Oct 25, 2011
Survey: Small Businesses Tapping Cloud-Based Virtual Phones
If you want to know the latest trends in how your competitors (other small business owners) are using cloud-based phone services, look no further than a new survey from eVoice. The j2 Global Communications company just released the results of a survey based on its customer database.
The findings speak to a larger trend in the small business community: mobility. For example, mobile app voicemail retrieval is up a whopping 180 percent. That means the number of voicemail messages retrieved from the eVoice mobile app has increased 180 percent in the first six months of 2011 compared to the first six months of 2010.
“Based on the numbers, it’s clear that entrepreneurs are continuing to embrace virtual phone services while also taking advantage of mobile applications to help run their businesses,” says Mike Pugh, vice president of Marketing of j2 Global. “This usage data underscores how cloud services, such as eVoice, are essential for bringing today’s entrepreneur the mobility, scalability, and efficiency advantages of the cloud.”
One of the drivers for the increase is cost savings. When eVoice customers use the mobile app in conjunction with an unlimited mobile data plan, they can save money by reducing the number of minutes they use in their cell phone billing cycle. With the app, you can listen to stored messages, listen to new ones, and forward them as transcribed e-mails or audio files.
It’s no surprise that Apple mobile devices are the most popular among eVoice customers. Small business subscribers most often use the Apple iPad, which dominate 40 percent of eVoice mobile traffic. The iPhone comes in second at 20 percent. The iPod touch, HTC EVO 3D and Motorola Droid round out the top five of eVoice’s mobile traffic.
Another survey finding reveals that eVoice customers are combining 800 numbers and local numbers more often. Specifically, customers using both toll free and local phone numbers has doubled. Although many businesses have traditionally considered themselves local (read: real estate agents and retailers) some are adding 800 numbers to tap into a regional or national audience. According to the survey, 68 percent of respondents see a competitive advantage in having the right area code or 800 number.
This survey was limited to eVoice customers, but I imagine other virtual phone providers like Phone.com and RingCentral are seeing a similar phenomenon as the world goes more mobile. The virtual phone trend follows the virtual office trend. Its seems all things virtual and mobile are on the rise in 2011.
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