Details” section, you could list your entire menu, products and brands carried, names and phone numbers of employees, or any other relevant information you can think of.
Verification
After clicking “Submit,” you will be presented with the validation page. From here, you can opt to utilize a phone verification scheme, or you can also use the postcard (snail mail) method. It is obviously recommended by this author that you utilize the phone verification method, as it can be accomplished MUCH faster.
Coupons
Once your listing is completed and verified, go to your Google Local Business Center Dashboard, then select the “Coupons” tab and click “Add a coupon now.” You will be able to give the coupon a title and subtitle, details, add an image, establish an expiration date, and determine the locations at which the coupon is valid.
Dashboard Management
Via the Google Local Business Center, all of your locations details can be managed, as well as coupons. Google always adding new features, so check your dashboard often for new options. Storefront locations, coupons, etc. can always be edited or deleted from your dashboard.
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Filed under Small Business Phone Service by on Jan 16th, 2012.
As a business owner, it is important to know all of the avenues from which you can win new business. Having an internet presence has become one of the fastest growing ways to expand businesses around the world. Small business owners can open these gates very easily and at minimal cost. As your business grows, you can get more involved with it so it works better for you.
The following are just some of the reasons why you should take your small business online:
Increased Sales
Having an online presence doesn’t guarantee increased sales but it doesn’t pain. The more your promote your business, the better chance you have of making original sales. It also allows you to reach anyone in the world. This gives you the ability to approach goals that you never imagined from having a little hometown business.
Convenience for Customers
Customers like being able to get on their computers and type in the names of their favorite places of business. If you allow the customer to find out as much information as possible about your business online, you will increase you local business as well as widespread expansion. Being online also allows customers to email any questions they may have about a product or service that you offer. This saves them time but also saves you time from answering the phone lines.
Cheap Expansion
You don’t have to acquire expensive additions to your business. You also don’t have to add a ton of unique employee’s to design it work. It’s the easiest and cheapest way to expand on your business. You probably already have a computer, so you won’t even need to select any new equipment in order to do it.
Advertising
The truth is that printed newspapers and magazines are going out of business quickly. The reason for this is that more and more people are reading the news on their computers. Being online allows you to keep the advertisement up to par. For instance, there are many ways in which you can advertise your business online at no cost at all. That is what makes sites such as Craiglist work so well.
Advertising in print newspaper and other such venues can be very costly. They are also going out of style at the fastest pace ever. Be ready for the fresh way of advertising. You don’t want to be left out in the cold.
The Future
The internet is where the future of businesses lie. The world is geared completely towards internet everything. This includes shopping, comparing prices, working, and business itself. Fewer people are shopping in passe stores. It isn’t that they aren’t buying things. They simply have changed the scheme in which they have done it. It can be compared to records.
Here is an example: Records used to be all the rage. Everyone had to have them. Then eight track tapes came along changing the face of how people listened to their music. Cassette tapes came in right behind and wiped out the use of eight track tapes altogether. Soon after that, CD’s came on the scene and people changed everything over to that venue. This was top of the line technology and we couldn’t think of anything that could go beyond that. Several years later, computers came along and with it a new technology that allowed music to be turned digital. Now MP3 players and Ipods have taken over the way we listen to music.
Honest like the face of music has changed, so does business and you should be prepared for that change. If not, your business will be left in the dust without a chance for recovery.
Starting an online presence isn’t difficult. There are a number of ways to start out at petite cost to you. Dabble in the waters a little bit to get your feet wet. Once you have gotten a good start on it, you will behold that it is one of the best decisions that you ever made. Purchase your small business online today and give it a chance.
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Filed under Small Business Phone Service by on Dec 19th, 2011.
Communicating with friends, loved ones, business clients and anyone who will steal up the phone and listen to you shouldn’t be difficult or expensive. How many times have you opened your phone bill and seen charges that you have no thought where they came from or what they mean? After my telephone company debited my checking account twice, took 4 months to repay me, “accidentally” interrupted my DSL connection, as well as added a service without my consent, I was seriously looking for alternative ways to avoid dealing with a traditional telephone company and service.
Some of my friends have started using their cell phone service as their regular telephone service, but I didn’t feel like maneuvering the ins and outs of roll-over minutes, peak hours and charging the battery. So, when I heard of a way to avoid the tight grip of traditional phone companies, I investigated further. A cheaper design to station phone calls can be accomplished through VoIP technology.
How Does a VoIP Phone Service Work?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which involves the transfer of data across the Internet. VoIP systems take analog signals (such as the reveal) and turn them into digital data that travels throughout the World Wide Web. When switching to this digital land of communication, a wealth of possibilities can be explored. Some of the many actions made possible through VoIP systems include the transfer of voicemails as email attachments, which makes message retrieval possible from any computer.
What You Need For VoIP Service
An Internet connection that can near speeds of up to 90 Kbps (kilobytes per second) is needed to switch to VoIP service. For those of you who are wondering, there are 8 kilobits in 1 kilobyte. Since dial-up is unable to reach the speeds offered through broadband Internet, you will need to receive your Internet connection through cable or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line).
VoIP Phone Service: The Perks
· Cheaper monthly phone bills
· Don’t have to pay for extra features, such as call waiting, 3-way calling and call-forwarding
· VoIP phones are portable and can receive/place calls from any worldwide high-speed Internet connection
· Check your voicemail from any computer
· Up to 75% savings on local, long-distance and international calling (depending on service plan)
· No more paying government taxes or surcharges
Yes, There Are a Few Disadvantages
Let’s say you’re in a snowstorm and the power lines are out. Just as with a cordless phone, which functions through the exhaust of electricity, your VoIP will also be affected in the same way. Since your phone service is connected through the Internet, when the Internet is interrupted, so is your VoIP service. Additional details to keep in mind before switching to a VoIP phone is that some services do not offer access to directory assistance or 911 emergency access. Before choosing a VoIP service plan, these are some of the things you may want to witness into.
VoIP Phone Service: The Cost
VoIP subscription services require the purchase of a service plan from a VoIP provider. Some companies have been known to offer unlimited yearly local and long-distance phone service for less than $200. The total cost to use VoIP technology depends on the method you wish to receive and set your calls. This will determine the vital accessories you will need, which may include:
1) Broadband Internet (Cable or DSL) Subscription
2) An adapter to connect your already existing telephone to VoIP services
3) VoIP headsets and handsets with USB connection
4) Software that turns your computer into a telephone (with the use of speakers and microphone)
5) VoIP phone (We all know the saying “you get what you pay for” and the same is honest when purchasing a VoIP phone. Various phone models can cost as little as $25, but to really benefit from long-term product use and improved voice quality, the more reliable selections are priced above $100. Don’t be surprised if you advance across models costing $1500 (usually geared towards business consumers).
The market is booming with VoIP phone options, offering an array of features for both personal and business consumers.
a) Desktop Hands-Free: Some can be connected and powered through an USB cable, such as a VoIP desktop hands free phone, which eliminates the use of a mouse for placing and ending phone calls.
b) Cordless: There are cordless VoIP phones, offering features like multiple expansion handsets, 2-way paging and handset speakerphone.
c) Business: Business VoIP phones use Ethernet cable for connection to an office network.
d) Wireless: There are also VoIP phones that provide wireless capabilities. They can be musty in the office and home, as well as any public location supplying WiFi access.
Test Out the VoIP Phone Service For FREE
You can easily test out the difference between traditional telephone service and VoIP technology by placing a PC-to-PC call for free. Numerous companies offer free VoIP software, which enables your computer to place phone calls across the Internet. The set-up is easy and takes about 3-5 minutes to complete. A popular free download for this service is called Skype 2.5 (http://www.skype.com).
The Catch: Calls can only be placed to computers that possess downloaded VoIP software and you cannot place phone calls to regular telephones. But this is free and it doesn’t matter if you call a computer in Seattle or China; it is still free.
VoIP Service Plan Example: Vonage
Let’s take a brief look at what Vonage has to offer customers who wish to create the switch towards VoIP technology. Vonage uses an analog phone with a broadband phone adapter to provide service.
Requirements: Broadband Internet (Cable or DSL); Vonage Phone Adapter (free with service plan); any touch-tone, corded or cordless phone
Features: All service plans include voicemail, caller ID w/ name, call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, call transfer, repeat dialing, call return and more (for no extra cost).
Vonage Service Plans
1) Residential Basic 500 Minutes Plan
Cost: $14.99/ month
Details: 500 minutes of local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.
3.9¢ per microscopic after the first 500 monthly minutes.
2) Residential Premium Unlimited Plan
Cost: $ 24.99/month
Details: Unlimited local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Just added free calls to Italy, France, U.K., Spain and Ireland.
3) Small Business Basic 1500 Minutes Plan
Cost: $39.99/month
Details: 1500 minutes of local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico for business customers.
3.9¢ per minute after the first 1500 monthly minutes.
Receive a free, dedicated fax line.
4) Small Business Premium Unlimited Plan
Cost: $49.99/month
Details: Unlimited local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico for business customers.
Just added free calls to Italy, France, U.K., Spain and Ireland.
Receive a free, dedicated fax line.
Companies Offering VoIP Service
For those who are interested in comparing VoIP service plans, you can check out the following companies:
· Adwell Communications: Offers VoIP services using phone, PBX or computer to design and receive calls
· AT&T CallVantage Service: VOIP plans includes unlimited calling within USA and Canada
· BroadVoice: VoIP provider using a supplied broadband phone adapter
· CallDaddy: Pre-paid VOIP services
· Callserve: Software download for PC-to-Phone service (outbound calls only)
· Dialpad Communications, Inc.: Monthly billing and pre-paid PC-to-Phone VoIP services, as well as broadband telephone adapter options (no PC needed).
· Lingo, Inc: Plans offer unlimited calls to U.S. and Canada using any phone (with provided adapter). Some plans offer unlimited calls to Europe, Asia, Mexico.
· RhinoBell: Offers PC-to-phone, phone-to-phone using device service
· Skype: Peer-to-peer Internet pronounce service for Mac, Windows and Linux
· Voiceglo: VoIP service with both free and paid plans. Some plans require phone adapters or USB phones.
· VoicePulse: VoIP service offering phone-to-phone (with device).
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Filed under Small Business Phone Service by on Dec 3rd, 2011.