You’re getting ready to launch your own business. You’ve come up with a name. You’ve made a logo. And you’ve created a website. You go to order business cards, and you realize you need a business number.
You can’t just use your personal cell phone. You need a unique business number that looks professional and is easy to remember. But most importantly, it lets you take company calls on your cell phone so you can run your business from anywhere.
So what do you do? Carry two cell phones around? One for your business and one for personal use?
No need. This isn’t 1995.
Today, you can easily add a business number to your cell phone and manage personal and business calls on the same device.
Having two numbers is much easier, cheaper, and lighter than having two phones.
Ready to get a business phone number?
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Top service providers and apps you can use to get a business number
- Critical reasons you need to get a dedicated business number
- Whether you should use a local business number or a toll free number
- Why getting a branded (vanity) business number gives you an advantage
How to Get a Business Number: 7 Apps & Service Providers You Can Use to Get a Custom Business Number
As an entrepreneur, you understand the importance of a professional business number that reflects your brand and makes it easy for customers to reach you.
But where do you get a good business number?
Whether you’re looking for a local, toll-free, or vanity number, we’ve tested and mapped out the step-by-step instructions. And after personally navigating the process of getting a business number with various apps, we can tell you it’s easier than you think.
The following service providers and apps enable you to pick your own business number and use it across any device.
Here are the top business number providers and apps:
1. Unitel
Starting at $9.99/per month.
Unitel is a virtual phone system that lets entrepreneurs run and grow their businesses from anywhere. With Unitel, you can easily set up local phone numbers, toll-free numbers, or even custom vanity numbers.
Getting a unique number is a straightforward process that allows you to add a second line to your mobile phone, ensuring clear separation between personal and business calls and voicemails.
Here are the types of numbers you can get:
- Business Phone Numbers: Choose from local, toll-free, or vanity numbers that perfectly align with your business needs.
- Second Phone Line: Make and receive business calls directly from your smartphone, with your business number appearing on outbound calls.
- Toll Free Numbers: Give your business instant credibility and national presence with toll-free prefixes such as 800, 888, and more.
- Local Phone Numbers: Establish a local presence in any area with phone numbers available in nearly every North American area code.
- Vanity Phone Numbers: Customize a memorable phone number that reflects your brand and helps customers remember your business.
How to get a number with Unitel:
Start here.
- Step 1: Pick your plan.
- Step 2: Choose your number.
- Step 3: Create your account.
2. GoDaddy App
Starting at $12.99/per month.
The GoDaddy Conversations App (formally called SmartLine) gives you a second phone number to separate your business calls from your personal calls. You look professional – and that leads to more business.
How to get a number with GoDaddy:
- Step 1: Download the Conversations app.
- Step 2: Click create an account.
- Step 3: Search for an area code and choose your number.
3. 800.com
Starting at $23/per month.
Getting an 800 number with 800.com couldn’t be easier. Turn the world into your office with your own toll-free number today.
How to get a number with 800.com:
Start here.
- Step 1: Enter a word, number, or pattern.
- Step 2: Select your number.
- Step 3: Choose your plan.
4. Grasshopper
Starting at $18/user per month.
Grasshopper adds a business number and virtual phone system to your personal phone. And they get that you’re a small business owner, not an office manager.
With this app, you’ll spend less time managing your phone system and more time doing what you do best: growing your business.
How to get a number with Grasshopper:
Start here.
- Step 1: Click “Try Free”
- Step 2: Select “Which number is right for you”.
- Step 3: Enter a word, number, or pattern.
- Step 4: Select your number.
- Step 5: Create your account.
5. Line2
Starting at $15.99/per month.
Line2 makes managing your communications simpler, easier, and more affordable. Call, text, receive voicemail, and more, all from a convenient second line.
Start here.
- Step 1: Download the app “Line2”.
- Step 2: Click “Sign Up”.
- Step 3: Set up your account.
- Step 4: Choose your number.
- Step 5: Choose a plan.
6. Sideline
Starting at $9.99/per month.
Your phone’s other number. Keep life organized, work flowing, and your
personal number private — all on Sideline.
Start here.
- Step 1: Download the app “Sideline.”
- Step 2: Hit “Phone Number”.
- Step 3: Create an account.
- Step 4: Select a plan.
7. eVoice
Starting at $14/per month.
An oldie but a goodie, eVoice’s virtual phone system frees you from the limitations of expensive hardware. You can customize your online phone number to fit your needs seamlessly, no matter the size of your business.
How to get a number with eVoice:
Start here.
- Step 1: Create your account.
- Step 2: Choose your number.
- Step 3: Complete your order.
3 Things to Consider Before You Get a Business Number
1. Why is it critical to get a dedicated phone number for your business?
There are three main reasons why you need to get a dedicated business number:
- Looking Professional: Having a business number on your marketing material (business cards, website, ads, etc.) makes your business look more polished and professional.
- Staying Connected: Using a separate business number from your personal cell number allows you to answer calls professionally, route callers to other employees, or send them to business voicemail.
- Making Sales: Getting a business number lets you prioritize customer calls over personal ones. As an entrepreneur, you never want to miss an opportunity to make a sale.
2. Should you get a local number or toll free number for your business?
The first step in getting a business number is deciding if you want a local phone number or a toll free business number. Both types of telephone numbers have their advantages.
Here’s what you need to know to choose what type of number is right for your business:
- Toll Free Numbers: A toll free number (numbers with the area code (800, 888, 877, 866, 855. 844, and 833) gives your business a nationwide presence. Toll-free numbers have historically been viewed as “official” business phone numbers corporations use.
- Local Phone Numbers: Local numbers, on the other hand, give your business a local feel. And when you use a virtual local number, it doesn’t matter where your business operates. You can have a virtual number with a local area code of your choice.
3. Why does getting a branded vanity number give you an advantage?
Do you want to get a business number that’s easy to remember and reinforces your brand and value proposition? Of course, you do. You need a branded number (a.k.a, vanity phone number).
You’ve got a Facebook page, Twitter account, and custom domain name that helps market your business. You can also have a branded vanity phone number.
Vanity numbers (numbers with letters like 1-800-FLOWERS) allow you to put your brand name in more locations. And what’s easier to remember, 1-833-GET-LOANS or 1-833-438-5626?
So, if you want to reach more customers, consider getting a vanity number for the following touchpoints:
- Business cards
- Radio ads
- Billboards
- Vehicle decals
- Websites
- Storefronts
- Direct mailings
- Other marketing materials
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