Virtual vs. Traditional Phone Numbers: Breaking Down the Differences

Virtual phone number solution is a technological boon that has marked the advancement in communication solutions. Virtual number India is making growth in business communication as it is preferred by businesses of different sizes and industries. Virtual number solutions have almost completely replaced traditional phones. Virtual phone numbers are better than traditional phones in many ways that benefit the business as well as the customers. Some of the major differences between virtual phone numbers and traditional phone numbers are as follows:

1. Omnipresent: With a virtual number, a business can offer 24×7 services to customers. It can record the calls with an integrated IVR solution. Virtual phone numbers are taking over traditional numbers for the multiple features they come with. Virtual numbers offer flexibility and consistent communication channels that are important for the present-day business world. 

2. Features: Traditional phones have been used since the 1800s; it is a tried and tested technology. It is reliable and still in use. Even traditional phones have evolved over the period. The advantage of a traditional phone is that it remains unaffected even with power cuts. Present-day features of traditional phones allow them to forward calls, call conferencing, voicemail etc; however, it comes with a cost. 

On the other hand, virtual numbers in India are far more advanced and cannot be compared with traditional phones. The features include call forwarding, call barging, call recording, call analytics, auto attendants, voicemail to email/text, on-hold music etc. Unlike traditional phones, virtual Indian phones do not restrict calls to just one device or place. Virtual phone numbers can be used on any number of devices including smartphones, PCs or desk phones. It offers work flexibility to a business so that the agents can work from any location using any device. It does not require any hard-wired devices or specific location to be set up; it is economical and allows a business to easily upgrade. 

3. Advantage of technology: Traditional phones need space to be installed for functioning. It also relies on complex wiring/ cables while virtual numbers are wireless and do not occupy any space. The technological advancement of virtual phones is in strong competition with traditional phone numbers. It offers a leverage of communication that benefits businesses to attend large call volumes. Virtual phone numbers are based on the internet and the cloud-based solution is beneficial for any size of business. 

4. Reduces call handling time: With virtual numbers, a business can handle multiple calls concurrently which increases the customer attending capacity. A business can reduce call wait time with virtual numbers. This is not the case with traditional phone numbers. A traditional phone number can only attend only one call at a time. The concurrent call feature helps a business to reach more customers in a very short time and thus increases the call flow. 

5. Maintenance: Traditional phone number demands constant maintenance; the hardware occupies space and needs monitoring. If one needs to upgrade it, it has to be done by experts and may need more space. It can also be costly and thus need more money and time. This is the opposite in the case of virtual numbers. For virtual number India, a business can easily upgrade the solution with simple steps. It does not need space, time or extra investment. A business can keep on integrating other solutions and also upgrade the solution as per the changing demands of the business. The maintenance is very easy for virtual numbers. A business can choose different kinds of customization for integration as per the budget and needs of the market. This is not possible for traditional businesses. Even if a business does not use some features of the traditional phone, it comes with the device and thus may remain unused. 

Traditional phones are independent and once installed can be used that need experts for any kind of maintenance. On the other hand, virtual number solution providers play an important role in virtual phones. A provider can guide and support a business to tackle issues and also use the solution most productively. Though many businesses still use traditional phones, the virtual number is the future of business communication. It handles a business most professionally.