How to Get a WhatsApp Business Number as a Small Business in the UK

For small businesses, being able to take phone calls, manage sales enquiries and answer questions from prospective and current customers is essential. However, if you don’t have a dedicated phone number, it’s not always easy to manage this important communication.

Fortunately, there’s an affordable, innovative solution that protects your privacy and provides an effective, modern way to connect with your customers around the world—WhatsApp Business. And it’s so much more than just calls.

So, how can you secure one and get set up?

What is a WhatsApp Business Number?

A WhatsApp Business phone number is a dedicated phone number used to register for the WhatsApp Business app, allowing businesses to connect with customers instantly, anywhere in the world. This number can be a mobile, landline, VoIP or virtual phone number.

A WhatsApp Business number needs to be owned by you, unique and not connected with any other WhatsApp personal or business account, capable of receiving voice calls or SMS to receive the verification code, and include a country and area code.

Can you use a virtual phone number for WhatsApp Business?

Most small business owners don’t want to connect their personal phone numbers to a WhatsApp Business account because it can confuse personal and business communication. Plus, if you already have WhatsApp, you will have to use a different number for WhatsApp Business. However, it can be expensive, overly complex and time-consuming to set up a brand-new mobile or landline phone number specifically for your business.

Fortunately, some virtual phone numbers are compatible with the WhatsApp Business app, although you have to check with the vendor.

A virtual phone number is cloud-based and not tied to a genuine physical phone line, SIM card or location. Calls made to virtual phone numbers are rerouted over the internet to existing devices, like smartphones, laptops or landlines. The benefits for businesses of using virtual phone services, rather than personal mobile devices or home landlines, is that they’re low-cost and easy to set up. What’s more, they also offer unrivalled flexibility and mobility, allowing you to make and receive calls from anywhere in the world—as long as you have an internet connection.

When you combine a virtual phone number with WhatsApp Business, business owners can unlock even more benefits. WhatsApp Business numbers not only protect the privacy of your genuine phone number and make it easy to keep business comms separate from personal contacts, but also allow shared team access, taking the sole burden of responding to business enquiries off the business owner.

Hoxton Mix offers a virtual phone number that’s compatible with WhatsApp Business and quick and easy to set up.

Common mistakes when setting up WhatsApp Business

Want to get up and running with a WhatsApp Business account quickly? Make sure you avoid these common mistakes…

1. Trying to use a phone number already linked to a WhatsApp account—the phone number you use must not already be associated with another WhatsApp Business or personal account.
2. Using a personal number for your WhatsApp Business account—you can link any mobile or landline phone number to your WhatsApp Business account, but if you use your personal number you’re going to be mixing personal and business correspondence, and impacting your privacy.
3. Not checking a virtual phone number is WhatsApp-compatible—virtual phone numbers can be used with WhatsApp Business, but only if they are compatible with the platform. Before signing up for a new virtual phone number, make sure it’s going to work with your WhatsApp Business account.
4. Not completing your WhatsApp Business profile—consumers are still getting used to the dynamic of contacting companies via WhatsApp, so it’s important to maximise credibility wherever possible. A WhatsApp Business profile is crucial for establishing a professional identity and building trust, and not following WhatsApp Business profile best practices jeopardises this.
5. Not taking advantage of WhatsApp automation tools—the WhatsApp API allows you to integrate your WhatsApp Business account with back-end systems like CRMs and marketing automation platforms, making it easier and faster to scale and deal with high volumes of inbound comms.

What you need to get a WhatsApp Business account

To set up your WhatsApp Business account you need a dedicated, active phone number that you own, and this can be a mobile, landline, VoIP or virtual number.

You’ll also need the free WhatsApp Business app, which can be downloaded from the Play Store or Apple Store.

How do you get a WhatsApp Business number and account?

Getting your WhatsApp Business account launched is easy. Simply download the app to your mobile device, register your WhatsApp compatible phone number and verify it via phone call and SMS, and complete your business profile. This profile makes it easy for your customers to discover important information about your business, including your business address, description of what you do, opening hours and email address.

How to get a WhatsApp Business virtual phone number from Hoxton Mix (step-by-step guide)

A WhatsApp Business virtual phone number can be purchased from Hoxton Mix for just £4.99 per month, and you can secure yours in four easy steps.

Existing Hoxton Mix registered office address customers

If you’re already a Hoxton Mix virtual office services customer it’s simple to add a WhatsApp Business virtual phone number:

STEP 1: Log in to your Hoxton Mix Customer Portal, click ‘WhatsApp Business’ and then ‘Add Number’.

STEP 2: Provide an alias for the number, which will typically be your name or your business’s name, as well as a forwarding email address. We then allocate you a new UK 07 mobile number.

STEP 3: Download the WhatsApp Business app and sign up using the new number we’ve provided to you.

STEP 4: Verify your new phone number.

Buying a WhatsApp Business number without a registered office address 

Do you just want to purchase a WhatsApp Business number? This can be achieved in four easy steps:

STEP 1: Go through the checkout process and add ‘WhatsApp for Business Number’ to your basket. You’ll need to provide us some details and choose your personalised virtual office WhatsApp for Business number.

STEP 2: Download the WhatsApp Business app from the Play Store or Apple Store.

STEP 3: Verify your new virtual phone number inside the WhatsApp Business app.

STEP 4: Configure and complete your WhatsApp Business profile.

Summary

Low cost and easy to set up, a WhatsApp Business number has the power to transform your customer communications. This is particularly true for small businesses that don’t have a dedicated office, which would otherwise be relying on the owner's personal mobile to handle calls.

However, although setup is simple, remember there are a couple of things you’re going to need in order to get up and running:

• The free WhatsApp Business app
• A unique, WhatsApp Business-compatible phone number, such as a virtual office phone number from Hoxton Mix.

FAQ

Do I need a new phone number for WhatsApp Business?

No. You can use an existing phone number as long as it is not already registered with another WhatsApp account, including a personal account. However, many businesses choose to use a separate business phone number to keep customer communications separate from personal messages.

How do I get a WhatsApp Business number?

To get a WhatsApp Business number, download the WhatsApp Business app from the App Store or Google Play and register using a dedicated phone number (mobile or landline) that can receive SMS or voice calls for verification. Note that you cannot use the same number for both personal and business accounts simultaneously, or a number that is registered to another WhatsApp Business account.

Can I get a virtual number for WhatsApp Business?

Businesses often use virtual numbers to maintain privacy and create a dedicated customer contact number, but not all virtual phone number providers offer WhatsApp-compatible virtual numbers. Our virtual phone numbers available in UK mobile 07xxx formats are WhatsApp-compatible, allowing you to communicate with customers professionally without sharing your personal mobile number.

Is it free to have a WhatsApp Business account?

WhatsApp Business is a free-to-download app available for Android and iPhone, but there are subscription plans available that offer additional features and benefits: Business Standard, Business Plus, Business Premium and Business Max.

Can I use the same number for personal WhatsApp and business WhatsApp?

No, you cannot use the same phone number for both personal WhatsApp Messenger and the WhatsApp Business app simultaneously. Each app requires a unique, separate number for verification. You can, however, switch a number between apps, or use two different numbers on one device (e.g., via dual-SIM) to manage both accounts.