What Is a Virtual Business Phone Number & How Does It Work?

Last Updated on May 5, 2025 by BusinAssist Editorial Team

Communication is one of the vital aspects of any business since it fosters strong relationships and boosts productivity. Businesses have to put in place effective communications even when operating remotely to ensure collaborations that mitigate misunderstandings and conflicts.

Traditional phone numbers are becoming outdated since most businesses are operating globally tapping to virtual business phone numbers which are not linked to a fixed telephone line. Virtual business phone numbers use a reliable internet to operate and are not tied to a SIM card.

What is a virtual business phone number? Here is a guide on what a virtual business phone number is, how it works, and the benefits it will bring to your business.

What is a virtual business phone number?

A virtual business number is a phone number that is not linked to a physical phone line. The number works with an internet connection connected to devices such as tablets, smartphones, or laptops.

The number helps entrepreneurs maintain local connections with customers, partners, suppliers, and investors. The versatile tools associated with virtual phone numbers make it easier to be used by both small and conglomerate businesses to serve their communication needs.

Things to note about the virtual business phone numbers include:

• Not tied to a physical line (SIM card) that is associated with a phone or location
• A stable data connection is required to make and receive calls
• Flexible business numbers are to be used on any device, that is smartphone, a laptop, or a phone device.
• The number can be used for business or personal purposes.

Why do entrepreneurs need virtual business phone numbers?

Business owners should take advantage of virtual business phone numbers to maintain local communications and increase collaborations with teams and employers.

Never miss any calls:

With a virtual business phone number, it will be impossible to miss any calls related to your business. While operating from any country and your business is incorporated in the UK, you can answer calls from your UK customers and stakeholders.

Maintain local connection:

A UK virtual business phone number will help foreign entrepreneurs maintain local connections with stakeholders and partners. Without the need to have a physical office in the UK, you can connect with customers and maintain positive customer service.

Enhance professional image:

A business that always handles communication maintains positive customer service, enhancing a professional image. With effective communication, businesses will be able to handle all complaints, understanding issues, and find solutions, leading to better customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Minimal setup:

Unlike traditional landline phones, UK virtual business numbers do not require a complex setup since it does not have copper wires. All virtual business numbers need is an internet connection, which eliminates the need for hardware or installations.

Affordable setup:

Virtual business numbers are affordable and designed to provide exceptional value than landline phones which come with charges from hardware installations. At a low cost, you get a high-quality UK virtual number solution.

Separate personal from business number:

Virtual business numbers allow entrepreneurs to separate their business from personal numbers which makes it easier not to miss a business call. Mixing business and personal numbers can confuse leading to missing important business calls.

What are the types of virtual business numbers?

There are various types of virtual business numbers entrepreneurs can choose from to allow businesses to maintain a local connection in the UK.

Toll-free numbers: These numbers allow entrepreneurs to make calls without incurring any charges. The numbers start with “0800” or “0808”. These ensure easier customer access and encourage inquiries and problem-solving. These numbers are often used by government services and customer service organizations.

Local numbers: Local virtual business numbers have specific area codes which allows entrepreneurs to establish a local presence enhancing trust and confidence among customers. The local virtual business numbers area codes are like “020” for London or “0121” for Birmingham.

The numbers can be used for inbound and outbound calls, making them ideal for remote businesses.

National numbers: Foreign entrepreneurs can use national numbers which allow customers to call at a local rate no matter where they are located.

Mobile numbers: UK Virtual mobile numbers allow entrepreneurs to receive texts and voice calls. Flexible communication allows businesses to stay connected with customers at any time and on the go.

How to get a virtual business number

Compare service providers:

To choose a service, you will have to compare prices and quality of service among service providers who offer UK virtual phone numbers. Apart from the price, compare the various features of every service provider, customer support, and the quality of the service.   

When looking for a virtual phone number, consider if the service providers’ virtual numbers come with features such as call forwarding, call quality, auto-attendant, integration, voicemail transcription, and scalability to accommodate business expansion.

Choose a service provider:

Once you have compared the service providers, you can settle for a provider that offers UK virtual phone numbers that align with your business needs and goals.

Pick the area code for the phone numbers you want:

In every area of the UK, there are different area codes to serve your business in that location. Depending on where you want to maintain a local connection, you can choose the area code that will be used by the virtual number to make calls to that location. For example, if you want a Belfast City area code 028, Birmingham, 0121, while Blackburn area code is 01254.

Choose a package:

Service providers often have different packages with different price plans. The virtual business numbers may come separately, while other providers may offer them with a UK virtual office package that may be free. Depending on what you need for your business, you can choose the suitable package and proceed with filling out your business and personal information.

Pay for and set up the virtual phone number:

Once you fill in your business details, you can proceed to check out. Once paid, you will receive credentials for your virtual phone number in your email for easy setup. If the service provider’s virtual phone numbers come with the app, you can download the app and log in with the credentials sent to you by the service provider.

If the providers offer software to go along with the virtual phone number, you can install it and follow the service provider’s instructions to set it up.

Activate the features:

Now that your virtual phone number is set up, activate all the features that come with the virtual phone number. If you are not conversant with how they work, you can ask the service provider to help you.

Also, ensure that the number is always connected to a stable internet connection to receive all calls on the go.

To sum up, a virtual business number offers seamless and flexible communication, no matter where you are operating the business. As long as you are connected to an Internet connection, you can receive and make calls, and also text. Unlike, traditional landlines, UK virtual phone numbers are easy to set up since they do not use a physical SIM card or are connected to copper wire.

BusinAssist offers UK and USA virtual phone numbers that can be used for business or personal communication. The virtual numbers can be purchased separately or can be accessed for free by subscribing to our premium London virtual office package. Depending on the needs of your business, you can choose a package that will benefit our business as long as you maintain effective communication.

For more information on virtual business numbers, contact us at [email protected]. 

FAQs

Q: How to trace a virtual phone number?
Ans: To detect a virtual phone number, all you have to do is check the caller ID. If the caller ID displays private or unknown, chances are it may be a virtual number. If you use an app for the virtual phone number and it doesn’t show the caller’s name as generic, it may be a virtual number.

You can also use an IP address lookup, which will provide general location information such as the location and the internet service provider.

Q: Can I get a virtual business address and phone number?
Ans: You can get a UK virtual business address and a phone number if you subscribe to a UK virtual office service that comes with a UK virtual phone number. Service providers such as BusinAssist offer virtual office service packages that come with a virtual phone number.

Q: How to use a virtual phone number?
Ans: To use a virtual phone number, you will have to install a VoIP app or software on the device that you will use and log in with the credentials given by our service provider. Once done you can make and receive calls.

Q: How does a virtual phone number work?
Ans: Using the Voice over Internet Protocol (Voip), virtual phone numbers work via the Internet without the need for a SIM card. With a stable internet connection, you can make and receive calls, offering flexibility and access from anywhere in the world.

Q: How do I set up a virtual business phone number?
Ans: To set up a virtual business phone number for your business:

• Create an account with the service provider of your choice
• Choose a local area code you want
• Choose a package that you desire
• Pay for the virtual phone number
• Set it up by downloading an app or software for the device you plan to use the number on
• Log in with the credentials provided by the service provider
• Stay connected on the go

Q: How to identify a virtual phone number?
Ans: With a caller ID feature, you can easily identify a virtual phone number. Additionally, you can maintain a database of known temporary numbers or use a phone number validation service.

Read Also:

• UK Phone Number Format: A Complete Guide for Businesses
• 0207 Numbers and 0203: A Detailed Guide and Difference
• The Process of Porting Landline Numbers to VoIP: What Every UK Business Should Know