Virtual phone numbers are not tied to telephone lines or SIM cards and operate only through the internet. A USA virtual phone number can provide many advantages for you personally or your business. So, read below to find out how you can benefit from US phone numbers and how to get one.
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Why might you need a US phone number?
If you have personal or business relations tied to the United States, you may want to get a US phone number. Here are some of the reasons why you might need one:
- Creating international business
If your business is based outside the United States but you’re dealing with international customers or partners, not having a USA phone number can be a deal breaker.
International calls can be quite expensive, making it difficult for your clients to reach you. Also, not having a local phone number may discourage clients from reaching out altogether — a foreign country code at the start of your phone number may cause mistrust or get associated with scams.
Having a US phone number alone gives your business more credibility. But if you’d like to take it one step further, you could rent a virtual office and register your business in the US, giving your company a local presence. However, you must have a US phone number to do that. - Accessing US services
Many US-based services, apps, and other platforms require US phone numbers for registration, verification, and/or authentication.
A US phone number might be needed for banking, shopping online, creating social media accounts, and other services. Without one, you may not be able to verify your identity or fully access these services. - Staying in touch with US contacts
If you have family, friends, or business clients in the US, having a US phone number will make keeping in touch with them a lot easier.
Calling and texting US phone numbers within the country is usually free or very low cost. On the other hand, contacting an international number, depending on the country, can be expensive. So, even a virtual number could make communication with your US contacts much easier.
What are the benefits of having a US phone number?
Having a number that starts +1 has plenty of benefits, from simplifying international communications to establishing your business in the USA. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits USA phone numbers provide:
- Business credibility
If you’re conducting business in the US from abroad, having a local number may improve your company’s credibility.
It is known that people respond better to phone calls from local numbers and tend to trust businesses with a proven local presence.
Providing an American telephone number will make your company appear to be operating within the United States. Thus, it will create the impression of a more legitimate, significant, and professional business, improving trust with your US-based clientele.
Including a US contact number in your advertisements can attract potential customers. They will also be more likely to reach out to customer service with a local number.
- Exclusive deals
Many businesses provide location-specific discounts, offers, loyalty programs, and memberships. Retailers send out targeted offers via SMS or app notifications.
So, if you’ve registered with a US phone number, you will be notified about local promotions, special events, and deals. You will also be able to join special US-based programs and take advantage of their perks.
- Seamless communication
The high cost of contacting a foreign number might limit your communication with your US-based clients, friends, or family. Having a US virtual phone number would allow your contacts to avoid international call fees and reach you easily, without any limitations.
In addition, calling a US number, even if it’s outside the country, seems to be more reliable and provides better call quality compared to calls to an international number. So, having a US telephone number allows you to have clear and uninterrupted conversations with your American contacts.
How can you get a US phone number?
Good news — you don’t need to be in the US or have a US SIM card to get a US phone number. All you need is a virtual number with the USA country code.
A virtual telephone number forwards incoming calls to your actual number or an app, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card or an additional device. It also allows you to get a number with a specific country code without physically being in that country, providing a local presence in your chosen location.
Virtual phone numbers are becoming increasingly popular, so getting one now is super simple.
Take, for instance, Surfshark’s Alternative Number service.
Why Alternative Number is a great choice
With Alternative Number, you can generate a virtual USA phone number and receive calls and messages straight to your Surfshark app.
Apart from providing better business credibility, allowing you to access US services, and making it easier for your US contacts to get in touch with you, Surfshark Alternative Number offers even more benefits.
You can use this virtual number instead of your main one when creating online accounts or signing up for listings to keep your primary phone number spam-free. Masking your real number also helps you avoid robocalls and prevents smishing, identity theft, and data sharing.
You can get Surfshark’s Alternative Number by upgrading your active Surfshark subscription plan. Once you have an account, you can add Alternative Number to your plan. After the upgrade is completed, you’ll be able to generate your US virtual number.
Conclusion: virtual numbers are here to save the day
Having a US phone number can positively impact your international business and provide personal advantages. But instead of being tied to telephone lines and SIM cards, you can get a virtual phone number and have the same benefits of a US phone number — from anywhere in the world.
FAQ
Can foreigners get a US phone number?
Yes. Foreigners can get a US phone number from virtual phone number services or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service providers. There are no known laws or regulations that prevent non-US citizens from receiving a US virtual telephone number.
You could also get a local US SIM card if you’re traveling in the US or have someone there who could get it for you.
How can I get a US phone number for verification?
You can get a US number for verification from virtual phone number services like Surfshark. Its Alternative Number service allows you to generate a USA virtual number and receive verification texts.
Can I create my own US phone number?
No, you cannot create your own phone number, as in generating the digits yourself.
Some telecommunications providers allow you to choose from a list of pre-generated phone numbers. Some virtual number services allow you to pick an area code for your number but generate the rest automatically.
Do I need to live in the US to get a local number?
No, you don’t have to live in the US to get a local number. You can get a virtual US or VoIP number from anywhere outside the United States. Not all services have US numbers available, so make sure you choose one that provides them.
What is a virtual USA phone number?
A virtual USA number is an online number that allows you to receive calls on your smartphone, computer, or VoIP system without needing a physical SIM card or connection to a telephone line, even when you’re overseas.
How can I get a US phone number for free?
There are a few providers online that offer free US virtual phone numbers. However, as with most free services, there’s a catch — or a few. These providers tend to limit the functionality of their free service to encourage you to pay for unlimited access. Others will overload you with ads, while some may even abuse your personal data for their gain.
