How to get a vanity number with VoIP
4 September 2025A strong, memorable brand helps your business stand out, and one tool that makes a lasting impression is a vanity phone number.
This type of number spells out a word or phrase, often your business name, making it easier for people to remember how to reach you.
It’s not just about being catchy: vanity numbers can improve brand recognition, increase call volume, and enhance the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. They also make your business look more professional and trustworthy.
Thanks to VoIP services, getting a vanity number is now simple and affordable. Whether you’re looking for a toll-free or local number vanity option, this guide will show you how to set it up and integrate it seamlessly into your business phone system!
What Is a Vanity Phone Number?
A vanity phone number replaces random digits with a memorable word or phrase tied to your brand. Instead of something generic, you get something like 1-800-PIZZA-NOW.
With VoIP services, even small business owners can secure a vanity number quickly and affordably, reinforcing brand identity and making it easier for customers to recall and contact you.
How To Get a Vanity Phone Number for Your Business
Getting a vanity phone number is easier and more accessible than ever. Whether you’re launching a new business or looking to upgrade your brand presence, you can set up a custom number easily with VoIP.
Follow these four simple steps to start using a number your customers won’t forget:
1. Select a reliable VoIP provider
2. Choose the right plan
3. Find and claim your perfect vanity number
4. Link your new number to a user or device
1. Select a reliable VoIP provider
Start by choosing a VoIP provider that supports vanity numbers. Not all have this feature, so make sure to confirm it before signing up.
Look for a provider with:
- A wide selection of vanity phone numbers
- Transparent pricing
- Easy self-service tools
- Strong customer support
Some service providers also allow porting an existing vanity number. Choose a platform that suits your business size, budget, and tech comfort level.
2. Choose the right plan
The next step is selecting the right plan. Most providers offer a range of packages based on call volume, number of users, and extra features like call forwarding or analytics.
When choosing a plan, consider:
- How many users or extensions you need
- Whether you want a toll-free or local vanity number
- Your estimated call volume
- Budget and contract flexibility
Confirm the plan includes support for vanity numbers and note any setup or monthly fees for custom numbers.
3. Find and claim your perfect vanity number
Now comes the fun part: finding a memorable number that fits your brand. Use your VoIP provider’s search tool to find an available number entering keywords, names, or phrases to see what’s open.
Tips for choosing your toll-free vanity number:
- Keep it short, simple, and easy to spell
- Use your business name, slogan, or core service (for example, 1-800-PIZZA-NOW)
- Avoid overly complex or long spellings that may confuse callers
Once you find a match, reserve and activate it right away. If it’s taken, try variations or related words that still reflect your brand.
4. Link your new number to a user or device
After securing your vanity number, it’s time to link it to your phone system. With VoIP, this is typically as easy as assigning the number to a user, department, or device from your provider’s dashboard.
You can route calls to:
- A specific team member or sales rep
- A call queue or interactive voice response (IVR) menu
- A virtual receptionist or voicemail box
Make sure your routing setup aligns with how your business operates!
Are vanity phone numbers and toll-free numbers the same thing?
No! A toll-free number allows callers to reach a business without being charged, using prefixes like 800, 888, etc.
A vanity number is a customized, memorable number that spells out a word or phrase related to the business. While vanity numbers are often toll-free, they can also be local.
Learn more about toll-free numbers in our Wiki!
The Top 3 Types of Business Phone Numbers
When ditching landlines and choosing the best phone system for your company, it’s essential to understand the different types of business phone numbers available.
The three most common types are:
- Toll-free
- Vanity number
- Local phone number
Toll-free
Toll-free numbers start with well-known prefixes like 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, or 888 and allow customers to call your business without being charged for the call.
These numbers are especially useful for national customer service lines, sales departments, and support teams.
Vanity number
These branded toll-free numbers spell words or phrases and are ideal for marketing. For example, 1-800-PIZZA-NOW is easier to remember than a string of random digits.
With a vanity number, your business appears more polished and memorable.
Local phone number
If your business serves a specific city or region, a local phone number can build trust with nearby customers.
These numbers use local area codes and make your business feel familiar and accessible, especially for small businesses or those just starting out.
VoIP.ms gives you access to a real-time inventory of local phone numbers in over 15,000 rate centers across North America. Click here to learn more!
Why Use a Vanity Phone Number
A vanity phone number isn’t just for large corporations with massive ad budgets and numerous business calls. It is a powerful tool for small and medium-sized businesses looking to improve customer engagement, brand visibility, and marketing performance.
Here’s why businesses love them:
- Customer memorization
- Brand recognition
- ROI tracking
- VoIP Integration
- Flexibility and portability
Customer memorization
Vanity numbers are easy to remember because they spell something meaningful. For businesses looking to boost their marketing and stay top of mind with clients, they’re the ideal branding tool.
Brand recognition
A vanity phone number also reinforce your company’s identity every time someone sees or hears it. When your number reflects what your business stands for, it adds instant clarity and personality to your communications.
ROI tracking
Vanity numbers help you measure results. If you’re running multiple marketing campaigns, you can assign different vanity numbers to each one and track call volume separately.
This allows you to analyze which ads or channels are generating the most engagement and gives you clearer insight into your return on investment (ROI).
VoIP integration
When paired with a VoIP phone system, you can use features like auto-attendants, call routing, voicemail-to-email, call recording, and analytics to streamline communication and handle higher call volumes without increasing your team’s workload.
RELATED: Everything you need to know about VoIP setup for small businesses
Flexibility and portability
Vanity numbers aren’t tied to physical phone lines. You can assign a number to a user, a department, or even an interactive voice response (IVR) menu, and change it anytime through your VoIP provider’s portal.
That way, you guarantee your customers are always attended to, be it via your office IP phone, or by taking an important call via cell phone.
Find out how to easily port your Phone Number to VoIP.ms in just a few steps:
How Much Does Vanity Numbers Cost?
One of the best things about using a provider such as VoIP.ms is that you get full control over your business phone setup, with no long-term contracts or hidden fees.
Vanity numbers are surprisingly affordable and can easily fit into small business budgets. Taking our company as an example, costs are broken down into three main categories:
- One-time activation fee
- Monthly service fee
- Optional add-ons
One-time activation fee
To activate a vanity toll-free number, VoIP.ms charges a one-time setup fee of $30.00 per Direct Inward Dial (DID) to make and receive calls in Canada, and a $15.00 fee for U.S. vanity toll-free numbers. This fee covers the cost of securing and provisioning a custom, easy-to-remember number that reflects your brand.
Monthly service fee
After activation, monthly service fee cost starts at $1.25 per number for Canada and $0.99 for the U.S.. For comparison:
- Local voice numbers: From $0.85/month (both Canada and U.S.)
- Toll-free numbers: $1.25/month for Canada; $0.99/month for the U.S.
Toll-free call rates are also competitively priced:
- Outgoing calls are free for Canada and the U.S.
- Incoming calls start at $0.027/minute (Canada) or $0.019/minute (U.S.)
You only pay for what you use, which makes VoIP.ms one of the most cost-effective options for toll-free and local vanity phone numbers.
Optional add-ons
VoIP.ms also offers optional features to enhance your vanity number setup. These are billed separately and can help you tailor the experience to your business needs:
- Directory listing: One-time fee of $10.00
- Caller ID name update: Supported and free of charge
Want the most competitive VoIP pricing? Click here to discover the VoIP.ms difference!
Pro Tips for Choosing a Toll-Free Vanity Phone Number
Before you secure your new vanity telephone number, take a moment to think strategically. It can be a powerful asset, but only if you choose it wisely.
Research more than one provider
Don’t settle for the first option you find. Providers vary in terms of number availability, pricing structure, and included features. Look for flexibility, transparent pricing, and tools that make it easy to manage your number independently.
Be creative
The best vanity numbers are simple, intuitive, and on-brand; so don’t consider only your company’s name. Use words or phrases that reflect your business identity and are easy to remember and spell. If your first idea isn’t available, experiment new combinations that still make a strong impression.
Learn how to differentiate 800 toll-free prefixes
All toll-free numbers start with an 8**, but some are more recognizable than others. The original 1-800 is the most trusted, but also the hardest to get.
That’s why newer codes like 1-888 and 1-877 are better options for finding available vanity numbers.
Get Your Vanity Phone Number from the Best VoIP Provider
A custom vanity phone number is more than just a clever marketing move: it’s a smart, lasting investment in how your business communicates. It helps customers remember you, strengthens your brand identity, and gives your company a more professional presence.
When paired with a flexible VoIP system, it also brings practical benefits: easy call routing, remote accessibility, and the freedom to scale as your business grows.
Browse VoIP.ms Phone Numbers and take the next step in building a phone presence that works just as hard as you do!
Vanity Number FAQ
Have questions you don’t see answered here? No problem! Ask them directly to our Sales Team.
1. Is it possible to choose your own phone number?
Yes! With the correct phone service provider, you can search for and select a vanity number that spells out a word or phrase tied to your business. If your first pick is unavailable, try creative variations!
2. What steps should I follow to get a vanity phone number for my business?
Before thinking of taking phone calls and advertising your incredible new phone number on social media for potential customers, you need to follow a few steps: Choose a VoIP phone number provider that supports vanity numbers, pick a plan, search for an available number, and assign it to your phone system. Setup is usually quick and flexible!
3. Are vanity phone numbers worth it?
Absolutely! They’re memorable, great for branding, and help increase calls. With VoIP, virtual phone numbers such as this are affordable and easy to manage, which is perfect for small businesses looking to grow.
Share:
