Google Voice for Dummies

[grayfoxcomputing]

I admit it - I know next to nothing about Google Voice but I know lots of you are using it.

1. Did you get an separate number or port your existing cell #?
2. What exactly do you use it for?

I want to leverage this free service but I'm not sure what to use it for. I searched the forums but, unless I missed it, I don't see a primer on tips/tricks for GV.

Suggestions? Examples?

Thanks

 

[mau64]

I got a separate number that forwards from my iPhone. You can even text from that number. It also has a decent app for the phone to log calls and texts from.

I use it because I didn't want to give out my cell phone number to just anyone so I use it to separate business and personal.

 

[dogskool]

How about phone and fax service with no monthly fee (except internet access, of course) Obihai VOIP Phone Adapter

Credit card merchant machine works over this as well.

 

[cypress]

Thank you for creating this thread, I have been wondering the same thing and I also wanted to incorporate this into my business.

Especially for what Perry just said, I don't want to give out my personal number to just anyone.

 

[brock029]

I got a seperate number which is my business number that forwards to my cell, the best thing about it is when the number is forwarded you can have it show the actual callers number on your phone or just show that its from your business line. So I know to answer with my usual "Hello" if it doesnt say my business number or answer with my "Thank you for calling etc...." if I see the business number.

So far its great and if your busy and cant answer your phone and they leave a voice mail, it transcribes it so you can read whatever the person said. Also one big note make sure you call your phone provider to have them extend your ring time before the voicemail picks up. If you don't do this when someone calls your gv number your personal voicemail will answer before google voice.

Also being able to answer, call, check voice mail, and send text through your browser is pretty nice. You can also see all of your call logs on it too.

 

[FoolishTech]

I actually have 3 GV #'s for various uses.

I use GV for my business number and have it forwarded to my cell. I also have an Obi100 adapter for a pseudo-landline telephone that I can make and receive calls on using the GV #. On my cell I have the GV android app installed so I can make calls back to clients using GV (so it displays my GV # on their caller ID and not my actual cell #)

At the time I signed up for GV, porting wasn't possible so I ditched my vonage business phone number and just changed it to my new GV number. Now that porting is possible I wish I had waited and just had my existing number ported over. I think in order to get it ported from vonage I would have first had to port it over to a burner (cheap disposable cell phone from wal-mart or somewhere) and then port it from there to GV. But maybe that isn't the case any longer.

I have a second GV number for personal use. It is forwarded to my cell and my home landline that the wife insists on keeping - reason for this # is that my parents live in a different area code and still use traditional phone service - so with the personal GV # I just signed up for one in THEIR area code so they could call me without paying for long distance.

I have a third GV # which is tied to my junkmail gmail account. Calls there aren't forwarded to anything, but I get the email transcription of voicemails in my junkmail account. I use this phone number in the same way I use my junkmail email account, for junk voicemail basically; things like filling out my phone number in online forms, shipping, credit card, etc. etc.

Hope this helps...

 

[nightkingdoms]

+1 for FoolishTech

I have a GV dedicated number for my business phone number, use it as such and have the phones forwarded to me, other techs or answering service depending on the time of day and what's going on. If it ever goes to voicemail it gets emailed to my ticketing system and everyone gets notified. I access all the business GV things using the online mobile version (http://google.com/voice/m).

I also have a GV for my personal number. I have an Android phone and never give out my number to anyone. I only give out my GV number, only call from my GV and only text with my GV. I also add the GV number on my list of free call numbers so it's always free. The reason why I do this is because something can always happen to my phone either destroyed, reset, whatever. All my contacts are in Google Contacts attached to my GV account. So if I have to use another phone or my own phone after a reset, I just have to sign in with that Google account, download the GV app and all my contacts, texts, calls, etc. get put back on my phone automatically.

Reason why I chose GV as my actual business number is because it's not going anywhere, it doesn't cost anything and I can do whatever I need to do with it in the future. Reason for GV on the personal side: I can block people outright from calling or texting without involving my phone company (great for crazy dates), I get basically real-time online backup of all my calls/texts/contacts, with the ability to block I can give out my phone number freely to anyone who wants it without any downside.

And for the OP, both numbers were created completely new and announced like I got new service for both numbers.

 

[grayfoxcomputing]

Thanks guys. Very informative. I just checked to see if I could get a "local" number that spelled grayfox - no such luck. Now I will be trying to decide on which number to pick.

 

[brock029]

Thanks guys. Very informative. I just checked to see if I could get a "local" number that spelled grayfox - no such luck. Now I will be trying to decide on which number to pick.

I just went with one that was easy to remember 764-3634. Also grabbed the number above it and below it on the list. One is my Spanish number since the wife hablos espanol that number forwards to her. Being in south Texas there is a good amount of people who know little to no English.

 

[Jsch38]

Thanks Everyone for ideas and a Question

I am working on setiing up my GV account. All your ideas are great !
Does anyone know if your port your existing cell number to GV , Does your cellphone company charge you termination fee ? Thanks in Advance.

 

[NateDawg]

I am working on setiing up my GV account. All your ideas are great !
Does anyone know if your port your existing cell number to GV , Does your cellphone company charge you termination fee ? Thanks in Advance.

I just ported my cell phone to GV last week. It cost $20 from Google to do so; however, it cost me nothing to terminate with cell company, since phone was out of contract already. If the number is still under contract, you most likely have to pay a termination fee.

The process took a little less than 24 hours, so it was painless. If you do the porting, you can still use the cell phone till the porting is completed by Google Voice.

 

[yankeez]

I love Google Voice, PLUS, a service called "Mr. Number" -- makes it handy for me to type in the client's name and then it gets saved in the system, or on my phone. When enough people do this, then it will be handy as every number will have a callerID with it. I turned off it's text feature, as I like my phone's text messaging better AND, it identifies Spam phone calls and if I block one, I can TWEET that number to all my Twitter followers.... Handy!

 

[grayfoxcomputing]

Nice app Yankeez.

Thanks for sharing it. I'm still trying to decide what to do with GV.