Do I Need a Separate Cellphone for My Small Business?

Not so long ago, getting a business phone set up was a standard part of starting a small business. In the era of email and video chats, however, it stands to reason many business owners are questioning the need for the extra bother of a separate business cellphone.

For many small business owners, a cellphone may be a completely unnecessary expense. For others, it's still a requirement of the job. Let's take a look at who needs one -- and who can skip it.

Are phone calls a part of your business?

The main question to ask yourself is whether you'll need to make -- or receive -- phone calls as a part of your business. In many cases, this can be determined by looking at whether your business is in-person or digital.

For instance, if you're a freelancer who works entirely digitally (writers, programmers, etc.), then you may get away with not having a separate business phone. Chances are good that most, if not all, of your communication can be done entirely online, either via email or with the occasional video conference.

If your business is local (or otherwise requires you to physically be present), then a separate phone may be vital for customer service. For example, if you're a plumber, dog groomer, or attorney, you'll need a phone number where clients can call you to book services or ask questions. 

Keep the number, ditch the phone

One important distinction to make here is whether you need a business phone number or a separate business phone. 

There are several ways you can get a business phone number that don't require you to have an entirely different cellphone. (You'd send and receive calls and texts on your personal phone but with your business number.) 

This could be a great solution for anyone who wants a business number, but who may not use it enough to justify carrying around two devices. Digital business owners, for instance, may want just a business number to connect to their business checking account or to add to business cards.

That being said, there are a few reasons to consider a physically separate phone:

• You use your phone heavily for work. If you're a rideshare driver, for instance, and you need to download specific software to do your job, it might be beneficial to have a separate phone so you're not putting more wear and tear on your personal device.
• You want to physically separate your work from your personal life. While there are ways to silence a work number that forwards to your personal phone, having the option to physically put that phone away could help maintain your work-life balance.
• You have different technology needs for work versus home. In some cases, you may need a separate phone because you need a different UI (software that works only on iOs, or only on Android), or you just need a sturdier phone for work (if you work in construction, for example).

Cheap ways to get a separate phone number

The major downside to getting a separate cellphone for your business will be cost cost. You'll need to buy the device, plus pay the monthly fee for the phone line (which can get pricey). 

If you only need a phone number, however, those costs go down significantly. You can make use of a range of services that offer free or low-cost numbers through a mobile app on your personal phone.

One of the most popular options for this is probably Google Voice. The costs will depend on the nature of what you need. If you're a sole proprietor, for example, you might be able to get away with getting a personal Google Voice number, which is free. If you want a business Google Voice account, that starts at $10 a month.

Some small business credit cards could help you reduce the cost of your business phone line. Other business credit cards may offer bonus rewards on wireless services.

Overall, a surprisingly small number of business owners actually need a separate cellphone -- but it's definitely not zero. And even if you don't need one, there are some good reasons to keep your personal and business lives separate, including having separate devices.