Expanding a business globally isn’t easy. You want to provide your new international client base with phone numbers that they recognize to establish a local presence, but physically expanding abroad is both challenging and comes with expensive overhead costs.
Thanks to the advancement of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), businesses can now purchase virtual phone numbers that operate through the cloud so that they can reap the benefits of local phone numbers from around the world without the need to physically expand.
While selecting a new virtual number, the question will likely arise whether you would like a geographic or nongeographic phone number. While both can be beneficial to businesses looking to expand to other cities or countries, they do each have their pros and cons.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about geographic phone numbers and nongeographic phone numbers to find out which is best for your business.
What is a Geographic Phone Number?
Geographic phone numbers, also known as local numbers, include any phone number associated with a physical location such as a city or state. For example, in the United States, any number with a local area code—212 in New York City for instance—is a geographic number.
Benefits of Geographic Phone Numbers
Geographic numbers come with a range of benefits. They allow businesses to establish themselves locally, giving the impression they’re a member of the community, located just down the street from their customers. Additional benefits of geographic numbers include:
- Establish a local presence in a specific location without the need to physically open a new office.
- Provide global customers with local number formats they recognize even if your business is located on the opposite side of the world.
- Test new markets with relative ease at a reasonable price.
- Cost-effective scalability.
What is a Nongeographic Phone Number?
Nongeographic phone numbers are phone numbers not associated with a specific geographic location. These are typically national or international numbers, and they allow customers from across a country to dial a single number to reach a business. In contrast to geographic numbers, nongeographic numbers provide businesses with the prestige of appearing larger and more established rather than local.
Benefits of Nongeographic Phone Numbers
Much like geographic numbers, nongeographic numbers come with their own set of benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Establish a nationwide or global presence so that customers from across an entire country can reach you using the same phone number.
- Appear as a larger, nationally established company.
- Target entire countries rather than individual cities.
How to Buy Geographic and Nongeographic Phone Numbers
Choosing a geographic or nongeographic phone number for your business depends upon whether you want your business to appear more local or as a larger international brand.
Whether a geographic or nongeographic phone number is the option for you, TollFreeForwarding.com offers a wide selection of local, national, and international virtual numbers from all over the world.
Explore our selection of virtual numbers to find the perfect geographic or nongeographic number for your business and give your customers the means to reach your business as needed.
