outbound calling

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Product Update

ZenCall Feature Update: New Caller ID Options

In the world of international calling, how your number appears to the person you’re calling can make a huge difference. Whether you're making business calls across borders or trying to reach friends and family abroad, having the right caller ID for international calls builds trust, improves answer rates, and increases professionalism. That’s why ZenCall is excited to roll out a major feature update in 2025: Customizable Caller ID Options for International Calls. Why Caller ID Matters for International Calls When you make a phone call, the person on the other end sees a caller ID — a phone number that tells them who's calling. But when you're calling internationally, things get tricky: Your number may show up as “Unknown” Some carriers block anonymous or foreign calls People are more likely to ignore international numbers they don’t recognize In many cases, not having a local or consistent caller ID means your call won’t get answered at all. For example: A US-based entrepreneur calling South Africa might show up as “Unknown” and get screened. A UK caller dialing a Colombian mobile might get blocked entirely due to spam filters. That’s where ZenCall’s new Caller ID Options come in. What’s New in ZenCall’s Caller ID Feature? ZenCall users can now choose how their caller ID appears when making international calls — giving them more control, flexibility, and trustworthiness than ever before. 🔧 Key Features: Verified Caller ID Numbers: Choose from numbers you own and verify Country-Specific Numbers: Display a local number based on the destination country Anonymous Option: Call without showing a number, if needed Business Branding (coming soon): Set your organization’s number or brand name for premium accounts How It Works 1. Verified Number Selection Users can now register and verify their existing numbers with ZenCall. Once verified, that number can be used as your caller ID. Example: You own a US mobile number: +1 312 555 0123 After verifying it through SMS or voice, you can choose to show that number when making international calls through ZenCall. 2. Dynamic Local Numbers If you prefer, ZenCall can assign you a temporary local number based on your call destination. Let’s say you’re calling a contact in France — you can choose to display a French local number like +33 1 82 88 1234 instead of your home country number. This boosts your chances of being answered. 3. Private Caller ID Option If you're making sensitive calls or want to remain anonymous, ZenCall also allows you to suppress caller ID completely. Note: Some countries and carriers may block calls from hidden numbers, so use this setting wisely. Why This Matters for Business Users For businesses making international sales, support, or outreach calls, having control over your caller ID is essential. Benefits: ✅ Higher Answer Rates — People are more likely to pick up local-looking numbers ✅ Professionalism — Consistent business number builds trust ✅ Spam Protection — Avoid being flagged as spam or fraud ✅ Location Targeting — Customize your number for regional marketing Whether you’re a freelancer, a global nonprofit, or a call center, caller ID management is no longer optional — it’s a competitive advantage. Use Cases 🌍 International Sales Teams Display a local number in each target country to build trust and increase conversion rates. A Nigerian prospect is more likely to pick up a call from a Lagos number than one from Chicago. 🏢 Customer Support Across Borders Let customers abroad recognize your business when you follow up. Instead of seeing a weird + random international number, they see your official support line. 🧳 Frequent Travelers & Expats Keep your home number visible even when calling from overseas. ZenCall lets you stay recognizable and reachable. 🕵️‍♀️ Private or Sensitive Calls Want to protect your identity or prevent callbacks? Choose anonymous mode when needed. How to Set Up Your Caller ID on ZenCall Setting up caller ID is fast and easy. ✅ Step-by-Step Guide: Log into your ZenCall account Go to Settings > Caller ID Choose one of the following: Verify a personal/business number Use country-specific numbers (ZenCall provided) Choose anonymous/private Follow the prompts to verify if needed Save and test by making a call You can switch your setting anytime based on your current needs. Supported Countries for Local Caller ID ZenCall currently supports local number caller ID for outbound calls in: 🇺🇸 United States 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇫🇷 France 🇩🇪 Germany 🇨🇦 Canada 🇦🇺 Australia 🇿🇦 South Africa 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇳🇬 Nigeria 🇮🇳 India 🇲🇽 Mexico (More being added every month) Frequently Asked Questions Does this work with mobile and landline calls? Yes — your caller ID is displayed on both mobile and landline calls, unless the destination carrier blocks it. Can I use a virtual number as my caller ID? Yes, as long as you can verify it through SMS or voice. Can I set different caller IDs for different countries? Not yet, but that feature is in development. For now, you can switch manually before calling. What happens if my number is flagged as spam? ZenCall monitors call reputation using third-party tools. If your number is flagged, we’ll notify you and help rotate or verify a new one. What This Means for ZenCall Users With this update, ZenCall becomes one of the most flexible international calling platforms available — not just for price and accessibility, but for caller identity control. Whether you're an individual making occasional international calls or a business handling hundreds a week, how your number appears matters. And now, you have options. Why ZenCall Still Beats Other Apps on Caller ID Feature ZenCall Skype WhatsApp Google Voice Caller ID Customization ✅ Full control 🚫 None 🚫 App-only ☑️ Limited (US only) Country-Specific Numbers ✅ Yes 🚫 No 🚫 No 🚫 No Anonymous Calling Option ✅ Yes ☑️ Workaround 🚫 No 🚫 No Web-Based, No App Needed ✅ Yes 🚫 Requires App 🚫 Requires App ☑️ Web App (limited) Final Thoughts In 2025, international communication is more important than ever — and your caller ID is your identity. With ZenCall’s new caller ID features, you now have the power to: ✅ Be recognized ✅ Build trust across borders ✅ Improve call performance ✅ Protect your privacy when needed It’s more than a number — it’s your calling card. And now, you’re in full control.

International Calling Guides

How to Call the US for Cheap While Traveling

Whether you're backpacking through Europe, on a business trip in Asia, or living as a digital nomad in Latin America — one thing remains true: at some point, you’ll need to call the US from abroad. And while Wi-Fi is everywhere and messaging apps abound, sometimes you just need to make a proper phone call — to a bank, a government agency, or a family member without WhatsApp. So how can you call the US from abroad cheap, without burning through your roaming plan or wasting money on outdated calling cards? In this guide, we’ll break down all your options — and why browser-based services like ZenCall are the smartest and most affordable choice in 2025. Why Calling the US Can Still Be Expensive Even in 2025, international calling isn’t always free. Here’s why costs can still add up when dialing the US from overseas: Mobile carriers charge roaming or international fees Calling cards have hidden connection costs Wi-Fi calling doesn’t always work with US toll-free numbers Free apps only work when both parties are online The reality is: if you need to reach any US phone number, including landlines or institutions, you need more than just FaceTime or WhatsApp. Who Needs to Call the US While Abroad? It’s not just tourists — here are a few common examples: Travelers calling their bank to unfreeze a card Expats checking in with family or services back home Remote workers or digital nomads joining conference calls Students contacting universities or embassies Entrepreneurs managing US-based clients These situations require reliable, high-quality calling — not dropped signals or blocked app-based calls. Option 1: Using Your Mobile Provider (Spoiler: Expensive) Roaming charges for international calls are notorious. For example: T-Mobile: $0.25/min (if you’re not on a specific international plan) Verizon/AT&T: $1.00–$3.00/min depending on country Some carriers block international calling by default unless you opt in While convenient, this is by far the most expensive option — and quality can suffer depending on where you're calling from. Option 2: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram & Other Apps Messaging apps can be great — but only when: Both parties have smartphones Both have the same app installed Both are online They don’t work for: Calling landlines Banks, airlines, or government agencies People without data plans So while useful, they’re not a universal solution. Option 3: Google Voice or Skype These older VoIP tools offer cheap international rates — but come with caveats: Service Rate to US Setup Required Limitations Google Voice Free (US to US), low rates from abroad US billing address required Often blocked abroad Skype ~$0.02/min App install + credit Buggy in some regions They work, but can feel clunky in 2025 — and often require advance setup, credit loading, or account verification. Option 4: SIM Cards or Local Calling Plans If you're spending a long time in one country, you might buy a local SIM card. But: These plans often don’t include international calling Calling the US may still cost $0.10–$0.50/min You need to swap SIMs and manage roaming data Not ideal for short-term travelers or those hopping between countries. Option 5: Browser-Based Calling with ZenCall The fastest, cheapest, and most convenient way to call the US from abroad in 2025? A browser-based international calling platform like ZenCall. 🔥 Why ZenCall Stands Out No downloads or apps required Works from any browser on laptop, desktop, or mobile Rates from just $0.02/min to the US No SIM, contracts, or subscriptions Reach landlines, mobile numbers, toll-free lines Works worldwide — just add credit and dial If you're sitting in a hotel in Paris, a co-working space in Medellín, or a beach cafe in Thailand — you can launch ZenCall, punch in a US number, and talk for pennies. How to Use ZenCall to Call the US Visit ZenCall.com Create a free account in seconds Add credit (starting at $5) Enter the US number in this format: +1 [area code] [number] Click Call — that’s it 💡 You don’t need a US SIM card, a US IP address, or a physical phone line. Real-World Cost Comparison Let’s say you need to call your US bank for 20 minutes while you’re abroad. Option Total Cost (20 min) Notes AT&T / Verizon $20–$60 High roaming charges Local SIM $2–$10 May not allow US calls Google Voice / Skype ~$0.40 Requires app + setup ZenCall (Browser) $0.40 No setup, works instantly Same price as VoIP, less friction. Can You Call the US for Free? Yes, but only if: The other party uses the same app (e.g., WhatsApp) You both have strong internet connections You don't need to call a landline, toll-free, or official number Otherwise, you’ll need a low-cost option like ZenCall. Best Practices to Keep Costs Low Here are tips to get the cheapest and clearest calls to the US while traveling: ✅ Use Wi-Fi, not mobile data ✅ Use headphones or a headset for better mic quality ✅ Call during US working hours for best support response ✅ Dial in +1 format to ensure connection ✅ Bookmark important US numbers in your ZenCall account Frequently Asked Questions Can I call the US from any country? Yes — as long as you have internet access, ZenCall works from anywhere in the world. Do I need a US phone number? No — ZenCall gives you a browser-based dialer. You can call the US from any device, no SIM or US number required. What if the person I’m calling doesn’t answer? ZenCall only charges for connected calls. If it rings and no one picks up, you won’t be charged. Can I call US toll-free (1-800) numbers? Yes — ZenCall supports US toll-free lines, which many apps and VoIP providers block abroad. Why ZenCall Works Better Than the Alternatives Feature ZenCall WhatsApp Skype Mobile Carrier Calls US landlines/mobiles ✅ Yes 🚫 No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Works from browser ✅ Yes 🚫 No 🚫 No 🚫 No No app required ✅ Yes 🚫 No 🚫 No ✅ Yes Rates to US 💲$0.02/min Free (app only) ~$0.02/min $1–$3/min Reaches toll-free lines ✅ Yes 🚫 No ☑️ Sometimes ✅ Yes Final Thoughts You don’t have to overpay or overcomplicate international calling in 2025. If you need to call the US from abroad cheap, skip the roaming fees, SIM swaps, and frustrating app installs. Use a simple, reliable browser-based service like ZenCall, and you’ll get: ✅ Crystal-clear calls ✅ The ability to reach any US number ✅ Pricing that makes sense — from just $0.02/min ✅ Freedom to call from anywhere, anytime Stay connected to the US while you travel — without the stress or the cost.

Product Update

New Feature: Purchase Numbers and Call from Your Own Line

We’re excited to announce one of the most requested features: You can now purchase your own phone number directly within ZenCall — and make calls from it. 📞 What’s New? Buy Local Phone Numbers Instantly search and buy phone numbers from a wide selection of area codes and countries — all within your ZenCall dashboard. Call From Your Own Number Once you purchase a number, you can make outbound calls using that number as your caller ID. It’s perfect for business, personal branding, or just having more control. Pay-as-You-Go Simplicity No hidden fees, no long-term contracts. You pay a small monthly fee per number, and you can cancel anytime. ⚙️ Why This Matters We’re building ZenCall to feel like a modern, lightweight alternative to legacy calling tools — and that includes giving you full control over how you present yourself when you call. Whether you're managing client calls, running outreach campaigns, or just want a more professional experience, this feature puts the power in your hands. 🧪 Try It Now To get started: Head to your ZenCall dashboard. Click Buy Numbers. Pick a number, subscribe, and you're set. As always, we’re just getting started. Let us know what you think — and keep an eye out for even more customization features coming soon.