A Comprehensive Guide to Setting Up Call Forwarding and Toll Free Forwarding
Selecting and setting up a toll free forwarding or call forwarding solution can be confusing. Many choices and options exist. AVOXI has experience in helping customers determine the best solution for their business—delivering services to clients for over 17 years. This article reviews basic definitions and options for a call forwarding or toll free forwarding solution.
How Does Call Forwarding Work?
Call forwarding allows businesses and individuals to forward incoming calls from any phone number (landline, mobile phone, toll free service, etc.) to another phone number such as a landline, mobile phone, or VoIP line.
Toll free call forwarding works exactly the same way as traditional call forwarding. The only difference is that with toll free forwarding, incoming calls forward from a toll free number. When a call is placed to the toll free number, that call routes to the receiving number or device based on specific actions or pre-set rules.
The toll free service provider and the business that uses the forwarding feature determine the rules and configuration per number.
Typical Call Forwarding Rules
- Forward When Busy
- Forward When There is No Answer
- Other Pre-Set Forwarding Events
How to Set Up Call Forwarding Numbers
The following are basic instructions for managing your call forwarding feature with most landline, mobile, and VoIP phone service providers.
(**Remember that these instructions vary based on your provider and available features. Be sure to visit your provider’s website or contact your customer service department if you have an issue with any of the steps.)
Begin by logging in to your phone service provider or VoIP provider software dashboard
Once you’ve successfully logged in locate the Call Forwarding Feature.
The next thing that you’ll want to do is verify that you have access to the Call Forwarding Feature. Once you have verified that you have access to the feature be sure that it is activate and ready for use.
You’ve verified that the feature is active. Now it’s time to select the phone number that you want to forward calls from.
To forward your toll free calls to a US phone number enter 1 + Area Code + Phone Number.
The phone number that you are forwarding calls from is your toll free business phone line or any other primary contact phone number that your customers or prospects call to contact you.
Now you're ready to send your incoming calls to the new receiving phone number or device. During this step you’ll select the phone number that you want to forward your incoming calls to.
The phone number that you’re forwarding your calls to is your cell phone, landline, mobile, or web app where you want to receive your forwarded calls.
Example: Let’s say that you want to forward calls from your office phone to your cell phone number while you’re away from the office.
In this case, you choose to forward calls from your toll free business number to your cell phone number.
Apply Forwarding Rules to Properly Route Your Calls
You’ve chosen the phone numbers that you want to forward your incoming calls from. You’ve selected the phone number where you want to forward those incoming calls to. Now it's’ time to set the parameters for when this forwarding should happen.
Example in Action
Using the example rules and the scenario above, you select the appropriate options to create a rule that forwards the incoming calls from the toll free business number to the cell phone number only when there is no answer at the office phone or the business phone rings more than (5) times
Each call forwarding service has a set of call forwarding options and features that you can choose to apply and customize based on what works best for your business operations. Popular forwarding rules include time of day routing, holiday routing and weekend vs. weekday routing. Each of these options create paths to deliver calls to the right place at the right time for your business.
Make Sure Your Calls Are Forwarding
You’ve selected the phone number(s) that you want to forward from and to. You’ve applied your desired calling rules for when your calls will be forwarded.
The last step in the call forwarding process is to verify that your changes have taken effect. Test your changes by calling the forwarded phone number from another available line.
If everything is working properly, Congratulations!
You’ve successfully set up toll free call forwarding on your business line. Call forwarding is easy to configure and update. Your business makes changes in minutes using automatic online tools supported by your communications provider.
Benefits of Call Forwarding for Business
Many phone service providers include call forwarding as a main feature included with their phone service package or as a paid add-on feature.
Pricing and fees for using the call forwarding service vary based on
- the phone service provider
- the country of origin for incoming calls, and
- the rate that your provider charges for making calls or using the call forwarding feature or Rate Per Minute (RPM).
- Check out: How Much Does Call Forwarding Cost for more info.
Some providers include call forwarding for free while others may charge a per use fee or include the feature in a pre-packaged rate.
Call forwarding is a time-saving feature that allows you to conduct business and maintain your professional image, no matter where your office happens to be.
Businesses can take advantage of the call forwarding feature to:
- Keep operations running smoothly
- Stay in touch with important contacts such as suppliers and customers
- Provide cost-effective telecommuting options for employees
- Never miss a beat or a call while away from the office
To learn more, visit Call Forwarding Services
Happy Forwarding!
