WhatsApp number
A dedicated WhatsApp number keeps your private number off the Internet and gives your business a single, professional identity on the world’s most-used messaging app. Getting one is fast, affordable, and—with the right provider—unlocks powerful AI call summaries, voicemail transcripts and more.
This article explains what a WhatsApp number is, why entrepreneurs prefer virtual numbers, and how you can activate yours with Sonetel in under three minutes.
What is a WhatsApp number?
A WhatsApp number is simply the phone number—mobile, land-line or virtual—that the app uses to verify an account.
Choose the right number and you can separate work and personal chats and serve global customers.
Why you should stop using your personal SIM
| Why not simply use your own mobile number when signing up for WhatsApp? Well, here are some of the reasons. Risk | Impact on a growing business |
|---|---|
| Customers can see your private number | Privacy & work–life boundaries disappear |
| SIM is tied to one phone & country | Hard to scale remotely or hire agents abroad |
| Changing the SIM later confuses contacts | Lost leads & broken links |
| GDPR non-compliance when staff use personal numbers | Hard to fulfil Subject-Access Requests, greater data-leak risk, potential fines |
| A virtual WhatsApp number sidesteps every one of those pitfalls, letting you add team members, forward calls, or even swap devices without missing a beat. |
[snt-notes]Using a company-owned WhatsApp number means the only phone number customers ever see or store is the business identifier—not an employee’s personal SIM. That single, centralised account keeps chats in one place, making it far easier for you to fulfil GDPR duties such as data-minimisation, subject-access requests and secure deletion, while letting staff keep their private numbers (and liability) out of scope.[/snt-notes]
7 business benefits of a virtual WhatsApp number
So, what are the key reasons for having a virtual number for use with your WhatsApp account?
- Keep personal and business chats separate No more late-night pings on your private phone.
- Project a local presence worldwide Sonetel offers numbers in 70+ countries from €1.79.
- Lower long-distance costs Customers dial your local number at domestic rates. Note that calls to your number are not made inside WhatsApp. You can answer free in the Sonetel app or forward anywhere at the local forwarding rate.
- Forward voice calls anywhere Take sales calls on your mobile, desk phone, or laptop. Forwarding calls to your mobile costs roughly the local call rate of the number you forward to.
- Multi-device login Your Sonetel number just verifies the account; WhatsApp Business itself lets the same inbox run on one phone + up to 4 linked devices (10 if you upgrade to WhatsApp Business Premium), so the team can work together with no SIM-swapping.
- AI super-powersSonetel Premium plans add call summaries, sentiment scores, and draft follow-up emails.
- Instant scalability Add or port numbers as you grow—cancel any time.
How much does a WhatsApp number cost?
| Provider | From-price (monthly) | Notable limits |
|---|---|---|
| Sonetel | $1.79 | One WhatsApp account per number; low-cost international forwarding |
| Plivo | $0.50 + usage | Developer-focused; API skills required |
| YourBusinessNumber | £5.99 + VAT | UK-centric; WhatsApp Business only |
| GoSimless | £4.99 | Limited country selection |
| Wati | $49 – $299 + conversion fee | Requires WhatsApp Cloud API setup |
How to get a WhatsApp number with Sonetel (3-minute setup)
- Choose your number. Search any city or country and click Try Free – hundreds of local and mobile options appear.
- Activate it. Pay from as little as $1.79 / month, add your billing address and ID for instant compliance.
- Verify in WhatsApp. Select Call me or SMS when prompted, enter the 6-digit code and you’re live.
- Add your team. You can share the same chat inbox inside WhatsApp Business (up to 4–10 devices, depending on your WhatsApp tier). Sonetel’s apps handle voice calls and voicemail.
[snt-notes]Pro tip: Upgrade to a Sonetel Premium plan and every call to your WhatsApp number is automatically transcribed, summarised and scored for customer sentiment – perfect for follow-ups and staff coaching. Please note that this does not apply to calls made within the WhatsApp app.[/snt-notes]
Choosing the right provider – 5 checkpoints
- Global coverage Can you buy local numbers where your customers are?
- Price transparency Beware of hidden per-message fees or long contracts.
- **Voice quality & uptime **Look for providers that publish SLA or network stats.
- **Compliance & reputation **Check reviews, GDPR stance, and public listing (e.g., Sonetel is Nasdaq-listed).
- Value-add features AI summaries, IVR menus, and call analytics cut admin time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move my existing WhatsApp account to a Sonetel number?
Yes. Open Settings ➜ Account ➜ Change Number in WhatsApp and follow the prompts – your chats stay intact.
Does the verification SMS always arrive?
Almost always, but delivery depends on WhatsApp. If a code fails, retry with “Call me” after 10 minutes. If it still fails, you will need to ask for a number replacement.
Can I run multiple WhatsApp accounts?
WhatsApp allows one account per number; Sonetel lets you add unlimited numbers to one dashboard.
What about WhatsApp’s new username feature – will I still need a number?
Yes. Usernames make adding contacts easier, but a verified number remains mandatory for account creation and device verification.
Ready to protect your privacy, impress customers and pay less than the price of a latte? Get your Sonetel WhatsApp number now – set-up takes under three minutes and you can try it free today.