A businesswoman architect talks on the phone. She is holding up architectural plans in her hands and reviewing the plans with the client with whom she is speaking on the phone.
Business owners can choose from VoIP phone providers, telecom companies, and cell phone providers to get a phone number and features they need from a phone system. — Getty Images/Compassionate Eye Foundation/Hero Images

A company telephone number isn't just for customers. Business licenses and registration forms require contact details, as do vendors, website providers, and media outlets. You can track callers and separate personal and professional interactions with a dedicated number for your business.

Explore your options to add a second line to your existing system or establish a new service. This guide explains how to get a business phone number and where to find paid and free telephone numbers for companies.

What is a business phone number?

A business phone number is a direct line associated with a company or individual for professional purposes. Plans typically include a free work phone number and have standard phone features like voicemail and call forwarding. Analog, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and virtual systems offer company telephone numbers with local area codes, or you can choose custom, toll-free, or international numbers.

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Types of business phone numbers

Work phone numbers can establish a local presence using familiar area codes or help a small business create a national presence through toll-free numbers. You can often pick from several phone system options with a business phone number app.

Consider different types of business phone numbers, such as:

  • Local business phone numbers: Get a company number with a local area code if you have a brick-and-mortar business or want to create a virtual presence.
  • VoIP or virtual phone numbers: Virtual business phone numbers are like second lines that forward calls to existing numbers. A free Google phone number is a virtual number. VoIP numbers through RingCentral or Ooma establish a new business phone service.
  • Toll-free numbers: Traditionally, toll-free numbers were 1-800, but now the three-digit codes also include 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.
  • Vanity numbers: Service professionals like plumbers can use easy-to-remember vanity numbers like 855-758-6437 or 855-PLUNGES.
  • International telephone numbers: VoIP providers offer virtual international numbers, allowing businesses to set up local numbers without having a physical presence in a region.

Consider your budget, must-have features, and phone number type when choosing a business phone system. For instance, a free second phone number app is excellent for separating work and personal calls but may not be suitable for multiple users sharing a phone line.

Where can you get a business phone number?

VoIP providers, virtual phone number apps, telecommunications companies, and cellular phone vendors provide business phone numbers. The best apps for getting a business phone number depend on your budget and use cases.

For example, when adding a second phone line to an iPhone, getting a virtual business number through a virtual phone vendor could cost less than your cell phone provider. Consider multiline phone system options when adding several work phone numbers.

How to get a business phone number in 4 steps

Once you decide on the service type and vendor, getting a company telephone number is easy. Many virtual and VoIP phone providers let you choose a number online. Follow this step-by-step guide to getting a business phone number.

1. Decide what type of phone number service you need.

Consider your budget, must-have features, and phone number type when choosing a business phone system. For instance, a free second phone number app is excellent for separating work and personal calls but may not be suitable for multiple users sharing a phone line. Likewise, many virtual business phone numbers include basic call routing features, but not every vendor offers video conferencing or call recording.

2. Find business phone number providers.

Compare phone number options and costs to find the right fit. The best business phone number app is easy to use and scales to suit your professional needs.

Check out these business phone number providers:

  • RingCentral: Choose business phone numbers in over 200 area codes with RingCentral RingEX plans starting at $30 monthly.
  • Ooma: Get one toll-free number and a main company phone number with Ooma packages starting at $19.95 monthly.
  • OpenPhone: Select one new local or toll-free phone number per user with OpenPhone subscriptions, with pricing starting at $19 monthly.
  • Dialpad: Get one local business telephone number per user with Dialpad plans starting at $27 monthly.

3. Choose a vendor and create a business phone number.

After meeting with business number providers or completing free trials, sign up for a service and pick a work phone number. Vendors offer a free business number with a subscription but may charge extra for toll-free, vanity, and international numbers.

4. Set up your business phone number services.

You may need to download a business phone number app and set up extensions, voicemail, and caller ID to use your telephone services fully. VoIP companies provide a central administrative portal to add additional phone numbers or customize your system.

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.

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