If you’re using your personal number for your business calls, you need to switch to a dedicated alternate phone number. An alternative phone number - also known as a second number for work - will not only increase your privacy at work, separating it from your personal life, but it is also a great solution if you want your business to look more professional.

What is an alternate phone number?

It’s a secondary phone number that you can dedicate to all your business calls. You can get an alternate phone number from your telecom provider. For that, you may have to buy a new device or opt for a smartphone that can accommodate two subscriber identity modules (SIMs). Another popular option is to get an alternate phone number through a second phone number app.

Why Chalkboard is the best way to get an alternate business phone number

Chalkboard is used by experienced business owners as their main business phone system. With Chalkboard, you can make calls across the world to help support your customers, team members and clients. Chalkboard is available for iOS and Android.

Chalkboard is the best option for those looking for an alternate phone number, as it has a range of features suited to business phone systems including:

A second number for work calls, allowing you to keep your personal number private without having to buy a new device.
Your own local number (US) or mobile number (UK).
No limits or extra costs, as Chalkboard uses your existing plan minutes
Broadcast SMS functions to allow you to contact lots of customers at once
Auto-reply messages, ensuring you never miss a business opportunity

It only takes a couple of minutes to set up your alternate phone number and once you're up and running, you can:

Set up your business voicemail
Set up auto-replies for missed calls, text messages and voicemail

Business owners: Why should you get an alternate phone number?

Better organise professional contacts – a good alternate number app allows you to separate them from your personal contacts and keeps them well-organised, so you can find them quickly when needed.

More professional replies - telling customers you're at a social event and are too busy to help them with their enquiry isn't professional. With an alternate number, you can direct calls to a professional voicemail or send auto-reply texts.

Keep your private life secure - if you've been giving out your personal number for business, who knows where that number has ended up? That isn't good for your privacy. An alternate phone number for work will help you to level out any privacy concerns.

Other options for how to get an alternate phone number

Telecom provider: You can ask your current carrier to provide you with another SIM. Since they already have your details, you may not have to provide additional documentation. But you would either need a dual-SIM phone or need to buy an additional device.

Google Voice: You can use it to link to your other numbers and importantly, choose to receive your calls on any of your devices. While the basic service is free, you will have to upgrade to the paid version to access all the value-added features.

Second-line apps: These give you an alternate phone number that you can share with your customers and clients. You can use any of your connected devices to make and receive calls. Importantly, you don’t need to buy a new smartphone or have a dual-SIM phone to use a second phone number app. That saves you money and ensures that you can get started with an alternate number for work within a few minutes.

Why you should consider getting an alternate phone number

Separates your work and personal lives: One of the most important reasons to consider an alternate phone number is that you’ll finally be able to take a step closer to achieving that coveted work-life balance.

When you’re at home or out with your loved ones, you’ll be able to direct all business calls to your new number. In other words, you won’t have to ban any after-hours business calls. Even if you miss calls, with a second-line app, you can set up auto-text replies to respond to those.

Good for privacy: If you’re sharing your personal number with your customers, clients and in your marketing material, you’re increasing the odds of privacy violations. Sharing an alternate phone number, especially from a second-line app, for customer support or business lead generation ensures that your personal number doesn’t end up with spammers or in unscrupulous hands.

Customers feel valued: They hate it when they can’t reach you and that’s what will happen when you use the same number for business and personal communication. But with an alternate phone number, there are better chances of them finding either you or a relevant team member.

Get started with Chalkboard, the best alternative phone number for business

An alternate phone number is proof that you don’t need advanced algorithms to improve your business operations. Streamlining your business calls and texts can go a long way in making life easier for you, your team – and even your family members.

Offering more value with its second phone number app for a competitive price, if you are looking for an alternate phone number for business, sign up for your business number through Chalkboard.