Virtual phone number

A business virtual phone number that's easy to set up and perfect for teams on the go.
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What is a virtual phone number?

A virtual phone number is a number that is linked to your business account, rather than to a particular physical device or location.

Virtual phone numbers use the internet to connect callers. Any incoming call or message is routed to a pre-set line which could be a landline, mobile or VoIP-enabled device. What it means is that a virtual number can be operated from any location and through any connected device.

You can set it up to receive calls and messages on your mobile phone, laptop, tablet or VoIP device. You can choose which of these devices will receive calls and when.

How to get a virtual phone number in 4 easy steps

Just install the app, choose your new phone numbers and start calling & messaging with the whole team straight away.

Install the app

It's available on the Apple App Store® (for iPhone®), or on Google Play (for Android phones such as Samsung).

Choose business phone numbers

Now you can choose the new virtual phone numbers that you like and secure them instantly.

Customise your virtual numbers

Set up your customisable auto-replies and voicemails. Don’t worry if you miss something, you can always make changes later.

Invite the team

With a few more taps, you can invite the rest of your team to install the app and share numbers. You're always in control of who has access to each number.

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The benefits of getting a virtual phone number from Chalkboard

Why are more business owners shifting to virtual phone numbers? Because they provide a host of demonstrable benefits:

Separate work and personal

Your Chalkboard virtual number allows you to have a dedicated phone number for your business, separate from your personal number. You can easily switch between work and personal calls, without having to use two different devices and without the hassle of sharing your personal number. This is perfect for small business owners, entrepreneurs and remote workers who need a virtual mobile number solely for work.

Easily manage business calls

With a virtual phone number, you can set up custom voicemail greetings, forward calls to multiple devices and even have multiple numbers for different departments within your business.

Easy to set up

A traditional phone system requires devices, additional hardware and a physical network. Even if you use mobile phones for business, you need separate SIMs or devices. All these are expensive and cumbersome.

A virtual mobile phone number is like any other app that you can download on your smartphone – they are exceptionally easy to set up and don’t require any outside help.

Lower costs

Virtual phone numbers don’t require additional devices, making them extremely cost-effective, especially for local businesses, startups and freelancers.

By opting for a virtual phone number, you will make significant savings if your business involves long-distance or international calls. Thanks to Chalkboard’s subscription structure, you’ll never pay for extra features – all the features you need from a virtual phone number are available as standard for a fixed monthly fee.

Unified communications

A virtual phone number will help you to unify your business communication. All your employees, no matter where they are, can share the same number. This creates the impression of a unified office to customers.

Mobility

A virtual mobile number for business gives you the freedom to take calls from anywhere. Whether you’re in the office, at home or on the move, as long as you have a reliable internet connection, you will be available to your customers and team members.

With remote and hybrid work more common than ever before, your distributed team can function as a cohesive unit. And if you’re a digital-first business, you may not need an office if you can unify work and communication. Not to mention, it’s much easier to hire people when your system is remote-friendly.

Mobile numbers

You can use virtual mobile numbers as an alternative to using personal numbers for business. The mobile number will let you make and receive phone calls on your mobile phone or cellphone using a virtual number that looks like a regular mobile phone number.

Scalability

When starting a business, you should have a clear idea about the number of phone lines you need. Similarly, before expanding your small business, you may not think much about the additional lines your business will require. When you do need an additional number, the process will be significantly easier if you have a virtual phone number.

There’s no need to buy additional devices and hardware and worry about their installation.

Business tools

If you’ve previously been using your personal number for work, a virtual mobile number gives you a dedicated number that you can use for business calls and messages instead. This separates work and personal communication and improves your digital security.

You also get contact organisation, auto-reply, broadcast SMS and number sharing. All these will enhance your business communication and improve productivity.

The easy way to share phone numbers with your team

Chalkboard gives you all the business calling and messaging features you need, without a phone system.

Completely flexible

Text and call as a team with shared or private numbers. Flexible and simple.

Takes minutes to set up

No contracts, no phone system, no SIM cards, and no configuration. Just install the app and go!

All the features you need

Including missed call auto-reply, working hours, templates, and much more...

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Get started today

It's the easy way for your team to text and call together without the hassle and complexity of a phone system!

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FAQs: Virtual phone numbers

How do virtual phone numbers work?

Calls through a virtual phone number are routed through the internet. The number originates in the cloud and gets linked to a telephone number that the user already owns. That’s why they’re also referred to as cloud phones.

A virtual number provides a location-neutral business phone system to organisations. These phones can be used from the office, at home or when travelling. You don’t have to buy an additional device to operate a virtual phone number. You can use it on any of existing mobile phone.

There is no difference between a virtual number and a traditional number for the user. You dial numbers and receive calls as normal and the person at the other end won’t know that you are using a virtual number.

Can I keep my business contacts separate from my personal contacts?

Yes, virtual number providers including Chalkboard allow you to separate your business and personal contacts.

Can I port my existing phone number?

You can port your current phone number. Although Chalkboard does not charge for porting services, some providers may charge you a nominal fee.

Do virtual phone numbers come with free trials?

The best virtual phone numbers will offer you a free trial. This helps you try out business features and see if the app works seamlessly on your device(s).