Virtual Phone Numbers for WhatsApp Business: The Ultimate Guide

Are you tired of giving out your personal phone number to every customer who wants to connect with you on WhatsApp? Are you afraid that they'll start calling you at 3 AM to ask about your latest product? Well, fear not, because I am here to help you set up a WhatsApp account with a virtual phone number.

Table of contents

1. Step by step guide for setting up a virtual phone number on WhatsApp
2. Popular virtual phone number providers
3. Benefits of using a virtual or fake phone number for WhatsApp
4. Any downsides?
5. Conclusion

Step by step guide for setting up a virtual phone number on WhatsApp

These are the steps to get a virtual number up and running for WhatsApp:

1. Pick the country for your WhatsApp Business account: Choose where you'll use WhatsApp, as your phone number needs to match this location.

2. Select a phone number provider: Options like Twilio or Nexmo offer virtual numbers. Pick the one that fits your needs.

3. Get a virtual number: Sign up with your chosen provider and pick a number from their list.

4. Verify the number: Complete the verification steps required by your provider.

5. Set up WhatsApp Business: Use your verified number to register on the WhatsApp Business app. Add your business info during setup.

6. Start chatting: With everything set, you can now message customers, share media, and set up auto-replies on WhatsApp Business.

Popular virtual phone number providers

Twilio

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Twilio is a cloud communications platform that provides APIs for developers to easily integrate SMS, voice, and video capabilities into applications.

Pricing for a virtual phone number

Twilio offers different pricing options for virtual or fake phone numbers based on the country, type of number, and usage. For example, in the United States, the monthly cost for a local phone number starts at $1 per month, while toll-free numbers start at $2 per month. You can check Twilio's website for the specific pricing for virtual or fake phone numbers in your country.

Vonage

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Pricing for a virtual phone number

Vonage offers different pricing options for virtual phone numbers based on the country, type of number, and usage. For example, in the United States, the monthly cost for a local phone number starts at $0.50 per month, while toll-free numbers start at $2.50 per month. You can check Vonage's website for the specific pricing for virtual or fake phone numbers in your country.

Plivo

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Plivo is a cloud communication platform that provides APIs for developers to integrate SMS, voice, and video capabilities into applications and websites.

Pricing for a virtual phone number

Plivo offers different pricing options for virtual or fake phone numbers based on the country, type of number, and usage. For example, in the United States, the monthly cost for a local phone number starts at $0.80 per month, while toll-free numbers start at $1 per month. You can check Plivo's website for the specific pricing for virtual or fake phone numbers in your country.

Telnyx

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Telnyx is a cloud communication platform that provides APIs and a global carrier-grade network to enable businesses to communicate via voice, messaging, and other channels. It offers features such as number porting, call routing, and analytics for optimized communication strategies.

Pricing for a virtual phone number

Telnyx offers different pricing options for virtual phone numbers based on the country, type of number, and usage. For example, in the United States, the monthly cost for a local phone number starts at $0.50 per month, while toll-free numbers start at $1 per month. You can check Telnyx's website for the specific pricing for virtual or fake phone numbers in your country.

MessageBird

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MessageBird is a cloud communication platform that provides APIs for developers to easily integrate SMS, voice, and chat capabilities into applications and software. It offers features such as two-way messaging, voice calling, and customer service tools, and is widely used by businesses for efficient communication with customers.

Pricing for a virtual phone number

MessageBird offers different pricing options for virtual or fake phone numbers based on the country, type of number, and usage. For example, in the United States, the monthly cost for a local phone number starts at $1.00 per month, while toll-free numbers start at $1.50 per month. You can check MessageBird's website for the specific pricing for virtual phone numbers in your country.

Benefits of using a virtual or fake phone number for WhatsApp

1. Protecting personal privacy and security by keeping personal phone numbers separate from business communication

2. Enabling businesses to maintain a professional presence on WhatsApp with a dedicated phone number

3. Offering flexibility to use WhatsApp on multiple devices without the need for a physical SIM card

4. Allowing businesses to communicate with customers from anywhere in the world without additional international calling fees

5. Providing additional features such as automated messages, message templates, and analytics to improve customer engagement and communication efficiency.

Any downsides?

The benefits of using a virtual or fake phone number for WhatsApp often outweigh the downsides, but it's important to weigh both the pros and cons before deciding if it's the right approach for your business.

1. Limited availability: Some countries may not support the use of virtual or fake phone numbers for WhatsApp, which could limit the ability to use this approach in certain regions.

2. Compliance with WhatsApp policies: WhatsApp requires users to provide accurate and truthful information when registering an account. Failing to comply with these policies may lead to account suspension or other penalties.

3. Cost: Virtual phone numbers typically come with a monthly fee, which can add up over time. Depending on the provider and the features needed, the cost can vary.

4. Customer confusion: If a business uses a virtual or fake phone number for WhatsApp, it's important to clearly communicate this to customers to avoid confusion or mistrust.

Conclusion

And there you have it, my dear readers! You are now the proud owners of a WhatsApp Business account with a virtual phone number. You can now communicate with your customers without revealing your personal phone number, and you can finally get some sleep without worrying about late-night calls from that one customer who just can't get enough of your products. So, go forth and conquer the digital world, my friends! And remember, with great virtual phone numbers come great responsibility (and hopefully, fewer awkward phone calls).