Get Business Phone Number

Business Phone Number: Everything you need to Know

Consider owning a separate business phone number to increase your credibility and recognition. A business phone for your business will allow you and your employees to keep their private phone numbers away from business activities.

Want to know more about business phone numbers? Well, you are in the right place.

This article elaborates on business phone numbers, the importance of business phone numbers, business number types, how to choose a virtual business phone number, and the lists of top service providers of affordable business phone numbers in detail.

What is a Business Phone Number?

A business phone number, also known as direct inward dialing (DID) number, is like other telephone numbers; however, it doesn’t tie to any specific phone system. With a business phone number, you can access or use the number on various devices from various locations. In addition, you also use the number while you travel by using the provider’s web or mobile applications.

Setting up a business phone number is simple and easy, unlike traditional phone numbers. You only need to download the provided applications on your desktop or mobile phone and select the desired phone number & plan.

Different Types of Business Phone Numbers 

Just like business differs, phone numbers for businesses also change. The business telephone number should be chosen upon the business consideration and the features provided by the service provider.

Here are the lists of 4 main types of virtual business phone numbers from which you can choose the one that suits well for your business.

1. Local Numbers

Local business phone number suits businesses looking to establish their presence locally. Local phone numbers are tied to specific locations/areas to assist local customers. Moreover, setting up the local phone number is simple and easy.

2. Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-free number suits businesses looking for an affordable option to achieve more professionalism. Toll-free phone numbers are often considered as the number begins with the 3-digit prefix ‘800’. However, free business numbers have a variety of area codes other than ‘800’ such as 888, 877, 855, 866, and so on.

3. Vanity Phone Numbers

Vanity number suits businesses keen to achieve better name recognition among potential customers. Vanity numbers are referred to as customizable personalized phone numbers. For example, the vanity phone numbers for a flower shop can be 1-800-FLOWERS.

4. VoIP Phone Numbers

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone numbers suit businesses searching for advanced & latest features for better call management. This business phone number has scalability and additional features you can’t find in others.

Why Do You Need a Business Phone Number? 

Having a separate company phone number will always be beneficial for your business.Virtual phone numbers for business offer many more benefits than having a traditional landline. Apart from giving a professional appearance to your business, here are lists of additional reasons that tell you should have a virtual business phone number.

• Multi-device access at a time through forward calls or call queues features.
• Acquiring additional communication channels like business texting, faxing, MMS, etc.
• Other features for better call management include call screening, voicemail, etc.

Must-Have Business Phone Number Features 

Here is the list of highlighting features essential to have in your business number. Take a look.

• Mobile app – It allows you to conduct hassle-free conversions with co-workers and customers.
• Call forwarding – It gives the flexibility for directing the phone calls to other numbers you intended for.
• Auto call attendant – It is an automated voice that assists customers in navigating to the right departments.
• Voicemail transcription – It automatically provides you with the notes taken from the stored voicemail. Often this feature comes with VoIP services.
• Call recording – It makes you don’t lose the information received through a call, as it records the entire call conversation as recordings.
• Call parking – It allows brands to hold the caller and promote respective employees to assist the caller by providing the right information.
• Call analytics – It enables brands to do data analytics over the information gathered from customer calls and utilize them properly to increase customer satisfaction.

How to Get a Business Phone Number?

A business phone number is vital for small businesses to expand their services. Here are the aspects of looking to get a business phone number free.

Step 1. Choosing a phone number for your business

In the section mentioned above, you may notice the different business numbers, such as local phone numbers, toll-free phone numbers, vanity phone numbers, and VoIP. Among those, pick the right one that suits your business requirements. If your business cannot afford to spend money on a business number, you can go for a free business phone number.

Step 2. Purchasing your business number

Once you decide the type of business phone number you will pick for your business. Now, you need to look for a reliable service provider like Nextiva, DialerHQ, CallHippo, and so to purchase a local phone number for your business. There are many business phone service providers like ‘TextFree’ to get a business phone number for free. All you need is to check the features and cost of their service.

Step 3. Optimizing business calls

Once you set up your business phone number, start with the extensions that work well with your business. Utilizing extensions will trim the call and costs and give you a royal and more extensive look to your business.  

When to Get a Business Phone Number? 

A business should have a company phone number as soon as it starts. Getting a business phone number will be better for your business communications. Also, it will prevent your business competitor from beating you.

Common signs tell you your business requires a virtual business phone number.

• When your potential customers report as they are facing trouble reaching you.
• When your calls interrupt your business calls often.
• When your business starts receiving a high volume of business calls.
• When you are facing trouble managing your business calls.
• You need advanced features like call forwarding, call queuing, call recording, etc. for managing your business phone calls.
• When your business requires strong legitimacy in the eyes of your customers.

Best Business Phone Number Providers Comparison

If you’re looking for business phone number providers for your business, there are plenty of options to choose from. We’ve compiled a comparison table on the basis of features, price, pros, and cons of the top  business phone number providers to help you make an informed decision.

Best Business Phone Number Providers in 2024 

To find the best business mobile number service, you must know the leading phone service providers’ features, costs, pros, and cons. This section illustrates how to select the best phone service provider for your business without stress by providing complete details about the top 7 service providers offering business phone systems.

1. DialerHQ

DialerHQ is a cloud-based telephony platform enabling you to make calls & work from anywhere; it is a private low-cost app that helps you to keep your personal & business calls separate. The DialerHQ app uses the user’s mobile data or WiFi connection to make international calling and texting.

With the DialerHQ app, you can instantly activate your mobile business number and make calls all over the globe without paying any extra amount. The phone service provider offers a free trial period of 10 days; users can utilize that and judge their service.

Cost

As an enterprise-specific solution, DialerHQ caters exclusively to large teams or organizations. Connect with the DialerHQ sales team at [email protected] for personalized quotes, or start a free trial for first-hand experience.

2. CallHippo

Callhippo, one of the leading telecommunication companies, offers next-gen cloud-based telephony solutions to businesses worldwide. They increase productivity and boost business performance through their virtual phone systems. The CallHippo services in web and mobile-based business apps offer excellent telephony solutions to startups & small businesses.

CallHippo enables businesses to buy a unique business phone number from more than 50 countries, transforming business sales and improving customer experience. With CallHippo, business stakeholders can easily monitor and manage their operations from one place.

Cost

• Bronze plan: $16 per user for a month.
• Silver plan: $24 per user for a month.
• Platinum plan: $40 per user for a month.

3. RingCentral

RingCentral is an American cloud-based communication solution provider offering world-class UCaaS and CCaaS solutions to all-size companies and industries worldwide. With the single app, RingCentral offers the world’s leading cloud phone system to empower your business units to increase productivity.

With the RingCentral MVP, businesses can easily create a collaborative work environment for their team regardless of location.

Cost

• Essentials: $32.99 per user for a month
• Standard: $40.99 per user for a month
• Premium: $47.99 per user for a month
• Ultimate: $62.99 per user for a month

4. Google Voice

Google introduced Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services in 2009, which allows anyone to get a second phone line. Google voice is an entrepreneurial cantered product that will be useful for startups and small businesses to grow.

Google voice, along with Google workspace, would be perfect for businesses to provide better customer support services.

Cost

• Starter plan: $10 per user for a month.
• Standard plan: $20 per user for a month.
• Premier plan: $30 per user for a month

5. TextFree

TextFree is a communication app that allows users to make free texting and VoIP calls to their friends and families at no cost. Users of TextFree do not need to pay to send unlimited text and picture messages and make VoIP calls. The app generates revenue through Ads.

The app allows its users to create groups and make group conversations easily. TextFree app is best for startups and freelancers who want privacy protection.

Cost

• No cost, free to use.

6. 8×8 eXperience

8X8 eXperience platform offers all business types a unified business phone and VoIP communication services. The communication platform provided by 8X8 enables businesses to build a company-wide collaboration environment.

In simple words, the 8X8 eXperience empowers your business to leverage agile by providing a unified customer and employee experience. The communication platform of 8X8 allows team members to collaborate faster and work smarter.

Cost

• Express plan: $15 per user for a month.
• X2 plan: $24 per user for a month.
• X4 plan: $44 per user for a month.

7. Nextiva

Nextiva is one of the leaders in providing business phone service and a unified communication platform for all sizes and types of businesses. The company offers businesses a wide range of services that empower them to communicate and build deeper & stronger connections between their employees & customers.

In simple wording, Nextiva offers a complete one-stop communication solution for all-size local business and growing businesses worldwide.

Cost

• Essential plan: $18.95 per user for a month.
• Professional plan: $22.95 per user for a month.
• Enterprise plan: $32.95 per user for a month.

Tips for Choosing a Business Phone Number 

Choosing a new business phone number will always drive you crazy. It would help if you got the correct business number for your business so that it will benefit a lot. There are many options and factors to consider for making the right choice for your business in selecting a new business number.

Here are a few expert guidelines to get the right virtual business phone number for your business without wasting time and money.

• Be decisive – When purchasing a business communication number, you should be clear about your needs. Local phone numbers and toll-free numbers have pros and cons; you should pick them according to your business needs.
• Picking phone numbers – Always go for the simplest and easiest phone number to remember. So that your customers find it easier to reach your business.
• Features – You may find numerous features from the service providers, especially on VoIP business phone systems, but always go for providers or plans that offer essential features for your business. This allows you to get affordable phone services for your business.

Wrapping Up

Behind every successful business, a needle pushes the business owners toward the success path. If implemented correctly, the most straightforward business number could be that needle for your business.

Business phone numbers will boost your business appearances and efficiently reach your business presence to target audience groups. More importantly, small business owners, especially, improve their business capability to grow and achieve goal quicker & faster.