Buying Phone Numbers

This guide walks you through the complete process of purchasing virtual phone numbers in Sonafone, from searching for available numbers to completing your purchase.

Before You Buy

Before purchasing a number, consider:

• Purpose: What will you use the number for?
• Location: Where do you need a local presence?
• Budget: Monthly subscription costs vary by country and type
• Features: Do you need specific number features?

Searching for Numbers

To find available numbers:

1. Go to the Numbers page
2. Click Buy Number or the Virtual Numbers tab
3. Use the search filters:

Country Selection

• Select the country where you want the number
• Popular countries include: US, UK, Canada, Australia, and many others
• Availability varies by country

Area Code Selection

• Optionally specify an area code or city
• Popular area codes may have limited availability
• Leaving it blank shows all available numbers in the country

Number Type

Choose the type of number:

• Local: Standard local phone numbers
• Toll-Free: Numbers like 1-800, 1-888 (free for callers)
• Mobile: Numbers that appear as mobile numbers

Selecting a Number

Once you see available numbers:

1. Browse the list: Available numbers are displayed
2. Check details: See the number, location, and monthly price
3. Select a number: Click on the number you want
4. Review selection: Confirm the number and price before purchasing

What to Look For

• Easy to remember: Simple, memorable numbers are better
• Professional: Avoid numbers that might seem unprofessional
• Cost: Consider the monthly subscription fee
• Availability: Some numbers may be more popular than others

Purchase Process

Step 1: Select Number

Click on the number you want to purchase from the available list.

Step 2: Review Details

Review the purchase details:

• Phone number: The number you're purchasing
• Country: Where the number is located
• Monthly price: Subscription cost per month
• One-time fees: Any setup or activation fees (if applicable)

Step 3: Payment

Complete the payment:

• Payment method: Use your saved payment method or add a new one
• Billing cycle: Monthly subscription will auto-renew
• Confirmation: Review and confirm your purchase

Step 4: Activation

After payment:

• Number is activated immediately
• Appears in your numbers list
• Can be used as caller ID right away
• First month's subscription is charged

Payment and Checkout

Payment Methods

Accepted payment methods:

• Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
• Debit cards: Where supported
• Other methods: Additional methods may be available

Checkout Process

1. Review cart: Confirm number and pricing
2. Payment details: Enter or select payment method
3. Billing information: Confirm billing address
4. Complete purchase: Finalize the transaction
5. Confirmation: Receive confirmation of purchase

Subscription Billing

• First payment: Charged immediately upon purchase
• Monthly renewal: Automatically charged each month
• Billing date: Same date each month
• Payment method: Uses your default payment method

Number Activation

After purchase:

1. Immediate activation: Number is active right away
2. Available in dialer: Appears in caller ID dropdown
3. Ready to use: Can make calls immediately
4. No setup required: No additional configuration needed

Managing Your Purchase

Viewing Purchased Numbers

All your numbers are listed on the Numbers page:

• Active numbers: Currently subscribed numbers
• Status: Active, pending, or cancelled
• Renewal date: When next payment is due
• Monthly cost: Subscription fee

Cancelling a Number

To cancel a number subscription:

1. Go to Numbers page
2. Find the number you want to cancel
3. Click Cancel or Release
4. Confirm cancellation
5. Number will be released at end of billing period

Costs and Pricing

Monthly Subscription

• Varies by country: Different countries have different prices
• Number type: Toll-free numbers cost more than local
• Ongoing cost: Charged monthly until cancelled

Call Charges

• Separate from subscription: Call charges are per-minute
• Based on destination: Rates vary by where you're calling
• Shown before call: See rate before making each call

Troubleshooting

Can't find numbers in a country?

• Some countries have limited availability
• Try different area codes
• Check back later as numbers become available
• Contact support for availability information

Payment failed?

• Verify payment method is valid
• Ensure sufficient funds are available
• Check payment method hasn't expired
• Try a different payment method
• Contact support if issues persist

Number not activated?

• Refresh the page
• Check your numbers list
• Verify payment was successful
• Contact support if number doesn't appear

Wrong number purchased?

• Unfortunately, purchases cannot be refunded
• You can release the number and purchase a new one
• Contact support if you believe there was an error

Best Practices

1. Research first: Know what you need before purchasing
2. Consider costs: Factor in both subscription and call charges
3. Choose wisely: Select numbers you'll use long-term
4. Monitor subscriptions: Keep track of active subscriptions
5. Cancel unused numbers: Release numbers you no longer need

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Still Need Help?

If you have questions about purchasing numbers, check our other guides or contact support.