Phones that ring
Up to five mobiles or landlines, rung together or one after another, plus your app or desk phone if you use one. You choose how long they ring before voicemail.
- Home
- How it works
Your number, your rules, your phone
A SwitchBoardOne number is a normal UK landline number. When someone rings it, we follow the rules you have set: which phones ring, when you are open, and what callers hear when you are not.
What happens when someone rings
Pick a moment to see how the same call is handled.
- 1
Customer
Dials your 01908 number from the advert on your van.
- 2
Your mobile
Rings. You hear “Business call for Taylor Plumbing, press 1.”
- 3
You
Press 1 and you are talking. They never see your own number.
ResultAnswered on your mobile
- 1
Customer
Dials your business number after hours.
- 2
Opening hours
Say you are closed, so your phone stays quiet.
- 3
Greeting
“Thanks for calling Taylor Plumbing. We’re closed for the day. Leave a message and we’ll call you first thing.”
ResultVoicemail emailed to you
- 1
Customer
Rings on a bank holiday.
- 2
Calendar
England and Wales bank holidays are already in. Nothing to set.
- 3
Greeting
They hear your closed message and can leave a voicemail.
ResultVoicemail emailed to you
- 1
Your phone
Rings for 20 seconds while your hands are full.
- 2
No answer
Your personal voicemail never picks up a customer.
- 3
Greeting
Your business greeting takes the message instead.
ResultVoicemail emailed to you
The settings behind it
Call screening
When you answer, you hear “Business call for…, press 1”. The caller is connected when you press 1, so you know to answer properly and your personal voicemail never takes a business call.
Opening hours
Hours for each day of the week, England and Wales bank holidays, and a switch to send every call to voicemail when you are away or on a long job.
Voicemail and greetings
A professional standard greeting with your business name, or on Professional and Team your own words or your own recording. Every message is emailed to you.
Call history
Every call in and out for 180 days, with who rang, when, how long it lasted and whether it went to voicemail.
Caller ID on your phone
Show the caller’s own number when your phone rings so you can call them back, or show your business number so you can spot work calls at a glance.
Calling out from your business number
Your account includes a login for a phone app, a desk phone or your computer. Calls you make with it show your business number, so customers never get your mobile number. Incoming calls can ring it too, alongside your mobile.
- Free apps for iPhone and Android, such as Zoiper
- Desk phones from Yealink, Grandstream, Snom and others
- Softphones for Windows and Mac
- Calls to UK landlines and mobiles come out of your monthly minutes
From sign-up to your first call
- 1
Choose your number and plan
Create an account, pick an area code and, if you like, the exact number from the ones available. Then choose a plan.
- 2
Confirm your business
UK rules mean every landline number is registered to a business and address. You give us yours and upload a recent bill or your company certificate. You only do this once.
- 3
Pay the first month
Approve the payment in your banking app. The same step sets up the Direct Debit for the months after.
- 4
Start taking calls
We check the order and the network checks your details. Most numbers are live within one to three working days. You get an email the moment yours is.
Change anything, any time
Your settings take effect on the very next call.
Get your business number set up this week
Choose a number, confirm your business and pay the first month. Most numbers are live within one to three working days.
Choose your number
Or call 01707 818450, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm