Virtual Phone Number: What It Is, How does it work? A Complete Review

Are you struggling with missed calls or frustrated customers who often reach voicemail?😮‍💨

 The issue may not lie with you but with your current business phone system.

Outdated phone systems can create barriers to effective communication, leading to lost opportunities. Fortunately, virtual phone numbers can help you overcome these obstacles,, ensuring your customers can reach you without trouble.

In this article, we’ll explore what virtual phone numbers are and how they operate. We’ll also guide you through the process of obtaining a virtual number for your business needs.

So, let’s get started!!!!!🚀

What is a Virtual Phone Number?

A virtual phone number is a phone number that isn’t connected to a physical phone line or SIM card. Instead, it exists in the cloud, allowing you to make and receive calls over the internet. This software-based phone number offers more flexibility and various features that traditional phone lines can’t provide.

You can use virtual phone numbers to keep your business calls separate from your ones. It also helps you have a local presence in different places or set up a toll-free number for customer support. This tool is flexible and can work for any business, whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a large company.

How Does Virtual Phone Number Work?

Virtual phone numbers are unique because they don’t need a SIM card or a physical address. They connect calls using something called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

VoIP is the same technology that lets you talk or text using apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Google Voice. You can use virtual phone numbers (VoIP) with any internet connection, whether it’s Wi-Fi or mobile data (like LTE or 5G).

When someone calls your virtual number, the call goes through the servers of the VoIP service provider and is sent to wherever you’ve set it to go. This could be a regular phone, a mobile device, a softphone, or even several devices at the same time.

The way calls are routed is really flexible. You can set it up to work in different ways depending on the time of day, who is calling, or how many calls you are getting.

For example, If you own a pet grooming business, during the day when you are at the shop, you can have calls sent to the shop’s phone. But when the shop is closed at night, you could forward those calls to your personal cell phone. This means you can still help customers even when you’re not at the shop.

Most people use a virtual phone number for three purposes:

• It works as a special phone line just for your business.
• It forwards calls to your private phone number when needed.
• It can give callers a list of options to choose from, like pressing a number to reach customer support or appointments.

What are the Types of Virtual Phone Number?

Here are the following types of virtual phone numbers:

I. Local Phone Numbers

Local phone numbers are tied to specific areas or regions, which means they have different area codes. For a business organization, a local number can give customers a feeling of being close since it would appear the business is in their locality. This gives them a reason to call, as clients want to deal with a company closer, not long-distance.

II. Toll-free Numbers

Toll-free numbers are cool because they let customers call without paying any fees. These numbers usually start with codes like 800, 888, or 866. When someone dials a toll-free number, the business pays for the call instead of the customer. 

This encourages more people to call because they know they won’t get charged. It is a great way to attract customers and make them feel welcome.

III. International Numbers

International numbers are great for businesses that work around the world. These numbers let companies make and receive calls from other countries. Customers calling from different countries can do so without high fees, which helps businesses keep strong international connections.

IV. Vanity Numbers

Vanity numbers are phone numbers that can be catchy, such as spelling out words or phrases, like 1-800-FLOWERS. Because of their simplicity, these numbers are quite memorable and useful for making businesses easier to identify.

 If people hear an easily remembered number, they will surely be more willing to dial it. Companies often invest in vanity phone numbers because they help build brand awareness and make marketing resources easier to reach.

What are the Top Benefits of Virtual Phone Numbers?

Here are the top benefits of virtual phone numbers:

1. Take Phone Calls from Anywhere

Regular phone numbers usually only work with one desk phone. If that phone is not answered because the person is out, the caller has to leave a message. Many people don’t like leaving, and they may not call back. This can be bad for businesses because you want to talk to customers right away.

Virtual phone numbers help with this! They let you answer calls on your mobile phone or forward them to someone else in the office. Even if you’re traveling or away from your desk, you can still take calls. This way, you don’t miss important conversations, and your business number stays the same.

2. Keep Work and Personal Calls Separate

A virtual phone number is helpful because it keeps your work calls separate from your personal calls. When you use virtual numbers to call customers or coworkers, your personal phone number stays private. This is important because it helps you look professional.

This feature is especially useful for people who work from home. Many companies have employees who work remotely, and they need a way to keep their work and personal lives separate. Having a different number helps everyone stay organized and professional.

3) Save Money with Local Phone Numbers

With a virtual phone number, people can call you from anywhere in the world. But if you don’t have a local number for their area, they might not want to call because it could cost them too much. This can make them hesitate to reach out, which is not good for business.

Having local virtual phone numbers makes it easier for customers to call you. Toll-free numbers are a good choice because they don’t cost the caller anything. When you have numbers in the areas where you do business, more people will call you without worrying about extra charges.

4) Improve Your Voicemail

When someone calls and you can’t answer, they usually go to voicemail. But old voicemail systems can be hard to use, and sometimes, you forget the PIN to check your messages. It can also take a long time to listen to voicemails.

Virtual phone services are much better. They can send you an email with a message of your voicemail. In this way, you can quickly read who called and if it was important. You can also get a text message alert, so you never miss a call.

5. Make Callers Happy with Auto Attendants

Regular phone systems can be confusing. Sometimes, it is hard to direct calls to the right person. This can make callers frustrated, and you may lose important calls.

With virtual phone services, you can use auto attendants. An auto attendant is a device that answers calls and helps callers choose what they need. It makes it simple for them to connect with you or your support team.

6) Track Your Marketing Success

It is important to know how customers find your business. With a virtual phone number, you can see where they heard about you. You can have different phone numbers for your ads, like the ones on billboards or in magazines. This helps you see which advertisements get the most calls.

This helps you understand how well your advertisements are working. By tracking the calls you get, businesses can learn what works best and make it even better next time. This way, they can reach more people and get more customers.

How to Get a Virtual Phone Number?

Virtual phone numbers are super helpful for both small businesses and large companies. They make it easier to stay connected, whether your team is remote or you’re managing a big call center. Here’s how you can get one in a few simple steps:

Step 1: Choose a Local Area Code

When signing up for a virtual phone number, you get to pick the area code that matches your location. You can choose from different types like local, toll-free, or even international phone number formats. Below are some of the most popular area codes Dialaxy offers:

Step 2: Compare Prices and Features

Look at different virtual phone number companies to see what they give you. Compare the features they offer, the price, and how good their customer service is. Check things like call quality, useful features like call forwarding or voicemail, and how easy it is to use. Make sure the service can grow as your business grows.

 Dialaxy offers plans with many options, so you can easily find one that’s just right for your needs.

Step 3: Buy Your Virtual Phone Number

Once you’ve picked a provider and plan, sign up and buy your new virtual phone number. The process is usually quick and easy with Dialaxy. You can start using your new number in just a few minutes.

If you want to keep your old phone number, Dialaxy can help you move it over. You can transfer your current number to your new virtual phone provider without missing any calls.

Virtual Phone Number Limitations

Free virtual phone number services like TextNow and TextFree can be helpful, especially for new businesses, but they also have some important downsides to think about:

Potential problems

I. Number Changes

With free virtual phone numbers, your number can be given to someone else who pays for the service. This means you may lose your number if you stop using it, and there may not be many numbers to choose from in some local areas.

II. Only Basic Features

These free apps usually have just simple functions. You can make calls and send texts, but you might be limited in how many minutes or messages you can use each month.

III. Not Good for Computers

If you want to use your computer to take calls, most of these virtual phone apps won’t work for that. They are mainly made for mobile devices, which might not be easy for everyone.

IV. Extra Costs for Special Features

 If you want cool things like call recording, automatic responses, or transferring calls, you will need to pay extra for those. You might also have to deal with annoying ads that you can’t skip when making calls.

V. Less Trustworthy

 Some services that need security, like two-factor authentication (2FA), often don’t trust virtual numbers. This happens because some people use them for spam. But with Dialaxy, you get a safe and reliable virtual number that works well for texting, too.

Using a cloud-based VoIP provider like Dialaxy means you can enjoy unlimited calling and many advanced features for a flat rate each month. If you also need more virtual phone lines later, it’s easy to add them.

Final Words 

Virtual phone numbers are great tools for anyone needing flexible communication. They help you stay connected without sharing your personal number.

Whether you run a business, work from home, or just want a separate number, virtual phone numbers can help. You can enjoy features like call forwarding and messaging all in one place.

So, if you want to make your communication better and more professional, think about getting a virtual phone number. It Is a smart choice for everyone.

FAQs

How do I get a virtual phone number?

Getting a virtual phone number is simple. You can select a service provider that can help you. For example, Google provides free virtual numbers to anyone with an account. If you want more options, such as local, vanity, or toll-free numbers, you can purchase a service.

What is the best free virtual phone number?

Google Voice is often considered the best free virtual phone number service. It has features such as call forwarding, voicemail, and text messaging, making it suitable for both personal and professional use.

Are virtual phone numbers illegal?

No, virtual phone numbers are not legal. They are commonly used for business and personal purposes, allowing users to maintain privacy and manage communications more efficiently.

Can you trace a virtual phone number?

Yes, you can sometimes trace a virtual phone number, but it’s not always easy. It depends on the service provider and whether they share information with authorities.

Why would someone text using a VoIP number?

Someone may text using a VoIP number for privacy reasons, as it hides their number. It is also useful for sending messages through the internet without using traditional SMS services.

What does a virtual phone number look like?

A virtual phone number looks like a regular phone number, with digits and a specific area code, but it isn’t connected to a real phone. You can use it to make calls or send texts over the Internet.

Why use a virtual phone number?

People use a virtual phone number to keep their real number private. It is helpful for businesses or online selling. It is also easy to get and use on different devices.

Can you receive texts on a virtual phone number?

Yes, you can receive texts on a virtual phone number. It works just like a regular number so that messages will come to your app or device.

Who uses virtual numbers?

Many people use virtual numbers, such as businesses for customer support, freelancers for privacy, and online sellers to connect with buyers. They are also popular for travelers who want a local number.

How to check a virtual number?

To check a virtual number, you can use online tools or apps that verify phone numbers. Just enter the number, and the tool will tell you if it’s a virtual number or not.