By Alma Duffey 7/1/2025

If you’re a business owner who still answers your own calls, you’re not alone — 77% of business owners start out that way. But as your business grows and evolves, so should some of your core practices. One of the most overlooked areas is how you handle your phone calls. It may seem like everything’s running fine, but take a step back — is it actually running smoothly, or have you just adapted to the chaos? Here are some important reasons to consider getting a separate business line:

Your ability to respond quickly to potential customers can make or break a sale. When your voicemails are mixed between personal and business messages, it takes longer to sort through and respond. That delay may not seem huge, but every minute counts — especially if a competitor gets to that lead before you. The longer your business has been around, the higher your call volume becomes, with up to 80% of calls being business-related.

Think about how much you’ve invested in advertising — social media campaigns, billboards, print ads, even your business cards. All of it is designed to get the phone ringing. But if you can’t reliably answer those calls, that money goes to waste. A business line ensures that marketing dollars are supported by responsiveness, turning interest into action instead of missed opportunities.

When someone calls your business, all they have is your voice — or worse, your default voicemail. A personal voicemail or unclear greeting can instantly chip away at trust. Callers don’t want to guess if they’ve reached the right place. A professional voicemail or live answering system sets the tone, shows you’re serious, and reassures potential customers from the very first second.

As your business grows, so does your call load. Contractors, clinics, consultants — any growing operation hits a point where answering every call becomes unsustainable. Missed calls pile up. Details get lost. That’s why businesses hire receptionists or use answering services — to stay organized and protect their time. A separate line is the first, most affordable step toward managing this growth.

When your personal and business calls come through the same device, you’re never truly off the clock. Late-night calls, weekend interruptions, and stress creep into personal time. But the truth is, most people who call outside of business hours aren’t expecting an instant response — they just want to leave a message or get a callback later. A dedicated business line gives you space to breathe, while still capturing every opportunity.

Running a business is demanding, and it’s easy to hold onto old habits that once worked — especially if you’ve been doing things the same way for years. But what got you here won’t necessarily get you to the next level. A separate business line isn’t just about convenience — it’s about professionalism, lead conversion, better time management, and peace of mind. If you’ve grown beyond day one, it’s time your phone setup did too.