How to Get A Virtual Number for WhatsApp? Top 5 Providers in 2024
The physical limitations of conventional telephone communication can be removed with a WhatsApp virtual phone number. With these numbers, you don’t need extensive infrastructure for smooth operations. This technology increases the adaptability and mobility of corporate transactions and promotional information for consumers.
In this article, we explore all the features and benefits of virtual phone numbers, including how to register your WhatsApp Business account with a virtual number.
What is a Virtual Phone Number?
Virtual phone numbers allow global, secure communication via the internet without needing a physical address or SIM card. They can be linked to landlines, mobile phones, or computers, and are not tied to a single phone line or location.
Unlike regular phone numbers that require a local phone line, virtual numbers offer flexibility and are often used in business operations worldwide. Costs for virtual phone numbers vary, generally ranging from a few dollars to over $20, depending on the provider and number type (local, mobile, or toll-free).
Why Use A Virtual Phone Number For WhatsApp?
Virtual numbers have the same working functionality as regular numbers and in some aspects, they have much more advanced features. Here’s a list of benefits that make virtual phone numbers a practical tool in today’s digital-first economy:
Improved Privacy
Personal details remain private during business interactions.Rich Messaging
Send and receive multi-media media messagesWhatsApp Integration
Advanced features and better integration with WhatsApp1. Better Privacy
A virtual phone number increases security by masking your actual phone number. This is particularly useful for protecting personal information when interacting with clients or conducting business transactions.
2. Money Saving
Virtual phone numbers can reduce costs by eliminating the need for multiple phone lines or expensive international calling fees. They provide an affordable way to manage business communications.
3. Forwarding SMS to Email or Mobile
This feature allows for greater accessibility of messages, as SMS can be automatically forwarded to an email or another mobile device, ensuring that important communications are not missed.
4. Compatibility with Apps
These numbers are often compatible with various communication applications, including WhatsApp, enabling users to integrate multiple messaging platforms seamlessly.
5. Rich Communication Features
Virtual numbers support advanced communication options such as sending and receiving multimedia files, calendar invites, and location data, enhancing the way businesses interact with customers and teams.
6. Programmable Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
IVR systems can be programmed to interact with callers, providing them with menu options that can gather information and direct calls based on their responses, improving customer service efficiency.
7. Control Over Call Routing
Virtual numbers can be set up to automatically route incoming calls based on specific rules, such as time of day or caller ID, which helps streamline the handling of calls and reduces the need for manual intervention.
8. Device Neutral
Being device-neutral means virtual phone numbers can be used across multiple devices—smartphones, tablets, or computers—making them a versatile tool for modern businesses.
9. Superior WhatsApp Integration
Using a premium virtual number with WhatsApp enhances features unavailable with free numbers, such as better customer service and fewer ads, providing a smoother and more professional communication experience.
How to Create A WhatsApp Number for Business
Platforms that have the underlying technology to provide straightforward integration of real-time, cloud-based, customized communication services are labeled as CPaaS (Communication Platform-as-a-Service). Platforms such as Twilio, Telnyx, and MessageBird offer virtual numbers as part of their portfolio. Getting one is very simple and it will take you only 3 minutes to complete the entire process:
- Sign up for an account with your preferable CPaaS
- During signup, select your city or area code to pick your phone number
- Verify your account with an existing phone number and a credit card.
That’s it. Now you have a virtual phone number.
How to Use WhatsApp Business With a Virtual Number?
Using WhatsApp Business with a virtual phone number has numerous advantages. Saving money and improving ROI, keeping business and personal conversations separate, managing multiple users, and saving time, to name a few.
Connecting your virtual phone number with WhatsApp is an effortless process:
- Download the Whatsapp Business app
- In the drop-down menu enter the country and your virtual phone number
- Wait for WhatsApp to send you a verification code
- Enter the code to complete the verification and your Whatsapp Business account is ready to go!
If you use a landline virtual number, then wait for the verification code timer on Whatsapp to end and click on the option to send OTP via a call to listen to the code.
Top 5 WhatsApp Virtual Number Providers in 2024
1. Hushed
Hushed provides a virtual phone number service that emphasizes privacy for both personal and professional use. It is versatile, supporting multiple devices, making it ideal for scenarios where privacy is paramount.
Features:
- Privacy-Oriented: Anonymous calling and secure texting
- Customizable: Voicemail, auto-reply messages
- Convenient: Call forwarding, managing multiple numbers
- Multiple Device Support: Use across various devices
Pricing: Hushed offers several pricing plans starting as low as $2.99 for the Prepaid plan. The Unlimited plan starts at $4.99 per month for unlimited local talk and text, while the Pay-as-you-go plan begins at $6.99 per month for international communication.
2. Twilio
Twilio provides a powerful API platform for integrating communication capabilities into various applications.
Features:
- Developer-Friendly: Robust API for easy integration
- Extensive Options: Over 200 distinct number types available
- Global Compliance: Meets worldwide compliance requirements
- Versatile: Adds SMS, Voice, and MMS capabilities
Pricing: Twilio’s pricing varies by number type and country, with specific costs for setup, monthly fees, and usage rates for SMS and calls.
3. Talkatone
Talkatone is a mobile VoIP application that offers a free U.S. phone number for making and receiving calls and texts via WiFi or cellular data, perfect for travelers or those avoiding roaming fees.
Features:
- Mobile VoIP: Free U.S. phone number
- Cost-Efficient: No cell minutes required
- Flexible: Change numbers while retaining history
- Enhanced Messaging: Supports picture messaging
Pricing: Talkatone provides its services for free, focusing on cost-effective communication within the U.S.
4. Grasshopper
Grasshopper is tailored for entrepreneurs and small businesses, offering a virtual phone system to manage communications efficiently.
Features:
- Business-Oriented: Voicemail transcription, business texting
- Customizable: Call forwarding, virtual receptionist
- App Support: Mobile and desktop apps for easy management
- Geographically Limited: Available only in the USA and Canada
Pricing: Grasshopper’s pricing information can be directly accessed through their platform, offering various plans for different business needs.
5. CallHippo
CallHippo offers advanced communication tools with features like call forwarding and IVR, suitable for businesses looking to integrate CRM and improve customer interactions.
Features:
- Robust Tools: Call queuing, voicemail, IVR
- Integration Ready: CRM integration options
- Business API: WhatsApp Business API integration
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and easy to navigate
Pricing: Prices range from $0 for the Basic plan to $42 for the Ultimate plan, catering to a wide range of business needs.
Conclusion
Any business, whether small or big, can realize the benefits of virtual phone numbers. They are ideal for multiple contact centers and can help you increase productivity.
Traditional numbers have some limitations that make them less suitable for business. Virtual numbers, on the other hand, are not subject to these limitations. They can effectively manage your company’s communications and aid in the development of your brand.
Not only Virtual phone numbers can lower the costs of your communications, but they can also help you scale and improve the customer experience.
Signing up for WhatsApp Business with a virtual phone number is easy and can unlock numerous possibilities for your business to grow.
For a fast, simple, and intuitive experience for your team, jump on board Rasayel’s customer communication platform and start making killer sales on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you cannot use WhatsApp without a phone number. WhatsApp requires a phone number for verification to ensure the user’s authenticity. A virtual phone number can serve as an alternative to a personal phone number for this purpose.
You can use a different number for WhatsApp Business than your personal phone number. This allows you to separate your personal and business communications effectively. When setting up WhatsApp Business, you can choose any active phone number that you have access to and can receive a call or SMS on, to verify the number during the setup process. It’s often recommended to use a virtual phone number or a dedicated mobile number for business purposes to maintain professionalism and privacy.
Yes, WhatsApp accepts virtual numbers. Many users successfully register and operate WhatsApp Business accounts using virtual phone numbers. However, it’s essential to choose a reputable virtual phone number provider that offers numbers compatible with WhatsApp.
Yes, virtual phone numbers can receive SMS messages. Many virtual phone number services offer SMS capabilities, allowing you to send and receive text messages just as you would with a traditional mobile number. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that need to engage in text-based communication with clients or for verification purposes, such as receiving OTPs (One-Time Passwords) for online services. When choosing a virtual phone number provider, ensure that their service includes SMS functionality to meet your specific needs.
Yes, virtual numbers are legal to use. They are commonly employed by businesses for customer service, marketing, and remote work communications. It’s important to ensure that the use of a virtual number complies with local regulations and terms of service of the platform you’re using it on.
No, using a virtual number does not inherently affect your quality rating on platforms like WhatsApp. The quality rating is typically influenced by factors like your responsiveness, the relevance of your communications, and compliance with platform guidelines, rather than the type of phone number used.
Learn more
If you'd like to learn more about how WhatsApp can help you grow your business, please reach out to us on WhatsApp at +13024070488 (Click to chat now).
We also offer a free consultation session where we review your use case, answer any questions about WhatsApp, and help you build a strategy to make the best out of the platform. Book a call with us here. We'd love to speak with you:
Niloofar helps the team in marketing and partnerships. She has worked in startups and large enterprises and lived in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. When she’s not working, she enjoys socializing, doing reformer and getting lost in nature.
