Using your personal phone for business? Now is the time to stop.

When you’re new to business, using your personal cell phone for work calls may seem like a good idea. After all, you already have a million things on your schedule, and setting up a company phone line is nowhere near the top.

But perhaps it should be. “Personal” and “business” are two very different things, and mixing the two can cause inefficiency and confusion in your life:

• Since business calls and personal calls look the same, who is calling you at any given time will be a total guessing game
• Acquaintances you meet at business events will be able to look up your personal information using your cell number
• There will be no end to the business marketing calls, no matter where you are or what you’re doing

And as your company grows, it will only get harder to separate the two.

If you’re still not convinced that you need to split your personal life from your professional life, keep reading. We’ve put together a list of the most compelling reasons why using your private phone number for business isn’t a good idea – and what you can do instead:

Your Company Seems Small and Unprofessional

Using a single number for both personal and business calls may seem unprofessional to customers and clients and your organization may look smaller than it is. People expect professional customer service when they call a company, and you can’t deliver that when you’re answering calls with your personal cell. Moreover, when employees only take client calls through their personal number, there is no brand consistency with message recordings, on hold sound, or voicemail.

You’re Always on Call

These days, almost a year into a pandemic that has forced most to work from home, work/life balance is more vital than ever. But when you use your cell phone for business, there is almost no chance of maintaining a typical 9-to-5. Why? Because you can’t control what days, or what times of day, clients can reach you. And trust us, there are countless people who won’t think twice about calling you at 10 pm on a Sunday.

Your Cell Phone Probably Isn’t Safe

How many apps do you have on your phone? Ten? Twenty? Fifty? From Candy Crush to Waze, everything you’ve downloaded opens you up to security risks. And when you use your cell phone for business, you open yourself up to even more danger by publicly advertising your personal number. Why put that information out there for hackers and scammers when there is already so much risk? Separating your business number from your personal life can add another layer of security.

Cell Phones Offer Limited Features

When it comes to business, you want to be on the cutting edge of technology. But what can your cell phone offer beyond basic phone calls, text messaging, or maybe a video chat? If you’ve ever tried call recording or putting someone on hold on your cell, you know the struggle is real. And setting up a voicemail box that’s appropriate for both personal and business calls? Don’t even get us started. VoIP is a great alternative.

Using VoIP for Your Business

There are several good motivations for business owners to use Voice Over Internet Protocol (computer software that records your voice and then codes it into a digital signal) over their personal numbers. These are just are just a few of the reasons to make the switch:

• VoIP systems offer better call quality than many cell phones (and even landline) networks
• The vast majority of VoIP systems require limited hardware or software and can operate on existing equipment, eliminating up-front costs
• VoIP systems are highly scalable, so your phone system can grow with your business
• VoIP communications are often more affordable than both cellphone and landline providers
• VoIP offers more features than traditional systems, such as fax, call forwarding, speed dialing, and more
• Employees can connect from anywhere, even when they’re working at home

Convinced yet?

Personal numbers aren’t meant for business: they’re inconvenient, inefficient, and a security risk. A virtual system can offer a more balanced and affordable solution. J2 Technologies has been providing phone services for small businesses for decades. Reach out today to learn more about our flexible, powerful, and easy-to-use communication solutions.