How do I set up a business phone number?

Getting a dedicated phone number for your business is a fast and affordable way to give that professional first impression and increase customer trust. This article will take you through the simple steps to set up a business phone number. We’ll also help you choose the right number for your business and go through a few ways you can get the most from your setup using some completely free features.

Getting your business phone number

One of the most cost-effective ways for small businesses to get a dedicated number is to use a Virtual Phone Number. These numbers divert to your existing phones making them perfectly flexible and saving businesses £££’s on hardware costs.

To get a Virtual Phone Number you simply choose the perfect number for your business then tell us where you would like that number diverted to (your mobile, for example). We’ll set the number up in just 1 working hour to have you taking professional business calls right away.

How do I choose the right number?

There are 3 key number ranges for you to choose from when you set up a business phone number. Choose one that represents your business best:

Local Landlines – These numbers are perfect for local businesses like trades, shops, any business wanting a local presence. Having a local landline for your business instantly increases customer trust and lets the caller know where you are based. Your Virtual Landline can be diverted to your mobile phone, so you’ll still have the flexibility to take calls on the go.

Choose your local number here.

0800 Numbers – These numbers are perfect if you want to look large and established, offering your customers a number that is free to call from both landlines and mobiles. Because they are free to call 0800 numbers are known to help increase enquiries, giving customers no reason not to pick up the phone.

Pick your perfect 0800 number here.

0333 Numbers – 0333 numbers have no geographic location making them perfect for nationwide businesses. If your business is online or doesn’t want to be tied down to a single location, then this is the number for you. 0333 numbers cost the same to call as a standard landline and are included in any normal inclusive landline minutes on your customers contracts.

Get your new 0333 number here.

Getting the most out of your new Virtual Phone Number

Virtual Phone Numbers come with a range of features to help your business stand out. Our years in the telecoms industry working with over 25,000 businesses has given us a great insight into what businesses need. We used this experience to develop over 10 features for our Virtual Phone Numbers and best of all… we made them all free. No hidden costs or catches, you can tailor your number to suit your business needs with as many of these features as you need, at zero extra cost. Here’s a few of our favorites:

Welcome Announcements – First impressions count, so why not use this feature to add a personalised message to welcome customers to your business? For example, when a customer calls you, your message could say “Thank you for calling (My Business), we are connecting you to the next available agent.”

Voicemail – If you miss a call be sure to keep up that professional brand image with a personalised voicemail greeting. We’ll email you the voicemail message or send you a notification on our free app so you can respond to your customers appropriately.

Call Statistics – See where your calls are coming from, what’s your busiest times and when you might need to start hiring new staff. Use call statistics to track your offline advertising and make sure your money isn’t being wasted on ads that don’t work for you. Branch out into new areas and see exactly how many calls you’re getting in return. Call statistics help you make informed decisions on your business needs.

Hunt Groups – Have you got multiple staff? Hunt Groups allow you to divert your business number to as many mobiles and landlines as you want. You can have it call all your staff at once or in order. There are lots of ways you can tailor your Hunt Groups to fit your business needs, find out more here.

You can manage all your free features through our Online Control Panel or App to give you complete control over your business telecoms.

See all our Free Features

Fast, affordable, effective…

We’ve made getting a business phone number fast, affordable and effective. With numbers that help your business grow, look professional and give you the ultimate flexibility. Setting up your new business number is an easy way to help your business stand out from the crowd. Pick your perfect number today or give our customer service team a call on 0800 772 0000 and they’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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