If you run a small business that lists your personal mobile phone number as your main point of contact, then you’ll probably already know how quickly things can get out of hand. One minute, you are only getting a handful of calls spread sporadically throughout the day. Next, your phone is buzzing at dinner, on weekends, and when you are trying to sleep.
While listing your personal mobile phone might be the logical thing to do when you are just starting up, there comes a point when it becomes difficult to separate your work and home life. In fact, over time, it can become overwhelming, stressful, and downright infuriating. So, what do you do when you are tired of giving out your personal mobile for business?
Let’s look at an easy fix.
When Does Using Your Personal Mobile for Business Become a Problem?
At first, using your personal number seems like the easiest option. You probably already have the phone, and you want to keep your business costs down as much as possible. However, as your business grows, you’ll soon notice a few issues start to creep in.
For one, the lines between your work and personal life will probably begin to blur. It doesn’t matter how committed you are to the success of your venture. You won’t want phone calls coming through when you’re trying to relax, spending time with family, or switching off for the day. Having your personal mobile as your main point of business contact makes it much harder to create a clear boundary between “work time” and “your time”.
Your privacy is another factor to consider, because once your number is out there, it can be shared far beyond your original customers. For instance, you might receive calls from unknown numbers, salespeople, or even scammers.
There’s also the question of professionalism. A dedicated business phone number gives your brand a more established and trustworthy feel. By contrast, using a personal mobile can sometimes make things seem a bit informal or amateurish. Especially when you’re dealing with new clients.
What Are Your Options for a Business Phone Setup in Australia?
If you do want to separate your work and personal calls, there are several ways to do so.
One of the most popular is to use a second SIM or a separate phone. This is a simple solution that can work very well, though it does mean carrying another device with you wherever you go. Or managing two numbers on a single handset, which some people might find confusing.
Another option is to get a dedicated business mobile number. This will help you to keep things more organised by clearly separating your work and personal calls. Alternatively, you can sign up for a VoIP phone system that uses the internet to manage calls. They often include features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and reporting.
The above options can all work well for you. However, arguably, the most flexible solution is to get a virtual phone number. These include 1300 or 1800 numbers. The great thing about these numbers is that they can be linked to your existing mobile. This means you can receive calls without changing your workflow. You can find affordable 1300 numbers from Telcoworks or other similar providers.
What Makes a Virtual Business Number Such a Good Option
Having a virtual phone number is one of the easiest ways to take control of your calls. To start with, customers no longer see your personal number, which helps to maintain your privacy and reduces unwanted contact.
Crucially, it also helps you to manage your business calls more efficiently. As calls can be routed to your mobile, your office, or even multiple team members, you are less likely to miss them when they come through. It also gives you the flexibility of running your business from anywhere, whether you’re at home, on-site, or travelling.
Additionally, from a branding perspective, a professional business contact number lends your business credibility. Customers will feel more confident about calling a dedicated 1300 or 1800 number than they would a personal mobile number.
How Call Routing Benefits You
Call routing is a feature that can make a big difference to a small business. To start with, it allows you to decide where and when calls are directed. But, more pertinently, it also enables you to receive calls to your mobile during working hours and send them straight to voicemail after hours.
This feature also helps reduce missed opportunities because, instead of calls going unanswered, customers can be redirected or leave a message. You can also set up different rules depending on when you are available, which means you stay in control of your time while still giving customers a clear way to reach you.
Another great thing about call routing is that it can scale with you. This means that as your business grows, this system can expand in line with it. You can add team members and create different call paths to help you stay on top of things.
What Are The Real Benefits of Separating Work and Personal Calls?
Once you separate your work and personal calls, you’ll feel the difference almost immediately.
For instance, you’ll most likely notice an improvement in your work-life balance due to the clear separation between the two you’ll now have. Importantly, your customer experience should also be better, as calls will be handled more structured.
It will also become easier to keep track of your communications, as you’ll know which calls are work-related and which are personal.
