A 212 phone number is a status symbol and shows your customers that you are based in New York.
As businesses close and individuals give up their numbers, vanity numbers become available in small batches. These numbers can be purchased from a vendor and then ported to your phone carrier.
How It Works
Few telephone numbers hold the same level of prestige as 212. Those three digits are famous worldwide in New York as a status symbol that screams Manhattan, the allured borough where Wall Street and Silicon Valley thrive. The 212 area code says your company is part of the heart of the business capital, where skyscrapers stand tall, and a melting pot of cultures brings together to create an international marketplace.
But the 212 area code numbers are slowly running out. As of 2017, the numbering authority (the body that assigns area codes) is implementing a plan to distribute the remaining 212 phone numbers between the city’s five boroughs so fewer businesses and people will have this iconic number to choose from.
Fortunately, a few numbers return to circulation as businesses and individuals upgrade to new smartphones or change their numbering providers.
You can also get a 212 area code number through certain phone carrier services, which provide second phone numbers that connect to wifi calling and texting apps for cheap or even free calls and texts. These double numbers can make it easier to keep your personal and business lives separate while you stay connected with your contacts.
Why It’s Worth It
There is no doubt that a 212 area code number adds prestige to any business. These three digits are a status symbol in New York, the USA, and the world. It says you come from Manhattan, the allured Wall Street and Silicon Valley borough. It also says that you’re a big enough company to afford an office in the city and are operating a successful business that can command such a number.
Twenty-one and two remain popular because it is one of the first area codes created and still one of the most sought-after numbers in the country. The mystique of this area code has made a particular demand that many businesses will do anything to get their hands on.
As with any good thing, once supplies run out, people get creative. There are now websites specializing in selling 212 numbers, and, as always, someone somewhere will figure out how to make money from it.
How to Get It
A 212 area code number implies prestige and moxie. For a small business, this could mean landing the next big client or getting passed over by the competition. Manhattan has always had a unique charisma that carries over to its businesses, from its rich history of cultural movements (including Harlem Renaissance, hip hop, and punk) to its clout as home to Wall Street and many of the country’s most successful companies.
So it’s no wonder people are eager to get a 212 number. And even outside of NYC, having this area code identifies you as an established New York company that people trust to do business with.
The good news is that if you’re serious about a 212 phone number, there are still ways to get one. As businesses close and individuals give up their numbers, 212 are available in batches through phone carrier services. Those who aren’t sure they want to commit to a long-term contract can also purchase 212 area code number for sale from third-party providers on sites. Whether you go with an established phone number provider or a third-party seller, ensure that whatever you choose can help you seamlessly integrate your number with your CRM. You can manage sales calls and customer service from a single platform.
What to Expect
212 is considered the original area code for New York City and is an instant status symbol, even among people who don’t live in Manhattan. As such, getting a vanity number can be very expensive – and getting one through a vendor with them available takes time.
Despite the high price tag, many businesses find a vanity phone number worth the investment. It’s a unique marketing tool can set them apart from competitors and remind them of the city’s rich history and culture.
You can purchase them from sites if you’re dead-set on a vanity phone number and don’t mind some risk. However, it’s important to note that you don’t technically own a phone number, and phone carriers have a stronger claim to them than individual users. That is why it’s best to work with a trusted provider.
Arman Ali, respects both business and technology. He enjoys writing about new business and technical developments. He has previously written content for numerous SaaS and IT organizations. He also enjoys reading about emerging technical trends and advances.
