Phone Service
Eventually, you will need to have a business phone number that is listed with directory assistance and the instructions for getting a phone number listed with directory assistance is covered in Step 3.
For purposes of starting out this program – for instance requesting a DUNS number – which is STEP 1 – you do not need to FIRST get a special business phone line established, and get that line listed in 411. You can deal with that later, in STEP 3, and if you end up changing your phone number, it won’t be a big deal – you’ll just update your D&B profile.
Also, the first vendor credit applications that you submit on STEP 2 do not require that the phone number be listed with 411, and at this stage of your credit building, they will not care if the number you give them is a cell phone. That is why the actions involving getting a proper business phone line set up and listed with 411 are listed in STEP 3, which AFTER steps 1 and 2.
However, we have consistently found that most people want to PLAN OUT what they are GOING TO DO, and want to know what options they have right up front, so we put this information in the orientation section.
Here are some “business phone line options”:
Option #1: Get a ‘business service’ land line. This is the BEST & RECOMMENDED option.
Option #2: Get ringcentral.com and forward it to your home or cell. Ring central will show up as a land line. Their plans start at $9.99 a month.
Option #3: Get a VoIP phone service, such as Vonage or Skype (vonage and skype will show up as land lines as will most professional VoIP services) However, you will have to work with them to ensure your number gets listed. Since this is a VOIP number, it’s not a guarantee of a business directory listing. You need to be persistent in this. They claim to get you listed, you’ll need to follow up with them constantly to ensure it does happen.
Option #4: Get some other service that your prefer. When you do this, ASK to make sure that you can get listed in the 411 and Business directories when using their service. If you cannot, we recommend seeking out another option.
You need to be getting a phone number with an area code that is local to your business. For instance, if the address that your business is physically located in has an area code of 561, then you need to have a 561 area code business area code number.
ANY service that you get other than a land line will require that you follow the instructions in Phase 1 section 411 to get it listed.
If you already have (or are planning to immediately get) a business land line service, then you can skip this area.
If you have a dedicated land line phone (but it is residential service), you can call your phone company and get it upgraded.
It is not recommended that you list your cell phone with 411. However, if you are out and about more than in an office, it might make sense to do so. This is an area we’re still working out and we’ll be updating as more information becomes available.
Why? Two reasons:
1. Statistically, “real” companies (that are profitable and built to last) don’t have a cell phone as their main company phone line. According to government reports, the vast majority of new businesses will go out of business within the first few years. Most creditors don’t want to lend to those they perceive as unstable or likely to fail.
2. There are underwriters for advanced corporate credit who will check to see if your main business phone line is a cell phone.
Here is an example of a simple, free tool that will tell you whether a phone number is a land line or a cell phone:
Click here to search on whether a phone number is a land line or a cell phone
(Many underwriters have access to tools much more sophisticated than this free online tool)
Example of search results if the phone number is a cell phone:
Example of search results if the phone number is a land line:
Now, if you absolutely can’t afford to spend the money on having a separate number for your business line, you CAN list your cell phone with 411. Most of the credit you apply for on our program won’t have a problem with it – it’s really the more advanced approvals where it can become a problem.
