Have you heard of Google Voice? It’s a great free service that allows you to redirect as many phone numbers as you’d like to a single voicemail inbox. Essentially, all your calls can be directed to just one phone number (one that’s not tied to any phone company, just Google). There’s even an online inbox (that looks like an e-mail inbox) that will transcribe all your voicemails into text. The best part? Google just announced Monday that you can keep your primary phone number instead of switching to a Google number.

This video is a great summary of the service:

The benefits of Google Voice are numerous. If your association is spending thousands of dollars a year on your phone service from a local provider, consider switching. Google Voice will allow you to run your voice communications at lower costs and with more freedom.

Features include:

• An online voicemail
• Free automated voicemail transcription
• Custom voicemail greetings for different callers
• E-mail and text message notifications
• One number that reaches you on all your phones
• Call screening
• Listen in
• Call recording
• Conference calling
• Call blocking
• Reduced rates for international calls

Did I mention all of this is free?!

Calls to your staff’s phone numbers can be redirected to one number (each original phone number can have a customized voicemail greeting message). The forwarding service is flexible, so during non-office hours, you can set incoming calls to be immediately directed toward voicemail — the “do not disturb” feature.

If staffers can’t get to the office (for inclement weather, taking care of a sick child or any other reason), they will still be able to communicate using their office lines. Check out this video for even more information.

One note: if you live outside the U.S., you won’t be able to use your existing phone number with Google Voice yet. You’ll still have to get a new phone number, which can be a bit of a hassle. Hopefully will Google will open this feature internationally soon.

To sign up for an invitation, click here. Current Google Voice users also have invites, so ask around — maybe someone you know will have an invite to spare.

Don’t forget about our ongoing contest this week — you could win a free copy of Seth Godin’s “Tribes.” See this post for more details.