Many sole traders begin their business journey relying on their personal mobile device and number to field professional calls and messages. This is a convenient and perfectly understandable decision in the early days, though you may quickly find you outgrow it.
Whether it’s one too many unwelcome or out-of-hours customer calls, or appearing less established than you are, sooner or later, you might want to consider another solution – a virtual number.
What is a virtual phone number?
A virtual phone number is a cloud-based number that allows you to make and receive business landline calls from a mobile, desktop app, landline or VoIP phone.
That means you can answer calls from an office, from home or when you’re out and about. Not only are you less likely to miss an important call, but you can also maintain a professional image, wherever you are.
Benefits of using a virtual phone number
There are some key advantages to using a virtual phone number for professional calls over your personal number, including the ability to keep your personal number private and maintain a professional image.
If you choose to use your personal number for professional calls, you have to make it widely available online, inviting anyone to call your personal device at any time.
This is a level of intrusion you might not want to tolerate, even if some of the calls are important. With a virtual number, you can still choose to have business calls come through to your personal mobile, but you will know the nature of the call and can decide whether to answer.
A business landline number simply looks more professional than an 07 number. A personal mobile could give prospective clients the impression that you are still at an early stage or not yet established enough to be worth their time.
How to get a virtual phone number
To get a virtual phone number, first choose a provider that offers the types of numbers and additional services you require, and matches your budget.
Next, choose what type of number you need. For example, national numbers (starting with 03) are a good choice if your business has a UK-wide presence, while a geographic (01/02) number might be better if your business serves a localised or regional customer base.
Finally, you can publish the number on your website, Google Business Profile, invoices and other customer touchpoints and start making and receiving calls using your preferred devices.
As a sole trader, you may only need calls forwarded to your mobile at first, but if you later take on staff, work with a virtual assistant or open a second location, you can keep the same business number and adjust how calls are handled or easily add new devices or users.
Related: Thames Water creditors await Burnham talks
It’s worth noting that the process of getting a virtual phone number is relatively straightforward, and many providers offer simple and affordable plans.
For instance, virtual phone numbers can be easily set up and managed through online platforms, such as setting up a payment system for your business.
Choosing the right virtual phone number provider
The best virtual phone number provider is the one that gives you the right number type, call features and pricing for the way your business actually works.
For many sole traders, a simple virtual number that forwards calls to a mobile will be enough. But it is worth thinking ahead.
If you later hire staff, work with a virtual assistant or need calls to ring through to more than one device, you’ll want a provider that lets you add users, upgrade your plan or change your routing without starting from scratch.
Virtual Landline is the ideal option for sole traders and small businesses that want a straightforward way to separate their business and personal calls, choose a professional number and route calls to an existing mobile or phone system.
In comparison to other providers, Virtual Landline offers competitive pricing and a range of features that make it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.
For example, the cost of a virtual phone number can vary depending on the provider and the type of number you choose, with prices starting from around £5 per month.
Some providers, like Virtual Landline, offer ultra-low-cost standalone virtual numbers, unlimited inbound calls to the app, simple call forwarding, and business eSIMs.
Others, like Dialpad Connect, offer more advanced features like AI-powered call and voicemail transcriptions, messaging, and unlimited UK calling, but at a higher price point.
Ultimately, the key to choosing the right virtual phone number provider is to consider your specific business needs and find a provider that offers the right combination of features and pricing to meet those needs, similar to how business rates are considered when choosing a location for your business.
