[KatieB.]

I was curious to know how much everyone uses their phones when dealing with clients? I have a young daughter at home that makes using the phone just about impossible, not to mention that I usually talk like a complete ditz when I do. I think it would be best for me to deal with people through email or in person because of this. Should I still put a phone number for potential clients to reach me on my website (once I have one)?

[Kathy C]

I really think if you want to have a home - based business you need a dedicated line. I have 2 lines, plus a 3rd # for fax. I pay the full meal deal on my biz line incl long distance and then have a second bare bones phone line - no caller id, nothing. The second line costs $22 per month and is worth it. People will want to call you, and actually I use mine a lot - especially for training, not all clients are up to speed on skype. You can't post a number on your website and then have it ring busy or calls avoided because your kids are on the phone.
You can always try Magic Jack for the home line and then have a real line for business.

[Tami]

I actually use MagicJack for my business line along with a cell phone. Everyone in my house has a cell phone, so we really have no need for a landline. I will send faxes over the internet - there are several free sites out there.

Most of my communication with clients is done via email since three of them are in different time zones. This way, they can respond to me at their convenience.

[PattyD]

I use my cell phone for my business and, in a normal month, make at least one call per month. I usually have contact with my clients via skype and email.

[CandyBeauchamp]

I talk to someone a few times a week, sometimes though it's kind of crazy.

My suggestion is to set yourself up with a Ring Central number. You won't have to get an extra line, it will call your home line AND you can set hours so that they cannot call you after 5pm or whatever. LOVE my Ring Central. I wish I had done it at the start, 8 years ago LOL

[Maplewood]

Hi Katie,

It really varies based on the services you offer or plan to offer.

I rarely get calls and work via email or skype. I use my cell phone primarily for attending teleseminars and added a message to my home's answering machine since incoming calls were so few. It just didn't make sense for me to have a dedicated business line.

~Ruth

[Ramona_Goutiere]

Hi, Katie:

Like Patty, I have a business cell phone and I use it infrequently. I occasionally return a phone call for one of my clients. The rest of my work is normally handled by e-mail (incoming and outgoing). I do list my phone number on my Web site.

If a client wants phone conferences, I try to schedule a convenient time for both of us. That way my work for other clients isn't interrupted with unexpected calls.

Ruth makes a good point--your phone use will really depend on the type of work you do. In the end, you'll need to make the best choice for you and your business needs.

Candy's enthusiastic recommendation for Ring Central is such a teaser--I've considered it on and off as a replacement for my business cell. Now I may just have to do something about it . . .

Best--

Ramona

[KatieB.]

Thanks for all the great information!

I haven't had a home phone line for quite awhile now, it just didn't get enough use to be worth the cost. I'll get a business line if need be, but I have a feeling it won't get much use either. I can only work when my daughter is asleep, so I'm not really available to talk at normal hours (unless the client is a night owl). It does seems like having a phone number on your website gives some credibility though.

I would be mainly focusing on virtual services like making WordPress sites, creating accounts on social networks, and setting up stores on ecommerce sites. I know email is great for that kind of work since you can put in links and documents, but again there's the whole credibility thing. Does it turn people off if you are only available to talk through email? Skype really isn't an option either, at least not for another 4 years when I can send my daughter to preschool.

Ring Central looks really neat, but it will probably be out of my budget at first. I do know that HostGator offers a toll-free number with it's business hosting plan, and that might be what I end up going with for awhile.

[VA-Judy6]

When you are in contact with the night owls, the in-the-moment of a phone conversation or CHAT beats email all hollow.
I mostly use Skype in the Chat mode. I set it up so that my husband and I can talk on it too, though.

Gmail has a nice, in the moment chat option too. we use this on a marketing team I work with because when we pop into one another's offices, we tend to get sidetracked and off focus. When we can chat a quick question, we can get back to our project or let the other person get try to recover concentration more quickly.

There are ways to communicate that don't require a phone, but are quick.

On another thought, the services you mention are not always 'in the moment'. You do some work and say to the client, is this what you want? That all can take allow for some time lapse.

You could also seek clients in a time zone that is compatible with your daughter's napping and sleeping. Most clients know about kids. I built a MLM business with m my grandson sleeping on my shoulder...no headset or blue-tooth either.

[aplusadmin]

I have moved all my business calls to a cell now with unlimited service. This allows me to be mobile and still check email, text messaging and of course the traditional calls. It has surely helped me to keep going.

Several years ago we lost cell service for several days due to a Hurricane and thankfully we have kept a dial tone on our land line and plug a phone into it. Then have all cell calls transferred to it. Downfall to that is if I'm not at home I can't get the call which is a bummer, but thankfully we have not had this happen since then.

I have to agree with everyone here...you need a separate phone line it is a must to run any business that is home-based.

Leona

[Dana Fortier]

I have a Skype number that is my business number. I have it forward to my cell phone, which is with me everywhere. I don't have Ring Central for myself, but several of my clients use it, so I know its many benefits. Ring Central just doesn't make sense for me right now, either. Since I'm in East Coast time, and work with primarily West Coast clients, I am available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. by phone. Having said that - almost none of them ever call me past 4 p.m. Eastern, anyway.

[CandyBeauchamp]

Just FYI, I only pay like $35 per month for Ring Central and that's with extra extensions and whatever. I'm NOT kidding when I say I wish I had invested it in earlier. I'm STILL training clients to stop calling my home and cell lines. LOL.

[Tawnya]

Personally, I love Ring Central and it doesn't cost that much to use (less than a cell phone in Canada LOL!) plus I get a toll free number which has really added to the amount of calls I get. I think people use toll free numbers more often to call than if they see a normal number. I also use skype but only the free version.

[Alyssa Avant]

My phone use has gotten more frequent for business here lately. I have clients who prefer talking and I always have a phone consult with new clients. I like you have small children at home but my clients understand & I try to keep their noise to a minimum, even having my MIL watch them for a few minutes while I"m on an important conference call.

I have a cell phone and no landline. I frequently use and LOVE skype and have high quality headset for that purpose. I'm interested in the Skype number though for business that might be somewhat useful.

[KatieB.]

So I've decided that what I'll do is not put a phone number on my site, but put something on the site where they can schedule a phone call with me. Then I'll use the toll free number that is included in the web hosting package I'll be getting.

I think this will be the most sensible route for me to go since I will have more control over when phone calls take place.