Published : November 5, 2021Running an international business without leveraging modern communication technology and virtual phone numbers is a perfect recipe for disaster. To avoid this, it is recommended that you must consider and invest in the technologies and resources that you will require to establish a reliable communication channel with your overseas customers.
( Source: spacelance )
For a moment, assume you own a toy manufacturing company in India. Over the years, you have successfully established yourself in India and neighboring countries and now intend to expand your wings to other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, Cyprus, etc. In that case, the first technology piece you’ll need is a UK virtual phone number, Singapore number, or Cyprus mobile number.
But for the number, you will first need to find the best virtual phone number provider in the UK.
But what exactly is a UK virtual phone number, what are its features & benefits, how can a UK virtual business number help your business, how do you get UK Number, and what factors to consider to choose the best virtual phone number UK provider? Let’s find answers to each of these questions in this blog.
What Is A UK Virtual Phone Number?
A UK virtual phone number is simply a phone number that is not directly linked with a phone line or limited to a specific location. Unlike traditional phones, virtual phone numbers allow you to make and receive calls from anywhere since it works over the internet.For example Using a UK virtual phone number ,you can call UK from India, the USA, or any other country or region you want to.
In addition, unlike traditional phone numbers, virtual phone numbers can be used to make or receive calls on any type of phone, including VoIP desk phones, cell phones, or softphones. You can choose which device should receive the call and also change it whenever needed.
However, every best virtual phone number provider in the UK offers a unique set of virtual phone numbers. However, note that there are three primary types of UK virtual phone numbers, as listed below.
A) Local numbers,
B) Toll-free numbers, and
C) Vanity numbers
Also, note that the flexibility of the UK virtual phone number also allows you to add more than one device for a single virtual number. This means, if the call is not answered on device A, it will be transferred to device B, and so on. This process will continue until either the call is answered or all the listed devices are contacted. This feature is known as Find Me or Follow Me.
Along with the Follow Me feature, UK virtual mobile numbers provide several other unique features.
However, the number and type of VoIP features differ from one UK VoIP provider to another. As a result, we recommend that you always select the best virtual phone number provider in the UK in order to have the most extensive set of features.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most notable features of the VoIP business phone system in the following section.
Features of UK Virtual Phone Number
The following are some of the outstanding features of UK virtual phone numbers that justify why you should invest in a UK phone number. Let’s take a quick look at each one.
A. Crystal Clear Voice Quality: One of the most striking features of UK virtual phone numbers is their voice quality. Unlike traditional phone numbers, which often have poor voice quality owing to signal distortions, virtual phone systems offer seamless and excellent voice quality.
B. Maximum Uptime: Another essential element of virtual phone numbers is their high uptime. Since communication takes place over the internet, there is almost zero possibility of an outage or failure caused by natural disasters or any other factors.
C. Call Conferencing: The call conferencing feature of a UK virtual phone number will have a significant impact on your business communication. It makes it easy to arrange virtual meetings with your team or clients located in the United Kingdom. Besides, you can easily accommodate up to 100 participants in any virtual conference.
D. Auto Attendant: When you partner with the best virtual phone number provider in the UK, you get access to a number of features, including auto-attendant. The automated attendant feature of the UK business phone number allows you to segregate callers based on their grievance type. The feature also allows callers to connect to the appropriate team or agent without hopping from one person to another.
E. Call Analytics: Analyzing your marketing or sales campaign is essential. The results’ insights will help you better understand the flaws in your strategy and take appropriate actions in the future. Moreover, using call analytics, you can also identify the underutilized resources and relocate them.
F. Enhanced Security – You can call your customers and receive their calls through a UK virtual phone number, keeping your own number secure and confidential. A more robust security system is one of the best features of a virtual number and will keep you rest assured against the leakage of important information.
G. Virtual Attendant- Your UK online phone number has the power to arrange a customized assistive attendant for your valued customers to guide them to the respective department. This will reduce the cost of a full-time front desk staff member and also make sure that your customers are always attended – whatever time of the day they call!
H. Call Forwarding – When you collaborate with the best virtual phone number provider in the UK, you will have access to a variety of features, like call forwarding service in the UK. This feature will make sure that you get all the business calls and customer inquiries forwarded to your own personal/office number on which you want the communication to be redirected.
I. Call Recording – One innovative feature of the best virtual landline UK for business is the capacity to record business communication so that it can be kept as an accurate record for later evaluation. For example, you can go through previous customer conversations and work on improving any gaps in customer service levels.
( Source: financesonline )
J. Voicemail To Email- This is a user-friendly facility provided by virtual phone numbers, which give clients the opportunity to record messages, inquiries, questions, or complaints on the voice mail. If your valued customers cannot be attended to by live company representatives, they have the facility of leaving voicemails that can be dealt with by support staff later to solve their problems efficiently.
So, these are the top 10 features that you get when you choose the best virtual phone number provider in the UK.
However, since there are a number of business VoIP providers in the UK, you need to consider the technical as well as non-technical features of VoIP providers in the UK in order to select the best virtual phone number provider in the UK, which are listed below.
Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best UK Virtual Phone Number Provider
The 6 most important elements to consider while selecting the best virtual phone number provider in the UK are as follows.
1. Features
The first and most important factor to consider when choosing the best virtual phone number provider in the UK is their features. Yes, features are the most important factor that will help your business in the long run. Make sure that the system includes advanced VoIP features such as auto-attendant, voicemail to mail, call forwarding, call routing, power dialer, call queuing, smart switch, and so on.
In addition to these basic features, keep an eye out for any unique features that your business requires. If you find a system that has all of these required characteristics and capabilities, proceed and look for other checklist items such as uptime.
2. Uptime
In layman’s terms, uptime refers to the amount of time for which the system remains operational. A higher uptime indicates that the system is highly reliable, whereas a lower uptime implies that you should not invest in this business phone system. For example, if you found the best virtual phone number provider in the UK with all of the features your business requires, but the system has a worrisome uptime record, should you invest in that one? Absolutely not.
Lower uptime will not only harm your agents’ performance and productivity, but it will also damage your reputation as it will prevent users from accessing your service or connecting with you. In a word, always choose a UK VoIP provider that assures high uptime, such as CallHippo that provides the best VoIP service in the UK.
3. Pricing Plans
The next factor to consider when selecting the best virtual phone number provider in the UK is pricing plans. When you’ve narrowed down the UK VoIP providers who have the necessary features, higher uptime, and good customer service, look into their price plans. It is possible that their plans are too different. In that case, look at their features and additional services they offer.
Ultimately, select the best virtual mobile number UK provider with the most affordable pricing plans. However, make sure that there are no additional, recurring, or hidden charges. It is also advised that you should not choose the cheapest VoIP provider in the UK only to save money.
4. Customer Support
Customer service is the third aspect you should think about. Before you buy a product or subscribe to a service, it is usual for firms to offer and promise the best customer service. However, after-service is not always as excellent as promised. As a result, it is critical that you examine this factor while selecting the best virtual phone number provider in the UK.
Ensure that the UK VoIP provider has a dedicated customer service team that is available 24/7. To get a better sense, read online reviews of those products to get a realistic picture of their after-sales service and support.
5. Scalability
Once you’ve identified the best virtual phone number provider in the UK who tick all four of the requirements mentioned above, it’s time to evaluate their scalability. Determine whether or not the system is scalable. Scalability features enable firms to scale up or down their resources as needed. Since many firms are volatile in nature, this is a must-have feature for them.
Scalability also allows you to avoid unnecessary spending because you won’t have to purchase all features at the beginning. Instead, you can start with essential services and gradually scale them up as your business expands.
6. Third-Party Integrations
The final factor to consider when choosing the best virtual phone number provider in the UK is whether they support third-party integration. Third-party integration features enable you to integrate your VoIP system with other business tools.
This will simplify, streamline, and automate the majority of your tasks. Eventually, a business phone system will boost performance, elevate your brand image, and improve customer satisfaction. For these reasons, always select the best virtual phone number provider UK, such as CallHippo, which provides third-party integrations with a number of tools and services.
These are the six technical and non-technical elements to consider when choosing the best UK virtual phone number provider. If a provider ticks all six of these criteria, you can subscribe to their services without worry.
Let’s now move on to the next section, which discusses the 6 best virtual phone number providers in the UK.
6 Best Virtual Number Providers In The UK 2023
1. CallHippo– Best UK Virtual Phone Number Provider
CallHippo offers a rich set of functionalities and features that propel it to the top of this list. This small business virtual phone system leverages AI to simplify business telephony with its fully automated, highly scalable solution.
With various add ons and highly intelligent features like power dialer, call transfer, call analytics etc. CallHippo puts customer delight at its forefront.
Along with its three plans – Bronze, Silver, and Platinum at $18, $30, and $42 (*Pricing as of 11-06-2024.) respectively, CallHippo additionally offers a custom plan, empowering enterprises to get features and facilities as per their unique requirements. CallHippo also provides a specific city virtual phone of united kingdom like the Liverpool virtual phone number, Manchester virtual number, London virtual number, and Birmingham virtual phone number.
You can also get UK number for whatsApp with CallHippo. All these factors make CallHippo the best virtual phone number provider in the UK.
CallHippo Pros:
- Best-in-class support and live product demos
- Simple learning curve
- A 10-day free trial and a tiered pricing structure
- Free training from the product experts
CallHippo Cons:
- The mobile app is missing a few essential call management features
- Sometimes call quality issue
CallHippo Platform Support: Web-based, iOS, Android, Desktop
CallHippo Is Ideal For: Small Business, Medium Business, and Enterprise
CallHippo's features streamlined INTECH's workflows, leading to a noticeable boost in efficiency and productivity across their sales team.
2. DialerHQ
DialerHQ is the UK’s leading virtual phone number provider, offering unparalleled communication solutions for businesses. DialerHQ empowers companies to establish a strong local presence and improve customer engagement. Its wide range of features includes call forwarding, call recording, voicemail, and real-time analytics, ensuring seamless and efficient call management. DialerHQ is the best choice for businesses seeking top-notch virtual number services in the UK by delivering exceptional reliability and customer support.
DialerHQ Pros:
- The platform seamlessly integrates with CRM systems, enabling personalized interactions with customers.
- Users can enjoy exceptional call quality, ensuring clear and crisp communication.
- Affordable subscription plans on DialerHQ cater to different budget requirements.
- Downloading and managing DialerHQ is extremely easy for users.
DialerHQ Cons:
- Channel support beyond voice calls on DialerHQ is limited.
- Some functionalities may require additional integrations.
- Call quality problems, including dropped calls and call lags, have been encountered by users.
DialerHQ Platform Support: Web-based, iOS, & Android.
DialerHQIs Ideal For: Small Businesses, Medium Businesses, and Enterprise
3. RingCentral– Best UK Virtual Mobile Number
With bank-level security, support, interface, and advanced features in place, RingCentral is regarded as the best virtual phone number provider in the UK.
Along with an ability to be integrated with a wide range of software, including impressive AI technology, there is much to like about RingCentral. It offers four packages, namely Essentials, Standard, Premium, and Unlimited packages costing $19.99, $24.99, $34.99, $49.99 per month, respectively.
It isn’t the most cost-effective option available, and the Essentials plan is quite limited. Although, some of its plans may prove to be a worthwhile investment for medium and small-scale businesses.
RingCentral Pros:
- Able to manage complex business scenarios
- Software support is available for multiple devices
- 250+ integrations and add-ons
RingCentral Cons:
- The mobile version needs to be optimized
- Prices are a bit higher for small businesses and startups
RingCentral Platform Support: Web-based, iOS, Android
RingCentral Is Ideal For: Small Business, Medium Business, and Enterprise
4. AVOXI– UK Virtual Phone Number Provider
AVOXI is another excellent option for businesses to buy a virtual phone number in the UK. It is a US-based company that provides multiple options like local numbers, vanity numbers, and toll-free numbers for different businesses.
One of the best features of AVOXI services includes easy call forwarding of inbound calls through SIP, software, or VoIP. In addition, the VoIP provider also offers quick-activating phone numbers.
Its specialized features like intelligent routing, call reporting, and analytics improve customer experience and agents’ performance. Moreover, all AVOXI virtual phone systems are equipped with IVR, skill and time-based call routing, auto-attendant, and more such advanced features.
AVOXI Pros:
- Built-in artificial intelligence-powered functionalities
- A high degree of customization
- Easy to get started– simple onboarding
AVOXI Cons:
- Limited collaboration tools
- Poor voice quality
AVOXI Platform Support: Web-based, iOS, Android
AVOXI Is Ideal For: Medium Business and Enterprise
5. Phonexa– Business Phone Provider In The UK
Phonexa is a top-tier performance marketing automation platform that provides virtual phone numbers – local, vanity, and toll-free – as a part of their all-in-one software suite. Not only can you buy unique toll-free numbers with marketable prefixes, but you also synergize your call campaign performance with your other marketing endeavors, avenues, and tools.
The price for eight proprietary marketing automation software solutions starts at £250/mo, and you can customize your plan however you see fit. The pricing page features a calculator, so you can go there and estimate whether a particular tool makes sense in your specific case.
( Source: Phonexa )
Phonexa isn’t hard to use once you’ve gotten the hang of it – the intuitive dashboard contains everything you need to navigate heterogeneous campaigns – but the learning curve might be a bit steep for inexperienced marketers.
Phonexa Pros
- Cheap virtual toll-free, local, and vanity numbers.
- Online marketing coverage from A to Z.
- Extremely good for SaaS businesses, including high-ticket niches.
Phonexa Cons
- No free version (you can book a demo)
Phonexa Platform Support: iOS, Android, macOS, and web
Phonexa Is Ideal For: Finance, insurance, affiliate marketing, home services, solar, and other B2B and B2C niches.
6. Virtual Landline– UK VoIP Provider
Virtual Landline is regarded as the best virtual phone number provider in the UK, that provides multiple options in virtual phone numbers including local numbers and toll-free numbers.
All services of Virtual Landline come with an outbound call app that gives flexibility to all business agents to call while working from remote. In addition, the buzz box feature of Virtual Landline provides in-house conversion of any existing landline into a virtual phone number.
In addition to all these services, it offers VoIP desk phones. Overall, it is one of the best virtual phone number providers in the UK that comes with many features that help you build better conversations, from call center features to analytics and integrations.
Virtual Landline Pros:
- Range of powerful features
- Tiered pricing structure
- Suitable for all types of businesses
Virtual Landline Cons:
- The mobile version lacks advanced features
- Limited support channels
Virtual Landline Platform Support: Web-based, Android
Virtual Landline Is Ideal For: Small Business and Medium Business
7. Numbergroup– Business Phone Provider In The UK
Numbergroup is an England-based UK virtual phone number. This VoIP system is ideal for call centers with typically high call volume.
All the virtual phone number services offered by Numbergroup are equipped with industry-standard call features and additional features like 24*7 free support, SMS bulk messaging, business energy and SIP trunking, etc. It is considered as one of the best Cambodia number and Finland number providers.
( Source: callforwarding )
The system is quite easy to use and is capable of integrating a range of third-party business tools and software. In addition, the pricing plans are also quite affordable and able to meet diverse business requirements.
Numbergroup Pros
- Cheapest business telecom service in the UK
- Easy integration with third-party apps
- Encompasses multiple features
Numbergroup Cons
- Not so popular outside the UK
- Poor customer support
Numbergroup Landline Platform Support: Web-based, iOS, Android
Numbergroup Is Ideal For: Small Business, Medium Business, and Enterprise
So these are the 6 best virtual phone number providers in the UK. We are sure that all of these features and benefits of a UK toll free phone number have made you excited about buying one.
Well, getting a UK virtual phone number is a much easier job than you might assume. All you have to do is follow the 5-steps guide shared below. Let’s check it out.
Video on How to Buy a UK Virtual Phone Number
How To Subscribe With The Best Virtual Phone Number Provider In The UK? Step-by-Step Guide
Getting a UK virtual phone number from CallHippo is a simple and quick 5-step process. Furthermore, if followed correctly, the process will take no more than 3 minutes to complete! This means you can call your first UK customer within three minutes of starting the process!
So, without further ado, let’s get down to business. Simply follow the five steps outlined below to get the best VoIP for small businesses in the UK.
- Sign up with CallHippo– the best virtual phone number provider in the UK.
- Log in with the username and password. This will take you to the CallHippo dashboard.
- Click on ‘Add Number’, select the United Kingdom as the country. Following that, you can filter the numbers as per your requirements and select a number from the number pool.
- Make payment.
- After you’ve established a centralized virtual phone number for your business, you’ll need to add the rest of your team members.
- Following that, you have to link your personal phone number to the virtual number. This allows them to make and receive calls from the United Kingdom.
That’s it! However, it is crucial to note that the users who will be answering the calls must be entered into the system first.
Summary: Traditional phone numbers are no longer relevant for 21st-century businesses due to numerous limitations they come with, such as poor scalability & portability, higher call costs, and so on. This is where virtual phone numbers come in handy. It offers a wide range of features that will benefit your organization in multiple ways. However, you must consider all relevant factors in order to choose the best virtual phone number provider in the UK. The best UK virtual phone number will not only simplify and streamline your customer communication but will also play a crucial role in your business’s success.
Updated : September 11, 2024
Paras Kela brings a wealth of IT knowledge to his writing, with a strong focus on technical content. In recent years, he has specialized in virtual telephony solutions, creating clear and insightful content. His passion for technology, experience in the IT field, and dedication to learning new trends make complex topics easy to understand.
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