If you’re running a business, a business phone number is essential, regardless of size or industry. Not only does it make your business more accessible to customers, but it also helps to separate your personal and professional life.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through getting a business phone number, including choosing a phone number provider, selecting a phone number, signing up for a service, setting up your phone system, integrating it with existing technology, and training employees.
Why Having a Business Phone Number is Essential for Any Company
First and foremost, a business phone number adds credibility to your company. When customers see a business phone number listed on your website or marketing materials, they know they’re dealing with a legitimate business serious about its operations. A business phone number also helps separate your personal and professional life. You won’t have to worry about receiving work calls on your personal phone number or vice versa.
Another important reason to have a business phone number is that it makes your business more accessible to customers. According to Zendesk, 50% of customers across all age groups use the phone to reach out to a service team, making it one of the most-used channels for customer service.1 People are more likely to do business with a company that’s easy to reach and displays great customer service. By having a business phone number, you’re providing customers with a direct line to your business. They can call your business number with questions or concerns or to make a purchase.
Steps to Getting a Business Phone Number for Your Company
Now that you understand the importance of having a business phone number let’s go over the steps to getting one for your company.
#1 Choose a Phone Number Provider
The first step in getting a business phone number is to choose a provider. There are many phone number providers, each with its own features and pricing options. Some of the most popular phone number providers for businesses include RingCentral, Grasshopper, and Google Voice. Customers can also get a business phone number or port their business phone number with Abby Connect which allows them to save money.
When choosing a provider, consider your business’s needs:
- Do you need a toll-free number or a local number?
- Do you need a phone number that can handle multiple lines and phone calls?
- What features do you need, such as a professional business voicemail, call forwarding, or call recording?
#2 Select a Phone Number
Once you’ve chosen a provider, it’s time to select a phone number. Most providers will allow you to choose a toll-free or local number. A local number may be the best choice if you’re a local business. It will help you to establish a local presence and make it easier for customers to find you.
A toll-free number may be the best choice if you’re a national or international business or do a lot of radio or podcast advertising. Toll-free numbers tend to be more memorable than local numbers!
A toll-free number is a number that starts with 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833.
Customers can call these numbers for free from anywhere in the United States.
#3 Sign Up for a Service
Once you’ve chosen a service provider and a phone number, it’s time to sign up for a phone service. Most providers will have a website where you can sign up for their service online. You’ll need to provide basic information about your business, such as your name, address, and phone number.
You’ll also need to choose a plan. Most service providers offer several plans, ranging from basic plans with limited features to more advanced plans with more features. Choose a plan that fits your business’s needs and budget.
#4 Set Up Your Phone System
Once you have signed up for a service, setting up your phone system is next. This involves setting up call forwarding, voicemail, and auto-attendant (though we don’t recommend this!). Call forwarding allows you to forward calls to your cell phone or another phone number when unavailable and voicemail allows callers to leave a message when you are unavailable. Both are important tools for a professional business phone line.
#5 Integrate with Existing Technology
Integrating your business phone system with your existing technology is essential to streamline communication and increase efficiency. You can integrate your phone system with your CRM (customer relationship management) software, email, and other communication tools. This will enable you to manage all your communication channels in one place and ensure that you never miss a call or message.
For example, business owners can use the AbbyGO app to get their business phone number on their mobile phone. This means they can receive business calls and messages on their personal phone without having to give out their personal number.
#6 Train Employees
Finally, training your employees on how to use the new phone system is crucial. This includes teaching them how to answer calls, take messages, and transfer calls to the appropriate person or department. It’s also essential to provide them with guidelines on handling customer inquiries and complaints.
Get Connected With Abby Connect
A business phone number is essential for any company, regardless of size or industry. It establishes credibility and professionalism, separates personal and business calls, increases customer trust and loyalty, and improves business communication. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can get your company’s business phone number and reap its benefits.
And if you’re looking for a reliable and professional business answering service to handle your calls, Abby Connect is here to help. With our expert live virtual receptionists and state-of-the-art technology, you can ensure your customers always receive the best possible service. Your Abby virtual receptionist team will answer, transfer, take messages, filter out the calls you don’t want, schedule appointments, and even perform caller intake–and you get complete control of your service from the AbbyGo app or online portal!
Contact Abby Connect today to learn more about our dedicated team of virtual receptionists and how they can help your business grow.
Sources:
- Zendesk Customer Experience Trends Report 2020. (2020). https://d1eipm3vz40hy0.cloudfront.net/pdf/cxtrends/cx-trends-2020-full-report.pdf
