What Is a VoIP Number? (Everything You Need To Know)

If you have been looking into business phone numbers to streamline the process of taking business phone calls, you’ve likely heard of VOIP service. VOIP gives you flexibility and unlimited bandwidth and is light years ahead of traditional landline services. How many businesses have turned to VOIP calls to scale their business and increase efficiency?

This article will discuss VOIP numbers, how they work, and how they can benefit your business.

Quick Summary

VOIP numbers are virtual phone numbers that operate over the internet. The VOIP number is connected to a specific user, not a location, unlike a traditional phone number.
Your business can get a VOIP phone number by choosing a service provider, having a decent internet connection, choosing your plan, and signing up with the provider.
The different types of VOIP numbers include local numbers, toll-free numbers, and vanity numbers.
A VOIP service has many benefits, including lower cost, flexibility, portability, choice of area code, and more.

What Is A VoIP Phone Number?

A VOIP phone number is a virtual phone number that operates on an internet connection. The VOIP number assigned is connected to the user and not a location like traditional phone systems [1].

You can use VOIP from anywhere via a mobile device or a computer and a VOIP app to accept phone calls.

What is special about VOIP is that it is another thing you can do on the internet, whereas it is the only thing that you can do on the public switched telephone system.
– Vinton Cerf, American Internet Pioneer, ForMemRS

How Does A VoIP Number Work?

A VOIP phone number works by taking phone calls over the internet instead of a public switched telephone network. VOIP service providers use the internet and an internet-enabled device.

VOIP also works for other communication forms, such as texting and chatting. A business can select a VOIP number for each staff member to accept outbound calls even if they work remotely.

VOIP Services Versus Landlines

The main difference between these phone numbers is that local VOIP phone numbers aren’t assigned a location, while a traditional toll-free number has a location.

A landline phone number travels through copper lines, while a VOIP number uses data networks such as the internet and LANs to make local and international calls.

How To Get A VOIP Number?

To get a VOIP number, there are a few easy steps [2]:

Choose a VOIP service provider.
Check your internet service. It is recommended to have 0.1 Mbps for each device’s upload and download speed for virtual phone numbers.
Choose a VOIP service provider plan with the features you need for your business phone service.
Choose the devices that you want to use for your VOIP number.
Sign up for a VOIP plan.

Most VOIP number plans are less expensive than a desk phone or traditional phone number. If you already have existing phone numbers that you use for business communications through the phone company, you can use these numbers with VOIP.

What Are The Different Kinds Of Virtual Phone Numbers?

Convenience is one of the main reasons that VOIP systems are preferred. They also offer different phone number options, including:

Local Numbers – Location can be a large part of marketing. People want to support local businesses and often prefer to buy from local companies. VOIP numbers allow you to choose your dialing code to show a local number when making calls to your customers. This can lower long-distance calling costs and make it simple for your customers to connect with your business [3].
Toll-free Numbers – If your customers need to get in contact with your business, you often don’t want them to have to pay when they make the call. VOIP numbers allow the creation of toll-free numbers so your clients can quickly contact you.
Vanity Numbers – Branding is an essential factor for any business, and your phone number plays a part. If you have a memorable number related to your business, it can stick in your customers’ minds and encourage them to call.

Why Should I Choose VOIP Phone Service?

VOIP phone service brings advantages that traditional phone service can’t. There are several benefits to a VOIP system, including [4]:

Low Cost – Without a traditional phone system, VOIP phone numbers work over the internet. This is less expensive than a cell phone or traditional methods. You also have access to premium services at a price, including an auto-attendant, call queuing, call forwarding, one-click conference calls, and VOIP toll-free numbers at no extra cost.
Accessible – A VOIP phone system doesn’t rely on a physical phone line or desk phones to make unlimited calls. VOIP is possible using standard internet protocol and connection for unlimited calling. VOIP doesn’t use a lot of bandwidth and allows you to use your mobile phone to receive inbound calls.
Flexibility – A VOIP number offers more flexibility. Adding multiple phones to the system is limited when using a private physical location network. With a VOIP number, you are only limited by your internet connection and bandwidth to receive calls. VOIP can also operate with any device. They work with computers, VOIP phones, tablets, and mobile phones with internet connectivity. VOIP phones also have accessories such as headsets to help with your work [5].
Increased Voice Quality – VOIP uses the latest sound compression technology to digitally convert sound and eliminate static and fuzziness on the line. A VOIP network offers twice the bandwidth as traditional landlines for clearer call quality.

In moments of limited bandwidth, the call uses an internet connection to move the call to standard quality automatically.

Multiple Device Options – One of the most critical benefits of VOIP is the ability to use multiple devices with your VOIP network. The VOIP number is assigned to one person who can access it from anywhere with a stable internet connection. Once they have logged in, they can use a company or personal computer, laptop, or cell phone compatible with the phone system to make calls. The system can also give the user a call forwarding to another number if needed.
Choice Of Area Code – Unlike regular local numbers, you can choose an area code for your VOIP number that is outside of your actual location, which calls allow for long-distance calls that you don’t get charged for. This also allows a business to assign a local number to establish credibility with customers.
Portability – With a VOIP system, phones aren’t stationary. VOIP portability is an option to save business downtime when moving locations, and they can use the same number. All they need to accept incoming calls is an internet connection. This can save the business time when moving location from having to make changes to their business cards, website, and more.
Toll-Free VOIP Number – Toll-free calling allows a small or midsize business VOIP number to receive toll-free calls with a VOIP number. The ability to get a VOIP number also eliminates the business being limited to one area by being able to accept calls from toll-free numbers.

We are in the midst of a VOIP communications revolution.
– Jeff Pulver, American Internet Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Vonage

How To Protect Your Business Against VOIP Fraud

Even though VOIP has many benefits, including cost and a simple-to-use technology, it isn’t immune to fraud. Using VOIP numbers make it difficult to trace a call, and if you don’t know what to expect from a scammer, you can become a victim of fraud.

Fraud

Look for a provider that gives call encryption through SRTP and TLS. This gives your VOIP system the best privacy and performance for every call.

VOIP Phishing (Vishing)

Voice phishing or VOIP phishing is a type of scamming. Fraud occurs with the appearance of a real caller ID displayer with a valid number from a trusted source. The scanner then attempts to convince the customer to disclose personal information [6].

Often scammers prey on a person’s fear and financial stability. This scam is successful because people typically trust caller ID.

VOIP fraud attacks are difficult to spot, which makes it hard to recognize the legitimate call and fraud attempts.

Here are some tips to protect your business from fraud:

Never assume that every call has good intentions, and stay up to date on potential scam methods.
Don’t give your information over the phone unless you start the call
Change your login details for all devices once a month
Never call phone numbers from an email sent to you
If you have any doubt about who is calling, let the caller leave a message

The good news is that successful VOIP fraud is rare.

FAQs

Is It Possible To Trace A VOIP Number?

You can trace a VOIP number by looking it up in a directory or using an ID service; however, VOIP can’t be perfectly traced due to spam callers and number porting.

Is There A Way To Tell If Someone Is Using A VOIP Phone Number?

A reverse lookup can tell you if a number is a VOIP number, who owns the number, and the address associated with the number.

Can You Text A VOIP Number?

Yes, you can. Just like a VOIP number lets you make calls, you can also send texts. VOIP numbers use a virtual number to send and receive texts.

Can You Find Out Who Owns A Specific VOIP Number?

You can find the owner of an unidentified VOIP number through the service provider. The VOIP service provider should be able to track the owner of that phone number.

Can A VOIP Phone Be Hacked?

VOIP phones can be targeted by hackers for fraud, theft, and other crimes. Hackers have sophisticated technology to hijack business phones for spam calls to steal people’s information.

Why Do Criminals Use VOIP Numbers?

Criminals use VOIP numbers because the hardware required for scamming, such as IP phones, routers, and IP PBXs, are very accessible and affordable.

Are VOIP Numbers Free?

The platform for VOIP calling is free, so you can receive inbound calls for free, but you still get charged per minute on outbound calls.

Does A VOIP Phone Have A Monthly Fee?

Yes, on average, a VOIP phone system costs between $100 and $500 per extension. Maintenance and service fees range between $10 and $25 per extension per month.

Cost

Who Is The Least Expensive VOIP Service?

Google Voice is the least expensive VOIP service. Their service starts at $10 per user per month.

What Type Of Phone Do You Need For VOIP Service?

For VOIP service, you need an IP phone. These phones are signed to be used with VOIP, and they have functionalities that traditional telephones don’t have.

Is It Worth It To Get A VOIP Phone?

Yes, VOIP options will generally work out cheaper than using a traditional landline. This is especially true if you make lots of international calls. Sound quality is also better on a VOIP phone, but it depends on the quality of your internet connection.

What Is The Biggest Disadvantage Of VOIP Service?

The most significant disadvantage of VOIP service is that it requires a good internet connection. If you don’t have a decent internet connection at all times, you will not be able to make and receive calls.

Conclusion

A VOIP phone number is a crucial part of any modern business. Fixed landline telephones are a thing of the past, and VOIP call options are replacing these more traditional methods. VOIP services allow companies to link several devices to make phone calls through the internet, enabling them to do business from anywhere at any time.

Choosing the right VOIP service can offer so many benefits to your business, including flexibility, lower costs, accessibility, and more.

Article by

Matt Diggity

Matt is the founder of Diggity Marketing, LeadSpring, The Search Initiative, The Affiliate Lab, and the Chiang Mai SEO Conference. He actually does SEO too.

What Is A VoIP Number? (Everything You Need To Know)