Are you able to keep up with all the tools coming out from Mountain View? You may not be familiar with Google Voice, but it could help encourage some of your customers to become repeat buyers through a rather easy integration. Through Google Voice, a single number is available which can be configured to forward to all of the user’s phones. It is possible to set a different greeting message according to individual callers and to call US or international phone numbers from the web-based application for as little as two cents per minute.
Google Voice was once known as GrandCentral and was initially rolled out in March of this year. In mid November, Google has announced that it acquired Gizmo5, a VoIP communications network and the developers of a freeware soft phone and it will be interesting to see how this is integrated into the solution.
Google Voice does appear to be in beta invitation mode only, currently, but it is very easy to set up and configure. Imagine if you could set up a system where repeat customers could simply place orders via Google Voice text message. Your customer service team could enter the details upon receipt of the text message and reply via the Google Voice number on record.
A widget can be configured on your website ("call us now!"), allowing the client to automatically dial through to the number, which will in turn be routed to a customer service number that you have specified. This can either be answered by a live operative or a specific message can be recorded according to the path received.
The easier you make it for the customer the better, of course and if your system can be configured to route calls or text messages via Google Voice in this way, with prompt confirmations in return, Google may have made your business life a little easier, once again.
Have you used Google Voice within your business, yet?
Adam Toren
