Getting a phone number for your business takes just a few clicks in dialnote. You can pick from local, toll-free, or international numbers depending on where your customers are—and you'll see pricing, capabilities, and availability all in one place before you buy.
Choosing a Number Type#
When you add a new phone number, you'll pick from three main types:
Local numbers start with an area code from a specific city or region. They're great for businesses that want to appear local to their customers. If you run a plumbing company in Chicago, a 312 number tells callers you're right there in the city.
Toll-free numbers (like 800, 888, or 877) let customers call you for free. They work well for businesses with customers spread across the country since there's no "local" feel to consider.
Mobile numbers are available in some countries and give you flexibility for SMS messaging alongside voice calls.
Matching your market
Pick a local number with an area code where most of your customers are located. A familiar area code can increase answer rates by 15-20% compared to toll-free or out-of-area numbers.
Supported Countries#
dialnote currently offers phone numbers in these countries:
| Country | Number Types Available |
|---|---|
| United States | Local, Toll-free |
| United Kingdom | Local, Toll-free, Mobile |
| France | Local |
| India | Toll-free |
The available number types and pricing update automatically when you pick a different country. Mobile numbers are only offered in the UK right now. For US local numbers, you can filter by state, region, and area code to get exactly the number you want. Countries like the UK and France don't have state-level filtering since their numbering works differently.
Trial accounts
On a trial plan, you're limited to US local numbers. The other types and countries unlock once you're on a paid plan.
Purchasing a New Number#
Here's how to get a new phone number:
- Go to Settings → Phone Numbers
- Click Add New Number in the top right
- Select your country from the dropdown
- Choose your number type (local, toll-free, or mobile—options vary by country)
- For US numbers, narrow down by state and region to target a specific area code
- Browse the available numbers—up to 10 show at a time
- Pick a number and review the setup fee and monthly cost in the confirmation screen
- Check the capability badges (Call, SMS, MMS) to make sure the number does what you need
- Click Confirm Purchase
After purchasing, you'll land on the number's settings page where you can set up call routing, recording, voicemail, and more. Only workspace admins and owners can buy new numbers.
Email verification required
You'll need to verify your email address before purchasing phone numbers. If your email isn't verified yet, dialnote shows a banner with a one-time code field so you can confirm it right in the flow. This helps prevent fraud and keeps the platform secure for everyone.
Porting an Existing Number#
Already have a business number you want to keep? You can bring it over instead of buying a new one. On the Phone Numbers page, start a port-in request and dialnote walks you through the carrier details and verification.
Porting is available for US and Canada numbers today. US ports run automatically through our carrier, while Canada ports go through a manual review by our team. The number keeps working on your old carrier until the port finishes, so you won't miss calls during the switch.
Number Capabilities#
Each phone number shows its capabilities before you buy:
- Call — Can make and receive voice calls
- SMS — Can send and receive text messages
- MMS — Can send and receive picture messages
Not all numbers have every capability. Toll-free numbers in some countries might not support SMS, for example. Capabilities come straight from the carrier and can't be toggled on or off—what you see on the badge is what the number can do. Always check the badges before purchasing if you need specific features like text messaging.
Regulatory and Compliance Requirements#
Some numbers come with extra compliance steps depending on the country and how you plan to use them.
US numbers and A2P registration: If you buy a US local number and want to send SMS or MMS, you'll need to complete A2P 10DLC registration. For US toll-free numbers, toll-free verification is required. You'll see these warnings during the purchase process—registration happens after you buy the number.
UK numbers: Local UK numbers may require a verified business address. Mobile UK numbers need a regulatory bundle with identity and address documentation. You'll be prompted to provide this information if it's needed for your selected number type.
International pricing varies
Pricing differs by country and number type. Each number shows its setup fee and monthly cost during the purchase flow—international numbers can cost more than US-based numbers.
What's Next?#
Once you have a phone number, head over to Phone Number Settings to configure how calls are handled, or check out Caller ID to learn about outbound calling options. If you bought a US number for texting, finish A2P 10DLC registration before sending SMS. You can also review the full Phone Numbers overview for how shared access and limits work.