A VoIP phone service is a feature-packed phone service that allows businesses to make and receive phone calls over the internet. This robust system allows companies to present a professional image with enterprise-grade features such as IVR, ACD queues, ring groups, conferencing, voicemail, instant messaging and more. Even better, all these features cost a mere fraction of the price of a conventional phone system. Getting a VoIP number will bring many benefits to your business.
Once you have a better understanding of VoIP phone numbers, you’ll be ready to get started with VoIP phone service. In this post, we describe how to get a VoIP phone number from your vendor and an example of how to do it with VoIPstudio with a step-by-step process.
You can learn more about VoIP phone services and VoIP numbers in these related posts:
Getting a virtual phone number is relatively easy, and there are several services that offer virtual phone numbers for various purposes, including business, personal use, or temporary needs.
And there is also no requirement that the virtual numbers have to be from the same vendor with whom your company has regular VoIP service. By their very definition, virtual numbers are not attached to any VoIP hardware. You can purchase a virtual number from any provider and use it with your regular lines or hardware.
However, most vendors will provide virtual numbers for their clients – as part of their regular plans or for an additional fee. It is much less hassle if you do it this way but being able to purchase from anyone means that companies without business phone systems can also use virtual numbers should the need arise.
If you already have a VoIP provider most probably you will be able to use the online dashboard to order or purchase virtual numbers. These numbers can have any area code or country code, depending on the business requirements. However, your vendor may not be able to provision a virtual number immediately.
It can take anywhere from a few hours to even a month to get a virtual number depending on the regulations governing the use of such numbers in each country. Some countries require the business to have a physical address that must be verified before getting a virtual number.
For instance, European privacy regulations related to VoIP and virtual numbers make it so that businesses usually need to budget some extra time to get a virtual number. You should not wait until the last minute to purchase a number (especially for time-sensitive requirements) because you can’t be sure that the number will be available immediately.
Different VoIP providers have their own methods to make the process of obtaining a VoIP number as easy as possible. At VoIPstudio we are concerned with making this process as simple as possible so that the user feels comfortable and confident from the start.
Getting a virtual number for a small business should be a relatively simple process in a few minutes. We make it easy for anyone to get a free VoIP number to start making/receiving calls over the Internet. VoIPstudio is a hosted VoIP service that offers numbers in over 30 thousand cities worldwide and is a great option to demonstrate the process of obtaining and setting up a VoIP number.
Step 1. Create an account at VoIPstudio
Before you can get a VoIP number and start making calls, you need to create an account at VoIPstudio. Our VoIP phone service offers a 30-day free trial.
Signing up for a VoIP phone service account only requires your first and last name, a unique password, and an email address.
The free trial comes with all the features that are included in the paid version; it is not a restricted plan. The best part is there is no need to provide a credit card to try the service.
Important information that you will need later includes the email address you registered with, as well as the password. You can choose any price plan at step 3 since the first 30 days are free and don’t require you to pay for anything.
An email will be sent to your account for confirmation, after which you can log in to VoIPstudio’s website.
Step 2. Use the “Set up Wizard”
Once you have registered with VoIPstudio you will need to set up your account to start using it.
It is often very tedious to start the process of using VoIP numbers; that’s why VoIPstudio has simplified the steps and added a wizard to help you.
Step 3. Enter your personal details (Step 1 of 5)
It is a very simple step in which you only have to enter your account identification data.
If we look at the image, we can see that you will have to enter an email address with your name at the top.
In the bottom section, you will see the billing area, where for the moment, you do not have to enter any credit card or bank account. You only have to indicate data such as the currency used, country, postcode, etc.
Step 4. Activate free Trial (Step 2 of 5)
In this second step, you will let VoIPstudio verify your current phone number.
To do this, you must have a phone number at hand. In the first field, you will need to add the country code for the country of this number. For example, to dial the London dialling code, you would dial 44.
In the second field, you only have to introduce your phone number. It’s as simple as that.
Once you have done this, click on the “Call me now” button to verify it.
Step 5. Call handing setup (Step 3 of 5)
In this step, we have the options for using VoIPstudio services.
The first one is the use of VoIPstudio Softphonefor the computer. This option is the one we recommend the most. You have the possibility to download the Softphone for Windows Linux and Apple Mac. By default, the system will choose which one is right for you.
The other options we are given are:
Use an IP Phone with our VoIPstudio account. You can see some models of terminals in our online shop.
Finally, if all we want is for VoIPstudio calls to be forwarded to an external number, we can do this in the last option.
Step 6. Inbound numbers (Step 4 of 5)
In this step, we will finally configure our VoIP numbers. On the next screen, you will find the information you need to purchase a number.
We only have to select the city, the type of number, the area code and the amount of numbers you want. Then click “Add number”, and we are almost at the end of the process. Remember that you can choose where you want your number to be from and how many numbers you want.
In the following video, you can see the step-by-step process for adding an inbound number in VoIPstudio:
Step 7. Verification (Step 5 of 5)
In this last step, the aim is to check that everything is working correctly. To do so, it asks us to:
Make an outgoing call from the softphone or an IP phone.
Receive an incoming call to our number.
Once we have done the following steps, click on the blue buttons to verify that we have done both. Click on the Next button and finish the process.
As you can see, getting a small business VoIP number and making calls is a very quick process and takes no more than five steps.
VoIP number portability
Upgrading to new technology or switching to a new provider is a difficult decision for a business.
Some of the most common questions organizations ask are: what happens to all my numbers? What happens if you switch to VoIP? Can you take your number with you or not?
Your phone number is everywhere, from your advertising to your company letterhead. Your customers are familiar with it, and many have even memorized it.
Will I need to change my number?
One of the reasons that people and businesses hesitate to switch carriers is the thought of having to use a new number. Thanks to various laws on number portability, users can take their phone numbers with them. However, some restrictions can impact some transactions. Limitations in technology, service area, coverage, and geography can make it difficult for some businesses to keep their numbers. For the most part, you can keep your number when you switch service providers.
The ability to keep your number varies by country as well. For instance, some countries do not allow porting numbers from landlines to mobile phones and vice versa. Others allow for complete portability – you can take your number from a landline to a mobile phone to a VoIP service without issues.
VoIP is set to become the dominant communication platform in the future. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that VoIP service providers are subject to number portability regulations.
The reporting process is short, and most requests are completed within a few days. Telecommunications regulators usually indicate that number portability should be completed within one day. Even so, it is always a good idea to ask your new service provider about the estimated time for the porting process so that you do not lose your company’s telephone service, even if the interval may be short.
Below, we explain how to proceed if you have any problems with your portability:
Check Your Reporting Request for Mistakes: The biggest reason is mistakes and errors in the written request.
Call the Vendor: Talk to someone who can clarify the problem and verify that it’s not because of a mistake you made.
File a Complaint: A vendor may not have numbers in the specific area code you need, but in most other circumstances, you should be able to take your VoIP number with you.
Important considerations when adding a virtual phone number
When purchasing a virtual phone number, several factors must be considered to ensure that the chosen service meets your needs. Here are some relevant things to look at when purchasing a virtual phone number:
Features
Check that the VoIP phone number service providers offer the features your business will require, like a computer mobile app, to answer and make phone calls from or forward to external destinations. Voicemail, text messaging, and Call Recording might also be relevant features you might be interested in.
Be aware that some phone numbers may be linked to lengthy contracts. It’s important to ensure that these numbers can adapt to the evolving needs of your business. This includes being able to handle fluctuations in call volume and accommodating growth if your business expands.
Evaluate the user interface and overall usability of the virtual number service. A user-friendly platform makes managing settings, tracking calls, and accessing features easier.
VoIPstudio allows you to see all the features in the Demo version without logging in (which you can access as shown in the attached image). You can also test all features in our free 30-day trial.
Customization options
Check for customization options such as personalized greetings, on-hold music, and other features that align with your brand and preferences.
Choose a reputable provider with a track record of reliability. High uptime ensures that your virtual number is accessible when needed.
VoIPstudio is an established, cost-effective service that guarantees you phone service uptime. You may like to check our Service Level Agreement.
Cost structure
Understand the pricing structure of the virtual number service. Consider factors such as monthly fees, per-minute charges, associated channels, and any additional costs for premium features.
By default, numbers include two inbound channels. If you need additional channels, you can purchase them monthly, so numbers can be escalated to your business needs.
Customer support
Assess the level of customer support provided by the virtual number service. Responsive and helpful support can be crucial, especially if issues arise.
To see feedback from other users about our service, we invite you to check out the reviews of VoIPstudio on:
Verifying that the virtual number service complies with local and international regulations to guarantee number availability and law compliance is also essential.
Evaluating these factors thoroughly will help you select a virtual phone number service that aligns with your communication requirements and provides a positive user experience.
Common scenarios where new virtual numbers are required
Virtual phone numbers are versatile tools used to address specific needs in various scenarios. Here are common scenarios where obtaining a new virtual phone number may be beneficial:
Memorable phone number for your new brand
Nice and memorable phone numbers were more relevant in the past when people primarily relied on remembering and dialing numbers manually. In the age of smartphones and digital contact lists, people store contacts on their devices, and calls can be made with just a few taps without needing to remember numbers.
On the other hand,hand, having a memorable phone number for business branding is still advantageous. If you want to start a new brand, please feel free to contact our sales team and request some quotes for memorable numbers.
Brand Internationalisation
Businesses expanding globally may use virtual phone numbers with local area codes to establish a local presence and facilitate communication with international clients.
Real Estate
Real estate agents often use virtual numbers for property listings. It allows them to track calls related to specific listings and manage client communications effectively.
Temporary or Short-Term Needs
Individuals may need a temporary phone number for a specific project, event, or situation where they don’t want to share their primary number.
Freelancing and Consulting
Freelancers and consultants might use virtual phone numbers for professional communication, separating work-related calls from personal ones.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Entrepreneurs starting a new business or venture may use a virtual number to establish a professional phone presence without needing a physical office.
Team Coordination
Teams working on a specific project may use a virtual phone number for better communication and coordination without sharing personal numbers.
Event Planning
Event organizers might use virtual phone numbers for RSVPs or event-related inquiries, keeping event communication separate from personal or business contacts.
Virtual number for call tracking
Using a virtual phone number for call tracking is a common and effective strategy for businesses to monitor and analyze incoming calls. It helps businesses evaluate the success of marketing campaigns, optimize customer service, and make data-driven decisions.
In these scenarios, virtual phone numbers offer flexibility, convenience, and the ability to manage communication to meet specific needs without compromising personal or business information.
Faq about getting a VoIP number
Can I get a free VoIP number?
At VoIPstudio, we don’t offer free VoIP numbers individually. However, we do offer free trials of our VoIP phone service, which allow you to try out our VoIP numbers and other features for a limited time.
How do I get a personal VoIP number?
Getting a personal VoIP number with VoIPstudio is easy. Just follow these steps:
