Sales Calling Best Practices
Understanding SIM calls, cloud calling, WhatsApp calls, and CRM tracking in sales
Which is better SIM calls or cloud telephony?
SIM calls are made directly through a mobile network using a real phone number. They tend to have:
Higher answer rates because they look like normal mobile numbers.
Better call quality as no internet connection is needed.
Simpler setup and mobility for field sales reps.
How can sales teams track mobile sales call activity?
Sales teams track mobile sales activity using mobile call tracking apps that log call metadata (who was called, when, duration, outcome) and sync it to a CRM. You can choose to use cloud call technology to do this or use an app that tracks SIM calls, such as Salestrail. On Android, SIM call tracking can include both inbound and outbound calls from the native dialer; on iOS, tracking is typically limited to calls made through a dedicated app due to Apple restrictions.
Why don’t CRMs capture mobile call activity?
CRMs don’t natively capture mobile call activity because mobile calls happen outside the CRM environment. Calls are made through the phone’s dialer, not the CRM, and mobile operating systems—especially iOS—restrict access to call data and recordings for privacy and security reasons.
How do sales teams track calls made outside cloud telephony?
Sales teams use SIM-based call tracking apps that sit between the phone and the CRM. These apps automatically log call activity (number, duration, outcome, notes) to the CRM without routing calls through cloud telephony. This is the most common approach for teams using real mobile numbers instead of VoIP.
How can I record phone calls on iPhone?
Recording phone calls on iPhone is not natively supported due to Apple’s platform restrictions. iOS does not allow apps to automatically access or record SIM/GSM calls.
Is it possible to automatically record calls on iOS?
Recording phone calls on iPhone is not natively supported in most regions due to Apple’s platform restrictions. iOS does not allow apps to automatically access or record SIM/GSM calls. Any recording requires either:
A manual workaround (e.g. speaker + external device), or
Cloud/VoIP calling, where the call is routed through an internet-based system.
If you do have call recording capabilities on your iOS device, Apple still restricts sharing the call recording externally so it can generally not be used for business purposes. The solution is to switch to cloud call technology or Android devices if you prefer SIM calls over cloud calls.
Which solutions can I use to record SIM calls on iOS?
There is no fully compliant solution that automatically records SIM calls on iOS. Options are limited to:
Switching to Android, where SIM call recording is supported.
Using cloud telephony/VoIP, which enables recording but sacrifices SIM call quality and answer rates.
Manual recording methods (not scalable for sales teams).
Can WhatsApp calls be recorded on iPhone?
No. WhatsApp calls cannot be automatically recorded on iPhone. WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, and iOS prevents third-party apps from recording call audio. Recording would require manual, external methods and is not suitable for compliant or scalable use.
Why do prospects answer mobile calls more than VoIP calls?
Prospects answer mobile (SIM/GSM) calls more often because they appear as normal, personal calls routed through the mobile network. Mobile numbers are less likely to be pre-labelled as business or spam, deliver better call quality, and benefit from higher default trust compared to VoIP numbers, which are often associated with automated or high-volume calling.
Are cloud call numbers more likely to be ignored?
Yes. Cloud call numbers are more likely to be ignored because:
They are frequently identified as business numbers.
Many are shared across multiple companies.
They appear more often in spam and robocall databases.
Smartphones and carriers apply stricter filtering to them.
Even when not flagged as spam, they are more likely to show as “Unknown” or “Business”, which reduces answer rates.
Does calling from a personal mobile number improve trust?
Yes. Calling from a personal mobile number improves trust because it:
Looks like a real, individual caller.
Is less likely to be pre-labelled or filtered.
Benefits from existing contact recognition if saved.
Feels more conversational and less transactional.
This is why SIM-based calling consistently outperforms cloud calling for sales outreach.
Why do sales reps prefer mobile calling over cloud dialers?
Sales reps prefer mobile calling because it feels natural, fast, and personal. Mobile calls deliver higher answer rates, better call quality, and fewer spam flags, while requiring less tool-switching. Reps can call directly from their phone, which reduces friction and makes conversations feel more human.
Should sales teams use mobile calls or cloud telephony?
It depends on the sales motion:
Mobile (SIM) calls work best for outbound sales, prospecting, and relationship-driven selling where answer rates and trust matter most.
Cloud telephony works best for inbound, support, or high-volume transactional calling where recording, routing, and queues are required.
Many high-performing teams use both, but prioritise SIM calls for outbound sales.
Do sales teams use WhatsApp for calling prospects?
Yes. Many sales teams use WhatsApp calls, especially in regions where WhatsApp is a primary communication channel (such as Europe, LATAM, the Middle East, and parts of Asia). WhatsApp calls are commonly used for follow-ups, relationship building, and warm leads, rather than cold outreach.
Is WhatsApp calling professional for sales?
Yes. When used appropriately. WhatsApp calling is considered professional when:
The prospect has already engaged or given consent.
The call is contextual (follow-up, demo, support, or relationship check-in).
The rep identifies themselves clearly.
For cold prospecting, WhatsApp calling can feel intrusive, but for warm or ongoing conversations, it is often perceived as more personal and trusted than traditional calls.