What is a Virtual Phone Line?

Having a business phone number is crucial for most businesses and virtual phone lines have made it easier (and more affordable) to connect with your customers.

With virtual phone lines, businesses are no longer restricted to overpriced and overcomplicated business phone systems. Keep reading to learn more about virtual phone lines, including what they are and how you can get your own.

What Is A Virtual Phone Line? The Quick Answer

A virtual phone line is a telephone line that isn’t attached to a specific device.

Because virtual phone lines operate through an internet connection, these lines can be used across multiple devices, providing businesses with more mobility than traditional phone lines.

How Does A Virtual Phone Line Work?

A virtual phone line uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This technology allows businesses and individuals to make and receive phone calls without the traditional infrastructure of landline phone systems.

Here’s how VoIP works: If a business has an internet connection and VoIP, a device can be used to make a phone call. Analog voice signals are converted to digital packets and travel through the network.

Before reaching the person on the other end of the line, these packets are reassembled and converted back into an analog signal, which the other caller hears as your voice.

Benefits Of Virtual Phone Lines

There are several benefits of virtual phone lines for business.

Scalability

The technology of virtual phone lines is significantly different from traditional phone lines. It does not require physical infrastructure like copper wires to operate.

This results in phone systems that are easier to scale, as a technician isn’t required to do things like upgrade service or add phone lines to your account.

Affordability

VoIP phone systems are extremely affordable. Even free options are available through providers like Google Voice, although free virtual phone lines have many limitations.

Even upgrading to more advanced plans is often cheaper than monthly landline fees. You can save even more by not purchasing expensive equipment and using your own. Which brings us to…

Mobility

Virtual phone lines also don’t require a desk phone, although IP phones are available if you need them.

With VoIP apps, you can make and receive calls from numerous devices, including your cellphone, desktop computer, laptop, or tablet.

Advanced Features

Your virtual phone line could be loaded with features based on your VoIP provider and selected plan.

You’ll find standard features like call waiting, caller ID, and call forwarding on even the most basic plans.

However, upgraded plans and add-ons can give you access to advanced features like auto attendants, video conferencing, intercoms and paging, broadcasts and alerts, and interactive voice response menus.

Analytics, reports, training tools, and unified communications tools round out the available features you can find with virtual phone lines.

Virtual Phone Line Pricing

In general, you should expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $30 per month for a virtual phone line. However, actual pricing varies by factors such as the provider you choose, plan and features, add-ons, and number of users.

Plans with multiple devices, users, features, and add-ons can cost hundreds of dollars per month but are still more cost-effective for most businesses than landline plans.

As previously mentioned, there are free options available. While these are fine for personal use, their limitations don’t necessarily make them a good choice for businesses.

We recommend comparing multiple options to find not just the best cost, but the best value for a phone line that meets the needs of your business.

How To Get A Virtual Phone Line

Getting a virtual phone line is easy. Start by finding a service provider. Compare pricing and plans to find the best fit for your business. We suggest starting with our picks for the best VoIP phone systems.

Once you’ve found a provider, you’ll need to sign up for a plan. Most providers allow you to easily do this online. Choose your plan, add-ons, and hardware (if needed). Most providers will also allow you to select your phone number, including vanity numbers and toll-free numbers, for an extra fee.

Next, review your service agreement/contract, pay any upfront deposits and/or fees, and you’re ready to set up your service. Sign in to your online dashboard or your provider’s app to set up and configure your new virtual phone line.

After finishing these steps, you’re now ready to make and receive calls, as well as take advantage of any features included in your plan.