Do you use a separate line on your cell phone for your business? If not, it’s generally a good idea. Back in the day, it was easy to just order a separate landline and connect it in the office, but you probably don’t want to be tied to your desk all day. In fact, you probably need the freedom to roam while conducting business, and that’s just one of the reasons you’ll benefit from having a second line.
A second phone line gives you freedom
Adding a second business line to your existing cell phone account means you can leave your office and make all your calls from the car, a coffee shop, or anywhere else. When you have the freedom to roam, you won’t have to schedule your day around your phone appointments. You can go about your day and just pause to take your calls.
While you’re running around, don’t forget to protect your phone since you’ll be using it more frequently when taking business calls. Are you an iPhone user? Make sure you get a durable iPhone case, especially if you buy the newest version, since it’s a little on the expensive side and is susceptible to damage when dropped.
You can easily split the bill
With two separate lines on one cell phone account, it’s easier to split the bill when your boss is paying. If you have the type of arrangement where you get reimbursed for a business line, but it’s your responsibility to sign up for the account, make sure you don’t just use your personal phone line. Get a genuine second line so you can bill your boss appropriately. They’re going to write it off, so your bills shouldn’t include any personal use.
It’s easier to write off
Writing off a business line on your tax return is easier when it’s completely separate. There’s no need to calculate the percentage of your bill that was used for business when you have a separate account or even just another line on your existing account. As long as the charges are separated, it’s easy.
Another tax benefit of having a separate line is being able to write off the entire bill. If you use your phone for personal calls, you can only deduct a portion.
You can forward your calls to an assistant
If you have a virtual assistant or secretary, having a second line makes it possible to send calls to them while keeping your personal calls. When you’re out for a weekend or in a meeting and don’t want to be disturbed, you can forward all business calls to your assistant while still receiving all of your personal calls.
You don’t need to buy two separate phones
There are two ways to get two lines on the same phone. The first method is to get a phone that accommodates two SIM cards. This will allow you to have two numbers on your account that both ring through to the same phone and you can choose a different ringtone so you always know which line is ringing.
The other method is to use Voice over IP (VOIP). With a VOIP phone system, you can have any amount of numbers ring through to your cell phone. You don’t have to give anyone your personal number to take business calls on your personal cell.
You can also forward the same number to different phones with software. Traditionally, when an employer provides a phone line for an employee, it’s tied to a specific device. Each phone has its own SIM card and phone number, and only the person in possession of that phone can answer the calls that come in through that number.
With VOIP, you can forward calls to any existing cell phone. For example, if you own the number 111-222-3333, you can forward all calls to one of your sales employees. If that person goes on vacation or leaves the company, you can reroute the calls to someone else.
People will call you even after you leave the company
Something many people have come to learn the hard way is that once you publish your contact information anywhere – online, through email, on business cards – that number stays out in the world forever. If you give out your personal number for business purposes, and then leave the company or close your business, you can expect to receive business calls for quite some time.
Get that second line today
Now that you know all the reasons you need a second line for business, it’s time to get one. Whether you get another line from your existing provider or choose VOIP, you’ll be glad you got that second line.
