The Number One reason why you should have your own personal, dedicated Toll-Free Number is Credibility. Having a toll free telephone number shows your potential prospects and customers that you are a Professional—with a capital “P”!

In today’s competitive business environment, the first step you must take, if you want to stand out head-and-shoulders above your competition, is to be perceived as a professional. You only have one chance to make the best impression possible on your prospects and customers.

Having a toll-free number is just good for business. “In-the-know” entrepreneurs recognize that having a toll-free number increases sales, even if the number is not called. The authority and prestige of a toll-free number carries a huge amount of weight! While your “internal reality” may be that you are a “work at home mom” or a small business, the level playing field of marketing and advertising will perceive you on equal footing with the rest of the Fortune 500 companies.

Having a toll-free number boosts your accessibility, making it more likely that your clients & customers will call you, since calling a toll-free number saves them the expense of long distance charges if they are calling from outside your local calling area.

Toll-free numbers are a great way to provide a national image for even the smallest businesses. Just because your business isn't close in proximity to your target customers doesn’t mean you have to pack up and move your office.

A toll free number, which is usually included with most Virtual Office and PBX systems, will also—in many cases—allow you to waive inbound toll charges if you subscribe to a flat monthly fee. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of companies offering toll free services with a variety of package benefits.

Ever since the 1996 Telecommunications Act, it has become a competitive market to provide your business with the best prices for services while giving you the perception of a big company.

      What is a Virtual PBX System?

A virtual PBX system, also known as a hosted PBX system, virtual phone system or virtual phone service, offers all of the functions of a traditional PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system without T1 lines, equipment or any other physical connections. Virtual PBX systems are also significantly cheaper than a traditional PBX.

Traditional PBX systems connect an internal (office) network of phones, extensions and fax lines to the outside telephone network, typically through a T1 or T3 (or higher) speed trunk. The system typically includes features such call forwarding, conference calling and on-hold music or voice advertising. Virtual PBX systems offer all of these same business phone features but are hosted and maintained by the service provider. Some service providers provide connections through SIP Trunking, MPLS (Multiple Protocol Labeling Systems) and VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). Plus, many providers give you online access to your accounts and allow the launching of over 30 different services, either through your phone, or through your web based “back office.”

Virtual PBX systems offer the following:

• A telephone number without an associated phone line (i.e. a “virtual number”)

• An online interface where you can manage your calls, voicemails and settings

Businesspeople typically obtain virtual PBX in order to forward their virtual numbers to:

• A Voice-over IP service (i.e. an online calling service like Skype)

• A different phone line (fixed or mobile line)

• And multiple rollover numbers.

Who Should Use a Virtual Office or PBX System?

Anyone who needs business phone system features and doesn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a traditional PBX system should use a virtual PBX system. Also, any businessowner who wants to compete on a level playing field with Fortune 500 companies by gaining the perception of a big company with a toll free number.

Virtual PBX systems also allows subscribers to set up “virtual offices” or customer service lines in remote locations. For example, a company might want to purchase a virtual number with a local area code and set up this number to forward to one of their existing phone lines (e.g. mobile phone or office phone). This functionality is especially useful for tech companies (offering tech support lines), exporters (giving off the impression that the company is local) or service companies (that have set up call centers).

Why Use a Virtual PBX System?

• Inexpensive: Virtual PBX services are typically much more affordable than traditional phone lines and require little to no maintenance on your end because they are hosted remotedly. Virtual PBX services range in price from $10-$15/month, to as much as $1,000 a month or more. A good, median range system will do most everything you need in the $30-$35 range. A traditional PBX phone system can cost you up to several thousand dollars, including equipment setup and maintenance costs. Virtual PBX services tend to be much more economical than traditional, and they allow you to easily add extensions for a low cost.

• Easily Accessible: A virtual PBX service means that your phone system is either hosted remotely through the telephone system, or online by your service provider. Practically all vendors provide customers with an online interface (accessible through any Internet browser), which allows you to easily manage your phone lines, extensions and incoming calls. For example, you can set up a menu to direct incoming callers to a dial-by-name directory. Virtual PBX services also give you access to up-to-date online call reports.

• No Maintenance Required: Unlike traditional PBX systems, virtual PBX services don’t require you to pay for any additional hardware or to have someone set up your phones. As long as you have a phone or Internet connection you can access your calls, voicemails and phone system settings.

• Flexible: Virtual PBX services are also flexible, and you can easily upgrade from a basic service to mid-level or corporate level services, based on your needs.

Ernest O'Dell is the Director of Unified Communications at QuestarTeleCommunications.com. Questar TeleCommunications is an authorized independent agency for iTeleCenter. Their primary focus is educating various industries about implementing Unified Communications, Messaging, Mobile Collaboration, Virtual Office and PBX systems.  Receive two free reports on Virtual Office and PBX Technologies at: http://TheRealEstatePro.Tripod.com/index2.html