How to get a US phone number in the UK

Looking to expand your business globally, beyond just the UK? Why not start by getting a US phone number? Not only will it help you stay connected with US customers without emptying your pockets, but with a VoIP phone system, you can take calls from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. Now that's what we call an international calling plan!

To help you get started, this guide will cover why you need a US phone number, types of US phone numbers available, how to get one and reap the most value from your number. If you're ready to take your business global, getting a US number is one step towards that direction.

Why you need a US phone number in the UK

If your business is looking to expand your customer base into the US (or you already have existing customers there), the biggest benefit of having a US phone number provides those customers with access to a local contact that they can connect with quickly and easily. This helps encourage your US customers to reach out to you when they encounter an issue, which creates an opportunity to make amends and maintain a happy customer.

Having a US phone number also helps your business look more professional and established, as it implies you have an actual presence in the US. When your customers abroad have an enquiry, a local US number allows their questions to be addressed promptly and efficiently, resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty. This also helps you build trust with those customers. Aside from customers, you may also have business partners in the US, so your US phone number available allows them to easily contact you as needed.

Ultimately, getting a US phone number is essential if you want to take advantage of all the opportunities available in the United States market and ensure that your business is well-equipped for success beyond the UK.

US phone number example and format

A US phone number is formatted differently than a UK phone number. The country code for the United States is "+1" and all US numbers follow the format of a three-digit area code, followed by seven digits, with no spaces in between. The three-digit area code sometimes is displayed within brackets, and the last seven digits of the number usually has a hyphen after the first 3 digits to make it easier to read. For example, if you received a call from a US phone number, it may appear as +1(234)567-8901 on your phone.

When dialling from outside of the US into a US landline or mobile phone, you need to enter the international dialling code "+1" before entering the rest of the US phone number. If you are calling from within the US or if you have a US phone number that can call another US number, you do not need to enter the international dialling code. Simply dial the area code and then enter the remaining seven digits of the phone number. So in the example earlier, you would just dial (234)567-8901.

Types of US phone numbers available

When it comes to getting US phone numbers for your business, there are a variety of options available, including: local, toll-free, or vanity phone numbers.

Local phone numbers

As mentioned earlier, the most common US phone numbers are 10-digit numbers, which start with area codes. These area codes vary depending on which region you are trying to reach in the US. Certain areas like in major metropolitan cities such as New York and Los Angeles, have more than one area code due to high demand for phone numbers there.

According to Dialpad data, some of the most popular area codes in the US include: 415, 617, 646, 512, and 720.

Local US phone numbers are beneficial because they allow businesses in the UK to appear more localised when targeting customers in certain regions within the US. You can select an area code that matches your target demographic and have them associate your business with their local community.

Toll-free numbers

Aside from having a local phone number, toll-free numbers are another popular option for businesses in the UK that want to get a US phone number. Although these are known as 0800 numbers and 0808 numbers in the UK, in the US, they start with 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833. Having a toll free number—also known as a "1-800 number"—allows your US customers to call your business without having to pay for the call.

Vanity numbers

Vanity numbers provide an interesting way for your businesses to get creative with your marketing efforts in the US by creating memorable business phone numbers that relate back to their product offering or company name. One example that helped popularize vanity numbers in the US is 1-800-FLOWERS. Vanity numbers provide an easy way for customers remember how they can contact you and make sure that you stand out from the competition.

No matter what type of US phone number you choose, it's important to research potential options so you know what's available before selecting one for your business needs. Doing this will ensure that you get maximum value from your phone number by allowing US customers to associate with your business easily and quickly.

How to get a US phone number

It's quick and easy to get a US phone number since there are so many different providers and options available. Here are some tips on how to get the best US phone number for your business:

1. Identify Your Needs: The first step is to identify your needs and determine what type of US phone number you require. Is it for customer service? Do you need a toll-free or vanity number? Do you need advanced features like AI transcription or virtual receptionists? Having an idea of what features you want from your number will help guide your search.

Also, consider if scalability is a necessary factor when selecting a US phone number provider in the UK. If your business grows quickly then you'll need a provider who can keep up with demand and provide reliable service over time whilst keeping costs down.

2. Research Providers & Rates: Once you have identified your needs, research different providers and understand their rates to find the best option for you. Make sure to compare the costs associated with setting up your number, including any taxes or additional fees that may be incurred.

Additionally, check if there are any extra charges for additional lines or add-on services such as call forwarding to your UK number, customer callback, and call analytics. With Dialpad, you get access to all of these essential features your business needs with plans starting at £12/user/month, whereas other providers may charge extra.

3. Get the Most Value: When researching providers, look for one that offers value-added services such as international calling plans or integrations with other communication systems. For example, Dialpad can connect to existing software that your team already uses, such as Salesforce, HubSpot, or other CRM tools. These features can help optimize your communication strategy and increase efficiency in customer service operations by streamlining processes across multiple channels including email, chat, and social media messaging platforms.

4. Set Up Your Number: Once you have selected a provider that meets all of your requirements, it's time to set up your US phone number! Depending on the provider chosen, this process may vary slightly. Typically, it should involve signing up with the provider online or over the phone followed by purchasing a plan, choosing your US number, and then configuring any desired settings or preferences prior to activating the number.

5. Stay Connected: Finally, start using your new US phone number! If you have analytics features included in your plan, this can help provide insights into usage patterns.

Understanding this data can be used to further improve customer experience and ensure that customers are able to stay connected via their preferred communication channel.

Getting the most value from your US phone number

Having a US phone number is essential for keeping in touch with customers and partners based in the United States. However, there are more ways to maximize the value of this phone number. To make sure you get the most out of your US phone number, consider adding or utilising these three features.

Take advantage of call forwarding

With international call forwarding, incoming calls from your US phone number can be transferred to any other destination around the world. This will ensure that no customer or partner is left unanswered and you stay connected regardless of your location.

Tinker with your call routing options

If available, make sure to set up an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for automated call routing. An IVR system allows your customers to choose from a list of available options when they dial your US phone number, which saves time spent on manually routing calls and ensures that no customer is left hanging on the line.

Use visual voicemail

Visual voicemail is an extremely convenient way to receive and manage voicemails. This feature allows you to view messages in a digital inbox, listen to them in any order, and delete, save, or forward them as necessary. If you get a high volume of voicemails, this can help you skip spammy ones in order to prioritise messages that require a timely response.