Most of us know Skype as a great application for free audio and video conversations to family and friends all over the globe. But according to the company, about a third of all the usage is business related and it is looking to increase this percentage. We will have a look at some of the lesser known features that could help your business save money and improve communications.
Get local telephone numbers
Did you know that you can link up to 10 different telephone numbers to your Skype account? This means that your customers can call a ‘normal’ telephone number and you can either answer your calls on Skype or forward the calls to a land line or mobile at attractive rates. You can choose between multiple area codes for your Online Number.
You can also request a number in another country so your customers there can reach you on a national number and rate. For some countries you must be a resident to request an Online Number, for others such as the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand this is not required.
Make low cost International telephone calls & texts
Besides free calls to other Skype users it is also possible to call regular phones and mobiles using Skype Credit or a Skype subscription. Rates are comparable to those of the well known telecom discounters with calls costing from 1 pence per minute with a subscription or 2 pence per minute for pre-paid Skype Credit.
You can also use Skype to send text messages home and abroad at reasonable rates, from around 5 pence per message. Easy to use and less fiddly to type! And you can set your Caller ID so replies to your message will be send to your mobile.
Skype to Go number
Need to make the same international calls regularly from your mobile? You can dial a Skype-to-Go number in the country you are in en have this automatically forwarded to an international destination number. You will only be charged the usual local mobile rate (probably already included in your mobile calling plan) and the low Skype international calling rates (see previous paragraph).
Mobile (video) conversations
Skype is available as a mobile application for iPhone, Android or Symbian mobile phones. This enables you to use your handset as a Skype phone over a WiFi network or, for some operators, over a 3G connection. Skype for iPhone now also supports the front-facing camera on the iPhone 4 making video calls from your iPhone reality.
Skype on your mobile (or laptop) is ideal when you are overseas where you can use any WiFi network to make free or low cost international calls avoiding hefty roaming charges!
Screen sharing
Ever wished you could share your screen with your peers to show them something? Skype to the rescue. After you have set up your conversation, go to the Skype call window and click the Share button. This will allow you to share your whole screen or just one window.
About Ben Stege
Hi–great tips, thanks. I am starting a small business from home and am thinking about getting a Skype online # rather than add another landline. Do you think the call quality is good enough for business calls?
Hi Kate, the quality is quite good but probably a bit less than a specialist VOIP provider such as Vonage for example.