In 2019, there were about 5.11 billion unique mobile users globally, with more than half of them owning smartphones. Mobile phone use has skyrocketed over the years. In the US alone, there are nearly 300 million cellphones as of 2020.
For many mobile phone users, one phone line is more than enough for their daily communication. For others, a second line is absolutely necessary, especially if they run a business.
But whether you run a business or not, a second phone line can prove beneficial to you in many ways. In this article, we discuss seven clear pros of a second phone line and how to go about adding a second phone line.
Read on to learn more.
1. Why Add a Second Line?
2. How to Add Another Phone Line?
3. A Second Line Can Make Your Life Easier
Why Add a Second Line?
A second line can enhance your life and business in a variety of ways. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. It Allows You to Establish Work-Life Balance
At the end of a busy workday, all you want is to relax without at home. One way to avoid clients from calling you after work hours is by investing in a second line that you use for business purposes only.
Once you’ve closed business, you can use settings on your second line to alert customers to various messaging options. You can then respond to these messages during work hours.
2. A Second Line Affords You More Privacy
Another reason you may want to add a second line is to keep your personal contact information private. You don’t need to give out your personal number to every existing or potential client when you are growing your company.
A second phone number ensures that you aren’t using your personal number for business purposes.
3. You Easily Know Who’s Calling
When you have a second line, you can share its information with a select group of people, such as your clients only. This makes it easier for you to know when business is calling so you can such answer calls quickly and in a quiet place.
4. Having a Second Can Improve the Perception of Your Brand
How customers perceive your brand plays a huge role in helping your business succeed. Consumers tend to make snap decisions and typically judge a brand based on their preconceptions.
Choosing a second phone number with a 1-800 prefix, for instance, can give your business a professional image. Such a number inspires confidence among potential clients as they’re already well-known in the consumer market.
5. A Second Number Boosts Your Chances of Landing More Sales
While technology has greatly advanced and new marketing innovations have hit the market, phone calls still remain a powerful sales tool for businesses everywhere. The personal interaction you achieve through a direct phone conversation is unmatched.
To achieve an optimal number of successful sales calls, it’s a good idea to get a dedicated business number as your second line. You can use this number to make and receive business calls, which helps you acquire more businesses and build revenue.
For your second line, consider such options as:
Toll-free Calls
The moment you introduce a toll-free number, you’ll begin to see a dramatic increase in business calls. Consumers trust toll-free numbers more because they know there are no hidden charges.
Local Targeting
You can introduce a second line that matches the local area code of your target clients. Local numbers increase the chances of pickups and result in higher customer engagement.
6. You Can Design the Number to Be More Memorable
In an increasingly crowded marketplace, brand memorability is critical for success. As long as consumers are aware of your presence in the market, your chances of thriving are high. Any step you make to make your brand more memorable is beneficial.
One way to make customers remember you is by adding a personal touch to your business phone number. Talk to your service provider to design a second line that instantly stands out to boost the chances of clients remembering it and reaching out to you whenever they need assistance.
7. You Don’t Need to Invest in a Second Phone
Traditionally, you’d need to have a separate phone for business. A second line makes this unnecessary. You can add this second line to your existing phone and still handle business calls conveniently.
How to Add Another Phone Line?
Now that you’ve seen the advantages of getting a second line, you may be wondering how to go about the process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out.
Download a Second Line Phone App
There's a variety of mobile apps that enable people to call and text from their phone number. Find one that's ideal for your needs and is compatible with your phone's OS and install it. Some of these apps have a trial period for you to decide whether they’re the right choice for you.
Verify Your Phone Number
Once you’ve installed the app, you’ll need to enter your phone number. You’ll then receive a verification code that helps you authenticate the number.
Choose a Toll-Free Local Business Phone Number
Most providers offer work phone numbers across a multitude of area codes in the United States and beyond. All you need is to select one that you like, and it's yours. You can also opt to port the business number you're currently using.
Choose a Subscription Plan
Check out the subscription plans that the second line offers. Generally, there are plans for a solopreneur and others for teams.
Add Your Team Members
Your second line gives you the option to add members of your team, with everyone getting their extension. From this point on, every member of your team shares a common business number, which streamlines communications.
Customize Features
In this final step, use the app's configuration to set your business hours and personalize greetings. Customize the voicemail too.
Once you’re through customizing features, you’re good to go. Calls from customers will now be automatically routed to you and your team.
A Second Line Can Make Your Life Easier
A second line can do a lot to make your life easier. With such a line, you can establish a healthy work-life balance, which is essential if you want to remain productive. A second line can also improve your communication with clients significantly, helping you stay ahead of the competition.
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