How to create a Google Voice number

If you haven’t heard of Google Voice, you’re in luck. Despite being a very useful tool, it never received the publicity that the higher profile Google apps received. Google Voice offers a single phone number that can forward calls, voicemails, and messages to multiple devices.

It’s like a tracking number that ensures you’ll always be available wherever you are and no matter what you’re doing. Follow this article to learn all about Google Voice and how to start using it.

Benefits of Google Voice

With Google Voice you can:

• Send SMS from your computer desktop to any of your contacts.
• Record a voice message, transcribe it, and send it via email.
• Filter calls and record personalized greetings depending on whether it’s a professional caller or a friend.
• Forward calls to any phone.
• Make international calls and conferences.

There are only a couple of prerequisites to use Google Voice. You need a Google account, a US phone number, a computer, and the Google Voice app.

Most calls within the US and Canada are free. The account is free and most of the features are free. There are charges for international calls and some advanced features, such as phone number portability. Other than that, it doesn’t cost a cent.

Create a Google Voice number

To create a Google Voice number, you will need a Google Voice account. There are several available that offer different levels of service. They include:

Google voice number – This is the basic account that will forward calls to your Google number to all registered phones.

Google Lite Voice – This only provides voicemail service. You can use voicemail on all registered devices, which means you have access to voicemail from anywhere.

Google Voice on Sprint – A localized service for Sprint users. This allows you to use your assigned Sprint number as your Google number or the other way around.

Number transfer – Number portability transfers your phone number to Google. This allows you to use your current number as your Google number. There is a cost involved in this.

Visit the Google account type page for more information..

To get your number:

1. Visit the Google Voice website.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. Select Get a voice number in the left panel if the option does not appear automatically.
4. Select I want a new number either I want to use my cell phone number.
5. Enter your zip code and press Search numbers to bring up a list of suitable numbers.
6. Select a number and click Continue.
7. Enter an easy-to-remember PIN code to secure your number and agree to the terms.
8. Add a forwarding phone to redirect calls and voicemails.
9. Check phone when prompted by clicking Call me now and entering the verification code when prompted. Type the code on your keypad during the call to verify.

During this setup process, you also have the option to set up voicemail. Since this is one of the most powerful features of Google Voice, it makes sense to do it right away. However, if you decide to do it later, you can do so.

1. Go to your Google Voice account.
2. Select the gear icon on the right to access Settings.
3. Select the Voicemail and text eyelash.
4. Select voicemail greeting and then Record new greeting.
5. Name it something meaningful and click Continue.
6. Record your message by selecting the phone you want to use and clicking Connect.
7. Listen to the voicemail and then click Save Changes at the bottom once you’re happy.

Personalized Google Voice Greetings

Another interesting aspect of this app is the personalized Google Voice greetings. Here you can set up different greetings for different callers, which is useful if you use your work phone for personal use or vice versa.

1. Go to your Google Voice account.
2. Select the gear icon on the right to access Settings.
3. Select Groups and circles and then Edit.
4. Select the group you want to modify.
5. Select When people in this group access voicemail and then Greetings to all contacts..
6. Select the personalized greeting and then OK.
7. Click Save to complete.
8. Repeat this process for different groups as necessary.

Block telemarketers and cold calls with Google Voice

Finally, the ability to block cold callers or telemarketers is also exceptionally useful if their number somehow made its way into one of their databases.

1. go to your google voice account.
2. Select the gear icon on the right to access Settings.
3. Select the calls tab and check the box next to Global spam filtering.

When a telemarketer gets in touch, which inevitably will happen, simply log into your account and mark the number as spam. Alternatively, if you accidentally mark a number as spam, you can click No spam next to it in the spam folder within your account.

The wonders of Google Voice

Given the usefulness of Google Voice, it is quite surprising that it has not had greater coverage. However, now you know another communication tool that can help you manage your life. I hope it helps.

Why do you use Google Voice? Did you have any problems setting it up? Share your thoughts and experiences on Google Voice below.