The Ultimate Guide: How to Get a Business Phone Number 

Last week, a client asked if she really needed a separate phone number for her business. Not only was she using her personal cell, juggling biz calls between school pickups, and getting burned out by the lack of boundaries. On top of that, she was thinking ahead, wanting to apply for business funding, and worried that using her personal phone number or a Google Voice number might get her denied.

Sound familiar?

If you’re wondering how to get a business phone number without making your life more complicated (or breaking the bank), you’re in the right place.

You can get a business phone number through services like Freedom Voice, Alliance Virtual Solutions, Grasshopper, RingCentral, or even a local provider.

Whether you’re a solopreneur, a growing team, or still side-hustling your way up, I’ll walk you through smart, affordable ways to get a professional phone setup—plus tips to keep it streamlined and stress-free.

How do I get a phone number for my business?

Getting a business phone number is actually pretty simple, and you don’t need to buy another phone to do it.

Start by choosing a provider that fits your needs and budget. 

Popular options include Freedom Voice, Alliance Virtual, Grasshopper, and RingCentral. Once you sign up, you’ll be able to choose your number (local or toll-free), set up voicemail, business hours, call forwarding, and even texting in some cases.

Nowadays, everything is managed online or through an app, so you can stay connected without mixing business with your personal life.

Why a Business Phone Number Matters

You might be thinking, “Can’t I just use my regular cell number and keep it moving?”

Sure, you can… but let’s talk about what that’s actually costing you.

Can I use my personal cell phone for business?

Let me be real clear—nope, don’t do it. 

Using your personal cell for business might seem easy now, but it’ll come back to bite you later.

Not only does it blur the line between your personal life and work, but if you ever plan to apply for business credit cards or funding, using your personal number can actually hurt your chances of getting approved.

If you’re serious about building a legit business, start acting like it. That means getting a real business phone number.

5 Reasons Why You Need a Business Phone Number

Get Business Funding Using Only Your Business Credit

To apply for business loans and credit cards under your EIN (without using your SSN), you need to show that your business is structured and legitimate, and that includes having a professional phone number.

Protects Your Privacy

No more random calls or texts at all hours of the day from clients, leads, or vendors. A business number keeps personal life personal and boundaries in place.

Builds Instant Credibility

When potential clients and banks see a dedicated business line (especially a local number or toll-free), it adds a layer of professionalism. It says, “This isn’t a side hustle—I mean business.”

Keeps You Organized

With call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and even separate call logs, it’s way easier to track biz convos, follow up with leads, and manage client communication without digging through your personal call history.

Grows With You

The right phone setup makes it easy to add team members, route calls, and scale, without having to switch numbers every time your business grows or shifts.

Which Business Phone Option Is Right for You?

With so many providers out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The truth is—the “best” business phone option depends on your stage of business, budget, and how you prefer to communicate with your clients.

I work from home and a virtual office space, so I need a business phone number that provides the benefits of having a business phone while allowing me to be on the move. So, no local landlines for me. 

Virtual Business Providers

These allow you to manage your calls online from anywhere in the world, which is ideal for virtual companies and global teams.

Local Landline phone numbers 

Here’s a breakdown to help you find the best option for your business:

1 – Freedom Voice 

Best for

Solo business owners and service providers who want an easy, professional setup.

• Simple to use with voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, and texting
  
• Affordable and made for small business needs
  
• Great if you want to upgrade your biz image without overcomplicating things.

2 – Alliance Virtual Solutions

Best for

• Virtual businesses or remote teams that want to sound polished

• Great for creating the feel of a professional office

• Handles calls, voicemails, and routing

• Helps you build trust with clients even if you’re not client-facing 24/7.

 3 – Grasshopper 

Best for

•  Service-based businesses ready to grow

• Let’s you create extensions, record custom greetings, and forward calls

• Works well for businesses with a small team or multiple roles

• Easy mobile app management

4 – RingCentral

Best for 

• Teams or fast-growing businesses that need advanced features

• Call routing, texting, integrations with Slack/Zoom, voicemail-to-email

• Built to scale, perfect if you’re planning to grow beyond solopreneur life

• Slight learning curve but tons of control

Local Business Phone Providers 

5 – Local Phone Provider 

Best for

• Brick-and-mortar businesses that want a simple setup

• Often bundled with internet and/or cable

• Reliable but usually lacks texting, voicemail-to-email, or mobile access.

• Not ideal if you’re trying to modernize or manage calls on the go

How Much Does a Business Phone Number Cost?

Freedom Voice starts out at $10 a month and up. Each one of the business phone providers also has different price tiers (depending on what you need). The cheap, easy option I’ve found is Freedom Voice. 

I personally don’t get a lot of phone calls initially; most of my communication is online. I mainly got a business phone number to secure business funding. I started with Alliance Virtual Offices and recently switched to Freedom Voice.

Business Phone Numbers for Local Small Business Owners

How do I choose a phone number for my business?

Glad you asked, because this ain’t the time to play Eeny-Meeny-Miney-Mo.

If you’re a local boss serving your community, get a local number. It builds trust, feels familiar, and helps you show up in all the right places (like Google and Yelp).

If you’re out here doing it big—nationwide, online, or building a brand that turns heads—go for a toll-free or vanity number that says, “Yeah, I’m that business.”

Bottom line? 

Pick a number that fits your future, not just your now. And please don’t use your personal cell—we left that energy back in our side hustle days.

Ask yourself . . . 

Do you have a physical location? 

Are you working from home?

Do you have a virtual office?

Well, the answer you give will determine which business phone number to choose. 

If you have a local brick-and-mortar business, then you will probably end up choosing a local phone service provider like AT&T. This will make more sense since you may need a physical landline for equipment (i.e., fax machines, alarm systems, etc.) that you use. It depends. Verify what you actually need while you’re working at your location. If not needed, you may decide to go with a virtual business phone number.

Let’s compare . . . 

Local Phone Provider vs. Virtual Business Phone Systems

How to Set Up a Business Phone Number

Okay, now that you know your options, it’s time to actually get your business phone number set up. Whether you’re going with something basic, like Google Voice, or a full-on pro like RingCentral, here’s a step-by-step breakdown to make it easy.

Step 1: Choose the Right Provider

Not every business needs a full-blown phone system, but every business needs a number that makes you look legit, feel confident, and keep your sanity. 

Here’s how to choose the right setup for you:

Match your setup with how you work:

• Home-based or online business? Freedom Voice, Alliance, or Grasshopper
• Brick-and-mortar? Check if a landline is required; otherwise, go virtual
• Growing team? RingCentral or Zoom Phone

Here are some top providers to consider based on features, pricing, and flexibility:

Step 2: Avoid Using These Like the Plague

• Your personal phone number— It blurs boundaries and screams not ready.

• Google Voice Number—avoid like the plague if you want to obtain business credit cards and/or loans.

Step 3: Set Up Your Features

Once you pick a provider, here’s what to configure:

• Voicemail greeting (make it sound pro but still like you)
  
• Business hours (so you’re not getting calls at 10 pm)
  
• Call forwarding to your cell or team
  
• Separate ringtone or app notifications
  
• Auto-texts or replies if available

Step 4: Add Yourself to Business Directories

This is non-negotiable. 

Once your number is set up, you need to get listed in business directories so you can show up in local search.

ListYourself.net – This gets you into the national directory database so your number is visible when people search for your business.

Side Note: Be sure to update your Google Business Profile, Website, Online Business Directories and social media bios with your new number.

Local, Toll-Free, or Vanity: Which Business Phone Number Should You Choose?

Now that you’ve got a handle on how to get a business phone number and who to get it from, there’s one more decision to make—what kind of number should you actually choose?

Here’s the breakdown so you don’t overthink it:

Local Number 

954-XXX-XXXX

Best for:

Local businesses, service providers, and community-based brands

Why it works:

• Makes you feel close and accessible to your audience

• People are more likely to answer if they recognize the area code

• Ideal for salons, boutiques, realtors, cleaning companies, fitness studios, etc.

Toll-Free Number 

(e.g., 800-XXX-XXXX, 888-XXX-XXXX, 866-XXX-XXXX)

Best for:

Nationwide businesses, online service providers, or product-based brands shipping outside your city

Why it works:

• Sounds more corporate and established

• Great if you serve clients across multiple states or regions

• Useful for customer service or hotline-style setups

Heads up: It can feel impersonal or “spammy” if you’re a local-only biz.

Vanity Number 

1-800-BEAUTYBOSS

(e.g., 1-800-BEAUTYBOSS

Best for:

Established brands, product companies, or businesses doing a lot of advertising

Why it works:

• Makes your number super easy to remember

• Looks strong in radio, print, or billboard marketing

• Can be a flex for branding, but it’s not necessary for most small businesses

Downside: It usually costs more and isn’t as important if you’re just getting started.

To be honest, it really depends. I personally decided on a local number because I think it makes the most sense for my business.

If you’re local and service-based, go with a local number.

It feels more personal, makes you searchable in local directories, and increases the chances that someone will actually answer when you call.

If you’re a national or scaling fast, a toll-free or branded number can make you sound bigger than you are, which isn’t always a bad thing.

Business Phone Number FAQs

You’ve got options, you know your type—but before you lock it in, let’s run through some of the most common questions small biz owners ask when setting up their phone line.

Can I text from my business phone number?

Yep—if you choose the right provider.

Freedom Voice, Grasshopper, and RingCentral all support texting, though some limit it to certain plans or features. Texting is a huge perk for appointment reminders, follow-ups, or quick replies without giving out your personal cell.

Can I keep my current number and just make it “business”?

Sometimes. It’s called number porting.

If you’ve already been using your personal number but want to move it over to a more professional system, some providers like RingCentral and Nextiva let you port it in. Just know there may be a fee and a little wait time.

Pro Tip: I usually don’t recommend this if your personal number is tied to family/friends or personal apps—you’ll lose control of it once it’s ported.

What if I already gave out my personal number?

No shame! It happens.

Here’s what to do:

• Set up your new business number.

• Update your info everywhere (website, social bios, Google, Yelp).

• Record a voicemail on your personal.

• Forward business calls for a little while, then slowly phase it out.

Should I use the same number for calls and texts?

If your provider allows it, yes.

Having one number for all biz communications keeps things cleaner and makes you easier to reach. Just be sure it’s clearly labeled on your site and contact pages.

Is it secure to use a business phone service?

Yes, as long as you go with a reputable provider.

Most virtual phone systems are encrypted and give you way more control than your standard mobile plan (like auto-replies, business hour rules, and voicemail transcripts). Just avoid free or sketchy apps.

Listen, giving out your personal number might’ve worked before, but now?

You’ve got a brand. You’ve got boundaries to protect. And you’ve got better things to do than juggle biz calls in between dentist appointments and school pickups.

Getting a dedicated business phone number isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a visibility and credibility move. The right setup makes you easier to reach, easier to trust, and way easier to grow.

And the best part?

You don’t need to be techy or rich to make it happen.

Want help setting your digital presence up the right way—from your business number to your website and SEO?

Let’s chat. 

Book a strategy call or check out my $7/month Marketing Ecosystem Society™ for local business owners who want to finally get found online (without guesswork or burnout).