If you want to establish your business as a professional presence, then you need to know how to get a business phone number. Getting a business phone number is one of the first major steps that you can take to establish your business’ legitimacy. Taking this step also enables you to keep your personal phone number completely private. There are different options that you can take advantage of, such as traditional landlines and modern VoIP services, making it easy to find one that fits your needs and budget.

Decide on the Type of Business Phone Number

You need to consider the type of phone number that would best suit the needs of your business before you pick a provider. A local phone number may be your best bet at connecting with customers in your local area. A toll-free number, on the other hand, can help you connect with customers across the country. You can spend more money to procure a vanity number, which allows you to spell out words related to your business. This is a great branding tool, but is more expensive. A VoIP number is a fantastic flexible option.

Choose a Service Provider

After you know the type of phone number that you need, you now need to pick a provider for that phone number. You can opt for a business line through a traditional phone company, but this route can require long-term contracts in addition to higher prices. VoIP services like Google Voice, RingCentral, and Grasshopper are affordable and flexible options that provide features such as call forwarding, voicemail, and automated greetings. Mobile carriers offer business plans that let you add a second number to your smartphone. Be sure to compare prices, features, and customer reviews before making a decision.

Register Your Business Number

Once you have a provider, you will need to set up and register your new phone number. You can go through this process quickly online. Simply provide some basic business info and choose your desired area code or toll-free prefix. Having the right area code can be a major boost for your business. For example, the 212 area code in New York is considered desirable and emblematic of the New York area. A popular feature offered by many services is the ability to customize call settings, set up your voicemail, and integrate your new number with business apps. This process may take longer if you are transferring a pre-existing phone number.

Set Up Call Handling Features

If you want to have smooth communication, then you can utilize numerous call management features at your disposal. Voicemail greetings are a great opportunity for sounding professional, and utilizing call forwarding keeps you reachable when you are not at your business’ physical location. Auto-attendants are an increasingly popular service offered by VoIP services. These services direct callers to the right department, even if you are operating with a small team. Call recording is also available for training purposes.

Start Using Your Business Number

With your number now active it’s time to update your business cards, online profiles, and website to reflect that. Use your new business number for all future customer interactions so that your brand remains consistent. It may be a good idea to implement a tracking feature to monitor how many calls you receive from specific ads or social media platforms that you may use. Remember, your business phone number is not just a communication tool, it is a tool to establish trust in your brand’s professionalism.

By choosing the right type of number and provider, setting up useful features, and promoting it properly, you can ensure your business has a reliable and professional communication system.