How to Get a Business Phone Number

Why Separate a Business Number From Your Personal One

Using your personal cell number for business calls means customers, vendors, and anyone who looks up the number can reach your personal line, and it mixes business communications with personal ones in a way that looks less professional and is harder to hand off if you ever bring on employees. A dedicated business number keeps this separate from day one, even for a solo owner.

Option 1: A VoIP Phone Service

A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service routes calls over the internet instead of a traditional phone line, and it's the most common choice for a new, small business because it's typically cheaper than a traditional business line and comes with features like an auto-attendant, call forwarding, and voicemail-to-email built in. Most VoIP providers let you choose a local number, a toll-free number, or both, and you can usually keep the number if you switch providers later.

Option 2: A Second Line Through Your Mobile Carrier

Many mobile carriers offer a second phone number on your existing device, through a dedicated business app or a second SIM, which works well for a business that mainly needs to separate calls and texts without investing in a full phone system. This option is typically less feature-rich than VoIP but is the simplest to set up.

Option 3: A Toll-Free Number

A toll-free number, starting with a prefix like 800 or 888, lets customers call without a long-distance charge and can read as more established to some callers. Toll-free numbers are managed under FCC rules through Responsible Organizations, companies authorized to reserve and assign available toll-free numbers, so you request a number through a RespOrg or a phone provider that works with one, rather than directly from the FCC.

Option 4: A Traditional Landline

A traditional landline through a local phone company still works for a business that wants a fixed line tied to a physical location, though it's increasingly uncommon for a new business given the lower cost and added features of VoIP.

If You'll Make Outbound Sales Calls

If your business will call customers or prospects to make a sale, the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule applies regardless of which phone option you choose. Before calling, check numbers against the National Do Not Call Registry and your own business's do-not-call list, and avoid calling a number on either. The rule also requires transmitting accurate caller ID information so recipients can identify who is calling, and it prohibits outbound sales calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in the recipient's time zone without their prior consent. The FTC states that violations can draw civil penalties per infraction, so confirm your calling practices comply before you start an outbound campaign.

Matching the Number to How You'll Use It

A service business that mostly takes inbound appointment calls has different needs than a business doing outbound sales outreach. Choose a provider and number type based on your actual call volume and whether calls are mostly inbound or outbound, rather than defaulting to whichever option is cheapest.

A Business Number Supports Your Business's Credibility

Beyond privacy, a dedicated business number with a professional voicemail greeting and consistent availability is a small detail that affects how customers perceive your business, particularly for a home-based or solo operation without a physical storefront.

Port Your Number if You Switch Providers

If you later change VoIP providers or carriers, most numbers can be ported to the new service rather than requiring you to give out a new number. Confirm porting is supported before signing up, especially if you've already printed the number on business cards or a website.

Keep Records if You Use the Number for Marketing

If your business number is used for outbound sales calls, the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule requires certain records to be kept for 24 months. Build this recordkeeping into your process from the start rather than trying to reconstruct it later.

Texting Customers Has Its Own Rules

If you plan to text customers from your business number for marketing purposes, separate consent and disclosure rules apply beyond the voice-calling rules described here. Confirm your texting practices comply before adding SMS to your business communications.

This Is Not Legal Advice

Telemarketing and consumer-calling rules are detailed and carry real penalties for noncompliance. Talk to an attorney familiar with the Telemarketing Sales Rule and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act if outbound calling or texting will be a significant part of how your business reaches customers.