A virtual phone number is a phone number that isn’t tied to a fixed UK landline. This means the same number can be used on multiple devices, including desk phones, laptops, desktop computers and mobile phones. In the telecoms world, virtual phone numbers are becoming an increasingly popular choice for large enterprises, small and medium sized businesses and individual professionals seeking an affordable, secure and reliable alternative to a UK landline phone number, and something more professional than a mobile phone number for doing business.
Virtual phone numbers are going to be essential going forward and are beneficial for businesses as they also offer a host of features and functionalities to enhance internal and external communications.
For remote/hybrid small businesses, startups or freelancers, bOnline’s agile VoIP phone system provides all the flexibility and features you need to communicate effectively internally and externally. Moreover, it’s affordable for micro-businesses that don’t have the budget to afford enterprise phone systems.
What is a Virtual Phone Number?
A virtual business number enables you to stay reachable anytime, anywhere from virtually any internet-connected device. One common way you can access virtual landlines is through a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider. With a VoIP phone, you can make and receive phone calls from anywhere in the world, provided you have the right software and an internet or mobile data connection. Whether you’re working from home or you’re on the go with just your mobile phone in hand, a virtual telephone number empowers you to stay connected at all times. Moreover, virtual phone numbers offer an opportunity for less sizable organisations to leverage a range of incoming call features to level up their communications.
Why Is Everyone Switching to VoIP?
In comparison to traditional phone systems, VoIP offers unmatched flexibility, cost savings and a host of smart features, which is why more and more businesses are adopting it. It’s a modern and reliable way to stay connected during remote work. VoIP phones offer internet calling on a variety of devices simultaneously, to keep connected. Additionally, users can look forward to clearer calls. For businesses in the UK, it helps prepare for the landline switch-off in 2027.
Why Do You Need a Virtual Business Number?
Ahead of the UK landline shutdown in 2027, it’s crucial for businesses to migrate their communications from legacy systems to a digital network, switching their landline phone numbers to a virtual business number instead. But the great switch off isn’t the only motivation you need to consider a virtual phone number sooner rather than later – there are many reasons to use a virtual number for your small business.
Flexibility of a Virtual Landline Phone Number
One of the most significant is that you can work from anywhere on a range of devices – which is an increasingly important requirement in today’s globally connected world. VoIP is extremely cost effective and can help you make huge savings on local and international calls. Small businesses experience a 90% reduction in start up costs when they implement a VoIP phone system. Moreover, you can eliminate costly maintenance and hardware charges as the VoIP provider will take care of system updates for you.
What Types of Virtual Phone Numbers Are There?
VoIP service providers typically offer several different types of virtual phone numbers, including:
| Type of Virtual Number | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Toll-free Numbers | UK 0800 and 0808 numbers where calls are charged to your business rather than the customer. | Commonly used by government services and customer support teams to encourage inbound calls. |
| Local Numbers | Numbers with specific UK area codes (e.g. 020 for London, 0121 for Birmingham) to create a local presence. | Ideal for businesses targeting specific regions or building trust with local customers. |
| Mobile Numbers | Mobile phone numbers that can also receive text messages (SMS). | Useful for businesses that want a more personal contact option and SMS communication with customers. |
Why Should Your Business Use a UK Virtual Phone Number?
Having a local number allows you to establish a presence anywhere in the UK, which can help increase your reach and establish trust with your British customers. For example, choosing a London number can suggest that your company is of a certain size and credibility. Local numbers allow calls to be diverted. This is ideal if you have a remote team, as calls can be answered on any added device, whether it be a desk phone or softphone app on desktop or mobile. This means you won’t miss an important incoming call – which is great for business.
In general landline numbers are more credible than mobile numbers for business and provide a level of trust and certainly when presenting your business as a professional operation.
What Are The Advantages of a Virtual Phone Number for Business?
There are countless benefits of virtual phone numbers for small businesses, startups and freelancers. Not only does a virtual phone number enable you and your team to work from anywhere on any device, it also empowers you to work smarter and build better customer relationships with a range of features that were previously only available to large businesses with equally large budgets.
What Features Should a Virtual Phone Line Service Have?
One of the reasons virtual phone services stand out against legacy systems is the diverse range of features they provide. Alongside virtual numbers, enterprise-grade security and mobile and desktop calling, a great virtual phone system should offer a range of additional VoIP phone features to improve communications for you and your customers.
Some key features to look out for include:
- Call forwarding
- Call menus
- Call queue
- Call recording
- Call reports
- Virtual assistants
- Custom greetings
- Local and international numbers
- Video calling
- Voicemail to email
- Available customer care team
How Does Virtual Phone Call Forwarding Work?
With a virtual phone number, you can set up calls to be forwarded to a different device when you’re not available. If you or your team can’t be physically present at the office, you can still handle business calls effectively while leveraging all the features of your VoIP phone system on the go. With call forwarding, you and your team can continue to provide customer support, communicate with stakeholders and collaborate seamlessly wherever you might be. For small businesses and freelance professionals, call forwarding can be the difference between signing a new client or missing out simply because you couldn’t come to the phone.
How Can I Build a Local Presence in the UK With Virtual Phone Numbers?
With a VoIP service provider like bOnline, you can choose between all the UK area codes to build your local presence where it matters most. Set up multiple local phone numbers to project a business presence throughout the UK and increase your reach. Moveover, selecting a phone number that’s memorable is a great way to stay at the forefront of your audience’s minds. One reason people have become so suspicious of outbound calls from businesses is due to the huge amount of deception and spoofing that occurs. Customers are more trusting of local numbers – which means they’re more likely to pick up the phone.
How VoIP Enhances Remote WorkingVoIP keeps the teams connected at all times and therefore makes remote and hybrid working simpler and more effective. Here’s how:
Device FlexibilityYour team can take calls via desktop phones, smartphones and even laptops and tablets. They access the call via the device that best suits their setup.
Global Access As long as there is a mobile data or broadband service, calls can be received and made from any part of the world.
Sophisticated Call Management Advanced features such as call queues, call forwarding and voicemail-to-email ensure that missed calls are averted even when you’re out of the office.
Collaboration with Team Members
Integrated video calls or video conferencing ensures that remote teams are connected with and remain productive towards the organisation’s goals.
Reduced Costs
VoIP, coupled with a reliable broadband, are the only required tools. VoIP eliminates the need for multiple lines and therefore means no paying for costly roaming fees.
Benefits of Having a UK Virtual Phone Number
From establishing a local presence to foster trust with existing and potential clients, to better flexibility to fit in with a businesses busy schedule, below are some of the top benefits of UK virtual phone numbers for small businesses:
- Establish a local presence – Most customers prefer dealing with local businesses that they trust. Having a UK virtual number allows you to establish a presence across the UK.
- Flexibility and mobility – Calls to a virtual phone number can be answered anywhere in the world, on any internet-connected device equipped with the relevant app. This empowers teams to work remotely with the flexibility to make and receive calls no matter where they are.
- Enhance productivity – A virtual phone system that offers features like voicemail to email, video calling and business app integrations help your team to be as productive and efficient as possible.
- Improve customer service – With a virtual phone number, you can access a range of features to provide better customer service, such as global call forwarding, call recording, call menus, hold music and custom greetings. The flexibility of a virtual number means you can answer important incoming calls even if you’re not in the office.
- Professionalism – Having a virtual phone number can enhance the overall image of your business. For instance, you might set up a toll-free number to give the impression of a successful, well-established company.
How Can Virtual Phones Enhance Your Customer Relationships?
Virtual phone systems offer a range of call handling features to ensure customers have a convenient and seamless experience when contacting your business. You can set up a custom greeting and call menu to welcome and direct them to the appropriate department or team member. If you need to place them on hold for a few minutes, customers will appreciate some catchy hold music to hum along to.
How Do Virtual Phone Numbers Make Your Business More Professional?
Even if you’re just starting out, having a virtual phone number adds a degree of professionalism to your business. Customers are more likely to trust business phone numbers than businesses that use their mobile numbers to handle professional calls.
How to Get a Virtual Phone Number UK (in 2026)
Getting your business a virtual phone number in the UK is easy, as you start by choosing a reliable VoIP provider, such as bOnline, which specifically focuses on the needs of small businesses. Then, you will need to choose a local or international UK number, select a plan that suits you and then set up remotely without any excess hardware. Modern systems include advanced features such as call routing, voicemail-to-email, mobile apps, analytics, and CRM integration, helping you manage calls professionally.
