A practical comparison for plumbing businesses
Google Voice vs AnswerBack for plumbers
Google Voice and AnswerBack serve different purposes. Google Voice documents calling, linked-number call forwarding, texting, and voicemail options. AnswerBack is a plumber-first missed-call answering and SMS follow-up service. If your business number is on Google Voice, check the forwarding limitation below before changing a public number.
Google Voice supports call forwarding generally, but Google explicitly says forwarding calls from a Google Voice number to an automated system is unsupported. That means a Google Voice number is not a universally supported keep-your-number setup for AnswerBack.
At a glance
| What matters | Google Voice | AnswerBack |
|---|---|---|
| Use case | A phone service for calls and texts, with settings for linked phones, forwarding, and voicemail. | Plumber-first missed-call answering and SMS follow-up, offered as a defined pilot. |
| Calls | Calls to a Google Voice number can ring linked numbers when call forwarding is set up. | A plumber may use the configured AnswerBack call-and-text service. No call-answering availability is guaranteed. |
| Texts and voicemail | Google documents settings to forward texts, missed calls, and voicemail to Gmail. Google Voice does not lack texting or call forwarding generally. | The service includes SMS follow-up. Do not assume that a follow-up text comes from the plumber's existing or Google Voice number. |
| Automated-system forwarding | Google says forwarding calls from a Google Voice number to an automated system is unsupported. | No Google Voice-to-AnswerBack path is represented here as confirmed or universally supported. |
| Keeping your public number | Linked-number and forwarding features do not confirm that a particular AnswerBack call path will work. | Keeping an existing business number is provider-dependent: that specific carrier or phone system must support and confirm the exact forwarding path. |
What Google documents
Google's current Google Voice Help: set up your phone to make and receive calls says a user can link phone numbers, and calls to the Google Voice number can ring those linked phones when forwarding is set up. The same Help page describes forwarding texts, missed calls, and voicemail to Gmail through Google Voice settings.
That page also states plainly: “Forwarding calls from your Google Voice number to an automated system is unsupported.” Google's separate guide to custom call forwarding explains call rules for linked numbers or voicemail; it does not establish an AnswerBack integration.
So the accurate takeaway is not “Google Voice cannot forward calls or texts.” It can do both in documented ways. The specific limitation is forwarding calls from a Google Voice number to an automated system.
Can a plumber keep an existing business number?
Sometimes, only when that specific carrier or phone system supports and confirms the forwarding path. Do not assume that because a phone can ring a linked number, a call can be passed from Google Voice into AnswerBack. AnswerBack has not confirmed a Google Voice-to-AnswerBack route for every account, plan, or setup.
For the broader number-consistency and test checklist, see the separate Google Business Profile phone-number guide for plumbers. This comparison is about the documented Google Voice features and their specific forwarding limit; the GBP guide covers public-number decisions more broadly.
What AnswerBack offers
AnswerBack is a plumbing-first missed-call answering and SMS follow-up service. The current offer is a $99 one-time 14-day pilot for one plumbing business. A plumber may retain an existing business number only when that specific carrier or phone system supports and confirms the forwarding path; otherwise, the public AnswerBack number is +1 334 986 3795.
The $99 payment does not renew automatically, and there is no day-14 charge. After the pilot, a possible service at $149/month would proceed only if both sides agree after review and the terms are confirmed in writing before any future charge.
One-time pilot · 14 days
Review the AnswerBack pilot
Read the current terms and use the existing secure checkout if the defined pilot fits your plumbing business. The checkout link and offer are unchanged.
Open the $99 pilot checkout$99 once for 14 days. No automatic renewal or day-14 charge. Any possible $149/month service requires mutual agreement after review and written confirmation before a future charge.
Questions plumbers ask
Does Google Voice support texting?
Yes. Google Voice includes texting. Google's Help also describes forwarding texts, missed calls, and voicemail to Gmail through settings. The limitation described here is about forwarding calls from a Google Voice number to an automated system—not a lack of texting or call forwarding generally.
Does this mean every Google Voice number can forward to AnswerBack?
No. Google's documented automated-system forwarding limitation means a Google Voice number is not a universally supported AnswerBack setup. Check the exact account/provider arrangement and test the specific route before changing the number customers already know.
What if the forwarding path is not confirmed?
Keep the established business number unchanged. Use +1 334 986 3795 as the dedicated AnswerBack number while any alternative path remains unverified.
Primary sources: Set up your phone to make & receive Google Voice calls · Use custom call forwarding with Google Voice. Google Voice features and availability can vary by account and configuration; consult the current Help pages and your provider for your setup.