Virtual numbers: a complete guide for UK businesses
What a virtual number is, how calls reach you, which type of number to choose and what it costs, everything in one place.
A virtual number is a real phone number that is not tied to a particular phone line or building. When someone calls it, the call is sent to whichever phone you choose: your mobile, your office landline or a cloud phone system. It is one of the simplest ways to give a business a professional presence.
How it works
The number lives on our network. When a call arrives, we divert it to the destination you have set, which you can change at any time online. Callers simply dial the number; they do not know, or need to know, where the call is answered.
Which type of number?
| Type | Examples | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| City and local | 0121, 0161, 0113 | Looking local in a town or city |
| London | 020 3, 020 7, 020 8 | A London presence from anywhere |
| Freephone | 0800, 0808 | Making it free for customers to call |
| 03 numbers | 0330, 0345, 0370 | One national number at landline rates |
| 084 and 087 | 0844, 0845, 0870 | National numbers with a service charge |
| International | Local numbers abroad | Customers in other countries |
What you can do with one
- Look established. A landline-style number reassures customers more than a mobile number.
- Keep work and personal separate. Give out the business number and divert it to your mobile.
- Be local in several places. Have a Birmingham number and a Manchester number both ringing the same office.
- Route calls by time. Office phone in the day, mobile in the evening, voicemail at night.
- Track your marketing. Use a different number on each advert to see which brings in calls.
- Move without changing number. The number stays with you if your office moves.
What it costs
Every Alphatalk virtual number is £4.99 a month and includes 1,000 free UK minutes for diverting calls. Standard numbers have no setup fee; memorable silver, gold and platinum numbers, easy-to-remember digits, have a one-off charge. Prices exclude VAT.
Tips from our team
- Choose the area code your customers expect. A local trader should look local; a national service may suit an 03 number.
- Memorable numbers are worth it if the number goes on vans, signs or radio ads.
- Set up voicemail to email, so out-of-hours callers still reach you.
- Already have a number you love? You can bring it to us.
Ready to choose? Search for a number, or read how ordering works.