How to Purchase a Phone Number

This article walks you through how to purchase a phone number within Enrollio, enabling text messaging and voice functionality for parent communication, tour reminders, and enrollment follow-ups.

Important: Some countries may not have local numbers, toll-free numbers, or both available. In such cases, you can refer to How to request a number that is not available or contact our Support team for assistance.

Table of Contents

Overview of Purchasing a Phone Number

Purchasing a phone number in Enrollio enables you to send and receive calls and text messages directly through the platform. Each client account manages its own numbers. This is essential for tracking prospective families, configuring call behavior, and setting up communication automations.

Note: Phone numbers are client account-specific and not shared across your Enrollio organization.

Key Benefits of Purchasing a Phone Number

  • 2-Way Communication: Enables inbound and outbound text messages and voice calls
  • Local or Toll-Free Presence: Builds trust with families and creates a professional appearance
  • Integration: Connects directly to enrollment pipelines, staff users, and automations
  • Avoid Personal Numbers: Keeps your childcare business and personal calls/messages separate
  • Supports Automation: Powers automations, voicemail, call routing and call tracking

Coverage & Availability

Enrollio has coverage parity with Twilio for supported number types. If you see no results, this reflects provider unavailability for the selected filters (country, type, capabilities).

Availability depends on provider inventory and local regulations. To see a full list of supported countries from Twilio, click here.

How to Purchase a Phone Number

Step 1: Open Phone Number Settings

In your client account, go to Settings (bottom-left) then select Phone Systems.

Note: If you're purchasing a +1 phone number and your client account hasn't completed identity verification yet, you may be prompted to verify via Persona (government-issued ID + live selfie). Verification is typically one-time per client account.

[SCREENSHOT: Settings navigation showing Phone Systems option in left sidebar]

Step 2: Add New Number

Click + Add Number (top-right) then from the dropdown, select Add Phone Number.

[SCREENSHOT: Phone Systems page with Add Number button highlighted]

Step 3: Select Country and Set Filters

Select a Country from the dropdown. Then click Filters to refine results based on:

  • Digit or Phrases and match it with (first, last or any) part of the number
  • Capabilities (SMS, MMS, Voice)
  • Number Type (Local or Toll Free)

[SCREENSHOT: Phone number purchase screen showing country selector and filter options]

Step 4: Choose a Number

Review the number choices in the list. If you don't like the options, click Refresh Results to see more options.

[SCREENSHOT: List of available phone numbers with Refresh Results button]

Step 5: Complete Purchase

Select the desired number then click Proceed to Buy to complete the transaction.

[SCREENSHOT: Selected phone number with Proceed to Buy button]

Regulatory Requirements for International Phone Numbers

A Regulatory Bundle or Address is required when purchasing phone numbers in most countries outside the USA and Canada. You need to add the required regulatory bundle.

For detailed instructions, refer to our guide: Regulatory Bundle and Address Creation

Can't Find a Number with Your Desired Area Code?

Why This Happens

Cause Explanation
Limited Inventory Enrollio sources phone numbers via Twilio, and Twilio's inventory of available numbers changes regularly. If no numbers are currently available in your selected area code, it won't appear as an option.
High-Demand Area Codes Some area codes, especially in highly populated or legacy regions, may have limited or no availability due to demand. This is common in areas like New York (212), Los Angeles (310), and San Francisco (415).

Workarounds and Solutions

  • Try Nearby Area Codes: Search for nearby or overlay area codes (e.g., if 310 is unavailable, try 424 in Los Angeles)
  • Use Toll-Free or National Numbers: If local presence isn't critical, consider a toll-free (e.g., 888, 877) or national number, which often have more availability
  • Contact Enrollio Support: Request availability updates or notification when numbers become available

Note: If you don't find any international number to purchase, read this article: How to request a number that is not available

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I purchase multiple phone numbers for the same client account?

Yes, you can purchase multiple numbers. This is helpful for managing different centers, programs, or staff members within the same account.

Q: Do I need a separate number for each staff member?

Not necessarily. One number can serve multiple staff members if routed correctly, but for personalized outbound messaging and tracking, dedicated numbers per staff member are recommended.

Q: What should I do if I can't find a number with my preferred area code?

If no numbers are available in your preferred area code, try refreshing the results to see new available options. Phone number availability changes frequently. You can also search using broader filters or nearby area codes. If you still don't see what you need, contact Enrollio Support to request assistance or check on availability for your region.

Q: Will I be charged monthly for purchased phone numbers?

Yes, you'll be charged a small monthly rental fee for each number. Rates vary based on the type (local or toll-free) and region.

Q: Can I import a phone number I already own in Twilio?

Yes! You can import existing Twilio numbers. Follow this guide: Import Existing Twilio Numbers into Enrollio

Pro Tip: Consider purchasing a local number that matches your center's area code. Families are more likely to answer calls from recognizable local numbers, which can improve tour booking and enrollment conversion rates.

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