Best Practices for Buying a Business Phone Number

Choosing an appropriate phone number for your business needs to be a well-considered and strategic decision that can influence your brand image, customer experiences, and operational efficiency. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale up your operations, in this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to make an informed choice  when purchasing a business phone number.

Why do you need a dedicated business phone number?

A business phone number, whichever kind you choose, creates a professional image for your brand or new business, and it separates your personal and business communications, making managing customers and striking that work-life balance easier. It helps you to create a professional first impression to customers and ensures that you stand out in the crowd. Furthermore, with the PSTN switch-off looming, businesses of all sizes need to begin to phase out traditional landlines. By adopting a Cloud-based virtual business phone number, you will be prepared and ahead of the curve when this takes place. 

Cloud-based virtual business phone numbers can give you access to features like call recording, auto-attended calls, voicemail transcription, and insights that aren't typically available with personal numbers or landlines. Virtual numbers also give your staff the ability to make calls from your business number from almost any device, which is ideal for hybrid and remote workers, as well as anyone frequently on-the-go. 

Understand what your business needs 

Start by identifying your business goals, long and short term. For example, are you looking to generate more leads, improve your professional image, or even reduce the amount of inbound calls to focus on higher value interactions? 

Your new phone number should be able to grow with your business, rather than holding it back. Once your business is established, it can be difficult to change information as it can confuse customers, so choosing a number that will remain relevant will save you from any disruptions or frustration later.

Choosing the right business phone number 

There are many different options for you to consider when choosing a new business phone number, and each type of phone number serves a unique purpose. Here’s a quick guide to help you consider what could work best:

Local Numbers

Build trust and familiarity in a specific area. Ideal for businesses positioning themselves as local specialists.

National Numbers (033, 0845)

Project a professional and approachable image without tying your business to one specific location.

Toll-free numbers (833, 844, 888)

Perfect for customer-centric businesses, these numbers encourage inquiries by removing call costs. These numbers vary depending on location. For example, in the US, toll-free numbers will typically begin with prefixes like 833, 844, and 888, while in the UK they are commonly 0800 or 0808 numbers. It is important to choose one that will align with your business activity. 

Charity Numbers (030)

Designed for non-profits, these are charged at national call rates for callers and convey a trustworthy image.

Premium Rate Numbers (084/087)

Suitable for businesses aiming for a national image but note that these aren’t free for callers and could deter some.

Memorable Numbers

Numbers with simple, repeating patterns or sequences are more likely to stick in a customer’s mind. According to studies, businesses with easy-to-remember numbers can see an increase in call inquiries by up to 30%.

International Phone Numbers

You may also wish to choose an international number if your business operates globally. These can make customers feel more familiar with your business, no matter where they are based. You can make this number appear local to different countries, specific states and cities, for example the USA or New York, and strengthen trust in your business.

Mobile Phone Numbers

For businesses on the go, like plumbers or electricians, an 07 mobile phone number gives the impression that you are always within reach, and that a customer’s call is not going to be received in a static office, whilst still separating your personal number from your business communications.

Research business number providers and available features 

Not all virtual  number or VoIP providers are created equal. It is important that you do your research to find a reputable vendor. Look at reviews, uptime and customer testimonies in order to find a high quality company. You will also need to compare prices, as well as customer support quality and onboarding processes. If any questions do crop up, you need to know someone will be there to help you! 

Cloud-based VoIP systems also offer features that landlines and traditional mobile numbers do not. It is important to consider what your business needs to maintain excellent customer service, and ensure your chosen provider can provide the right features. Some to think about are:

• Call routing and forwarding - Assigning unique extensions to specific team members or departments can help callers connect directly to the person they need. Routing can also be directed based on features like time, location, or availability ensuring no call goes unanswered.
• Call recording and voicemail transcription - Ideal for training and record-keeping, particularly if you work in an industry where compliance to regulations is a must.
• Auto-attendants - This means you can direct customers to the right department automatically by navigating an in-call menu.
• Voicemail inboxes - Team members or departments can have dedicated voicemail inboxes, which can reduce the risk of missed communication. Voicemails can also be accessed from a number of devices.
• Additional communication funnels - Modern VoIP phone systems should integrate seamlessly with your existing communication platforms, such as email or messaging, which allows customers other avenues to stay connected. For example, voicemails can be converted to emails, and CRM platforms can be integrated for easy contact and lead recognition.

Consider your budget 

Ultimately, a business phone number is an investment that you will benefit from every day. While memorable numbers do come at a higher cost, they deliver significant benefits such as allowing your business to stand out from the crowd, helping customers to remember your details, and enhancing your professional brand image.

A well-chosen number can become a marketing asset and drive positive customer relationships. Ensure that your chosen number aligns with your customer needs and expected call volumes. Many providers will offer real-time search tools that let you browse available numbers and purchase instantly, ready for your new venture.

Keep your future goals in mind

Choosing a new business phone number is an exciting milestone no matter the circumstance. It might be that you’re stepping into a new business venture, following your passion or making your side-hustle your main gig. Perhaps you are simply expanding your existing business in order to serve new customers in new locations, or even improve the experience for your existing client. Whatever the case may be, choosing the right phone number is crucial to setting yourself up for success.

Think about how you want your business to appear to customers. As we have explored, a local number can build trust and familiarity in one geographical location, while options like vanity numbers can give your business a polished, professional image and stand out to a wider crowd. There is no one right answer, but finding what works for you will help to reflect your goals and give your customers an easy way to connect with you.

The good news is that getting started is easy! Explore your options today and secure a number perfect for you and your business.