Get a VoIP number for business

As more and more companies are moving to the cloud, having an enterprise VoIP number has become essential for running a modern business. It's just like having a regular business number—it lets you have conference calls, send SMS messages to clients, and more.

VoIP technology—and cloud-based virtual phone systems in general—are transforming business communications.

Keep reading to see how to get a VoIP number in just a few minutes with Dialpad and how to use it.

What is a VoIP number?

A VoIP (or Voice over Internet Protocol) number is basically a virtual phone number. You use it like a regular phone number, except VoIP numbers facilitate phone calls using an Internet connection.

That means you can make VoIP calls from any Internet-enabled device (cell phone, computer, softphone, desk phone, you name it). The number itself also isn’t tied to a particular device or even a specific geographic location. (More on fixed and non-fixed VoIP here.)

How does a VoIP phone number work?

If you’re getting a number for your business, first you’ll need to get a business VoIP phone number, which you’ll get set up with when you sign up with a VoIP service or cloud collaboration platform.

From there, you can make outbound calls and take incoming calls through your Internet or VoIP network instead of the public switched telephone network, or PSTN. (That’s basically the traditional phone network using phone lines)

To make a VoIP call, the only things you’ll need are a reliable Internet connection and a phone or computer that's logged into your VoIP account. For example, here’s a look at a VoIP call in progress in Dialpad’s desktop app:

Other features you get with Dialpad (in additional to the VoIP number)

Different types of virtual numbers

Local

Local numbers are numbers that start with an area code specific to a particular region, city, or state. Local numbers are generally best for regionally-based or small businesses with a very localized customer base.

Having a local business number means that your customers or potential customers won’t get hit with long-distance call charges (and makes them more comfortable with proactively calling you).

Toll-free

Toll-free numbers are telephone numbers that start with a three-digit code like 800. This code allows callers to dial without incurring any charge, since the call charge falls on the receiver (in this case, your business) instead.

Businesses typically use toll-free numbers for increased credibility and to make sure their customers or prospects can call them for free (maybe as part of a marketing campaign).

Vanity

A vanity number is a custom telephone number that’s unique to your business. Vanity numbers are a great way to differentiate yourself from competitors and make your business more memorable.

For example, a T-shirt business might choose a vanity number like 1-800 T-SHIRTS.

The big differences between VoIP numbers and landline

Cost

VoIP services tend to be significantly cheaper than their landline counterparts. One big reason is because VoIP needs only Wi-Fi or an Internet connection—no physical phone system hardware.

That means you can save quite a bit on costly implementations and maintenance of landline telephone networks.

With VoIP phone systems and numbers, you typically just pay a fixed monthly rate to a VoIP service provider. There’s no expensive upfront costs, and in return, you’ll enjoy unlimited scalability and a ton of functionality like auto-attendants, call routing, messaging, call recording, and more (Dialpad’s least expensive VoIP plan comes with all of these included):

International/distance calling

Landline telephones aren’t ideal if your business needs to do reguiar international calling. Why? Because it’s going to be really expensive

With VoIP, businesses that have lots of long-distance calls overseas tend to save money in the long run because the rates with VoIP are generally much lower.