Maybe you purchased a phone number<\/a>, or you\u2019re planning to, and you\u2019re not quite sure what to do with that number yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps you started your very own business (congratulations if so!) and you\u2019re debating whether to put your personal phone number out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or it\u2019s possible that you’re moving out of state, but need to keep your landline to stay in touch with everyone. (And yes, landlines are still a thing.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever your situation is, we get it and we want to help you figure out the best solution. In this post, we\u2019ll give you a rundown of call forwarding<\/a>, including how to call forward and why it’s so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Call forwarding is sending calls (or \u201cforwarding\u201d calls) from one telephone number to another number or group of numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, when someone dials (833) TWO-PIGS, the call is forwarded to your cell phone without the caller knowing. Then when you answer your cell phone you’ll be automatically connected to the caller. That\u2019s call forwarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you have a simple understanding of how call forwarding works, let\u2019s explain why it matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before NumberBarn, I made outbound sales calls to general contractors. We\u2019re talking anywhere from 60 to 100 calls a day all from my personal phone number<\/em>. As fun as that was (notice the sarcasm), I\u2019m wishing the contractors didn\u2019t have access to my personal number of 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If only my former employer would\u2019ve known about call forwarding. They wouldn\u2019t have exposed me to harassing calls nor needed to buy me a new mobile device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now in case you\u2019re wondering, that isn\u2019t the only way to utilize call forwarding. There are many many ways and we\u2019ll get to them in a bit. Before we do, there are a few terms I\u2019m going to mention and it\u2019d be best if I inform you of them real quick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With call forwarding already being complicated, I don\u2019t want to confuse you with insider jargon you may not be familiar with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We may discuss things like “rate centers” or “hunt groups” throughout this article. And we would understand if you didn\u2019t know what those terms mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So in hopes of avoiding potential confusion, here are a few terms we use in the VoIP industry (oh look, one of the terms!) when talking about call forwarding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This may be one you\u2019ve heard before or are quite familiar with. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) refers to the ability to make and receive phone calls using a broadband internet connection as opposed to cellular or traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason we say you may be familiar with VoIP is because you more than likely have used VoIP services before. For example, Skype, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger all use VoIP. When making calls on these apps, you\u2019re using either broadband internet or a cellular data connection as opposed to calling through your cellular phone connection service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While we won\u2019t use the word \u201ctransfer\u201d to explain call forwarding, we still find it necessary to mention the term. There’s a difference between \u201ctransferring\u201d and \u201cforwarding\u201d<\/em> though some people use them interchangeably. The word \u201ctransfer\u201d can mean a number of different things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To name a couple, one might refer to a forwarded call as a transfer from one number to another. To add to that, the party that answers the forwarded call may be able to transfer the call to another number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Does that make sense? Did we make it more confusing for you? Exactly. That\u2019s why we\u2019re going to stay away from the word \u201ctransfer\u201d and stick with \u201cforward\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put simply, a hunt group is where a single number forwards calls to multiple numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might also hear of this referred to as \u201csimultaneous ringing.\u201d The first person to answer the phone gets the call and ringing stops for the other numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One common challenge with hunt groups occurs when voicemail answers on one of the phones. To solve this problem, providers let call recipients press a digit to answer the call, ensuring the call doesn’t go to voicemail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to hunt groups, queues allow calls to a single number to forward to a series of numbers. The difference is that queues ring one number at a time for a preset duration before moving on to the next number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They are often configured to ring in a round-robin format so calls are evenly distributed across the group, but they can also be set to ring hierarchically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the size of your business or call center, queueing can vary in complexity. For the more complex settings, contact centers use an automatic call distributor (ACD), which uses advanced logic to route calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A rate center<\/a> refers to the geographical area that determines whether a call is local or long distance. So then what is it that makes a call local or long distance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A call from one user to another within the geographical area (rate center) is considered local, whereas a call from a user in one area to a user in another area is a long distance call.<\/p>\n\n\n Imagine you call your neighbor, whose landline telephone number is in the same rate center as you. You wouldn\u2019t be charged long distance for that call. But if you call someone in another rate center, there would be a long distance surcharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note<\/strong>: certain area codes may have more than one rate center, especially when covering a large geographic area. If that’s your case, you may be charged long distance for calls within the same area code.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, These rules don\u2019t always apply to VoIP and mobile carriers (that is assuming you\u2019re in the same country). Rate centers may still come into play when attempting to port a number to any variety of carriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concept of local and toll-free numbers is likely familiar to most, but has also lost some of its meaning with the advent of VoIP and mobile phone service. Traditionally, local numbers are not charged for calls to numbers within their same rate center, but they are charged long distance for calls outside of that rate center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toll free numbers (like 800, 888, 877, etc.) were generally adopted by businesses who wanted to pick up the long distance tab for their callers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to explaining call forwarding, these are the main terms that you should be aware of. If there are other words you don’t recognize throughout your reading, this post covers all the other jargon we use<\/a>, not limited to forwarding. Once you\u2019re done with that quick read, you can head back over here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019ve defined the more complex terms for call forwarding and explained precisely what it is, let\u2019s apply that newfound knowledge to your current situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are plenty of examples of why someone would need call forwarding. For you and your boredom\u2019s sake, we\u2019re going to keep it to the main ways we and our customers recommend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You started your very own business. Maybe it\u2019s your first or even your tenth. Regardless, you\u2019re excited to get your business up and running, but first, you have some calls to make.<\/p>\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re calling investors or potential clients, you\u2019re not thrilled to be making so many calls on your personal phone. After all, this is the phone you\u2019ve had from the start. You have all your family and friends in your contacts and don\u2019t want your business matters jumbled into the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other side, you also don\u2019t want to purchase a second device for making calls. Yes, it would be a business expense, but the money could be better spent elsewhere. And who wants to carry two mobile devices everywhere they go?<\/p>\n\n\n\n So this is what it\u2019s come down to? A new phone or using your personal number?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actually, there\u2019s another option<\/a> for this hypothetical example. (Unless this accurately describes your current situation, in which case I\u2019m sure we\u2019re pretty spot on.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n With call forwarding, the only thing you have to do is purchase a new phone number and pay a small monthly fee. Once that’s done, you can forward calls from your new number to your personal number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That way, you can still make all your calls from one phone while keeping your business and personal lives separate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a plus, when you receive a call, your phone will tell you which number was dialed so you can answer appropriately. Again, helping you to not mix up your business and personal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Okay, so you don’t own a business, but you\u2019re leading your company’s next marketing campaign. To make the most of it, you need access to certain metrics. Metrics that will show you exactly how each customer heard about you and got your company\u2019s phone number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that\u2019s a daunting task. What are you supposed to do? Have your sales reps straight up ask each customer where they got your number from?<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could, but you don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make call forwarding work for your campaign<\/a>, all you have to do is buy as many phone numbers as you need. Then, you post each number wherever you currently advertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use one number for your website, one to include in emails, and different numbers for social media ads. The list goes on. Basically everywhere you advertise or wish to publicize your phone number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your campaign is over, you have access to how many calls each number received. These metrics can help you determine where to focus your efforts for your next campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s not the only example of how marketers can take advantage of call forwarding. There are many options, but you get the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll let your imagination run wild with other ways to use call forwarding for your next campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s a chance you’re like us and you enjoy the freedom of working from anywhere<\/a> \u2014 whether it\u2019s from the slopes of Aspen, Colorado or from a beach in Hawaii. Or perhaps current events leave you no choice but to work from your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you\u2019re not required to work at one specific location and enjoy having the option to work at home or in an office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s the beauty of call forwarding: it gives you those options. It truly doesn\u2019t matter where you work from as long as you have a telephone number that calls can be forwarded to. Regardless of where you work, your business never skips a beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to moving, you actually have quite a few options of what to do with your landline number<\/a>. For now, we\u2019re going to talk about one of the main options which involves call forwarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You purchased a new house and it\u2019s not exactly right across the street. You may be moving to a new city, county, state or even a new country*<\/em>. That also means it’s likely the service provider for that area is ALSO new. That\u2019s a lot of new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So does that also mean you need a NEW landline number? Yes\u2026 well, maybe, maybe not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why is this so complicated? Two words: rate center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When moving to a new location, it\u2019s not uncommon for your new provider to not allow you to keep your landline number. Even if you cry and tell them it’s the only one you’ve had your whole life. That\u2019s because the rate center for that area may not support that number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So the first thing you should do is ASK your new service provider if you can use the same landline number. Many providers have a spot on their website to see whether or not they can support your number.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n What you do next depends on if you got a \u201cyes\u201d or a \u201cno\u201d from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hooray! This is going to be easy for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From here, you can port your number over to them and you don\u2019t need to use call forwarding. (If that\u2019s the case, then we\u2019re sorry you came this far only to find out you don\u2019t need call forwarding\u2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n If they don\u2019t support the rate center, then please refer to this next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have no choice but to comply and use the number they choose for you, that\u2019s okay. Don\u2019t lose hope. There\u2019s a simple and inexpensive alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can port your number to NumberBarn<\/a> and use one of our Call Forwarding plans. Your number will still be active so that when anyone calls that number, you will receive it on your new landline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I know what you\u2019re wondering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow is moving internationally any different than just moving?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s a fair question. To be honest, there isn\u2019t much that\u2019s different\u2026 At least when it comes to the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In case you didn\u2019t notice, when we mentioned moving to a new country earlier, there was a little *asterisk. That’s not because the process is different. It’s because there’s an added perk when forwarding calls to an international number<\/a> (and the possibility of an extra fee).<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s the perk? Well, the perk is that you can keep your United States or Canada number. That’s right. Everyone back home can reach you with your same number and avoid international rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You just forward your now old number to your new, eligible international landline and\u2026 well\u2026 that\u2019s it.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cBut wait, what about that extra fee you mentioned?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks for asking. You can check out our International Rates page<\/a> for more (precise) information on this. And don\u2019t be surprised if your number is in one of the few countries (about 40+ right now) where calls to landline numbers only<\/strong> use plan minutes at no additional charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for calls to mobile numbers, the rates vary depending on the country you\u2019re moving to. There are also some countries that don\u2019t support calls to either landline or mobile numbers. So please double check our International Rates page before making any final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ah, finally. The moment we\u2019ve been waiting for. You have a clearer understanding of what call forwarding is. You\u2019re aware of why you\u2019d need to use it\u2026 but there\u2019s still one piece of information missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HOW do you actually apply all this knowledge and set up call forwarding<\/a>!? Well, the experience might look different depending on the carrier you work with, but we can tell you a handful of different methods to forward calls at NumberBarn.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is Call Forwarding (and Why Does it Matter)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Call Forwarding Lingo You Need to Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
VoIP<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Transfer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hunt Groups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Queues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rate Center<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"http:\/\/www.numberbarn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Screen-Shot-2017-11-22-at-8.46.56-AM.png\")
Local & Toll-Free Numbers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5 Examples of Call Forwarding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Small](\"http:\/\/www.numberbarn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Which-Do-You-Own_-1024x1024.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMarketing Professionals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Working From Anywhere<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, you can use the same number\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, you can\u2019t use the same number. Sorry, not sorry.\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Moving Internationally<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"International](\"http:\/\/www.numberbarn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20-1024x1024.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHow to Call Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Forward calls to a number<\/h3>\n\n\n\n