How to Create a Free SMS Service with Google Voice

Let’s face it, someday Google is going to rule the world and we are just along for the ride of free beta testing. I don’t mind being the guinea pig if it means getting some sort of free service so of course I had to scope out the new Google Voice. After days of deliberating which SMS service to use for a campaign at the University of Texas in Arlington, I stumbled upon the idea of using Google Voice. I have had this little green call phone on my Gmail for weeks but it never really registered that I could be making free phone calls and texts - until now. Signing up is quite simple, especially if you have a Gmail account. Go to www.google.com/voice , sign in to your account and follow the directions that pop up. This is completely free and for those of you who live on your email – it all syncs together! Here is what you will need to get started:

• Chose a phone number from the available list. Get creative and spell something out.
• Enter an alternate phone number to verify your human existence.
• Answer the phone and enter the code generated by Google.

Now that the account is set up you can call and text anyone in the US or Canada for free. I decided it was best to ditch the high priced SMS service, for this particular campaign, due to a small budget. There are many small businesses out there that could benefit from having a free service such as this. You better act fast though, rumor has it Google Voice will only be free until the end of the year. How do you feel about having the ability to call and text from your email?