Tech Tuesdays Wrap Up—Google Voice and Other VoIP Options for Solo Attorneys

by Tali Thomason on March 6, 2015

By Guest Blogger, Melanie Fischer

Interested in learning more about Google Voice and other Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications options for your solo law practice? Last week, the Colorado Bar Association presented an informative webinar on this topic, which was hosted by Hank Vanderhage.

As stated during the webinar, there are many practical reasons to consider using Google Voice or other VoIP options for your solo law firm. For example, using Google Voice allows a solo attorney to easily work from various remote locations.

Some of the Google Voice features that were discussed in great detail during the webinar include:

  • One Number/Call Forwarding
  • Voicemail Transcription
  • Personalized Greeting
  • International Calling
  • SMS to E-mail
  • Share Voicemails
  • Block Callers
  • Screen Callers
  • Mobile App
  • Conference Calls
  • Number Porting

Google Voice, which some people consider a call management system, is described as follows on the Google Voice website:

  • Google Voice gives you one number for all your phones— a phone number that is tied to you, not to a device or a location. Use Google Voice to simplify the way you use phones, make using voicemail as easy as email, customize your callers’ experience, and more.
  • Google Voice isn’t a phone service, but it lets you manage all of your phones. Google Voice works with mobile phones, desk phones, work phones, and VoIP lines. There’s nothing to download, upload, or install, and you don’t have to make or take calls using a computer.

 

A Google Voice account is relatively simple to set up, and has many capabilities. Additionally, there is no charge for a basic account.

 

Google Hangouts
Another topic discussed during the webinar was Google Hangouts. This service, which is provided by Google at no charge, allows users to partake in live video calls, send messages at any time, transmit photos, and more. Many solo attorneys use Google Hangouts to “meet” with clients and colleagues.

 

VOIP Options Besides Google Voice

According to the webinar, there are several communications options to explore besides Google Voice, including the following:

 

It’s important to remember to ask questions before selecting as service – such as:

  • What are the costs?
  • Does the company offer customer support?
  • What are all of the features of the service?

To watch the interesting and useful webinar on the topic discussed in this article and presented by the Colorado Bar Association, visit this link: Google Voice and Other VoIP Options, and click play.

 

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