Why do I not reach the settings menu at Vodafone?

Most likely because you are missing the 11. Vodafone itself says to call 1233 and then press 11 for the main menu. Without that step you stay in the section where you listen to messages.

What is the difference between the temporary message and the away message?

Vodafone lists both separately in the menu. You record the temporary message yourself alongside your permanent script; the away message is a setting you switch on. The quickest way to tell which suits you is to listen to both once.

Can I use the same recording on more than one number?

Within your own organisation, yes. After payment you may use the recording without limit for your own organisation's telephony, including on a second handset or at a different provider. Reselling it or distributing it as a standalone audio file is not allowed. That is what our terms say.

Voicemail on your Vodafone business mobile

Of the three Dutch networks, Vodafone gives you the most controls: alongside the fixed welcome message there is a temporary message and an away message. Exactly what you need when your mobile is your business number and you do not want to re-record every holiday.

Key 11 first, then the main menu

This is the detail people get stuck on at Vodafone: you call 1233 and then press 11 to reach the main menu. Without that 11 you stay in the listening section. From the main menu you reach the personal settings, and that is where the welcome message lives.

On its own support page Vodafone lists these options for the greeting:

Record a personal message: your own complete script.
Record a temporary message, alongside the permanent one.
Record just your name.
Switch on the standard number message.
Switch on an away message.
Switch on a duo welcome message.

The temporary message is the business case

At most providers you have to record over your permanent script when you are away for a week, then record it back. At Vodafone you put a temporary message alongside it. Your normal greeting stays in place and returns by itself. That saves work and it prevents the classic mistake: the holiday message still playing in October.

For a business that means two recordings you have made once: the ordinary greeting and the away greeting. After that it is a matter of switching them on and off in the menu.

Getting a professional recording onto it

Vodafone has no upload button for the voicemail greeting either; no Dutch provider does. You play the recording at the moment you would speak yourself. Because Vodafone lets you keep two messages side by side, you simply do this twice.

Two scripts to start with

Permanent welcome message

“You have reached Bakker Interiors. We cannot take your call at the moment. Please leave your name and phone number and we will call you back as soon as we can.”

Temporary message while away

“You have reached Bakker Interiors. We are closed this week for the holidays. For urgent matters please email info@bakkerinteriors.com. We will answer all other questions as soon as we are back.”

How to play the file onto it

Have both files ready on a computer with good speakers, in a quiet room.
Call 1233, press 11 for the main menu and go to the personal settings.
Start with the permanent welcome message and play the first file at 70 to 80 percent volume.
Then repeat it for the temporary message with the second file.
Call yourself and check both, because you never hear a clipped opening yourself.

Watch out with business subscriptions

On some Vodafone business connections voicemail does not run through 1233 but through a different number, and the menu may then look different. Vodafone's own support page does not make that distinction, so if in doubt, follow your own subscription details or their customer service. We only state here what we can verify at Vodafone.