Adding a business line to your cell phone is useful when you want to keep your business calls separate from your personal calls — and it’s a very simple process. Read on to learn why you should get a business line for your cell phone and how to do it.
Why Add a Business Line to Your Cell Phone?
The benefits of having a business line on your cell phone are numerous, the main one being that your work number will be separate from your personal one. You can set up call forwarding so that you never miss a call while you’re away from the office, or you can turn the ringer off when you’re working late hours.
Some additional benefits include:
- One phone for business and personal use
- Separate business contacts from personal contacts
- If your phone dies, you can forward important business contacts to a new device
- Manage SMS/text messages
- Keep your personal phone number private
- Know when a business call is ringing in to answer professionally for your business/work
- A great solution for occupational emergencies (e.g., on-call doctors, nurses, etc.)
- Work from anywhere, anytime
Adding a Business Line to Your Cell Phone
Adding a business line to your cell phone can be done in different ways, including:
- Using a Business Phone Service Provider
- Adding a Business Line Through a Mobile App
- Forwarding a Business Line to Your Cell Phone
The best option for your business will depend on what type of plan you have and what kind of phone you have.
Adding a Business Line Using a Business Phone Service Provider
If you’re constantly on the go, infrequently at the office, and need a dedicated business phone line for your business that follows you wherever you go, you’ll want to get a business phone service through a business phone service provider.
There are business phone providers to choose from, and each has its own set of instructions for purchasing and setting up service on your cell phone. Here’s a list of our favorite business phone services:
For a closer look at these services, check out our review of the best business phone services.
Adding a Business Line Using a Mobile App
There are many mobile apps that make it possible to add a business line to your cell phone. Google Voice, for example, makes it possible to add a separate number that will ring into your cell phone. These extra numbers are relatively inexpensive and can be forwarded to any number or used to collect digital voice mail when you can’t take calls.
Adding a Google Voice business number only requires a few steps:
- Get a Google Workspace account
- Visit voice.google.com
- Select “For business”
- Select “Get started”
- Choose a pricing plan
Note: You can manage forwarding and call management online through Google Voice’s website. Just log in to your Google Voice account and see who calls, check voicemail, even receive SMS/text messages.
There are many other mobile apps that do the same thing. By searching online, you can find other options besides Google Voice.
Forwarding a Business Line to Your Cell Phone
From a standard business phone or office phone, you can set up call forwarding to where incoming calls will be forwarded to your personal cell phone. Setting up call forwarding will let you receive calls when you’re away from the office. This can be useful when you’re traveling for work, working in the field, or when you’re on-call during an emergency.
From your office landline, follow these steps:
- Dial *72 on the landline phone
- Dial your cell phone number
- Press #
Tip: When you return to the office, you can turn off call forwarding by dialing *73 on your business landline and then waiting for the phone to hang up. You’ll now be able to receive calls again on your office phone until you reactivate call forwarding in the future.
Should I Add a Business Line to My Cell Phone?
Adding a business line to your cell phone is worth considering if you’re tied to your work or own a business. A business phone number not only brings more professionalism to your business but also makes it easier to manage your business calls from your personal calls.
Given that adding a business line to your cell phone is an easy, low-cost option for managing your business better, helping you to grow your business faster, we safely recommend it for most businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of adding a business line to my cell phone?
The cost of adding a business line can vary from one service provider to the next. It’s best to shop around for the best business phone service that meets your needs. Check out our Best Business Phone Service review to find the best price and service to suit your needs.
How does adding a line to my cell phone affect my current cell phone plan?
Adding a line to your cell phone using a third-party app or by going through a business line provider won’t affect your current cell phone billing or service.
What are the benefits of adding a business line to my cell phone?
The benefits of adding a business line to your cell phone are many. The main benefit you’ll receive is keeping your personal number private so that you won’t have professional contacts calling your personal line. This makes managing your business and professional relationships much easier and more trackable.
How many lines do I need for my business?
Depending on the type of business you have may determine how many lines you need for your business. For example, if you operate multiple locations, you may want a separate business line for each location.
What will happen if I switch carriers for my cell phone service?
If you switch carriers for your cell phone service, it should not affect a business line provided through a third-party company. However, it is still best to check with them to determine how switching your cell phone service may impact your business line.
What is the difference between a business phone line and a personal phone line?
As the names suggest, a business phone line is used for business purposes, while a personal phone line is used to talk to personal contacts.
You can use business phone lines to transact business with clients, troubleshoot customer service issues, or for a variety of other business-related purposes.