How to's

How to get an alternate phone number

Get an alternate phone number for business

Using two separate phones? Or maybe you’re using your personal phone number for business.

Carrying two phones or using your personal phone number for business might not be a good option.

But ..there’s an easy fix.

All you need is an alternate phone number.

Adding a second number to your existing phone can make things a whole lot easier.

Keep all your work on this new number and save your personal number for friends and family. It’s like giving your professional and private life their own separate spaces.

Stick around, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about alternate phone numbers – how they work, the good and the bad, how to get one, the best second phone number apps out there, and a whole lot more.

So, what is an alternate phone number?

An alternate phone number also commonly known as second phone number, is a regular phone number that you can use for business calling and texting.

Instead of juggling two phones or getting a landline, you can add an alternate phone number for your business on your existing smartphone. This way, you can easily separate work and personal.

How does an alternate phone number work?

Alternate phone numbers, also known as second phone numbers, lets you add a second line on your existing smartphone. It is designed to separate your business calls from your personal calls.

It’s like having two phones in one. You get to decide who gets which number, keeping your personal number private while still being reachable for all your business needs.

Your second phone line will host all your business phone calls, texts, voicemail messages, and business contacts.

Your personal phone number hosts your personal contacts, calls, SMS, and everything related to your personal life.

Why get an alternate phone number

Here are a few reasons why businesses choose to get a secondary phone number,

Easily know which incoming call is for work

Is this incoming call for work? How do I know which call is for work and which ones for personal? Other business phone systems make it hard to distinguish business calls from personal.

With iTeleCenter’ salternate phone number mobile app, you’ll instantly know that the incoming call is for your business.

Want to manage multiple numbers for different parts of your business or locations? Got it. Simply use an emoji for each number, and voilà, you’ll instantly know which line the call is coming through. This way, you can answer with just the right greeting every time.

Work from anywhere you want

Working from wherever has become the norm, don’t you agree?

A secondary phone number lets you add a business line to your existing cellphone. As long as you’ve got a stable internet connection, you can use your new alternate business phone number from any smartphone, computer or tablet.

Control your business hours

You deserve to kick back and have some quality time with your family when you’re off the clock .. right?

That’s the best part about having a second phone number. Just set your business hours and auto-replies, and voilà, you’re free to enjoy your personal life without work interruptions.

How to get an alternate phone number with iTeleCenter

You can get an alternate phone number in just four simple steps.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Pick from US local, toll-free or vanity phone numbers.
  2. Choose a plan that works for you. No contracts, you can cancel at any time.
  3. Download our mobile apps or access through the web.
  4. Configure your settings, set up call forwarding, phone menu, voicemail greetings to deliver a professional experience.

Types of alternate phone numbers

Let’s talk about the different types of alternate phone numbers out there. Here are the options,

Landline numbers: These are your classic phone numbers. They require a physical phone and wires to make calls. They bring a touch of professionalism and reliability to your business chats, but they’re stuck in one spot and you need to be next to it.

Cell phone numbers: Cell or mobile numbers live in your cell phone, powered by a SIM card, and let you make calls from anywhere. They’re good for staying in touch on the go, though if you hit an area with no signal, you might hit the brakes.

VoIP numbers: Now we’re getting there with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) numbers. VoIP lets you send texts, make voice calls, or even video chat, all using the internet. You can get a local, toll-free, or vanity numbers, they’re portable and don’t cost an arm and a leg.

Virtual phone numbers: These are basically like VoIP numbers and also work using the internet. They come with a bunch of phone features similar to VoIP. Whether you want a number that’s local, mobile, or even a vanity one, virtual numbers have you covered.

Best alternate phone number providers

iTeleCenter

Add an alternate number with iTeleCenter

iTeleCenter is a VoIP phone service that easily adds a work number to your existing smartphone.

To get a second phone number, simply start a 14 day free trial, download the iTeleCenter app, and you’re all set to text and make calls.

Getting that extra number for work is simple. iTeleCenter helps you keep your personal number private.

Moreover, with iTeleCenter’s second phone number, you get a ton of features such as,

  • Free US local or toll free number
  • Unlimited calling
  • SMS text messaging
  • Call forwarding and routing
  • Business voicemail
  • IOS and Android app
  • Conference calling
  • Call recording
  • Virtual receptionist

.. and many more.

Ready to see how iTeleCenter can transform your work and life? Try a 14-day free trial

Sideline

Sideline secondary phone number

Sideline gives you up an extra phone number and voicemail right on your iPhone or Android. You get to enjoy calling and texting you want across the US, plus features like group chats and auto-replies, just like a regular business phone system.

Sideline comes with a 7-day free trial.

Google voice

Google voice secondary number

Google Voice lets you make calls and send messages over the internet. It’s got a free plan for personal use, but you’ve got to have a US phone number to sign up and it has a lot of limitations.

Also, inside google voice app, calls, texts, and voicemails are split into different spots, which can be a bit of a hassle if you’re trying to keep track of a conversation.

Line2

Line2 alternate number

Line2 is a second-line VoIP phone service. It’s a cloud-based setup that’s farily user-friendly, letting you make calls from your desktop and enjoy unlimited calls in both Canada and the US. But it sticks closely to what you’d expect from a regular cellphone, doesn’t cover a lot of features that come with VoIP technology.

Get started with a second phone number with iTeleCenter

Get a second phone number with iTeleCenter in minutes

Struggling to keep your work and private life apart? An alternate phone number is the best way to keep your work and personal separate. Getting an alternate number through iTeleCenter couldn’t be easier.

Start your free trial to see what it’s like to have an alternate phone number on your existing smartphone.

Frequently asked questions

With iTeleCenter, it’s simple to get an alternate phone number for iPhone for your business. Here’s how,

  • Search and pick from local, toll-free or vanity phone numbers using our number search.
  • Choose a plan that works for you. No contracts, you can cancel at any time.
  • Download our mobile apps or access through the web.
  • Configure your settings and start making calls and texts.

An alternate mobile number acts as your secondary number in addition to your primary main phone number.

It's useful in a lot of ways .. for example, let's say you want to give out a phone number for work or online services without revealing your personal phone number, or when you need a separate phone number for marketing tools or advertising purposes. An alternate phone number app comes in handy for business.

When picking an app for an alternate phone number, look out for ones that are intuitive, easy to use, lets you send texts, and works well with dual SIM phones among other things.

Yes, you can find free apps out there that give you free alternative phone numbers. Alternate numbers are great for business owners to manage texts, catch missed calls, and offer customer support without spending extra. Note: Free ones come with a lot of limitations.

Of course. With iTeleCenter, you can have 2 phone numbers on 1 phone. You can get a local or toll-free number and use it from multiple devices.

Easily manage both your work and personal life from your existing smartphone, computer or tablet.

There are a couple of ways you can get an alternate phone number for free,

You can go for a free VoIP phone service or decide to go with a free alternate phone number app.

Hi, I’m Jesh

Jesh is a product marketing specialist and B2B copywriter with a flair for detail and a hint of humor. Outside of the 9 to 5, he likes to attend wine-tasting events and act like a connoisseur.

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