How does anyone know what to call?

Depending on your schedule, it might be next to impossible, which is part of the reason virtual phone numbers are becoming popular. You can have one phone number, and forward it to any number of phones – even ringing them all simultaneously. A single voicemail box can make checking voicemail easy, and if you add or switch numbers – no problem, just add it to the list.

If this sounds interesting, here are some services to consider:

Google Voice - The newcomer. It’s a free service with great features. Aimed at personal use, this is a great way to try out a virtual number.

Phone.com – A paid service, Phone.com offers several plans which can function as a virtual number. They have options for both consumers and businesses.

RingCentral – Specifically targeted to businesses, RingCentral offers a complete virtual PBX.

Nextiva – A close competitor to RingCentral, Nextiva offers businesses virtual PBX systems.

For more information on the paid options, read our Phone.com review, RingCentral review, or Nextiva review.