A virtual landline number is a digital solution for businesses that offer more features than the traditional landline numbers. Unlike legacy landlines, you don’t have to pay excessive fees or go through tedious processes to set one up. It’s little wonder then that more and more entrepreneurs are searching for how to get a virtual number for business.

Whether you’re a freelancer or a small business owner, how professional your business seems will play an important part in customer acquisition. When you have a dedicated business number, you look credible. But that doesn’t mean you have to go for legacy phone systems. The communication landscape has changed and a virtual landline number is one of the digital-first solutions that you should be interested in.

What is a virtual landline number?

With a virtual landline number, you can make and receive calls from anywhere. If you choose a virtual landline number in the UK, for example, you can opt to get one with geographical numbers like 01 or 02 or a national number like 03 of 0800. You can also get a mobile number through a virtual landline number.

Why does this flexibility matter? When you get a virtual number for business, you can make your business seem rooted in an area, which will make it more trustworthy to customers. By offering it as a toll-free number, you’ll be significantly improving your customer engagement and satisfaction.

Also, since it works over the internet, getting a virtual landline number, like getting any virtual number, is quite easy.

How do virtual landline numbers work?

A virtual landline number is a cloud-based service for making and receiving phone calls wherever you are. All that you need is an internet connection to use the number. A non-geographic number, you can use it as a local or toll-free number for your business.

You could be at home, in a cafe or on a holiday. When someone dials your virtual number for business, they will think they are calling any other landline number. But what happens is that their call would get directed to your phone number. You’ll be able to take it on your landline, mobile or any connected device.

In other words, a virtual landline number connects the caller to your real number. You can also make outgoing calls the same way. The virtual landline number will connect your real number to the recipient’s number without revealing which device or location you’re calling from.

What are the benefits of virtual landlines?

If you’re a small business that caters to a specific region, a landline with a local or 0800 number can make your business seem familiar and connected to the region. A virtual landline number can also become your main number across digital and advertising channels. You can use it on your website, business card and all online and offline marketing campaigns.

It gives you mobility, enabling you to take and receive calls from anywhere as long as you’re connected to the internet. This makes it a viable solution for remote work. It also allows you to choose your numbers. In case you’re relocating and would like to keep your old number, a virtual landline number could be the right option.

Another important benefit of virtual landline numbers is that you don’t have to pay for any hardware or prohibitive monthly charges. Unlike traditional landlines, there are no long-term contracts either.

What is the difference between VoIP and virtual landline systems?

Virtual numbers can transform a business provided you choose the one that suits your needs. While both work over the internet, there are significant differences between VoIP and virtual landline systems.

A virtual landline number, however beneficial, is a limited solution to a problem. By offering a cloud-based business number, it frees small businesses and entrepreneurs from the need to have expensive and restrictive landlines.

A VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system has additional features that help you get more out of your phone. Unlike a virtual landline that simply forwards your calls to the selected number, VoIP gives you features like call management and auto-attendant.

Chalkboard: Your business's best alternative to a virtual landline

If you’re looking for a virtual landline, chances are, these are your reasons: you want an internet-based phone system, something that’s cost-effective and a dedicated number for customers and clients to reach you. Chalkboard offers you all that and much more. You get: