Guide
Can I keep my existing business number?
Yes: nothing changes for your callers
You keep your number, your phone and your provider. Customers ring the same number as always and it rings as normal. The Trade Hook only becomes involved when a call is not answered.
How unanswered calls reach The Trade Hook
Most UK mobile and landline providers offer "divert on no answer": calls you do not pick up within a set time are forwarded to another number. During setup we give you your own Trade Hook number and show the steps for your provider, for example a dial code entered on the phone itself.
You then make one real test call. The service goes live only after that test shows calls really arrive from your business number.
What your customers see
The automatic text and any replies come from your Trade Hook number, and the text starts with your business name. If a customer rings that number directly rather than replying, they hear: "This number is for text replies only. Please call [your business] on [your number]."
Things to check with your provider
Forwarding is set up with your own phone provider, who may charge for forwarded calls, so check their tariff. Some business phone systems handle forwarding differently; if the usual code does not work, your provider can tell you how to forward unanswered calls on your line.
If you stop using The Trade Hook, remove the forwarding with your provider so unanswered calls go back to your normal voicemail.
Read next
- How setup works
- Support
- What is missed-call text back?
- Missed-call text back vs a telephone answering service
Last updated 2026-10-19.