On average, about 4.7 million businesses are started each year. No one starts a business expecting to fail, but many struggle because they don’t build on a solid foundation. They often overlook how tough the competition is—not just for customers but also for investors and funding.
They fail to realize that effective communication is central to the success of any business. Crucial, really.
So, you might start to think about getting a second phone dedicated solely to your business. The question is, should you? Let’s discuss.
Getting a Separate Work Phone
Should you get a separate phone for your business? You can get one, yes, but carrying multiple devices isn’t always practical.
Instead, you could get a dedicated business phone number. That way, you keep work calls separate without carrying two phones.
A business phone number is a dedicated number used for work-related calls and messages. Instead of giving out your personal number, you use this one for customers, clients, and work contacts.
You don’t need a second phone to have a business number. Many services let you add one to your existing phone through an app or get a virtual phone number. This way, you can keep work and personal calls separate while using just one device.
10 Reasons Why Getting a Separate Work Phone Number Is Important
Let’s look at what a separate work phone number offers you:
1. Keep Your Personal Calls Personal
Handing out business cards with your private number or posting it online isn’t the best idea. It’s important to keep work and personal calls separate. The easiest way to do this is by using different phone numbers for each.
2. You Can Maintain Business Hours
Having a dedicated work phone number helps you set clear business hours. Calls outside of those hours can go straight to a professional voicemail. The message can confirm the caller has reached the right business, let them know when you’re available, or ask them to leave a message so you can get back to them. This makes managing work and personal time much easier.
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3. You Can Choose to Screen Incoming Calls
With a work phone number, you have more control over incoming calls. You can decide to answer, let an auto attendant handle it (if your system supports it), or take your time before picking it up.
While you decide, the caller just hears a normal ringtone. You can also set up email or text alerts to track customer choices if they use the auto attendant option.
4. Forward Calls to Multiple People
As your business grows, so does the need to manage calls efficiently. A work phone number lets you forward calls to multiple team members, so if you’re unavailable, someone else can step in.
This helps make sure clients get answers faster and reduces the chances of missed calls or frustrated customers.
5. Personalized Business Greetings
With a work phone number, you can set up a custom greeting for callers. This could introduce your business, highlight your services, or change depending on whether you’re open or closed.
If you’re closed, you can also have an emergency option. For example, the message could tell callers to press 5 for urgent issues, which would then forward the call to an on-call staff member. There are plenty of ways to set up your system to fit your needs.
6. Setting Up Extensions or Phone Trees
With a work phone number, you can create extensions or a phone tree to direct calls where they need to go. Even if you don’t need them right now, they’ll be useful as your business grows. A structured system makes it easier for customers to reach the right person without hassle.
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7. Keep Your Brand Consistent
Consistency is key for any business. With a dedicated work phone number, everyone in your company can operate under the same contact system.
You won’t have to worry about staff using personal numbers, outdated contact info, or losing business because of old phone numbers floating around. It keeps your brand professional and easy to reach.
8. The Flexibility to Work From Anywhere
Technology has made work phone numbers more flexible than ever. With a virtual phone system, you can take calls from anywhere—no need to be stuck at your desk waiting for that important sales call.
Calls can be instantly routed to your smartphone, and voicemails can be sent as text messages. This means you can handle sales calls, meet with vendors, and still stay connected.
9. Have Both a Personal & Work Number on the Same Phone
Your phone is already your go-to device for everything, so why carry two? Many phone providers let you add multiple numbers to a single smartphone—sometimes up to four—with unlimited calling and texting.
Services like Talkroute make it easy to manage both personal and work calls on one device, so you don’t have to juggle multiple phones.
10. People Will Trust Your Business More
Think about it—would you trust a doctor or bank that uses a personal phone number? Probably not. A work phone number makes your business look professional and reliable. It shows customers you’re serious, even if you’re just starting out.
Plus, it gives the impression that you’re handling a high volume of calls, which can boost your credibility. In today’s digital world, there’s no reason not to have a dedicated business number.
How to Implement Your Business Phone Number Effectively
Getting a business phone number is a great step, but how you use it matters. Here are the best practices to make it work for your business:
Keep Your Business Phone Number Easy to Find
Your business phone number should be everywhere customers look. If someone wants to call you, they shouldn’t have to dig through pages of your website or scroll endlessly on your social media.
Make sure your number is listed clearly on:
- Website – Place your phone number at the top of every page so visitors can find it easily.
- Google business profile – This helps customers find and call you directly from search results.
- Social media profiles – Add your number to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn so customers can contact you from anywhere.
- Email signature – Include your phone number in every email to make it easy for clients to reach you.
- Business cards and marketing materials – Make sure your number is printed on all physical and digital promotional materials.
If you ever change your number, update it right away. Nothing frustrates customers more than calling a disconnected number. If they can’t reach you easily, they might just call someone else.
Use Text Messaging the Right Way
If your business phone service allows texting, take advantage of it—but use it wisely. Texting is great for quick communication, but it’s not the place for long messages or complex details.
Here are a few ways you can use text messaging:
- Appointment reminders – “Reminder: Your appointment is tomorrow at 2 PM.”
- Order updates – “Your package has shipped! Tracking: [link]”
- Quick follow-ups – “Thanks for visiting us! Let us know if you have any questions.”
Keep texts professional and to the point. Avoid slang and emojis unless they match your brand’s personality. Customers should always know the message is coming from your business, not a casual friend.
Check Your Calls and Messages Every Day
Missed calls and voicemails can mean missed business. Even if you don’t answer every call live, make it a habit to check voicemails and missed calls daily. Respond as soon as possible, even if it’s just to let the customer know you’ll get back to them later.
If your phone service has call tracking, take a look at the data. You might notice patterns, like more calls coming in during certain hours. This can help you adjust business hours, schedule staff more efficiently, or even set up an automated response for calls received outside of working hours.
Use an Auto-Attendant if You Get a Lot of Calls
If you’re getting more calls than you can handle, an auto-attendant can help. Instead of letting calls go unanswered, set up an automated system that directs callers to the right department or provides basic information.
For example:
- “Press 1 for sales”
- “Press 2 for support”
- “Press 3 for business hours and location”
This saves time for both you and your customers. Instead of waiting on hold, they get to the right person faster. If your business frequently gets the same questions (like “What are your hours?” or “Where are you located?”), an auto-attendant can answer those automatically.
Train Your Team on Phone Etiquette
If more than one person answers calls for your business, make sure everyone is on the same page. Customers should always hear a professional, friendly tone, no matter who picks up.
Here are some key things to cover with your team:
- Answer calls with a consistent greeting – “Thanks for calling [Business Name], this is [Your Name]. How can I help you?”
- Speak clearly and with a positive tone – Even if you’re busy, customers should feel welcomed.
- Use a script for common questions – If customers frequently ask the same things, create a simple script so responses are clear and professional.
- Always follow up if needed – If you can’t answer right away, let them know when you’ll get back to them.
A little training goes a long way in making sure customers get a great experience every time they call.
Get a Toll-Free or Custom Number
A regular phone number works fine, but a toll-free or custom number can make your business stand out.
A toll-free number (like 1-800-XXX-XXXX) gives your business a more established and professional look. It also makes it easier for customers outside your local area to reach you.
A custom vanity number (like 1-800-YOURBIZ) is even better. It’s easy to remember and helps reinforce your brand. For example, a plumbing business could get something like 1-800-FIX-LEAKS.
While not every business needs a special number, it can make your company more recognizable and improve customer trust.
Recommended reading:
Get a Toll Free Number for Business with Talkroute: A Quick Guide
How to Use Your Existing Phones with a Virtual Phone System
Talkroute: Get a Separate Work Phone Number Without Extra Devices
Talkroute gives you the best of both worlds—a professional business phone number with powerful call management features, all without the need for extra hardware.
With Talkroute’s virtual phone system, you can make and receive business calls from your mobile phone, desktop, laptop, or tablet. Keep your personal number private while maintaining a professional presence—whether in the office, at home, or on the go.
- Keep your personal and business calls separate – Use a dedicated business number while keeping your personal number private. Talkroute lets you switch between personal and business calls effortlessly from the same device. You can even port your existing phone number if you want to use it!
- Route calls to any device – Take business calls from your smartphone, desktop, or landline—no need to carry a separate work phone.
- Set business hours and custom voicemail – Decide when you’re available for work calls. With scheduled call forwarding and voicemail settings, you won’t be bothered after hours.
- Text from your business number – Customers prefer texting businesses over calling. With Talkroute’s SMS feature, you can send and receive texts from your business number, keeping communication simple and professional.
- Professional call features without extra equipment – From auto-attendants and call menus to custom hold music and call recording, Talkroute gives your business a professional image—without the cost or hassle of buying a second phone.
FAQs About Should I Get a Separate Phone for My Business
Is it worth it to have a separate business phone?
Yes, having a separate business phone is worth it if you want to keep your personal life separate from work. Using a business phone number helps you look more professional and makes it easier to manage business calls without mixing them with personal calls. It also helps with privacy since you won’t have to give out your personal cell phone number to customers.
Should I buy another phone for my business?
If you get a lot of business calls, buying a second cell phone can be a good idea. It keeps your personal number private and makes it easier to focus on work when needed.
But if you don’t want to carry two phones, you can get a separate line on your mobile phone or use a virtual business line to handle calls.
Should business owners have two phones?
Some business owners prefer having two phones to keep business and personal calls separate. A second cell phone gives you a clear boundary between work and personal life.
But if you don’t want to manage two devices, you can set up a business line on your mobile phone or use an app to create a business phone number.
Do I need a separate phone number for my small business?
Yes, having a separate phone number for your business makes you look more professional and helps you stay organized. It also protects your personal cell phone number, so you don’t have to share it with customers.
You don’t need a second cell phone if you don’t want one—many business owners just add a separate line to their mobile phone or use a business phone service.
Stephanie
Stephanie is the Marketing Director at Talkroute and has been featured in Forbes, Inc, and Entrepreneur as a leading authority on business and telecommunications.
Stephanie is also the chief editor and contributing author for the Talkroute blog helping more than 200k entrepreneurs to start, run, and grow their businesses.
