Choosing a Business Phone Number

Make the most out of every customer interaction by choosing which type of phone number is right for your business.

A company using their business phone number.

If you have just started a business or plan to expand your current business, you might be thinking about how to get a business phone number. A business phone number is more than a line of communication to your company, it’s a powerful brand tool. Having a business phone number demonstrates legitimacy to your customers.
A business phone system provides advanced calling features such as custom greetings, call forwarding, and auto attendants to ensure your callers get the information they need in an efficient way. Learn about the various types of phone numbers below, so you can determine which is right for your business.

  1. Local Number 

    A local number includes your businesses three-digit area code. Local numbers are a great way for your business to establish a local presence in the community. People who see a familiar area code on their caller ID are more likely to answer an unknown phone number. Local business numbers are usually included for free with phone service plans and extra lines are easy to add for a small fee. If you’re starting a brick-and-mortar store, this option would be best to build your presence and reputation within the community.

  2. Toll-Free Number

    A toll-free number usually starts with 800, 888, 844, or 833. Traditionally, a toll-free number is a phone number for which the recipient, rather than the caller, bears the cost of the call. Nowadays, whether the recipient has to pay for a particular call depends on the service provider. Toll-free numbers are a great way to establish your businesses credibility. Toll-free numbers are controlled by the Federal Communications Commission, which means you need to buy them through an approved provider. Some FCC-approved providers charge $15 per number per month, while others charge as much as $30 or more. If your business currently receives a large number of calls and is ready for a national presence, consider choosing this option.

  3. Vanity Phone Number

    A vanity phone number is personalized and utilizes the lettering system on a dialing keypad, and spells out any word less than ten letters. Vanity phone numbers are an effective branding tool that can boost your businesses credibility. Spelling out a word that reflects your business's function can be highly effective for marketing, as this allows customers to easily remember how they can contact your business. Although, this option is more expensive and can cost your business around $10-$50 per month to start. If you plan to use a phone number for marketing purposes and you are able to choose one that works well with your business name, consider choosing this option.

  4. Virtual Phone Number

    A virtual phone number is a telephone number that is not tied to a specific phone or line and allows you to redirect calls. This option allows your business to have greater control and flexibility. If you want your business to be accessible by phone anywhere, anytime and you don’t have a permanent address, consider choosing this option. Service providers offer plans starting around $10 per month.

The information provided in these articles is intended for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as the opinion of Central Bancompany, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and does not imply endorsement or support of any of the mentioned information, products, services, or providers. All information presented is without any representation, guaranty, or warranty regarding the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of the information.