subject: Call Capture [print this page] Call Capture Grabs the Callers Info Even If Their Caller ID is Blocked
Too often, businesses receive telephone calls from potential clients and customers but are unable to return them due to the unavailability of a callback number. Thankfully, the call capture feature allows business owners to grab the callers informationeven if the caller ID is blocked.
How it Works
Many people often wonder how call capture can grab a callers information when they have a private or unlisted telephone number. While the caller ID is one form of call capture, business owners will not be able to capture the numbers of callers who choose to block their numbers. The call capture feature in a virtual telephone system uses a different type of technology known as Automatic Number Identification, or ANI. It is similar to caller ID but is impossible for callers to block by conventional means or by dialing *67 before placing the call.
Call Capture and Marketing
As part of a successful marketing strategy, many small businesses advertise toll-free numbers that consumers can call in order to get information about products and services. Consumers who call the toll-free numbers are generally interested in some way or another, so it would certainly pay to have a business employee call the potential customer back in a timely manner. While the prerecorded messages prompt callers to leave a message if they would like more information, not every consumer does so for varying reasons. Thanks to the call capture feature, however, business owners will always know the telephone number the consumer called fromand have an opportunity to call them back.
Call Capture and Do Not Call Laws
The process of placing cold calls to consumers across the nation has been made more difficult with the addition of Do Not Call laws in the last several years. In fact, many businesses have stopped cold calling potential customers altogether in an effort to reduce fines and fees associated with purchasing do-not-call lists. Business owners are also concerned with the legality of capturing telephone numbers that would have otherwise been blocked. Federal law states that anyone paying for a telephone callwhether collect or via a toll-free numberhas the right to know exactly who is calling them. These calls can be returned within 90 days of the consumers original contact with the company.
Making Call Capture Work for You
While the idea of having a prerecorded message for clients to listen to is fantastic, nothing could possibly replace the act of speaking with consumers directly. For example, consumers who are interested in a house for sale will often call the toll-free number listed on the for sale sign in order to get more information. If they are still interested in buying the house after hearing the information, they may choose to leave a message. On the other hand, if they are still considering the options, they may not leave a message at all. With call capture, the real estate agent can call the consumer back in order to answer questions and provide more motivation to buyresulting in more sales and higher revenue.
There are many ways to make running a business simpler and easier for both the business owners and the consumers. By effectively using the call capture feature, business owners can rest assured that their potential clients and customers receive timely callbacks and have all of the information they need.
