I’m interested in (since I am starting a business) setting up a separate business phone number. Not only does this have privacy benefits, but I also just don’t want to have to answer phone calls after hours so having a separate number is just a good idea. How can I do this privately? Do any of you have particular recommendations?
I have looked into voip.ms and MySudo. I ended up ruling out MySudo because I have plans to move myself and my business outside of North America in the future.
My threat model for this is mostly that I’d prefer to avoid giving my address and personal phone number, as I’d like to keep myself and my business as separated as possible. Not a strict requirement though if there’s no alternatives.
There isn’t much to it. You either get a virtual landline from any VOIP provider or a separate mobile phone or secondary SIM card.
Under which name your new phone number is published is up to you.
I don not know the rules in the US, just Germany. There you have to have a verified postal address to get a virtual land line for the corresponding areal code. You can either get a single phone line from a service like Sipgate or a SIP-Trunk, if you want your own PBX.
Some smartphones allow for two SIM-Cards, sometimes the second one needs to be an eSIM. Just check the documentation of your phone. If you are in the US and want to buy a separate cell phone for your business, it should likely be an iPhone. Apparently there is this bubble color thing going on with people using Apples social marketing tool iMessage which many people still believe to be a messenger. Those people are not happy when speech bubbles don’t have the desired color and start looking down on people those bubbles are associated with.
I don’t know how phone book (database) entries are handled in the US. But I assume you can choose their content to an extend and for a business you basically have to do so.
From the FAQ:
Can I use JMP for Automated or Business Purposes?
No, the P2P routes we use to exchange messages with the phone system must be used in the same way as any phone number you get from a regular cell carrier. That means no automations, marketing, or campaigns.
Alas, while I’m sure it’s great, I’m not sure if my particular usage, in communications with customers would necessarily be okay to do with their service.
Hmm, I suppose you’re right. Especially since this is a business expense, so I would be purchasing it under my business’ and not my own name, I have at least a layer of protection.
You are already doing a good job, by creating a complete identity for your business that is separate to your private identity.
- Have a domain for your business and at least a simple website with basic business contact information and a short introduction.
- Use your custom domain with your business-e-mail provider.
- Have an address or PO Box to separate you home address from your business.
- Have a business phone number.
- Have business hours in which you answer the phone personally and an “answering machine“ for the rest of the day.
- Have a bank account and credit card for your business separate from your personal bank account.
Keeping a clear separation between your business and your personal life helps a lot to keep your sanity in the long run. It protects your personal life and makes scaling your business easier.
You don’t want to hide or “be anonymous” as a business man, but you want to control access to your person and structure communication into proper channels.