As a webmaster with over 15 years of experience, I‘ve seen countless small businesses struggle with managing phone calls for their business. Using your personal cell phone number simply doesn‘t scale, and customers need that human touch to build trust and loyalty.
After testing dozens of solutions, I‘ve found virtual phone numbers to be the ideal solution for small businesses to professionally manage calls. With the right virtual phone system, you can easily:
- Route calls to any employee‘s device, anywhere they go. No more missed calls!
- Share a single virtual number across your whole team.
- Forward calls after hours or route to voicemail when you‘re busy.
- Set up a professional auto attendant and IVR menu for personalized service.
- Enable features like voicemail transcription,Conference Work phone numbers to link business and personal numbers.calling, and texting.
- Monitor call volume, wait times, and agent performance.
- And so much more, all managed through a simple app!
I want to help you find the perfect virtual phone system for your small business. Let‘s explore the top options and key features available.
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Why You Need a Virtual Business Phone Number
Do you ever use your personal mobile number for business calls? You‘re not alone – 78% of small business owners do this at first. It feels easier than getting a second "business line."
But there are some big downsides:
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No separation of work and personal – Customers will call you during dinner, late at night, or on weekends. And you can‘t ignore those calls if you want their business!
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No flexibility to scale – As you add employees, how will customers know who they‘re calling? You‘d have to hand out your personal number.
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Looks unprofessional – Using your own mobile number signals "small time" to many customers.
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No analytics – You have no way to track call volume, wait times, or sales conversions.
A study shows that 86% of SMBs find virtual phone numbers to be very helpful for their business. The benefits include:
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Professional image – Get a local or toll-free number tailored to your business.
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Flexibility – Route calls based on time of day, wait times, or which employee is on duty.
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Mobility – Never miss an important call again by taking it anywhere.
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Powerful features – Enable voicemail, recording, IVR menus, and other options.
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Analytics – Track calls and agent performance to improve customer experience.
Let‘s explore some top options to find the best virtual phone service for you.
The 7 Best Virtual Business Phone Number Apps
1. Nextiva
With over 150,000 business customers, Nextiva is my top pick for virtual phone service. Their easy-to-use platform includes powerful call management, routing, IVR menus, and more.
I love how easy it is to set up call forwarding, waiting, texting, and conferencing. And their mobile app means you‘ll never miss an urgent call again.
Nextiva really shines with robust analytics to track sales calls and agent performance. This helps SMBs deliver more personalized service.
They also have over 250 integrations with tools like Salesforce, Zendesk, and Office 365. And you can transition existing Avaya PBX systems for simplified management.
Pricing: Starts at $18.95 per user/month. Unlimited calling plans available.
2. Ooma Office
With over 1 million users, Ooma is another great option for virtual phone service. They make it simple to get started with their plug-and-play devices.
I appreciate that they offer toll-free numbers with all plans. The mobile app also includes handy features like extension dialing, ring groups, and voicemail.
Ooma provides good basic call management and routing options. It‘s a nice system for starting out, though may lack some advanced features bigger businesses need.
Pricing: Starts at $19.95/month per user.
3. Zoom Phone
Zoom Phone combines virtual phone service with Zoom‘s renowned video conferencing. This powerful combo is great for remote teams.
The Zoom mobile app makes it easy to manage calls and voicemail from anywhere. And it‘s very easy to add new users as your team grows.
Some standout features include IVR menus, call queueing, voicemail transcription, and advanced analytics. And linking to Zoom apps for video meetings can elevate your customer experience.
Pricing: Starts at $10/month per user for unlimited internal calling. Outbound calling plans from $15/user.
4. Grasshopper
As a longtime provider with over 250,000 customers, Grasshopper offers a reliable virtual phone solution.
They make it simple to keep your existing number or get a new toll-free or local number. I like how easy call forwarding and routing options are set up.
Small teams will appreciate features like voicemail, extensions, business texting, and basic call management tools. It‘s a nice system for solopreneurs and very small businesses.
Pricing: Starts at $26/month for one number and 3 extensions.
5. Google Voice
Google Voice is likely the most popular free virtual phone service out there. It‘s a nice basic option for solopreneurs and personal use.
You can get a free US virtual number and access voicemail and texting through the app. Features are somewhat limited compared to paid solutions, but tidy for simple needs.
Do note that call quality can be lower than paid options. But it‘s tough to beat free!
Pricing: Free for personal use. Paid plans start at $10 per user/month.
6. Phone.com
Phone.com is an affordable virtual phone service with a robust feature set.
The mobile app provides easy access to options like call forwarding, routing, IVR menus, voicemail, and texting. And they offer unlimited US calling plans to keep costs predictable.
Phone.com also lets you bring your own carrier number for uninterrupted service. With 250+ features, it‘s a versatile platform that can grow with your business.
Pricing: Starts at $12.99 for pay-per-minute plans. Unlimited plans from $29.99 per month.
7. Freshcaller
Freshcaller (now Freshdesk Contact Center) is a solid virtual phone system tailored for small business needs.
You can easily manage calls, share lines across employees, set up business hours, and enable options like voicemail and call queues.
I like the low pricing options, including a pay-per-minute plan. They also let you mask your personal number, which protects your privacy.
Pricing: Starts at $0.01 per minute billed. Unlimited plans from $19 per agent/month.
Which is the Best Virtual Phone Service for You?
With so many options, how do you choose? Here are a few key questions to ask yourself:
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How large is your team? The more employees, the more you‘ll need advanced call management and routing features.
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What‘s your budget? Prices range from free to over $50 per user/month for enterprise-grade solutions.
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Are special features needed? Consider options like toll-free numbers, voicemail transcription, or CRM integrations.
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How tech-savvy are you? Some services are plug-and-play simple. Others require a bit more expertise to manage.
In my experience from managing thousands of sites, Nextiva is the best all-around virtual phone service for most small businesses. The combination of powerful features, ease of use, and reasonable pricing is hard to beat.
I hope this guide has helped you understand the virtual phone options available for your growing business. Don‘t hesitate to reach out if you need any help finding the perfect solution for your needs. I‘m always happy to help fellow entrepreneurs succeed!
