Finding and provisioning a phone number takes under a minute. This article walks through the search flow, explains the number types available, and covers what to look for when picking a number for your business or clients.
How to find and buy a number
Go to Phone Numbers in the main navigation and click Buy a new number. This opens the number search panel.
- Select your country from the dropdown
- Choose a number type — local, mobile, or toll-free (availability varies by country)
- Click Search Numbers — a list of available numbers appears
- Click Select next to the number you want — it's immediately provisioned and added to your account
The number is live and ready to receive calls the moment you select it. No activation delay.
Number types explained
The number types available depend on the country. Most countries offer at least two of the following:
| Type | Format example | Best for | Caller cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local / Geographic | +44 20 xxxx xxxx | Businesses serving a specific city or region. Callers trust familiar area codes. | Standard local rate |
| Mobile | +44 7xxx xxxxxx | Businesses that want a mobile-style number. Common for tradespeople and sole traders. | Standard mobile rate |
| National / Non-geographic | +44 3xxx xxxxxx | Businesses operating nationally with no single location. Appears professional and neutral. | Standard rate (same as local on most plans) |
| Toll-free | +1 800 xxx xxxx | High-volume businesses or agencies that want callers to pay nothing. Costs more per minute. | Free to caller — you pay |
Assigning a number to an agent
After provisioning, the number appears in your Phone Numbers list. To link it to an agent:
- Go to Agents → Edit on the agent you want to assign it to
- Open the Telephone tab
- Select the number from the dropdown of unassigned numbers
- Save — the agent will now answer all calls to that number
Alternatively, you can assign directly from the Phone Numbers page using the Assign agent dropdown next to each number.
Plan limits and what happens when you reach them
Each plan has a maximum number of phone numbers you can hold simultaneously. If you've reached your plan's limit, the Buy a new number button will show an upgrade prompt instead of the search panel.
Tips for picking a good number
- Choose the right area code — match it to where your customers are, not where you are if they differ
- Avoid confusing numbers — very long sequences of repeated digits (e.g. 000 or 999 runs) can look like spam to some callers
- For agencies: pick a number that matches the client's trading area. A plumber in Bristol should have a Bristol number, not a London one
- Note it down — your VoiceForge number is what you'll enter when setting up call forwarding on your existing mobile or landline