Getting a virtual phone number for India can be very useful for a variety of purposes. With a virtual number, you can establish a local presence in India, separate your personal and business communications, and enable India-based customers to contact you easily. Here are some key things to know about getting a virtual Indian phone number and the top providers to consider.
What is a virtual phone number?
A virtual phone number is a phone number that is not associated with a physical phone device. Instead, calls to the virtual number will ring to whichever device you choose to forward calls to such as your mobile phone, landline, or VoIP software. Virtual phone numbers are provided by various telecom companies and work just like any other phone number for receiving calls and texts.
Some key benefits of using a virtual phone number include:
- Establishing a local presence – Get a phone number with an Indian area code to give customers the impression you have a physical location in India.
- Keeping personal and business calls separate – Forward business calls to your virtual number and personal calls to your regular number.
- Flexibility – Easily transfer your virtual number across devices without having to change actual phone numbers.
- Professional image – Virtual numbers provide a more professional appearance than call forwarding from a personal number.
Why get a virtual India number?
There are many reasons why getting a virtual phone number in India can be beneficial:
Establishing a local presence
Having a phone number with an Indian area code helps give the impression that your business is located in India. This can be useful for building trust and credibility with Indian customers.
Separating personal and business calls
Use your virtual number as a business line to keep work calls separate from your personal mobile phone. This helps protect your privacy and reduces distractions.
Enabling customers to contact you
A local virtual number makes it easy for customers in India to reach you without incurring international charges.
Handling overflow calls
Forward additional calls to your virtual number during busy periods to avoid missing important business calls.
Protecting your main number
List your virtual number publicly to avoid disclosing your personal mobile number.
Testing marketing campaigns
Use a separate virtual number for each marketing campaign or ad to track effectiveness.
Maintaining number continuity
Keep the same virtual number as you change service providers to avoid disruption.
What are the top providers of virtual India numbers?
There are many companies that offer virtual phone numbers for India. Here are some of the top options to consider:
| Provider | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Skype |
|
| CallHippo |
|
| Ooma |
|
| RingCentral |
|
When comparing providers, look at factors like number types available, pricing models, call management features, reliability, and ease of setup and use.
How do virtual numbers work?
Virtual phone numbers work through call forwarding and cloud-based phone systems. When someone calls your virtual number, it forwards the call to a phone you specify like your mobile device or landline. This is enabled by VoIP technology.
Some key steps in how virtual numbers work:
- You sign up with a virtual number provider and choose an available India number.
- The provider assigns the virtual number to you.
- You configure where you want calls to be forwarded such as your primary phone.
- When someone calls your virtual number, it routes through the provider’s network.
- The provider forwards the call to the destination you set up.
- You answer the call on your regular phone.
More advanced providers offer features like call menus, greetings, voicemail, SMS messaging, and call tracking for your virtual number.
How to get set up with a virtual India number
Getting set up with a virtual phone number for India is a quick and easy process. Follow these steps:
- Choose a provider – Select a provider like Skype, CallHippo, or RingCentral based on your needs.
- Select a phone number – Search available numbers on the provider’s website and choose an Indian number with your preferred area code.
- Configure your account – Set up call forwarding to your primary number, record greetings, and activate any other features.
- Publicize your number – Update your website, business cards, and marketing to showcase your new virtual number.
- Manage your account – Check usage, update settings, and monitor voicemail through your provider’s online account dashboard.
Most providers make it easy to set up and start using your new virtual number within a day. Some may require upfront verification and processing time before your number is ready to use.
How much do virtual India numbers cost?
Costs for virtual phone numbers in India vary depending on the provider, features, and usage. Typical pricing models include:
- Monthly fees – Ranges from $5-$50 per month for basic capabilities.
- Per minute rates – Charges per inbound and outbound minute, usually around 1-5 cents/minute.
- Setup fees – One-time fee for initial number configuration, average $10.
- Advanced features – Extra for premium offerings like call recording or IVR menus.
Things that affect pricing are number type (local, toll-free etc), call management features, contract length, and bundled services. Providers like Skype tend to have low per-minute rates, while full-service platforms like RingCentral have higher flat monthly fees.
Check for promotional offers when signing up. Monthly costs tend to range from $10 – $50 for most small business usage scenarios.
Key considerations when getting a virtual India number
Here are some important factors to keep in mind:
Location
Choose an Indian area code that makes sense for your business. This helps establish geographic relevance with customers.
Features
Evaluate call management features, account dashboards, integration capabilities, and tools for measuring effectiveness.
Call quality
Opt for providers that offer HD voice quality to ensure excellent call experiences.
Scalability
Consider potential growth and the ability to add multiple numbers and users over time.
Reputation
Select established, reputable providers known for reliability and good customer service.
Cost
Compare pricing models and total costs across providers to maximize value.
Pros and cons of using a virtual number
Some key advantages and potential drawbacks of using a virtual phone number include:
Pros:
- Project a local presence in India
- Easy to set up and manage
- Flexible call routing options
- Cost-effective versus physical phone lines
- Scale up numbers and capabilities easily
Cons:
- Lack of full emergency service support
- Dependency on internet and power connectivity
- Limitations compared to traditional phone lines
- Provider service disruptions can impact operations
Frequently asked questions
Can I make outgoing calls with my virtual number?
Yes, many providers allow you to place outgoing calls from your virtual number to make it function more like a full phone line.
Can I port my existing number to a virtual number?
In most cases yes, you can perform a number port to transfer an existing phone number to use as your virtual number.
Will my virtual number work outside India?
Your India virtual number will work in any country, since calls are forwarded over the internet. People can call your India number from anywhere and still reach you.
Can I use toll-free virtual numbers?
Yes, many providers offer virtual 800 toll-free numbers. These provide caller convenience but do come at a higher monthly cost.
Are virtual numbers reliable for business use?
Top providers offer excellent reliability with multiple redundancies, making virtual numbers suitable for most business uses.
Conclusion
Getting a virtual phone number can be extremely beneficial for establishing a local presence in India and separating your personal and professional life. Leading providers make it easy to set up a virtual number with flexible call routing and scalable features for managing your inbound calls.
Consider factors like reliability, reputation, cost, features, and location when choosing a virtual number provider. With a virtual Indian number, you can project a professional image and enable smoother communication with customers in India.