As the owner of a fully remote SEO agency, I’ve always been on the lookout for services that can streamline our operations and grow our professional image.
Recently, I stumbled upon Air Landline, a UK-based service that provides businesses of all shapes and sizes with a virtual landline number that diverts to one or multiple mobile numbers. This service has been a game-changer for my business, and I believe it’s worth every penny of the investment.
I'll breakdown why. But first, here's one of their hilarious videos.
Their tongue-in-cheek style made them instantly memorable to me. Now, let's talk history.
History of Air Landline
Based out of Norwich and proudly trading as Air Landline, Fanmei Industrial Co Limited has been doing something extraordinary in the world of telecommunications. Picture this - a company that's rooted in the UK but isn't bound by geography. Whether you're in a bustling city or a tranquil town, Air Landline's got you covered with a local number. They have made it their mission to service every nook and cranny of the UK, boasting 100% coverage of all UK area codes.
But the cool part is how they've done it. They've crafted this robust, load-balanced platform that's so resilient, even a multi-server failure can't interrupt their service. Talk about reliability! Plus, they've got this kick-butt security system that protects your data like a highly trained bodyguard.
But what really makes Air Landline shine, in my opinion, is how much they genuinely care about their customers. Business owners all over the UK rave about their customer service - it's not just about rerouting calls, it's about helping businesses grow and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. That's probably why they're rocking a 5-star rating. Air Landline isn't just a company, it's a revolution in telecommunications. And it's a revolution that's only just getting started.
Features of Air Landline
Virtual Local Business Number
The Air Landline provides a virtual business number that brilliantly enhances my SEO agency's local presence. This local number gives clients the impression that we are a part of their community, boosting trust and interaction rates. It's an efficient way to improve local SEO without the need for a physical office in each location.
Call Diversion
I love that Air Landline eliminates the need for landlines. It diverts calls to my mobile, providing flexibility and mobility while ensuring I don't miss any crucial business calls. Also, it's economical for clients who can now make local calls instead of mobile calls, creating a win-win situation.
No Internet Requirement
There's no dependency on internet connectivity. The calls come through as regular mobile calls, maintaining a high quality of communication. This feature has been a lifesaver during remote work and travel scenarios.
Robust Security
Air Landline's high-security protocols are top-notch, securing my business communication from potential threats. The load-balanced, distributed platform guarantees uninterrupted service even during server failures, adding an extra layer of reliability.
Customisable Customer Experience
Air Landline allows for customization of the call experience with a personal welcome greeting and hold music. It's a small touch, but it adds an element of professionalism that my clients appreciate.
Business Hours Setting
This feature has been instrumental in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. By setting business hours and holiday dates, I ensure that calls during my off-hours are appropriately managed, avoiding disturbances during personal time.
Multiple Call Divert
The multiple call divert feature is a real game-changer. It means that when I am unable to answer a call, a colleague can. This feature has drastically reduced the number of missed calls, ensuring we never lose a business opportunity.
Voicemail to Email and Call Recording
Transcriptions of voicemails sent directly to my email, and call recording capabilities have improved my agency's efficiency. They have enabled me to keep a record of client communications and ensured that no crucial information is missed.
Business WhatsApp
Air Landline offers a separate WhatsApp for Business, which has been extremely beneficial in keeping my personal and professional communications separate. No need for a second phone!
Easy Control Panel
Managing features is a breeze with Air Landline’s Control Panel. Accessing call history, voicemails, and recordings is straightforward, making my day-to-day operations more efficient.
Pricing Plans
Air Landline offers a variety of pricing plans to suit different needs. As a small business owner, I’ve found their plans to be affordable and well worth the investment, considering the benefits they bring to my business. Plus, I was able to try out their services, as they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which gave me the confidence to commit to a plan risk-free.
Customer Service
Air Landline’s customer service is top-notch. Considering my own personal experience, it is no surprise that they have achieved a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot; I have experienced first-hand that they’re dedicated to resolving any customer issues and have answering questions promptly. As a business owner, knowing that I can rely on their 24/7 technical support gives me huge peace of mind.
Pros and Cons
Like any service, Air Landline has its pros and cons. I’ve compiled a detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages I’ve experienced as a user to help other business owners like myself decide if Air Landline is the right partner for them:
Pros:
Reliable and Fast Internet Speeds – Air Landline uses a combination of fibre optic and wireless technologies, providing reliable and fast internet speeds. This ensures clear calls and seamless data transmission, which is crucial for my remote SEO agency.
Variety of Pricing Plans – Air Landline offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets. As a small business owner, I’ve found their plans to be affordable and well worth the investment.
Excellent Customer Service – They offer 24/7 technical support and their customer service team has always been extremely helpful and easy to get in contact with. Knowing that help is always just a phone call away means I can get on with my daily schedule without worrying about missing client calls.
Professional Image – The service allows small businesses like mine to present a more professional image. Features like personalised greetings and business voicemails have enhanced our professionalism.
Cons:
Lack of Physical Landline – While the service diverts calls to mobile numbers, some clients may prefer calling a physical landline. This hasn’t been a significant issue for me, but it’s something to consider, perhaps.
Potential for Additional Costs – While the pricing plans are affordable, there could be additional costs for extra features. For example, if you want to divert calls to multiple mobiles or record all calls, these features come as add-ons. While they are not necessarily expensive in themselves, for full transparency I wanted to include this as a potential downside.
Air Landline vs. Competitors
When it comes to choosing a virtual landline service, there are several alternatives to Air Landline. I have tried a few of these myself and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. I am extremely happy with Air Landline for my business needs but ultimately, the best choice depends on your situation.
SwitchboardFREE – This service offers a free tier with up to 200 minutes per month, and paid plans starting from £9.99 per month. It provides features such as call recording, call whispering, and voicemail transcription. However, it lacks the ability to divert calls to mobile without an app, a feature that Air Landline excels in. Additionally, it has a 30-day cancellation notice period, compared to Air Landline’s 1-day notice period.
Virtual Landline – Offering plans starting from £5.99 per month, Virtual Landline provides features such as call recording, call whispering, and voicemail transcription. It also offers a mobile app for managing calls. However, like SwitchboardFREE, it lacks the ability to divert calls to mobile without an app. Moreover, it charges for transferring your existing number to their service, a service that Air Landline provides for free.
eReceptionist – With plans starting from £7.50 per month, eReceptionist provides features such as call recording, call whispering, and voicemail transcription. It also offers a mobile app for managing calls. However, it lacks the ability to divert calls to mobile without an app. Additionally, it charges for transferring your existing number to their service, which again, Air Landline does for free.
CircleLoop – This service offers plans starting from £5 per month. It provides features such as call recording, call whispering, and voicemail transcription. It also offers a mobile app for managing calls. However, it lacks the ability to divert calls to a mobile without this app. CircleLoop also charges for services Air Landline does not.
In summary, while each of these competitors offers similar pricing and a range of features, Air Landline stands out with its ability to divert calls to mobile without an app, its generous free features, and its customer-friendly policies such as a 1-day cancellation notice period and free number transfers. This makes Air Landline a compelling choice for businesses looking for a reliable, high-quality, and affordable communication service.
User Reviews
Like mine, other user reviews for Air Landline are overwhelmingly positive. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, 4.3 on G2 Crowd, and 4.4 on Capterra, it’s clear that customers appreciate the company’s reliable service and excellent customer support. In fact, 97% of reviews for Air Landline on Trustpilot are rated as ‘Excellent’.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people have about Air Landline:
What is Air Landline?
Air Landline is an innovative telecommunications company. They divert calls made to your local number directly to your mobile, at no extra cost to you or the caller. There's no need for an app or an internet connection, and they maintain high call quality. They also have robust security protocols to ensure uninterrupted communication. It's a hassle-free solution, redefining traditional phone services, IMO. Someone had to get rid of the Jurassic age old systems. And having two mobiles like me.
What are the benefits of Air Landline?
Benefits include reliable and fast call diversion, a variety of pricing plans, and excellent customer service.
I also love the Business WhatsApp feature.
How does Air Landline work?
Air Landline uses a combination of fibre optic and wireless technologies to provide high-speed internet phone services.
What is the coverage area for Air Landline?
Air Landline provides services to businesses and residences across the United Kingdom.
How much does an Air Landline connection cost?
The cost of an air landline varies depending on the plan you choose. Air Landline offers a variety of plans to suit different needs and budgets.
How is Air Landline installed?
Installation is all done digitally. It’s a register, confirm, verify and set and forget type scenario – quick and easy!
What is the quality of an Air Landline connection?
Air Landline is known for its reliable and fast call diverting and forwarding and seamless data transmission.
What are the customer service options for an air landline?
Air Landline offers 24/7 technical support and has a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot for its customer service.
Is Air Landline right for me?
If you’re looking for a reliable solution for your virtual landline needs, Air Landline is likely a great fit for you.
Conclusion - Was It Right For My Biz?
In conclusion, Air Landline has been a game-changer for my remote SEO agency. When I get calls, I can immediately identify they are business related and have a professional like greeting. My normal calls, I'm usually dubious as I'm expecting a telemarketer or a spam caller. Does that make sense?
Just touching on the above again, the service has not only helped me present a more professional image but also improved my customer service and increased efficiency across the agency.
Also, I literally recycled my second business phone. I now only need to be responsible for 1 device which is enough for my brain to handle.
Whether you’re a small business owner or a larger enterprise, Air Landline is definitely worth considering for your telecommunications needs. I highly recommend them.
