Business Phone Number
How to get a business phone number in the UK
A separate business number keeps your personal mobile private, makes a one-person firm look established, and means calls can be shared as you grow. Here's how to get one — and what it costs.
Direct answer
How do you get a business phone number?
You get a UK business phone number by choosing a number type — a local 01 or 02 code, a national 03, or a freephone 0800 — and running it over the internet rather than a copper line. A brand-new number is usually live the same day and rings your mobile through an app, a desk phone, or several people at once.
To keep a number you already advertise, it is ported instead. Porting a UK number typically takes 3 to 10 working days, with a short cutover window on the switch date when some calls may not connect — we recommend keeping a mobile advertised that day as a fallback. There is no engineer visit and nothing installed at your premises.
Number types
Which type of business number should you choose?
There are four realistic options in the UK. Most small businesses start with one and add another later.
Local number (01 / 02)
A number with your town's dialling code, like 0113 for Leeds or 020 for London. Best for local trade — people trust a number they recognise.
National number (03)
0333 and 0345 numbers cost callers the same as a landline and are included in mobile bundles. Best if you serve the whole UK and don't want to look tied to one town.
Freephone (0800)
Free for the caller, paid for by you. Best for consumer sales lines where you want to remove any reason not to ring.
Keeping your existing number
You don't have to start again. Porting moves your current number to a new provider — it stays yours even if you change premises.
Step by step
Getting set up in four steps
Decide new number or port
Starting out? Pick a new number. Already advertising one? Port it, so nothing you've printed goes out of date.
Choose the type
Local for local trade, 03 for national, 0800 for consumer sales. You can hold more than one and route them differently.
Pick how calls reach you
Ring your mobile, a desk phone, or several people at once. Add out-of-hours rules and voicemail-to-email.
Go live
A brand-new number is usually live the same day. A ported number typically takes 3 to 10 working days, with a short cutover window on the switch date when calls may not connect.
Do you need one?
Signs it's time to stop using your personal mobile
If two or more of these sound familiar, a business number will pay for itself quickly.
• Customers ring you at 9pm because your only number is the one you sleep next to.
• Nobody can cover the phone when you're on holiday or on a job.
• You've taken someone on and there's no way to share incoming calls.
• Your quotes and van livery show a mobile number, and larger clients notice.
• You have no idea how many enquiries you missed last week.
Pricing
What a business number costs
One price per user, UK calls included. Free porting and free setup while our switching offer runs.
Solo
For individuals and sole traders
- 1 User
- 1 Number
- UK Calls Included
- Mobile App
- Desktop App
- Voicemail
Team
Up to 5 Users
- UK Calls Included
- Auto Attendant
- Ring Groups
- Mobile App
- Desktop App
- Voicemail to Email
Growth
Up to 10 Users
- UK Calls Included
- Call Recording
- Call Queues
- Advanced Routing
- Priority Support
- Reporting
Local numbers
Pick a dialling code
Browse UK area codes and see which numbers are available in your town.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Read next
Related reading
Pick your area: UK dialling codes for local business numbers or business phone systems by UK postcode area. Costs are on our business phone pricing page.
Ready to switch to a smarter phone system?
Special offer: free number port and free setup — worth £174. Talk to a UK specialist today, no pressure and no jargon.