How to Get a Business Phone Number: A Step-by-Step Guide

Get set up right

Getting a business phone number gives your customers yet another way to reach you when they need to. For entrepreneurs operating out of their home office, a business phone line also creates a layer of privacy between you and the public.

 
At Walmart Business, we understand how crucial it is for businesses to find communication options that fit their needs. We’ve compiled this guide to help you get a business phone number, from choosing the right provider to picking out the necessary gear.

How to get a business phone number

Step 1: Choose a provider

When considering how to get a business phone line, the first step is to do your research. The days when businesses only had a few telecommunications providers to choose from are over, so it’s worth taking the time to learn what each service offers.

Before you get business phone number pricing quotes from potential providers, ask yourself a few questions. 

• How much money is in the budget for a business phone line? 

• Are you looking for a single line for customer calls, or will each employee need their own line to do their job? 

• What kind of additional features do you need?

• Will you need to make international calls? 
  

The answers to these questions will guide you toward a service that meets your needs. Typically, your chosen service will fall within one of the following categories:

• Landlines are the traditional method of making phone calls, requiring a connection from your business phone to the main phone line. The phone company may need to install this connection physically, especially if you plan to use multiple phone lines within the same building. 

• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones use internet connections instead of phone lines to transmit calls. VoIP phones typically offer more features than landlines, including video conferencing and integration with computer networks and systems. VoIP phones are prone to the same issues internet connections face, such as unstable connections and potential loss of service due to power outages.

• Cell phones offer more portability than either landlines or VoIP phones. However, cell phone plans can be more expensive than more traditional offerings, and cell phone signal strength can vary based on location.

• Virtual phone numbers offer instant access to a digital phone line directly from a web browser or mobile app, achieving a middle ground between a classic landline and a VoIP connection.
  

Step 2: Pick out a phone number

After selecting a provider, it’s time to get a business phone number. Much like choosing a provider, your specific business needs will influence the type of phone number you select.

• Local business phone numbers are randomly generated with your location’s area code. 

• Vanity numbers allow you to select a phone number instead of taking the service’s randomly generated number. Many businesses opt for a “phoneword” out of their name or a memorable phrase customers associate with them to improve recall and reinforce brand identity.

• Toll-free numbers replace the area code with a different prefix, such as 800 or 888, and are free for callers. These numbers are helpful for businesses with customers across the country—or even the globe. Toll-free numbers can be randomly generated or vanity, just like their local counterparts. 
  

Step 3: Select and pay for your phone plan

Part of getting a phone number for your business is figuring out how you’re going to pay for it:

• Free options are rare but are usually available as randomly generated virtual phone numbers. Free numbers generally include minimal features and put limits on monthly call minutes. If you’re running a lean operation as a sole proprietor and plan to do most of your business via email, a free phone line might be all you need.

• Pay-as-you-go plans allow you to pay only for the minutes you use, which is great for businesses that need more reliability than free options but don’t want to commit to a monthly payment.

• Monthly billing is the most common payment method for a business phone line. Some providers may offer discounts for annual payments, so contact your service representative to find a deal that works for you.
  

Once you’ve decided on which payment option makes the most sense for your needs, the process for getting a business phone line is nearly complete.

Step 4: Choose and set up hardware

The kind of phone you’ll need will largely depend on the type of connection you’re using, but the following recommendations will get you started: 

• Landline phones connect to your physical phone line.

• VoIP phones are used with a VoIP network.

• Desktop computers or laptops let you access virtual phone lines or additional VoIP features.

• Mobile devices pair with cell phone plans or virtual phone mobile apps. 

• Hands-free headsets can be used with any of the above.
  

Get equipped with Walmart Business+

From phones to laptops, printer toner to breakroom snacks, Walmart Business+ has everything you need to keep your business running smoothly, at everyday low prices. We’ll even ship it free right to your doorstep with no order minimum.¹ What could be easier than that?

Ready to see how Walmart Business+ can help you save money on the essentials? Sign up today.

¹Excludes Marketplace & oversized items, location & freight surcharges