The easy answer would be to install a second phone line but that entails extra expense. And using a mobile is not always the best answer either. But suppose that, when the phone rings with a business call you had a way of knowing before you answered it. Wouldn't that make life easier?

Well now there are lots of telephone companies offering virtual switchboards and the best part is that they are often available free of charge. This is how they work in the UK:

You are given a special number with an 08 prefix that you use for your business and which connects to your own virtual switchboard that you set up via a web interface to connect callers to your home phone number.

When a business caller dials your 08 number your home phone rings. When you pick it up you hear ?You have a business call. Press star to accept?. Then you simply press star and answer in the name of your business. If another family member answers the call they will know to pass the phone to you.

A virtual switchboard can do a lot of other things too such as hold your callers in a queue, play music-on-hold and take voicemail messages. Many will even email to tell you when a caller has hung up without leaving a message and include the caller's phone number as well as the time and date of the call.

The fact is that it has never been easier for home workers to make the right impression when answering the phone.