Big brands can use a local business number to hint that the company has an office just around the corner, which helps them win more credibility and trust among local customers. Customers, on the other hand, feel more comfortable and confident in their purchase, thinking that they will receive an accountable and personal service when dialling a local branch number.     

The question for many entrepreneurs is how they can get local Phone Number without the hassle of requesting a fixed business landline from BT?

The local phone numbers offered by Virtual Landline, have all the benefits of a fixed landline, but you won't be tied to a lengthy contract or dependant on the location where your business operates. Proven to be a very cost-effective solution for SMEs, getting a virtual local phone number can save you and your business a lot of energy, time and money. It's a perfect opportunity for your business to embrace the modern flexible working style.

What is a local phone number?

Local phone numbers are geographic (geo)-numbers starting with 01 or 02 area codes, they are usually associated with specific locations in the UK. For example, all London numbers start with the prefix 0203, 0207 or 0208 or if you want your customers to think that your company is based in Bristol, you can choose a local business number with an area code 0117. This creates the impression that your office is in Bristol, but at the same time, you might be operating from any other UK town, even from abroad. The same applies to other cities and towns within the UK – if you need a local business number with a Birmingham area code, you’ll search the area code 0121, for Manchester 0161, for Portsmouth 023 and so on. 

How to buy a local phone number?

Buying a local phone number with Virtual Landline is quick and easy…

Step 1) Go to the Sign-Up page

Step 2) Select 'Local Number' as a number type 

Step 3) Start typing a town name or an area code in the empty space        

Step 4) Select a virtual local number from the drop-down menu 

Step 5) Add your divert number (usually your mobile or landline number where the incoming calls will be forwarded) 

Step 6) Select a plan 

Local numbers are available only with Standard and UK Unlimited plans. 

Step 7) Continue with the registration wizard  

What numbers we offer?

Virtual Landline offers a wide choice of local phone numbers with all possible UK area codes, with small exceptions of numbers from very isolated or small areas.  

If you are on the hunt for a ‘golden number’ (number with a special digit combination), you can get in touch with us, and we’ll let you know what combinations are available.

We also provide two types of non-geographic numbers – National (03) and Freephone (0800).

Differences between Local, National and Freephone numbers?

Using a National (03) or Freephone (0800) number tells a different story about your business.

Unlike local numbers, National and Freephone numbers are classified as non-geographic, meaning that they aren’t associated with a geographic location, which makes them perfect if you want to advertise nationwide and showcase your company as a big national brand.

A Freephone number gives customers the opportunity to call your business for free, which can increase your sales leads and the overall customer engagement rates. Our Freephone plan includes 300 minutes of free inbound calls. The inclusive minutes cover the incoming call activity and as long as the inbound calls are within the 300 minutes, you won’t have to pay any additional charges.

By offering a 03 National number, your customers will be charged just like dialling a 01 or 02 local phone number and at the same rate for mobile and landline. The difference is that National numbers do not give away your business location. Usually, companies use National numbers to boost their presence nationwide or provide an affordable phone line for customer service support that could be dialled at the same price from mobile and landline.   

Business benefits of using a local phone number

• Your customers will feel more comfortable by dialling a local phone number when buying localised products or services
• Having a local virtual number allows you to divert all incoming calls to your mobile, so you can still take business calls even when you are out and about
• With a local business number, you can skip the expensive roaming charges and run your UK based business from any point in the world by diverting all incoming calls to a landline or mobile number abroad.
• You can have a virtual business office in the heart of London City without the expense of renting premises in Central London