What Is Alternate Phone Number, and How To Get One?

In today’s world, having a single number is not enough. Alternate numbers are essential for both personal and professional use.

They have played a significant role in managing business communication without revealing your actual number. 

So, what exactly is an alternate number? Simply, alternate numbers are numbers that are active while your actual number is kept private. 

In this blog, we will discuss what an alternate phone number is, how it works, the types of alternate phone numbers, how to set one up, tips on how to select the best alternate number provider, the importance of having one, best practices, and the top four best alternate phone number providers. So, let’s get into it. 

🔑 Key Highlights

• Alternate phone numbers are just typical regular phone numbers, which can come in different forms, such as landline, mobile, and VoIP numbers.
• Make sure the alternative phone number provider you select maintains a high priority on privacy and security features in its applications, such as secure processing and storing of sensitive data and call encryption. 
• Your alternate phone number can be used for various purposes, such as keeping your personal and professional lives apart when traveling, protecting privacy, and securing your information. 
• An alternate phone number is a supplementary number that separates your professional and personal life.
• It is a backup number for your mobile phone when your one number is busy.

 

What is an alternate phone number?

An alternate phone number is a supplementary number that separates your professional and personal life.

It is also a backup number for your mobile phone when your primary number is busy.

A backup number is a crucial tool for guaranteeing reliable interaction and accessibility.

It is a backup contact number typically used when the main number is unavailable, busy, or malfunctioning. 

Having a backup number is essential in the modern world, both for personal and professional reasons.

Many companies also offer a second phone line to give customers multiple ways to contact customer support in case of an emergency.

Having an alternate phone number is very important in improving call coverage and reducing missed opportunities.

Therefore, it’s an important aspect of customer service, business deals, and even personal security.

Having a backup number helps you avoid missing an essential call and serves as an additional layer of security for any kind of effective communication you may require.

Each of these channels ensures better reachability, strengthening a comprehensive communication plan for both personal and professional use.

How does an alternate phone number work? 

An alternate phone number works using a simple mechanism. Here is a step-by-step guide on how an alternate phone number works. 

Setup of Primary Number: A person or business has a primary number where they handle their primary communication.

Adding a Backup Number: In addition, if the primary number is unavailable, a backup number will be available. The person can contact the other person by calling the primary number in case the primary number is busy, unavailable, or switched off.

Separate Device or Service: The backup number can be linked to any other phone, such as a landline, business phone, or another mobile device, allowing for multi-channel communication.

Call Forwarding Option: Some services additionally enable call forwarding from the alternative number to the original one to ensure that no calls are missed, even in the event that the primary line is busy or unavailable. In some situations, having a backup number makes one more accessible for crucial communications that one would not want to miss.

Separating communications: You can better organize and keep your communications private by keeping a number of this size separate for things like work calls or online registrations and using the first number only for personal use. 

Types of alternate phone numbers

Alternate phone numbers are just typical regular phone numbers, which can come in different forms, such as landline, mobile, and VoIP numbers. Here are some types of alternate phone numbers. 

I. Landline phone number 

Landline phone numbers are traditional phone numbers that need to be connected to wires and physical devices to make audio calls.

These numbers are the prototypes of modern communication. In business communications, landlines are dependable and, more significantly, present a professional image.

These phone numbers don’t allow much mobility because they are fixed in your workplaces. Landline numbers require you to be physically present on the property in order to communicate. 

This kind of number is fixed to a location, such as a house or workplace. It doesn’t have the mobility of devices, but it is renowned for its consistent call quality.

II. Mobile phone number

Mobile phone numbers, often known as cell phone numbers, are numbers that need cell phones to be carried and used for communication.

A mobile number includes a specific SIM card that fits into a mobile phone or smartphone. Your device needs a SIM slot to use this number.

Cell phone numbers provide convenience and mobility. They allow you to make and receive calls and texts over cellular networks. 

Mobile phone numbers should be utilized while on the go to maintain connectivity. Nevertheless, mobile communications are not facilitated in places without a network connection. 

III. VoIP Number

VoIP (speech over Internet Protocol) numbers enable text, speech, and video communication, making them the most sophisticated forms of communication available.

These numbers make use of features for unified communication. All of your internet-connected devices, including desktops, laptops, and smartphones, can use it.

Compared to more traditional options, it is more affordable and provides flexibility. Because VoIP numbers come in three varieties: local, toll-free, and vanity.

These numbers provide the most cutting-edge communication features and are very affordable.

How to set up an alternate phone number? 

You can set up an alternate phone number in simple steps. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do so. 

Step 1: choose the right alternate phone number provider

Selecting an appropriate service is necessary, as establishing a backup phone number is a significant process.

Consider services like voicemail, text messaging, call forwarding, and excellent customer service. 

Other important factors to consider would include cost, usability, and the option of local or toll-free lines.

Make sure the supplier you choose can meet all of your needs, whether they are personal or professional, in case you need to scale up or down quickly.

Step 2: Purchase and active the phone number 

Once you have identified your service provider, the next thing you are supposed to do is to purchase and activate the number. 

At this point, apart from a few services, you are allowed to decide whether you want a local or toll-free number.

It would then require payment for the number, after which instructions on how to activate it are usually sent to you. 

Most of these numbers require you to link up with your cell phone or set up online. This takes only a few minutes, after which your number is ready to use.

Step 3: Shift your business calls and messages to your second phone number

As soon as you activate your alternate phone number, move all of your business-related communications to your new line.

Make sure your contact details are up to date on business cards, brochures, and websites. 

Inform your colleagues and clients that you may now be reached at the new number for business-related inquiries.

Set voicemail, text messaging, and call forwarding to handle all business-related communications. 

This would guarantee a seamless transition and a separate distinction between calls and texts from personal to professional. 

Step 4: Manage contacts effortlessly 

Make the most of your extra phone number by keeping your contacts well-organized.

You can label or mark a contact with virtual service providers so they can be easily identified.

You can create distinct groups and classify various customers, suppliers, or personal contacts. 

Contact management that is integrated with CRM software or mobile apps makes it easier to stay organized and quickly answer incoming business inquiries.

Step 5: Outstand as a professional in the market

Having an alternate phone number helps you project a professional image. As a result, you should ensure your voicemail is professional and check calls and messages often to ensure they are answered.

This facilitates setting boundaries between one’s personal and professional lives. Customers and business partners will see you as professional and approachable, which enhances your company’s credibility.

Lastly, it lets you focus more on growing your company while still upholding professional standards.

Tips on How to Select the Best Alternate Number App

Before considering any alternate number app, look for the features that your business requires. Here’s some tips that you should follow before selecting alternate number app. 

A. Look for advanced Features and functionalities

While choosing an alternate number, look for providers who offer advanced features such as call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and text messaging.

These functionalities will boost your communication efficiency and help you organize customer relations even more smoothly for managing multiple contacts.

B. Consider the cost according to your business size and requirement

Examine a few providers’ pricing structures to determine which one best suits the size of your company and your communication requirements.

Next, make sure the solution fits inside your budget by selecting a service provider with flexible pricing structures that allow you to select exactly what you need without going beyond.

C. Privacy and security

Make sure the alternative phone number provider you select maintains a high priority on privacy and security features in its applications, such as secure processing and storing of sensitive data and call encryption.

This would safeguard sensitive information, especially in a professional setup, and help build trust among clients. 

D. Compare integration capabilities

Examine the compatibility of the other phone number services with your current tools, such as email clients, project management software, and CRMs.

By eliminating manual tasks, seamless integration can improve productivity and efficiently handle communication.

E. Reliability

You don’t want to take a chance on missed calls or other problems with call quality.

Visit a provider’s Status page to find out about their uptime and performance.

If none is available, request a report from the provider to confirm that the business is as trustworthy as it says it is.

You can also improve call quality by following some tips and tricks. 

Importance of having an alternate phone number

Your alternate phone number can be used for various purposes, such as keeping your personal and professional lives apart when traveling, protecting privacy, and securing your information. 

Alternate phone numbers can also be used to authenticate social media accounts, manage unwanted calls or spam, conduct business via texting clients, and track marketing efforts.

Below are some of the importance of having an alternate phone number. 

1. Privacy Protection

Using secondary phone numbers can keep your primary number private and hidden from strangers.

This is especially helpful in situations where you wish to protect personal contact information, such as online transactions, classified ads, and web sign-ups. 

When you don’t want other people to have access to your primary contact information, such as clients, online marketplaces, and forums, you can use alternate phone numbers.

A primary phone number allows you to limit who can see your number to your close friends, family, and coworkers.

2. Improved customer service

If your company receives hundreds of support calls from clients each day, having different phone numbers might help you project a professional image and keep business communications separate. 

In this manner, you may also include your toll-free number in your business contact details, encouraging clients to call your business number instead of your personal one.

3. Manage contacts effortlessly

Having a backup phone number makes it easier for you to save and organize your business contacts in a different place.

Even when both numbers are stored on a single computer or mobile device, you can still quickly separate them. 

Also, the filter options on your devices help you locate your business contacts easily. This certainly assists in the seamless organization of your company contacts. 

4. Prioritize important calls

Prioritize important calls with an alternate phone number. This is an effective way to keep your calls organized.

With a backup phone number, you can prioritize your calls and assign various numbers to different contacts. 

That way, you’ll be able to tell which calls are urgent and which ones can wait. Focusing on the things that require your attention can help you keep on top of your work.

5. Control business hours

This option allows you to keep your working hours. If someone contacts you after hours, they won’t be able to get through.

You can let them know when you’re available and when you’re not. You want to cherish your personal life and spend time with your loved ones during your free time.

Having a second phone number may provide that. All you have to do is activate business hours. 

When to use an alternate phone number?

You can use the alternate phone number in several scenarios, some of which are explained below.

Professional use: The alternate phone numbers can be utilized for your company or professional usage. This allows you to preserve the professional appearance of your company or brands while keeping your main number distinct.

Marketing campaigns and customer service: To ensure that calls related to customer service or marketing campaigns do not overflow the main business line, the company can utilize a second phone number to monitor answers to these requests. 

Online verification: You can use the alternate phone number to verify online services and software, improving the security of your service. 

Telesales and telemarketing: Alternate phone numbers help outbound call center personnel significantly boost call answer rates. Recipients will be able to pick up the phone more frequently as they notice a unique caller ID. 

Additionally, local numbers with the appropriate country codes can be used to contact prospects in that nation, which increases call pick-up rates.

Traveling: You can save a lot of money on roaming fees by getting a temporary alternative phone number before you travel abroad. Once you are in the destination country, you can purchase a virtual number to make and receive calls and send messages rather than purchasing a local SIM card. 

Top 4 best apps for alternate phone numbers 

I. Dialaxy

Dialaxy is a reliable VoIP service provider that offers great service. We offer virtual alternate phone numbers for several countries enriched with advanced features and modern business communication tools.

Also, Dialaxy’s affordable pricing makes it a favorable option among users. You can grow your business and foster growth with Dialaxy. 

Dialaxy Top Features

• Internation numbers, toll-free numbers
• Virtual contact center
• IVR
• Call routing, ringing strategy 
• text-to-speech

Dialaxy pricing starts at just $14.99 per user per month.

II. Sideline

One good service provider for alternate numbers for easily organizing your messages is Sideline.

With the help of team numbers, auto-reply, and business texting, you can keep the privacy of your private communications while still delivering high-quality business communications.

Sideline ensures excellent call quality by using the network of your current carrier.

You can use it to identify and record spam calls, program responses, forward phone numbers, and make an infinite number of calls and SMS.

Sideline features 

• SMS and MMS
• Group message 
• Number porting
• Customer voicemail

Sideline pricing starts at $9.99 per month. 

III. Burner

Another excellent software for second phone numbers is Burner, that helps in business communication and, privacy protection.

You can obtain any temporary phone number with Burner. Additionally, Burner Phone assures no connections to your main phone number.

Burner provides a seven-day free trial so that you can explore and evaluate its features. 

Burner features 

• Unlimited SMS and calls 
• Spam blocking 
• Do Not Disturb mode
• Call Blocking 

Burner pricing starts at $4.99 per month. 

IV. Flyp 

Flyp is another service provider that lets you have several phone numbers on your current devices.

Area codes are selectable for your backup phone numbers. With Flyp, you may enjoy limitless voicemail, texting, calls, and MMS image messaging. 

Flyp’s feature

• DND mode
• Call Blocking 
• SMS
• Voicemail

Flyp’s pricing starts at $7.99 per month. 

Best Practices for using an Alternate phone number

Here are some best practices for using an alternate phone number, 

1. Don’t Mix Personal and Workplace Communications

Only use the alternate number for official or business-related matters. It draws a line in the sand separating your personal and professional lives.

It sharpens focus and guarantees a constant level of professionalism in contacts.

2. Regularly Check Messages and Voicemails

It is your responsibility to regularly check the messages on your alternate number and voicemail.

This guarantees that you won’t overlook crucial company inquiries, consumer requests, or employment openings.

3. Make use of Auto-Responders and Call Forwarding

Turn on auto-response and phone forwarding to handle situations when you are unavailable.

This will allow you to handle missed calls quickly and professionally, ensuring that your clients don’t have to wait long to hear from you.

4. Offer an Effective Voicemail Greeting

Ensure that the voicemail greeting you record for the alternate number sounds official.

This will make a strong first impression and remind the client or business partner that they are working with a true professional.

5. Monitor Analytics and Usage

Examine the call logs and statistics that are regularly offered to understand call trends, volumes, and response times.

These statistics help the company manage workload, improve communication, and provide better customer service.

6. Inform Contacts and Clients Whether Any Change Is Required

Share your backup number with your contacts, coworkers, and clients. Notify them right away if you update or alter the number so that it doesn’t interfere with their ability to communicate.

Final Words

Having an alternate number can revolutionize how you manage your effective communication for privacy, good organization, and uninterruptible service.

It is the best way to keep your private and work communication apart. Separating and concentrating on business calls will improve your productivity and communication.

FAQs

Can I get an alternate phone number for free?

Yes, you can get an alternate phone number for free in two ways. 

• Use a free VoIP service
• Use a free alternate phone number app 

What features to look for while choosing an app for an alternate phone number?

Look for apps that offer features like a simple interface, easy-to-use SMS and MMS capabilities, compatibility, integration capabilities, customer support, and other essential features that your business requires. 

Can I use a free app to get an alternate phone number?

Yes, there are many free apps for getting an alternate phone number, enabling business owners to manage text messages, missed calls, and customer support without cost. 

How do I create an alternative phone number?

You can create an alternate phone number by purchasing a virtual phone number from Dialaxy. The process is simple: Sign in to Dialaxy’s official page, pick your plan, and purchase the plan.