How to Get a Business Phone Number for FREE

Every local business should have a phone number that customers can call or text for quick and easy communication. It builds trust, makes you easy to reach, and honestly, it just looks more professional than handing out your personal cell. But when you first start your business, it is important to limit costs as much as possible. I get it, I started my own business the same way. Paying for a separate business line is not always in the budget when you are just getting off the ground.

The good news is that you can get a real business phone number for free using Google Voice. With the Google Voice app on your smartphone, business calls and texts stay completely separate from your personal messages. You always know when a customer is reaching out, and you never have to give out your personal number.

One thing to know before you start: Google Voice does not offer 1-800 numbers. You will be choosing a local number instead, which I actually consider a plus for local businesses. Customers around here like seeing a familiar area code.

Below is a quick walkthrough for setting it up on an iPhone, Android, or your computer.

Setting Up Google Voice on an iPhone

1. Download the Google Voice app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and sign in with your Google account.
3. Review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then tap Accept.
4. Tap Search to look for an available phone number. You can search by city or area code. If nothing is available in your area, try a nearby city or area code.
5. Tap Select next to the number you want.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to finish setup.

Setting Up Google Voice on Android

Before you begin, make sure your phone is on and can receive texts. Google will send you a verification code.

1. Download the Google Voice app from Google Play.
2. Open the app and sign in with your Google account.
3. Review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then tap Continue.
4. Tap Search and browse available numbers by city or area code. If your area does not have any, try a nearby one.
5. Tap Select next to the number you want.
6. Follow the prompts to complete setup.

Setting Up Google Voice on Your Computer

Google Voice works on Chrome OS, macOS, and Windows, using any major browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari). Other platforms may have limited functionality.

1. Go to voice.google.com.
2. Sign in with your Google account.
3. Review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then click Continue.
4. Search for available numbers by city or area code. If your area comes up empty, try a nearby city or area code.
5. Click Select next to the number you want.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish.

Tip: If Google Voice does not show up in your Google apps menu in Chrome, go to voice.google.com, click the Google apps icon in the top right, and click Add a shortcut under Voice.

After Setup: Link Your Existing Phone

Once your Google Voice number is active, you can link another phone number so calls forward wherever you need them. Learn more about linking phones here.

When You Are Ready for More Than a Free Number

A free Google Voice number is a great starting point, and for a brand new business, it might be all you need for a while. I mean that. I am not going to tell you to pay for tools you do not need yet.

But as your business grows, a phone line alone stops cutting it. Leads end up scattered across texts, voicemails, and sticky notes. Follow-ups slip through the cracks. And by the time you remember to text a lead back, they have already hired your competitor.

That is exactly why we built Soar CRM, an all-in-one platform designed for small business owners, not enterprise sales teams. With Soar CRM, you can get a dedicated business phone number for calls and texts, and that number becomes part of your follow-up system. Texts can trigger automated responses, missed calls can get an automatic text back, and every customer conversation stays in one inbox instead of getting lost. You also get appointment booking with automatic reminder texts, review requests that go out after every job, and email and SMS marketing for staying in touch with past customers.

Best of all, you get an expert to help you set up everything for your business (that is me, James!). No outsourced help desks, no chatbots. It is $97/mo with no contracts, and you can try everything free for 14 days.

Start your free 14-day trial of Soar CRM here

Or just call or text me at (508) 556-0722. I am right here in Central Massachusetts serving Worcester County businesses, and I am always happy to talk through what makes sense for your business, even if that is sticking with the free option for now.