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Google Voice is a free VoIP service that allows you to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi or your data connection. Its low cost, multi platform support, and cross-platform compatibility make it an attractive option for businesses looking for multiple communication features without the price tag of enterprise systems like Microsoft Office 365. The downside? Google Voice doesn’t have all the features many business need. For example, local numbers aren’t available in most areas of North America (though they are available in some European countries). If you’re still on the fence about whether or not it’s right for your company, here’s what we recommend considering before making a decision:
With the introduction of Google Voice, it has become easier to communicate with your contacts and business partners. The service is available for personal use or businesses. Read more in detail here: google voice personal vs business.
Google Voice is a cloud-based phone system that combines communication channels and enables you to redirect calls to numerous devices. It provides free phone numbers as well as low-cost premium plans with unlimited domestic calls and texts. Google Voice was deemed to be excellent for small to mid-sized Google Workspace customers in our Google Voice evaluation. Those that want more complete call functionalities and Integrations should look into other options available on the market.
Go to Google Voice to learn more.
Overview of Google Voice
What Google Voice Is Good For
For organizations with a Google Workspace account, Google Voice is a simple voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) option. Users may choose a local phone number for making and receiving calls, as well as swap between connected devices while on the phone.
When Should You Use Google Voice?
- Google Voice is one of our suggestions for the best inexpensive VoIP services and finest free business phone number applications for freelancers and solopreneurs seeking for a low-cost business phone plan. The entry-level subscription begins at $10 per user, per month, making it a cost-effective solution for small organizations. It also comes with a free business phone number and unlimited domestic calling and texting.
- Businesses who use Google Workspace extensively: Google Voice has been included to our list of the best business phone systems for teams that already use Google Workspace. It works seamlessly with Gmail, Calendar, and Meet, making collaboration and team communication a breeze.
- Virtual meetings may be held anywhere by remote or hybrid teams: Google Voice enables customers to make calls from nearly anywhere, whether they’re working remotely or on-site. Because of its limitless VoIP calling and free business phone number, Google Voice makes our list of the top VoIP applications for iOS users. It allows customers to route calls to all of their devices via a single phone number, which may be linked to a smartphone, landline, or work phone.
- Businesses with a global presence may consider upgrading to Google Voice’s Premier plan, which allows customers to make international calls for as little as one cent per minute in certain countries. This platform is excellent for large-scale organizations with a worldwide customer base looking for a VoIP solution. Even for small businesses, Google Voice is one of the finest call management tools we suggest.
- Users will like Google Voice’s familiar, user-friendly design, which is ideal for businesses seeking for a VoIP technology with a low learning curve. The platform may be tailored to your specific needs. The Workspace Admin panel combines number assignment, billing, and porting. Google Voice is one of our finest VoIP softphone providers for its free VoIP softphone services, in addition to its straightforward design.
When Google Voice Isn’t the Right Fit
- Businesses in need of a phone system with improved call features include: Consider 88% if you’re searching for a full VoIP solution for sophisticated call management. Call queues, skills-based routing, and call handling are among the features offered by the platform, which outperforms Google Voice.
- Small firms or solopreneurs who aren’t utilizing Google Workspace: Fundamentally, Google Voice is excellent for those who utilize Google Workspace; yet, its restricted features will make sophisticated team collaboration difficult. Nextiva is a great option for those searching for a unified communication and team collaboration channel. Cospace, the company’s mobile app, features work management tools and a team calendar.
- Companies that need industry-specific connections: Google Voice’s Integrations are restricted to Google Workspace applications since it is based on Google Cloud. This implies it isn’t compatible with business software like Salesforce or Zendesk. Choose RingCentral if you want broad third-party Integrations that work for your expanding staff.
- Toll-free phone numbers are required by the following organizations: Having a toll-free number for your company allows customers to reach you at no cost. This increases the legitimacy of your brand and makes your company more accessible. Google Voice, unfortunately, does not provide this feature. Choose Dialpad if you need a vanity toll-free number to improve your brand.
Pricing for Google Voice
For people with Google Workspace accounts, Google Voice provides a cloud-based phone service. Business customers, on the other hand, may sign up for one of the three premium plans to begin utilizing the service. Each subscription vary in the amount of users, locations, and access to premium services such as ring groups and sophisticated reporting, starting at $10 per person, per month.
Other calls that are not included in the user’s subscription are billed depending on Google Voice’s rate card. Per-minute charges vary from one cent to $5.12, depending on the recipient’s nation or area and the kind of call, such as mobile or landline. Rates are subject to change at any moment.
Features of Google Voice
Google Voice is a cloud-based phone service that includes basic calling and message capabilities. It provides three business pain options, each of which includes unlimited calls to the United States from any country. When calling foreign countries, there may be charges. Call forwarding, Transcription of Voicemail, unlimited texting, and activity reporting are included in all three levels.
The best strategy is determined by your company’s communication needs. It’s crucial to note, however, that the feature sets of the three paying plans are almost identical. The Premier plan, for example, has all of the features of the Standard plan except advanced reporting and worldwide locations.
Characteristics
Google Voice has an appealing set of VoIP business phone services that allow customers to have complete control over their phone service outside of traditional phone lines. It converts any device into a business phone and allows you to set up a Google Voice business number. Users may send text messages, make and receive phone calls, and route calls from one number to another on the platform, making it simple to keep track of all conversations.
Google Voice is compatible with computers, mobile devices, and supported desk phones, allowing you to remain connected no matter where you are. (Image courtesy of Google Voice)
Unlimited messages inside the United States are included in all plans, as are free calls to the United States from any location. Google Voice is accessible in up to 14 countries, including those in Europe, if you wish to make international calls. International destinations, on the other hand, are only available to Premier subscribers, and non-Google Voice users must pay per minute.
Other basic call features offered by Google Voice include call forwarding, conference, and recording. The call forwarding option is beneficial for firms that deal with a significant number of calls and need to connect people in different places. You may route your Google Voice phone number to any number and connect up to six lines at once using this capability.
Reporting on Data
All Google Voice plans include with use and real-time activity data. Usage reports are an excellent tool to keep track of a company’s call activity and determine its direction. The event name, date, destination, and source are all shown in the Voice Audit Log. Users may also use filters to export data, display essential data, and send filtered report email alerts.
Upgrading to the Premier edition unlocks BigQuery, Google’s serverless, multi-cloud data warehouse, which allows for more sophisticated and personalized reporting. Its goal is to assist businesses in turning data into actionable business insights.
BigQuery’s built-in functions, such as machine learning and business intelligence, further aid data analysis. This function is ideal for big businesses who wish to gather information from their high number of calls.
The Google Admin portal gives access to use and activity information for Google Voice. (Image courtesy of Google Voice)
Voice AI
Google Voice makes use of artificial intelligence (AI) to save consumers time by rejecting nuisance calls and automatically transcribing voicemails. The sophisticated AI function also links your Google Voice account to Google Meet and Calendar to help you prioritize your chores.
Despite the fact that Google Voice AI has a lot of useful capabilities, it can only be used with third-party VoIP or contact center providers like 808.
You may use Google Voice to filter or label unwanted calls and texts as spam. (Image courtesy of Google Voice)
Transcription of Voicemail
Another unique offering within Google Voice is its Transcription of Voicemail service, powered by Google’s advanced speech recognition technology. This feature is particularly useful for those who don’t like listening to long voicemails or for people who need to know whether a voicemail is urgent enough to let go of the tasks at hand.
When someone leaves a message at your Google Voice number, this tool will create written transcripts along with a color indicator that shows how accurate the translation is. You also have the choice to listen to the recording and set specific voicemail messages to every caller. Additionally, Google Voice allows you to send your Transcription of Voicemails to a specified email address.
Google Voice converts voicemails to text so you can keep track of everything in one spot. (Image courtesy of Google Voice)
User-Friendliness
Google Voice makes managing a VoIP system very simple, thanks to its familiar, user-friendly interface. It has a simple desktop and mobile interface, as well as an admin portal that enables you to centralize your workflow across platforms.
Users will find Google Voice to be simple to use with little to no learning curve since it is a lightweight VoIP service. It also makes managing phone calls easier by bringing all fundamental communication capabilities together in one spot. The straightforward layout of Google Workspace will help users the most since it provides rapid access to calls and settings.
Users, numbers, locations, ports, and desk phones may all be managed using the Google Voice Admin panel. (Image courtesy of Google Voice)
Integrations
Google Voice’s connections are restricted to Google Workspace applications, such as Google Meet, Drive, Calendar, and Gmail, since it is a component of Google Workspace. Polycom gear is compatible with the platform, allowing Standard and Premier customers to set up Polycom desk phones.
Despite the lack of other connectors, Google Voice enables customers to utilize its platform in conjunction with Smith.ai, which provides live chat and virtual receptionists.
If you’re looking for the finest VoIP phones for your small company, you’ve come to the right place.
Check out our post on the top VoIP phones to see which one provides a more cost-effective and simple answer for your phone system needs.
Alternatives to Google Voice
For enterprises searching for a lightweight VoIP platform, Google Voice offers a viable VoIP option. However, enterprises with extensive call management requirements may find that its limited capabilities are insufficient. Here are a few options that appeal to various company requirements:
*Pricing is for two to twenty people.
**Pricing is based on a group of one to four people.
What Users Have to Say About Google Voice
Many customers love the platform’s simplicity and low-cost pricing levels, according to recent Google Voice evaluations. Google Voice’s ability to keep their personal and work phones separate while still providing a free local phone number was praised by freelancers and solopreneurs. Many customers complimented the platform’s artificial intelligence features, which allow them to transcribe voicemails and stop spam calls.
Google Voice received the following ratings on prominent review sites at the time of publication:
Despite the high scores on Google Voice ratings, there are negative reviews that reveal the platform’s inability to provide toll-free numbers, its lack of live customer support, and inaccurate Transcription of Voicemails. Amid these setbacks, Google Voice reviews point out that users continue using the platform because of its cheaper subscription plans and Transcription of Voicemail service.
Conclusion
Google Voice is a fantastic choice for small organizations searching for a simple VoIP platform with minimal functionality for business communications, thanks to its inexpensive pricing. Users of Google Workspace and remote teams that travel often and utilize many devices at the same time would benefit the most from it. Sign up for a free trial of the Google Workspace platform if you want to learn more about its features.
Go to Google Voice to learn more.
The “google voice personal for small business” is a service that allows businesses to use their own phone number as their Google Voice number. This allows them to have the same features as a personal Google Voice account, but on their business line.
Frequently Asked Questions
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