Skype Review
With this Skype Review, you will discover how to reduce (and even eliminate) the cost of contacting others. Skype is an internet communication service that provides online phone calls, voicemail, messaging, video chat, and more. Read along to find out even more about Skype, and how it can help dramatically reduce your phone bill!
Using Skype for Online Business
Whether you are talking to people who are minutes away, or on the other side of the planet, communication is key in any online business. As long as you have an internet connection, Skype.com provides the following services for FREE among all Skype users:
- Internet phone calls
- Video calls (if you have a web cam)
- Conference calls
- Instant messaging
Along with the features above, Skype offers the following:
- Unlimited internet phone calls to landlines and cell phones through the SkypeOut program, for as low as $3 a month.
- An online phone number (that others can use to call you) through the SkypeIn service, for just $5 a month.
- Both of these subscriptions include unlimited calls with with voicemail, call transfer, and a number of other features!
There are only two potential drawbacks with Skype:
- Using Skype requires being online. If your connection drops, you won't be able to make or receive calls.
- Skype doesn't offer 911 or emergency services, so you will need to use a cell phone or land line to make such calls.
With these limitations aside, we've found Skype to be a fantastic tool in improving productivity, saving time, and reducing the costs of communicating with others.
How To Download Skype
Skype is a cost-effective solution to communication. Here are some great discounts and links, so that you can try out the Skype program for yourself:
- Get 3 months for the price of 2 on all 3 or 12 month calling subscriptions from Skype.com
- Still unsure? Learn about the ways Skype.com can help your business
- Check out this informative step-by-step video on how to download and set up Skype:
How do I set up my Skype profile?
If you have already registered for an account, it is a professional choice to update your profile to provide a picture and general information. To do so, follow these steps:
- Click on file, edit profile.
- There are two sides to this page - one side is your info where people can find you, and the other is what people see when they open your profile.
- Set up all your info just be accurate so it will be easy for people to search you. You can also enable your MySpace from there, and then just upload your picture if you choose.
- Don’t forget to update your time zone, so that people know when they can contact you.
- When you’re done hit “update and now”.
Making Internet Phone Calls With Skype
Follow these steps to make your voice or video internet phone calls with Skype:
- After downloading Skype, open up the program.
- Make sure that the person you want to call is online, and click on their name.
- To make a phone or video call, click on the phone icon to call their cell or home phone (you will hear a dial tone letting you know that the phone call is in place).
- At this point, you have the option to make the current call or to switch into video chat by clicking the “start my video now Icon.”
For more help, check out this step-by-step video on how to make a Skype video call:
How do I use Skype on my PSP (Play Station Portable)?
A fun aspect of Skype, is if you have a PSP (PlayStation Portable), you can use Skype on it as well as long as you have 3.0 on your PSP and WiFi access.
- To set up Skype on your PSP, sign into Skype.com, then grab your PSP or Skype-certified headset
and PSP remote. To make the signing up process easier, here's a helpful video:
Helpful Skype Information
Below, you will find some frequently asked questions about Skype. Have any other questions? Feel free to ask us in our comment section below!
What equipment I will need?
You can use a mic and headphones or speakers, a USB or WiFi Skype phone OR get a USB ATA adapter to let you use any standard phone (i was unable to find it at best buy and circuit city by me, but radio shack had it for $30)
Do I need to buy modem?
NO skype is a software application, you will just need to leave your computer on and connected to your high speed internet connection
Can I still use my cordless phone I have? YES.. but you will need the D-Link DPH-50U available at Radio shack, and other retailers..
Can I keep the phone number I have now?
I do not believe that Skype will port numbers.. besides... if you port a number TO VoIP, you will never be able to take that number with you if you move carriers... VoIP is NOT required to port numbers... if you wish to keep your number you should drop your land line rate down to the lowest possible package (where you would pay for every minute for outgoing)
$29.95 would only be for SkypeOut... you would still need to purchase SkypeIn, if you wish to get a phone number so people can call you from regular phones.. (if you keep your landline, and drop it to the lowest rate, then you don’t need Skype in...
the adapter i mentioned connects your existing phones to your land line AND Skype.. so you can leave your land line connected at the lowest rate available (maybe $10 a month) for all of your incoming calls, and use Skype out for all of your outgoing calls..
Can I make money from Skype?
Skype offers an affiliate program that lets you earn commissions on sales of hardware (i.e. headsets, phones, web cams, etc.) through selling sites like Commission Junction. By taking advantage of these programs, you could earn that extra online income you've been waiting for!
Thanks for checking out or Skype Review! Don't forget to check back at My Famous Website for even more internet marketing tools and online business opportunities!