You’ve set up your food truck or your doggie daycare, and you’re ready to win at this small business game. Yet how do you go about finding customers? While there are a lot of notable ways, such as social media, a website, ads in local publications, innovative PR that gets you featured on local (or national) media, and, of course, good old-fashioned word of mouth.
But there’s one thing a reputable business can’t forget: The old-school method of having a business phone number — and putting it everywhere.
Here’s how to get that business phone number you need to grow and why it’s still incredibly important even in today’s digital age.
Why Business Numbers Matter
Back in the day, businesses found customers by having their company numbers listed in the phone book (both the white and yellow pages). It was easy, and it worked. Before the internet was a thing, people got their needs met by letting their fingers do the walking (to use an old Yellow Pages ad jingle).
Today, the telecommunications industry is decentralized and sprawling. Multiple carriers mean multiple directory assistance services. To further complicate matters, those who use smartphones, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, or their home landlines as business numbers risk not being listed correctly — or at all.
Additionally, some small businesses aren’t associated with a particular city. Suppose you’re a location-independent content provider who meets (and clicks with) a potential client at a conference. What happens if that person loses your business card? They can’t call directory assistance to get in touch because they don’t know where you live.
It’s impossible to serve customers unless they know how to find you. Position your business to its best advantage by making your phone number available to would-be clients in multiple venues. Fortunately, this is fairly simple and usually free –at least in the most basic forms.
Phone Books Are Still a Thing
Believe it or not, some people still do use phone books. So, it’s definitely worthwhile to get your business listed there. You should be included automatically when you sign up for a landline. Before you consider using your home phone number for your business, be aware of these two potential problems:
- You might be awakened by 3 a.m. calls from people expecting to reach an answering machine, not a sleepy business owner.
- Someone looking for a bookkeeper or a house painter won’t be able to find you in the white pages unless they already know your business name.
- Spam calls and spoofed numbers are a major headache for landline owners. They can be made worse if your personal landline number was once owned by someone else with a spotty history.
That’s why it’s smart to ask for a business phone line, which likely includes a basic listing in the local yellow pages. Since these are organized by category, it’s simple to look up “bookkeeping” or “painting services.” You can contact your local phone provider and order this line—with any available features—by phone or online. You may even get a business line rep to help walk you through pricing and all the options.
While it’s still a good idea to be in the phone book, you shouldn’t rely on it as a guaranteed source of clients. In our always-connected, culture potential customers are a lot more likely to look for you online, and that’s actually an advantage for small business owners. After all, paper phone books come out annually; if your business starts one week after the deadline to get listed this year, you’d have to wait another 12 months to be included in the book.
The Virtual Yellow Pages
Online versions of yellow or white pages exist, too. You can get a free listing for your small business at YP.com (aka “the real Yellow Pages”) and SuperPages.com. A site called 411.com doesn’t have a way for business owners to add information. It gets all its listings from other sources, including third-party data suppliers. Fortunately, one of those data suppliers is Express Update, which lets business owners add their information for free. Be sure to do this, because a site named “411.com” is certain to be heavily visited.
Google It
Online business listings work better for customers, too, because they’re a lot more specific. Someone who wants to get away from it all can search for “day spas near me” plus their zip code. With a paper phone book, they’d have to wade through pages of listings in order to recognize the addresses of day spas in their immediate area. Being listed online is essential – and luckily, it’s absolutely free.
Start by setting up your Google Business Profile for your company. Your company phone number, address and other information will be included in the Google Business Profile listing. Since so many people use the Google search engine, it’s vital to get your small business listed this way.
Google may be the biggest, but it’s not the only place to get your small business listed. A few other places to get free basic info made available online:
- Yelp For Business account
- Bing Places
What About Cell and VoIP Numbers?
As previously noted, a small business landline will get listed automatically – and if it’s listed locally, it’s likely to be found in the databases used by national directory assistance (1 + area code + 555-1212).
But suppose your small business number is through a cellular provider? That’s where things get complicated. Those who use smartphones as their business phones, or who use Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), often find that their service providers don’t make the numbers available to directory assistance.
One way around this is to use Express Update, as mentioned above, or List Yourself, another site that lets you add your business information for free. List Yourself, a 411 directory assistance listing company, says it works with 90% of directory assistance providers and publishers in the country. So go ahead and list yourself, already.
A savvy small business owner will use every available advantage to make their products and services known to the public. Get yourself a professional, separate business line as soon as possible and then work hard to have that company phone number listed through the options noted above. Soon, you’ll be ready to welcome new customers to build your business.
This article was originally written on February 18, 2019 and updated on January 11, 2024.
Thank you so much for this resourceful information! I feel more confident as a business owner/entrepreneur!
Too much to read through question was not answered
Listyourself.net may help.
Hey how do i go about list my phone number under 411
Have you tried Listyourself.net?
For future reference
This information provided is wonderful and a HUGE help for small business!
Thank you!
I’ve used my LLC name on everything so far, but don’t plan to use the “LLC “ part when we officially open. For funding purposes, when I list my business on Google, will it matter if it’s the exact same name that’s registered with the state? Or can I drop the “LLC”?
That’s not so much a google question as a legal question Sarah. In some states you may be required to list the full name of your business in certain situations. You certainly don’t want to go to the expense of creating an LLC to discover that an error like this compromises asset protection! An attorney may suggest you file a fictitious name without the LLC to ensure protection but we can’t offer legal advice.
I would like for Dallas Christopher Beauty School to be listed on all the social media platforms including 411.
Unfortunately that’s not something Nav can do for you.
I created my LLC in January of 2021 and i have been trying to list my business number in 411 but haven’t been successful. I have the LLC , I have a vertual address, business phone number I even have my dnb number , I used uline credit three times all over $ 100 and they still haven’t report my transactions to dnb . Do you know the reason a business wouldn’t be able to list a business number.
It may take a little longer for your account to report, but I would definitely recommend you reach out to Uline to ask them why your account is not reporting yet.
Will a virtual answering service through I postal, be automatically listed under 411?
Not necessarily. You may need to use listyourself.net to get listed.
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I already have a business address but how do I go about getting or setting up a business phone number?
You can go through our local telecom provider or there are solutions like Sideline or GoDaddy’s Smartline that can provide a separate phone number that rings on your cell. Or you can use a virtual answering service.
I have a home based business and do not want to list my home address. Most isting require an address, not a PO Box. What do you suggest?
I’m not sure what you mean by most isting…if you need to provide a physical address then you’ll need to use your home address or get some kind of physical address. (There are services that offer mailboxes with a physical address fyi.)
Go to Alliance and get a virtual address
I.m working
I need help getting my business number listed on 411.com
Thank you for all the concise information in the article. It was written well and very easy to follow. Fantastic!
hello i was wondering mot the highest plan you have but the one right below that will that get me hoe many accounts for my pay dex and do you guys apply for mr i know i will have to pay the bills but i guess what i’m looking for is some one to do all the work for me i got the duns number last night i have s 800 number i have a web site i’m registered with state of florida only been in biz 20 days i want you guys to get me my paydex score and i tske over from yhr=ere if not can you point mt in thr righy direction o ys i hsve s shsared office place sd we]] how soon can you get me a paydex score low amounts just need the account
I’m sorry I don’t understand your question.
I have my address for the Corporation that is the registered agent address. They only except legal notices. I have my business office address in the current city I reside in. When applying for credit, should I use the registered agent address or my business address? Both are on the Corporate docs. My office address is listed as my mailing address.
Thank Your for your assistance.
Darren L
You should use your business address not your registered agent’s address.
To the point and helpful
Hello. I already formed my LLC this year in January. I put myself as the registered agent and need to change it. On my statement of information can I put my registered agent and then my virtual business address for the mailing address. I’m confused on that part. I’m currently looking for a reasonable place to use for my virtual address
Procedures for changing your LLC filing with your state varies by state. Contact the agency where you filed (Department of Corporations, for example.)
Perfect! Just what I was looking for — and MORE! Thank you so much!
Thank you so much. Everything you need in one spot. Thank again
Some pay to have a mentor help with the starting up of a business and establishing credit for that business, your articles are right on target.