TLDR: Phone Number for Business
The best phone number for a business is a dedicated number that fits your brand and customer location, is formatted in international E.164 format, registered for emergency services, and connected to a modern cloud phone system with call routing, voicemail, and texting.
To get one: pick local or toll‑free, choose a provider, search and claim your number, register E911, set up routing and caller ID, register messaging if you will text customers, then publish your number everywhere customers look.
Pick a number type: local, toll‑free, or vanity
Decide to port or get new: port if brand equity exists, new if you want a clean start
Set up correctly: E.164 format, E911, caller ID authentication, business hours routing, voicemail
If you plan to text: register 10DLC for local numbers or verify toll‑free messaging
Publish in all key places: website header and footer, Google Business Profile, social bios, email signatures, invoices, ads
Need help today? Work with a certified Viirtue partner to get your number set up the right way, including E911 and texting compliance.
MSPs and IT providers: Become a Viirtue reseller to deliver cloud voice, Teams, eFax, and more from a single quote to cash platform.
Choosing the right phone number for your business in 2025 is about more than just picking digits—it’s about building trust, supporting compliance, and giving customers an easy way to reach you.
Approximately 74.8% of Fortune 500 companies use toll-free numbers. –Unitel Voice
A modern business number isn’t tied to a desk phone anymore; it lives on a cloud platform that supports call routing, voicemail, texting, and integrations with the tools you already use. In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials of selecting, setting up, and publishing your phone number so it works for your brand and your customers from day one.
What is a business phone number?
A business phone number is a dedicated number used for customer and partner communications. It can be local, toll‑free, or vanity, and it lives on a cloud phone system or mobile app so you can route calls, share lines, and log activity across your team.
Number types compared
| Number type | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local | Local services, community trust | Familiar area code, higher pick up rate | Less national feel if you sell nationwide |
| Toll‑free (800/888/etc.) | National reach, support queues | National credibility, easy to remember | Can feel impersonal for local buyers |
| Vanity | Brand recall | “1‑800‑FLOWERS” style memorability | Inventory limited, may cost more |
Step by step: how to get a phone number for your business
Choose local vs toll‑free vs vanity
Match the number type to your go-to market. For local buyers, choose a local code. For national or e-commerce use, toll-free or vanity numbers can be helpful.Decide whether to port your current number
If customers already know your number, port it to your new provider. Simple ports often complete within hours once submitted correctly. Complex or wireline ports usually take longer.Pick a provider and search for available numbers
Most cloud phone systems let you search for local area codes, toll‑free prefixes, or vanity patterns.Claim the number and format it correctly
Use E.164 format for consistency across systems. Example for Tampa: +1-813-555-0199. E.164 numbers use a plus sign, country code, area code, and subscriber number, with up to 15 digits.Set up essentials
Business hours and after-hours rules
IVR menu and call routing
Voicemail greeting and transcription
Caller ID name, where available
Call recording and retention policy
Register for emergency calling
Add your emergency address and follow MLTS rules if you use a multi-line system in an office. Kari’s Law requires direct 911 dialing and on-site notification. RAY BAUM’s Act requires a dispatchable location so responders can find you.Authenticate calls and register messaging
Call authentication uses STIR/SHAKEN to fight spoofing. It helps keep your caller ID trusted.
For texting: register A2P 10DLC for local numbers and verify your toll‑free number for messaging to the US and Canada.
Publish your number everywhere customers look
Website header, footer, contact page
Google Business Profile and Maps listing
Email signatures and invoices
Social bios, ads, and marketplaces
Port or get a new number?
Port it if you already printed it on signage, trucks, or contracts, or if it shows up across your local SEO citations. Get new if you want a more memorable or location-matched number, or if you need to separate lines for departments. Simple wireless ports can finish within hours. Complex projects may take several business days depending on the losing carrier and paperwork accuracy.
Budget considerations without quoting prices
Even though this guide avoids specific pricing, you can still budget intelligently by comparing:
Seats and add-ons: core calling, extra numbers, analytics, recording, AI summaries
Usage model: metered vs bundled calling, international rates, recording storage
Messaging: 10DLC brand and campaign fees for local A2P or toll‑free verification effort
Compliance: E911 listings for each location, MLTS requirements, and audit needs
Support and reliability: 24×7 coverage, multi-carrier redundancy, published status pages
Integrations: CRM, help desk, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, webhooks, reporting exports
Compliance checklist for business numbers
E911 and MLTS: direct 911 dialing, onsite notification, and dispatchable location
Caller ID trust: ensure your provider supports STIR/SHAKEN
Business texting:
Local numbers: register brand and campaigns for A2P 10DLC
Toll‑free numbers: complete toll‑free verification before sending
Marketing texts and consent: obtain proper consent, honor opt-outs, and follow CTIA best practices
How to pick the right number the first time
Match your buyer
Local services: choose the area code your customers recognize
National ecommerce or support: choose toll‑free or a strong vanity
Plan for messaging
If texting will be a major channel, decide up front if you want local 10DLC or verified toll‑free.Check voice reliability and support
Ask about uptime, carrier redundancy, status transparency, and 24×7 support.Look at integrations
CRM, help desk, Teams or Google Workspace, call recording retention, AI summaries.Understand porting and taxes
Get porting ETAs in writing and ask about any porting fees or regulatory taxes.
Where to publish your new business number
Site header, footer, contact page, and schema markup
Google Business Profile, Apple Maps, Bing Places
Email signatures and calendar invites
Social profiles, marketplace listings, ad extensions
PDF proposals and invoices
Vehicle wraps, storefront signage, print collateral
A properly set up business phone number can be the backbone of your customer communication strategy, whether you’re serving a local community or reaching nationwide.
From E.164 formatting to E911 registration, STIR/SHAKEN call authentication, and text messaging compliance, the details matter if you want a number customers can trust. Ready to simplify the process?
Work with a certified Viirtue partner to get your business number configured correctly—or, if you’re an MSP or IT provider, become a Viirtue reseller and deliver cloud voice, Teams, eFax, and more through one seamless quote-to-cash platform.
FAQ: Phone Number for Business
What format should I use on my website?
Use E.164 for systems and a readable display for humans. Example: store +1 813 555 0199 in your CRM, display (813) 555 0199 on your site.
Do I need a separate number for business if I work from my cell?
Yes. It protects your privacy and lets you share lines, set business hours, and hand off calls. Most providers offer mobile apps so you keep work and personal separate.
Can I text customers from my business number?
Yes. For local numbers, register 10DLC. For toll‑free, complete verification or your texts may be blocked. Always get proper consent.
How long does number porting take?
Simple ports can be completed within hours once the paperwork is correct. More complex or wireline ports often take several business days.
What about emergency calling on office phone systems?
Configure E911 and follow MLTS rules so 911 calls route correctly and include a dispatchable location.
