As a small business owner looking to expand into the U.S. market or an individual seeking more accessible communication, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the process of obtaining a U.S. phone number.
With countless options and features to consider, navigating the landscape can initially seem complicated. That's why a straightforward guide is so valuable to help you get a U.S. phone number in minutes.
In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to acquire a U.S. number quickly and efficiently, while highlighting the key benefits and best practices for making the most of your new number.
What is a US phone number?
A US phone number is primarily used for personal purposes, followed by business and verifications.
A US number boosts credibility and accessibility for businesses, making connecting with American customers & partners easier.
This also lets businesses enter the U.S. market and create an on-the-ground presence without needing a physical office by renting or buying a virtual office.
In a more personal sense, this makes it easier to send texts and receive messages from family members in the US without being subject to astronomical international rates.
Moreover, a U.S. number holds prime value when adding your numbers for verification, as many online services or platforms ask you to provide, so verifying new account holders and potential customers access all across the platform offerings.
Why does your local business need a US number?
A USA phone number has a very positive impact on any business in the US since it improves your professionalism and expands opportunities.
Your business can gain extra credibility with US clients and help you penetrate the American market.
This allows U.S. based customers to reach your business without paying any of those overseas telephone fees (of course, enhancing customer satisfaction and availability).
It also helps in marketing campaigns where your business can appear local to U.S. customers, greatly increasing the engagement rate of potential clients with high intent phases provided accordingly.
Understanding the options for getting a US number.
Different methods exist to get a US phone number that fits your requirements and budget.
Some of the frequent ones you can consider are VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and virtual phone number services.
Both options are highly flexible and cater to businesses wanting to penetrate the US market without setting up physical office space.
VoIP services:
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband internet connection instead of a regular phone line.
VoIP converts your voice into digital signals, enabling calls to be made online. This method is often more cost-effective than traditional phone services, especially for international calls.
Popular VoIP providers.
- Skype
- Vonage
- RingCentral
- Zoom
- Nextiva
Pros and cons of using VoIP.
Pros:
- Cost-effective: VoIP services are generally cheaper than traditional ones, especially for international calls.
- Flexibility: VoIP allows you to make calls from anywhere with an internet connection, using various devices.
- Advanced features: Many VoIP providers offer features like video conferencing, call recording, and voicemail to email.
Cons:
- Reliance on internet connection: The quality of calls depends on the strength and stability of your internet connection.
- Potential security risks: VoIP systems can be vulnerable to cyberattacks if not properly secured.
- Emergency calls: VoIP services may not offer the same reliability as traditional phone lines for emergency calls.
Virtual phone number services.
Virtual phone numbers are not tied to a specific phone line or location. Instead, they route incoming calls to any designated phone number, whether a mobile, landline, or VoIP line.
This makes them ideal for businesses that want to maintain a U.S. presence without a physical office in the country.
Key features.
- Call forwarding: Automatically redirects calls to a designated phone number, ensuring you never miss important calls.
- Voicemail: Provides a dedicated voicemail box, often with the option to receive voicemails via email.
- SMS/MMS: Some virtual numbers support text messaging, enabling better customer communication.
- Multiple extensions: Allows businesses to set up multiple extensions for different departments or team members.
Shared Inbox
Connect all your communication channels - email, SMS, Whatsapp, Instagram, Messenger, and Live Chat to one inbox.
A step-by-step guide to get a US number from anywhere.
Choosing a provider.
Selecting the right provider is important for ensuring you have the features and support that meet your business needs.
Evaluate the cost of plans offered by different providers. Look for transparent pricing structures without hidden fees.
Some providers may offer free trials or lower initial costs, which can be beneficial for testing the service.
Assess the features included in each plan. Essential features may include call forwarding, voicemail, text messaging, and advanced options like call recording and analytics.
Ensure the provider can accommodate your specific business requirements. Reliable customer support is also vital, especially if you encounter technical issues.
Check if the provider offers 24/7 support, multiple contact methods (chat, email, or phone), and user-friendly resources such as FAQs or tutorials.
You can look for customer reviews and ratings on G2 or Trustpilot to compare providers to gauge user satisfaction and service reliability.
Also, take advantage of free trials offered by many providers. This allows you to test the service and features before committing to a paid plan.
Sign-up process (Simpu's process).
Visit Simpu's website and sign up for a free trial using your Google account or another email address.
After signing up, follow the onboarding process to set up your inbox, where you will receive and send messages using your new number.
Once your inbox is created, go to settings and edit the inbox channels. You'll see an option to buy a phone number for $10. Click on it and follow the steps to connect your new phone number.
You can download the mobile app to access the platform easily. Get the Simpu mobile app for iOS or Android.
Invite your team members to join your Simpu workspace. To manage access and responsibilities, you can assign different roles and permissions. In the Simpu app, navigate to the "Numbers" section and select your number.
You can then connect it to your team inbox, allowing all authorized members to access and respond to calls and messages.
Note: Before signing up, gather all necessary information, such as your name, address, payment details, and any relevant business information.
This can help you move through the signup process quickly. After completing the signup process, send test messages to ensure everything functions properly.
Why Simpu is the great option for a US phone number.
Simpu offers several key features that make it an excellent choice for businesses or individuals seeking a U.S. phone number. Here's a breakdown of the benefits:
Makes customer service easy.
Simpu simplifies customer service by providing a unified platform where all customer interactions are easily managed.
You can organize all communications in one place. A streamlined customer inquiry helps your business respond more quickly and efficiently, improving customer satisfaction.
With features like shared inboxes, teams can collaborate to handle customer queries, ensuring that no message is missed.
One time $10 cost.
Simpu offers a highly cost-effective solution with a one-time fee of $10 for a U.S. phone number.
This particularly appeals to small businesses or startups looking to minimize costs while maintaining a professional U.S. presence.
The one-time cost structure means you don't have to worry about recurring monthly or annual fees for the number itself, making it a budget-friendly option.
Connects to shared inbox and multiple people can access.
One of Simpu's standout features is connecting the U.S. phone number to a shared inbox. This allows multiple team members to access and manage incoming messages and calls.
This feature is valuable for businesses with customer service teams or departments that handle client communication collectively.
Team members can respond to messages from different devices with a shared inbox, ensuring a consistent and unified customer service experience. It also allows for easier tracking of communication history across the team.
Send and receive sms messages. Stores every message
Simpu supports both sending and receiving SMS messages with the U.S. phone number.
This allows businesses to engage with customers through a popular and direct communication channel for customer support, marketing, or transactional messages.
The app automatically stores every message, allowing your business to record all customer interactions.
This is important for tracking conversations, addressing customer concerns, and maintaining a historical log for future reference. It also helps ensure that nothing is lost, even if a team member changes.
Acquiring a U.S. phone number has never been easier, thanks to the wide range of digital tools and services available today.
If you're looking to expand your business into the U.S. market, streamline customer service, or need a number for personal use, there are quick and affordable solutions to meet your needs.
A virtual phone number service like Simpu can set up a U.S. number in minutes, with features like SMS capabilities and even shared inbox access.
With just a few simple steps, you can establish a U.S. presence, improve your communication, and benefit from the advantages of having a U.S. phone number.
Titilola Shittu
