Hi All,

I have had my Skype account for sometime now but never really used it properly and recently, I discovered my BT bill was £130 and my calls in that fee were only £5!! Time to get this Skype a-working me thinks

So, I have an on-line Airbrush Art supplies business and offer the service of airbrushing peoples bike etc. I also teach and so I need a number/phone to be contacted on by customers and potential students etc. I was looking at the Skype phone on the site for £39 and I am wondering this: Is it possible to have a number that I can add to my website so folks can call me on this phone from any phone or via Skype and can I choose to switch the Answering Service ON so if I choose to take answered calls (perhaps I'll be busy painting or working) on this number whenever I like?

I use the internet for almost 100% of my business and next year, I am planning to work in Florida for a while (I am currently based in the UK) so setting this up soon will be of great benefit to me personally as well as for business.

Thanks for any help and advice.. this seems like the ideal problem-solver for my style of business.

Cheers

Beej

Sorry about the double post, I don't understand how that happened!?

While I am here, can anyone advise on having a line for folks to call me on and if it's best to have a telephone (land line option too) or does the headset work the same way? I like the idea of a headset for answering all the in-coming calls as I'll be using the puter while I talk but don't know if you can use a headset instead of a fone in the same way, if you have bought a telephone number for in-coming customers calls from standard telephones?

I'm considering the pro option as I like the idea of inclusive answerphone and other options on the deal. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Beej

Beej,
Skype is not 100% reliable. Use both the Landline and Skype. Direct people/clients to call your landline number, but there is then nothing to stop you calling out on Skype for outgoing calls. Also compare with Vonage (you get a plug in box and don't have to have PC switched on), Gizmo (you need to run this through PC).

I find both Skype and landline a lot easier to use with a headset, but that is probably my personal preference.
Charles

Thanks bud. Is Skype 'really' that unreliable then? I know there were issues recently but all business' has stuff like that now and again. I don't want to delve into this for ALL my incoming calls if it doesn't work though? But to be honest, I don't mind taking the risk to see how it fairs.

Thanks

Beej