Do you have to change your number?

Why can't it just watch my phone?

Your phone doesn't share that. Whether a call rang out is between you and your network, and no app on the handset gets told.

So the calls you miss have to be passed on to something that can see them. Your phone can already do that, with call forwarding.

How does the forwarding work?

Every UK network lets you send the calls you don't answer somewhere other than voicemail. You dial a short code once, and from then on a call you don't pick up goes to your Ralphio number instead. It plays a short message saying you'll text them, and the text goes straight away.

Calls you answer aren't touched. If you ever want it off, one code puts your voicemail back.

Will the text come from my number?

It comes from your Ralphio number, a mobile number of its own, signed with your business name so they know who it is. When they reply, it comes to you.

What happens to the number on my van?

Nothing. It's still your number, on your phone. The van, Google, and the customer whose kitchen you did two years ago all keep ringing you exactly as before.

Does forwarding cost extra?

On most UK mobile plans, forwarding to another UK mobile comes out of your normal minutes. A few plans charge for it, so it's worth a look at yours. I'll check it with you on the call.

Can I move my number to you instead?

You can, and for an office landline it's often the better way, because then every call goes through the system, not only the ones you miss. Moving a landline can take a few weeks, because the networks set the pace, so you get a number that rings your mobile in the meantime. It's still your number: if you ever leave, it goes with you.

What if I'd rather have a landline?

That works too: a local number for the area you cover, ringing your mobile like everything else. Some trades find an 01 or 02 number gets more trust than an 07 on bigger jobs. Texts still go from a mobile number, because UK landline numbers can't send them. It's optional, and it adds a few days.