Second phone number

A virtual number for business can help to streamline communication and many second-line apps offer advanced features as standard. You can make calls and send instant messages on the go, or opt to use a variety of automation options that save time and valuable effort

Second phone number apps often use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. However, unlike other VoIP services, such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, a second phone number company has a block of phone numbers that it can assign to its users.

Once you sign up for a second-line app, it will assign you one of its phone numbers. From the start, you can simply use that number like you would any other phone number, to make or receive phone calls and to send or receive SMS. When you call someone or send them an SMS, your second phone number appears on their phone. The caller has no idea that you're using a second phone number app.

They allow you to set boundaries, ensuring that your personal life is free of professional intrusions.

They allow you to manage your business communication: You can organise all your business contacts in one place, which makes it easier to manage your professional communication.

They can help to safeguard your privacy: A second phone number will ensure that you don’t share your personal number with everyone. This limits the chances of any privacy violation through your private number.

You can create auto-responses: With a single phone number, you always have to be at your professional best, whatever the time of day. With a second phone number, you can direct routine queries to predetermined auto-replies.

Carrying around a second phone to separate business from work is inconvenient and expensive – so chances are, you want to take advantage of the device that you're already carrying in your pocket. Thanks to apps such as Chalkboard offering virtual phone numbers, you can manage a business phone line from your iOS or Android device.

Second-line apps sidestep your mobile provider, allowing you to easily add a second line to your iPhone without interfering with your main number. Chalkboard, for example, is a second-line mobile app that is available on the Apple App Store® (for iPhones®), or on Google Play (for Android phones such as Samsung or Huawei). Simply download the app to your phone and you can be up and running with a second phone number in minutes

Sharing your personal phone number for business purposes can put sensitive personal information at risk. Therefore, sharing a second number with new contacts is a good way to protect your privacy. A second phone number app that has a responsible data policy can keep your personal phone number private and contribute to your overall data security. Having a second phone number for business should not add to any of your privacy concerns. In fact, by using a second-line app for work, you are able to have a better handle on the information that you share.