Vanity numbers deliver an easy way for your business to stay in the minds of your customers. These numbers provide a memorable number incorporating an alphanumeric combination of letters and numbers to form words or phrases. For a small business, learning how to get a vanity phone number is a smart way to build your customer base and become a more widely known company.
Another added benefit of vanity numbers is that it allows you to use either local or toll-free prefixes—promoting the concept of your business being in the immediate area of your customers or across the country. Vanity numbers enable your customers to reach you without incurring additional costs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to get your first vanity number so that you can provide your business with new growth opportunities.
Step 1: Choose the Type of Vanity Number
Vanity numbers allow for significant variety. For example, it’s relatively easy to find a provider that has options for both local and toll-free varieties. This effectively allows you to select your number based on customer needs.
Looking to promote your business in a specific area of Westchester County, NY? Find a provider that grants you a vanity number that starts off with a 914 area code. Conversely, if you plan on promoting your brand nationally, find a provider with a number choice like the classic 1-800-FLOWERS.
This step is an integral part of the planning process, so take the time to determine to whom you’ll promote your business before settling on a choice. Also, remember that there may be more availability when it comes to numbers when you’re going local as compared to national.
Step 2: Choose a Service Provider & Select a Word/Phrase That Fits Your Business
Selecting a vanity number provider might be the longest part of the process because of the fact that there are multiple providers to consider. One of the easiest ways to get one is through a dedicated voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) provider. Still, it’s critical that you understand that not all virtual number providers deliver the same types of numbers. For example, while Google Voice is strong for getting a business number, they don’t actually have vanity numbers.
Aside from the provided vanity number, with a VoIP provider, you’ll also be granted access to calling features, which can help your business grow. Some useful features include auto-attendants or interactive voice response (IVR), call queues, call recording, and call analytics. They enable businesses to manage customers and make adjustments to the customer service process as it evolves.
Refer to the table below for our top picks for VoIP providers offering vanity numbers for businesses:
Vanity Phone Number Providers | Monthly Starting Price | Key Features | Other Phone Number Offerings | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $34 (for unlimited users) |
|
| or |
 | $30 per user |
|
| or |
 | $14.99 per user |
|
| or |
Click on the tabs below to learn the steps to getting a vanity-free number for each provider:
Grasshopper offers a very wide range of toll-free vanity numbers, and its lookup tool is one of the most intuitive and easy to use in the industry. Additionally, it’s one of the few providers on the market that actually provides up to five vanity numbers in its plans. Numbers are grouped by prefix, with the standard 1-800 prefix being offered first in the number picker. Other prefixes, like 1-877 and 1-888 numbers, are presented further down the list.
Once presented, click the “New Batch” button to refresh the list with new suggestions. The entry-level plan has a single vanity number, the second tier provides three, and finally, in the third tier, you’ll have the option for five virtual vanity numbers:
- Visit the Grasshopper Number Search Tool
- Place your preferred combination of letters and numbers in the field
- Click the magnifying glass to perform the search
- Select from the provided list of numbers or run a new batch using the button
Go to Grasshopper’s Pick a Number dialog to add a vanity number.
(Source: Grasshopper)
RingCentral provides vanity numbers based on availability and requires a one-time setup fee of $30 as well as an additional $4.99 per month. The platform earned the top spot in our guide to the best vanity number providers for its intuitive vanity number interface. Furthermore, it has a wildcard feature recommending numerals that fit a preordained keyword you submit.
If you want additional phone numbers beyond those allotted in your subscription plan, follow these steps to get a vanity number on the RingCentral platform:
- Go to “Phone Numbers” or “Phone System,” then “All Numbers,” then “Add Number.”
- Set your country under the “Location” section.
- Choose “Vanity Number” under “Number Type.”
- If available, select your Cost Center.
- Pick your preferred toll-free prefix and select from the numbers in the Number Inventory.
- Enter any combination of letters and numbers you want for your brand.
- Enter any wildcards demarcated by asterisks you’d like added to the number. These will automatically replace the asterisks with related numerals in your number. For example, you can input 1-800-***-CARS to start the system listing available numbers.
- Click “Search” when completed.
- Select “Add Numbers,” then “Next.”
- Assign the number to an auto-receptionist, an extension, or an audio conference.
- Confirm your number order after reviewing the associated taxes, charges, and fees.
RingCentral’s “Add Phone Numbers” settings to add a number.
(Source: RingCentral)
Like RingCentral, Phone.com charges a setup fee and a monthly subscription cost specific for vanity numbers ($99 for the one-time fee and $9.99 per month thereafter). One noteworthy advantage is that Phone.com provides both local and toll-free vanity numbers for your business, which can more than double the availability of numbers. Like both RingCentral and Grasshopper, Phone.com has a number search tool to make the process easier.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how to get a vanity number using Phone.com:
- Mouse over “Configure” and select “Add a Number.”
- Click Search for “Search for Custom Local” or just “Custom” for toll-free numbers.
- Choose your state if looking for a local option and input the three-digit area code for the jurisdiction you want. Enter the four-letter term you want for your local vanity number.
- If you’re looking for a national number and have selected “Custom,” choose a prefix and enter the text you desire for your vanity number. With this option, you can have up to seven letters in your number if available. You can also use asterisks as wildcards so that the system automatically suggests phone numbers closest to your desired text.
- Click “Find My Number” for local or “Search” for toll-free numbers.
- If your number is available, it will automatically appear below the search field. Phone.com will also list the annual fee for the custom number as well as the one-time setup fee. You can then add the number to your account.
- Wait seven to 10 business days for the number to be activated after sale.
The option to add vanity numbers through Phone.com is located in the Configure menu. (Source: Phone.com)
Step 3: Set Up Your Account
After picking a provider, the final step is to select a subscription plan that will also provide you with your needed calling features. Most providers, like RingCentral, have detailed instructions and guides that will help you get through the process easily. Finally, log into the virtual phone or VoIP system to assign your vanity numbers to your preferred extensions and users.
Who Needs a Vanity Number?
Getting a vanity number is incredibly advantageous for businesses looking to be remembered by their customers. Unlike standard, non-vanity business phone numbers, a vanity number is much easier to retain. When a customer needs a product or service, it’s easier to remember a number like XXX-BUY-CARS than its purely numerical version of XXX-289-2277.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, with local vanity numbers, you’ll have the option to use a set of letters for the final four numerals of the number. This means that you can have a number like XXX-XXX-CARS. The middle three numbers are reserved for the local exchange.
Vanity phone numbers deliver memorability and brand awareness. When a customer learns of your business, having a dedicated phone number with an aspect of your business’ offering also adds credibility to your brand.
This varies from provider to provider. In most cases, you can expect around seven to 15 business days for the setup and activation process.
No, but vanity numbers can have a toll-free structure that incorporates 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, or 888 prefixes. This means that customers nationwide can dial your number without being charged.
There are many examples of vanity numbers, including numbers like 1-800-FLOWERS, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, and 1-800-CONTACTS. As these numbers prove, your vanity number can incorporate single words and phrases as well as word combinations.
Bottom Line
In the past, learning how to get a vanity phone number was very complex, but with the advent of VoIP, the process became exceedingly straightforward. With simple user interfaces, modern VoIP providers allow businesses to get a vanity phone number with the entry of their favorite phrase into a field.
These numbers are very portable, can be accessed on your favorite VoIP endpoint, and deliver stronger brand awareness. Sign up for Grasshopper’s seven-day free trial today and select up to five vanity numbers for your business.
