Do you know that your business will skyrocket with two significant elements? One is effective communication, and the other is with business phone numbers.
These two elements are essential for maintaining a small business’s professionalism, credibility, brand building, accessibility, and privacy. Also, these instill trust, fostering strong relationships with customers.
However, the affordability of phone solutions is a critical issue affecting small businesses’ finances 💸, resulting in overspending on unnecessary features.
To help you in this, we have composed this article where we will shed light on unmatched options for affordable business, local, and free phone numbers. Continue scrolling to get information on the types of phone numbers, including their benefits, drawbacks, cost options, and essential features to look for.
Different Types Of Phone Number For Business
Business Phone Numbers are categorized into five types, which are explained below with their advantages and disadvantages:
- Local Phone Number
A Local Phone Number is a number that begins with an area code associated with a specific region, city, or state. It helps businesses of all levels, from startups to national companies, establish a regional presence in certain area.
▶️ Advantages:
The advantages of local phone numbers are mentioned below:
- There is a high chance of local calls being responded to instantly.
- Bring out local presence as well as brand recognition.
- Instill trust by seeming geographically nearer to your customers.
▶️ Disadvantages:
A few disadvantages of local phone numbers are:
- Clients need to pay high charges for long-distance calls.
- Unsuitable for broad reach.
- Toll-Free Number
Toll-Free Numbers are numbers with distinct three-digit codes. It allows callers to reach businesses and individuals without paying call charges. Instead, the receiver on the other end will have to bear the call charges.
▶️ Advantages:
Below is the list of advantages of a toll-free number:
- Maintains a professional image for a larger scale of business.
- Makes a global stature, with access to a broader audience.
- No call charges for national callers, facilitating more inquiries.
▶️ Disadvantages:
The drawbacks of toll-free numbers are:
- Sales discovery calls may be ignored as spam and telesales.
- Less attentive to distinct target regions.
- Vanity Phone Number
Vanity Phone Numbers are similar to toll-free numbers as they have numbers and letters in sequence and are easy to remember. Vanity phone numbers deliver the message of your brand and business. For example, 1 (800) PEACHES.
▶️ Advantages:
The merits of vanity phone numbers are listed in the following section:
- They are easy to remember.
- Provide the transparency of your business brand.
- Encourage credibility and create your business’s image scam-proof.
- Increase your return on investment.
▶️ Disadvantages:
Some of the disadvantages of vanity phone numbers are:
- Callers might mistake your phone number.
- It makes your business very conspicuous that people will find out about you and not receive the calls.
- It might produce undesired impressions.
- International Business Phone Numbers
International Business Phone numbers are the numbers that help companies establish a local presence in international countries, enhancing brand awareness.
▶️ Advantages:
The advantages of using International business phone numbers are:
- Establish the feeling of a nationwide presence.
- It is affordable to make and receive calls.
- There are no accessibility limitations.
- Easy and prompt to set up.
▶️ Disadvantages:
The disadvantages of an International business phone number are:
- They are complicated, with different formats to indicate numbers varying by country.
- Not free.
- Number formats are not identified or popular.
- DID Numbers
DID (Direct Inward Dialing) numbers are numbers that directly ring a particular phone at a business despite going to a queue to dial an extension.
▶️ Advantages:
The merits of choosing a DID number are listed as follows:
- Easy to remember with phonewords
- Convey a professional image
- Provide flexibility for call routing and handling
▶️ Disadvantages:
The demerits of the DID number are followed as:
- Risk of identity theft.
- Costly with setup and maintenance.
Cost-Effective Phone Number Options
Several cost-effective phone number options are available, including free and low-cost services. Below, we have mentioned some of the options:
- Free Options
Free options are generally the phone numbers they are purchased without needing payment.
Some of the free phone numbers are:
- Google Voice: Google Voice is a widely accessible business phone service that allows users to text and call without charge on different phones, such as Android and iOS, and also on computers through a web app. The service is only available in the USA. With Google Voice, you can place a call to any US number for free.
- Free trials: Many business phone number providers are available over the internet, offering free trials to get a phone number free of cost. However, they are limited to a certain period, from 14 to 30 days. Sign up with Google, Microsoft, or email for free trials.
- Mobile apps offering free business numbers: Mobile apps that offer business numbers without needing payment are the best choices for businesses seeking free phone number solutions. Some free mobile apps offering free business numbers are Google Voice, FreedomPop, and 2nd Line.
- Low-Cost Options
Low-cost options are an alternative way to buy phone numbers that are available at a relatively lower price. Some low-cost options are:
- VoIP providers: VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) providers offer VoIP numbers at a low price, starting at just $2. There are many VoIP providers available in the market, such as KrispCall, Nextiva, RingCentral, etc. These providers offer VoIP numbers with a range of features like global calling, call monitoring, call recording, call analytics, and many more.
- Virtual phone numbers: Another low-cost option is a virtual phone number. Virtual Phone numbers don’t work like telephone numbers that are connected to a landline or phone; instead, they work by using the Internet. A Virtual Phone Number is a cost-effective option with lower setup and maintenance costs, cheaper per-minute calling rates, and no requirement to install hardware.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Virtual Phone Number Provider
Before you choose a virtual phone number provider, you need to comprehend various factors that meet your business requirements, technological compatibility, and practical performance.
Here is a list of the significant factors to think of when choosing a virtual phone number:
- Pricing and Plans
Estimate the pricing and plans of possible providers to find the right fit that aligns with your financial constraints and business plans. The prices of providers differ based on usage with monthly or annual options. Some providers also offer a pay-as-you-go option. Among them, it is essential to choose a provider that offers the best value for the money.
- Reliability and Customer Support
It is crucial to consider the reliability and customer support of the phone number provider to choose a perfect provider that offers reliable service with technological advancements, ensuring satisfying call quality. Do complete research on customer reviews, testimonials, and industry reports to evaluate the provider’s performance.
- Security and Compliance
Virtual phone numbers use the internet to make and receive calls from anywhere, so they are generally vulnerable to security threats like hacking, phishing, and call tampering. Hence, selecting a provider that offers extensive security features, including end-to-end encryption, TLS authentication, and secure data storage, is essential. Furthermore, ensures that the provider complies with HIPAA, SOC2, and PCI-DSS regulations.
Conclusion
As we come to the end of this article, we hope that by considering the above-mentioned points, you can get a phone number with the most reasonable options, such as free and low-cost options.
However, the high volume of weightage lies in selecting the ideal phone number for your small business. Other than cost, you also need to learn the vital features to look for in a virtual phone number to avoid getting an undesired phone number at an expensive price.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is it safe to use free phone number options?
Yes, it is safe to use free phone numbers, but it is less safe than paid ones, as free phone numbers might have potential privacy concerns and security risks.
- How much do VoIP services typically cost?
Generally, VoIP services typically cost $10 to $40 per user per month based on the provider and the included features.
- Can I negotiate my phone service price?
Absolutely. You can negotiate your phone service price based on your strategy, communication skills, and market trends.
