The exact procedure on how to forward calls to your answering service can differ depending on your phone service provider, but is generally very simple. On landlines, there is a standard that many North American phone service providers utilize allowing users to enable and disable call forwarding directly from their phone.
Forwarding Calls to Your Answering Service or Moblie Device
- Dial either 72# or*72.
- Listen for a dial tone.
- Dial the number to receive your forwarded calls. (Provided to you by your answering service.)
- Two short tones, followed by ringing, confirms your request.
- When the called number is answered, Call forwarding is on, and your answering service will now be able to handle your calls based on the predetermined protocols set in place.
Returning Incoming Calls Back to Your Phone
- Dial either 73# or * 73
- Two short tones indicate that call forwarding is now turned off.
If this procedure does not work for you, Wikipedia provides some basic documentation including forwarding from cell phones, and in extreme cases you can always contact your phone provider for call forwarding instructions.
There are also some more advanced call forwarding features that you should know about. These features can really make a huge improvement in your customer care, and help make your answering service a true extension of your business, and not just an afterhours necessity. The following three services are easy to set up, and highly recommended:
Call Forward: Multi – Path -
This feature which you need to set up with your phone service provider, kprevents your callers from getting a busy signal.
Call Forward: Don’t Answer –
Call Forwarding: Remote Access –