Why Your Business Needs an International Phone Number (and How You Can Get One) | Planet Telecom
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Why Your Business Needs an International Phone Number (and How You Can Get One)

If you’re running a UK-based business, it might be easy to assume you just need one phone number – your landline, say, or your mobile – through which you can stay in touch with all your clients. However, if you’re set on expanding your business and brand overseas, it might be time to take up an international line instead – or, as well as – your current number.

Some business owners think that means a lot of work on their part, or that international lines are likely to cost them a lot of money. Here at Planet Telecom, we’re happy to prove you wrong!

Let’s dive into a quick guide on what international numbers do, why your business needs one, and how you can get started at minimal expense.

international toll free numbers

What are international phone numbers?

International phone numbers let you accept calls from overseas without needing a physical landline or mobile based abroad. These numbers are completely virtual – meaning that people based in other countries can call an international line and get routed through to you without you having to set up new lines.

Essentially, it’s a quick, reliable way to open up your business to customers who could benefit from your products and services. Thanks to the rise of the internet, the availability of superfast broadband, and the ubiquitousness of VoIP (voice over internet protocol, or data-based calling), it’s never been easier or more seamless to connect people and businesses all over the world.

Therefore – it might be time for you to take advantage. But why?

What are the benefits of getting an international phone number?

Even if you mainly do business in the UK right now, that doesn’t mean you don’t have your sights set on expansion overseas. Here are some quick, simple reasons why taking up a virtual international line could seriously benefit you.

You’ll appear more trustworthy to international callers

If you’re planning to open your business up to international customers, think about what they see when you offer them a UK landline or mobile to call. Chances are, they might be worried about having to pay exorbitant fees. Or, they might just assume that, because you don’t have a local number for them, you don’t offer services in their countries.

Setting up an international number for your business shows overseas customers that you’re both open for business and that they can trust you to help them. They’ll feel more at ease calling a local or national line (at least from a cost perspective), which means you’re halfway to making a sale or a new connection.

Building trust with new customers, especially when branching out into completely new markets from scratch, is never simple or linear. Therefore, with an international number, you can start taking a couple of big strides ahead and make things easier on everyone involved.

You’re opening yourself up to new markets

As mentioned, setting up an international number is a good first step towards making sure you’re open to new markets and people based outside of the UK. Even if you haven’t quite conquered the continent or are just in the process of getting services and stock ready to ship to elsewhere in the world, getting a phone number for international callers tells them you’re available.

Many companies setting up in the UK (and solely attending to British customers initially) can make the mistake of not thinking far ahead enough about international expansion. If you offer a digital service, for example, opening yourself up to international custom as early as possible is a wise move.

Why? The world is much smaller than it used to be, again, thanks to the rise of the internet and VoIP. Therefore, now is certainly the time to embrace the potential for international markets, even if you only have your eyes set on British sales right now. It never hurts to plan ahead!

You’re establishing yourself as a market leader

Restricting yourself to British customers and callers might also restrict how big your scope is long-term. Think about your competitors – are they already taking steps to expand their services overseas? Now might be the time to take full advantage and to step into a market gap.

It’s even better if your competitors don’t already have that overseas edge! You could step in and show customers based abroad that you can take care of their troubles without them having to spend extra on calling your UK line(s). That’s got to be a plus point over any other companies that aren’t as flexible!

You can route calls back to any number

Some business owners might worry that, by taking out an international number, it’s just another line to keep track of. Not so, especially when you sign up for an international number with Planet Telecom!

We simply set you up with an international line that redirects to your chosen, existing number. That means any customers based overseas can simply call their chosen number and you receive calls through your mobile or landline as you’d expect.

You’ll appear more professional

Above all, setting up an international business number is great for appearing as professional as possible! Instead of leading with an obvious mobile number, you can share a fantastic, unique, international line that people will remember and associate with your brand from miles away.

And, it’s never been easier to get started with an international number when you join forces with Planet Telecom. As part of our commitment to helping growing businesses across the UK and beyond, we provide you with a virtual number that captures international interest while always fielding calls back to a number you’ll answer.

Whether you’re just getting started running a business or are ready to take the leap into trading internationally, we’ve got you covered with a range of flexible, cost-effective telecoms services. Start taking that next big step into the smaller world around you – and make 2025 the year your brand goes global!

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