Skype for ecommerce?

Is Skype usefull for clients to contact me?

[palain]

On the other thread I asked about toll free numbers. This one is about Skype - computer - computer VoIP

In this age, are clients contacting you via Skype or other?

My concern is if I add skype, do I need to add MSN - Yahoo - etc?

[lammert]

If you want to have a broad reach, you could go for a different VoIP alternative which allows easy integration of the POTS network and VoIP. About one year ago I switched to a SIP based VoIP solution for all my voice connections. With the service I have, a normal telephone number is assigned to my VoIP line. Calling with other VoIP users over the globe is free, while calls with normal phones are paid.

This type of service varies from country to country (I am in the Netherlands) so it may be, or not be available in the place where you live.

[palain]

I would like to add that I have tried out Skipe for my site.

Skype does offer some serious advantages if used in lieu of a landline: Skype pro offers quasi (3000 minutes) unlimited "Skype out" calls to land lines for a small yearly fee. Also, skypein can give you a number also for a small yearly fee so people can call thinking it is a landline. Caller ID shows your Skype ID and ****** for numbers.

This effectively blows away Vonage in terms of cost. Vonage is better in terms of options.

If used in conjunction with getVmail for toll free access it becomes full of options.

The quality of the calls is really good. I had tried skype years ago and it was horrible. Echo, delay. Now, it's really good undistinguishable for most users a very tolerable delay but that's it.

I thought it would gobble up bandwith but skype can be used with a 33.6 kbps modem so not a worry with a DSL connection.

Also there is an assortment of tools available to make it even more useful like Blue tooth boom mic or USB phone or even USB to RJ-11 so you can use both a normal phone line and skype on your conventional phone.

At present I am using it with speakers and a mic but I will probably opt for bluetooth as I will be able to type while on the phone.

It can also be used as an interoffice phone PC <> PC.

I was skeptical about skype and it's useability but now I would recommend as an addition to your options, a substitute for long distance plans or even as primary communication.

I don't see a downside to using skype as people I am calling or are calling me are unaware that I am on a PC and not on a landline.

There is a warning however that skype should not be used for emergency calls.

If it sounds like I'm selling Skype, it's because I've tried it and I'm convinced - at least give it a try. It is no longer a toy. It can become a serious tool.

[Tastatura]

there is also packet 8 <snip> - there were couple of hiccups in service, either by them or by deployment setup, but generally not a bad service.

[edited by: lorax at 4:10 pm (utc) on Jan. 28, 2008]

[krolik]

We are using Skype as our customer contact phone. We got a traditional number which has all features as line phone (voicemail, forwarding etc) and also post our Skype nickname on the website, so customers can contact us either way. Costwise it is very attractive, $59/year for number and no monthly fees. We didn't buy a package with Skype out minutes but buy a credit whenever need to call somebody.

I am personally very happy with this solution.