The problem with using your mobile as the business number
It works right up until it doesn't. Your personal number ends up on vans, van livery, invoices and every job sheet you've ever handed out, which means it follows you into evenings and holidays. It's tied to one handset, so nobody can cover for you. And when you eventually take someone on, there's no way to share the calls.
A setup that suits life on the tools
- One advertised number. A local number on the van and the website, so customers always dial the same thing whoever is on the job.
- Ring the whole team. A new enquiry rings you and whoever else is free at the same time. First to pick up takes it.
- Voicemail to email. If everyone's mid-job, the message lands in the inbox as audio, so you can listen in the van between calls.
- Out-of-hours rules. Evenings and weekends go to whoever is on call, or to a message giving your hours and an emergency option.
- Call back as the business. Return the call from the app and the business number shows, so your personal mobile stays private.
What it typically changes
The measurable difference is in missed calls. A trade enquiry that rings out usually rings the next name on the search results — most people don't leave a voicemail for a company they've never used. Ringing two or three phones instead of one, and getting an email for the calls nobody caught, means those enquiries can be recovered the same day rather than lost.
What about signal on site?
Calls arrive over the mobile network or wifi, so you can answer on whichever is stronger. In a basement or a steel-framed unit where there's no signal at all, the sensible setup is to let the call roll to voicemail after a few rings and pick the email up when you're back in coverage.
Cost for a small trade business
A sole trader typically needs one user; a small firm one per person who answers the phone. Plans start at £19 per user per month with calls included — see costs and contract length for what to watch out for, or our pricing.
Next steps
Read more on phone systems for trades, or start with the basics on virtual landlines.