fundamentals
Direct Inward Dialing. A DID is a phone number that connects straight through to a specific person, extension or line without needing a receptionist to transfer the call. Many numbers can still share the same underlying system.
Before DIDs, a business often had one main line and a switchboard operator to manually route every call to the right extension. DID numbers let external callers reach a specific person or department directly, skipping that manual step.
In a cloud phone system, DIDs are simply the individual numbers assigned to team members, departments or locations. They all run through the same shared platform in the background.
This matters most for small teams that want the professionalism of a receptionist without hiring one. Each team member gets a direct number that callers can dial straight to. Or the whole set can still route through a shared main line.
Worked example
A 7-person clinic gives each of its 3 practitioners a direct number, plus 1 shared main line.
Returning patients call their practitioner's DID directly and skip the queue, while new patients calling the main line get routed by an auto-attendant instead.
Why it matters to a small team
DIDs let a small business look larger and more organised than it is. Clients get a direct line to the right person, while the business keeps one shared system and one bill behind the scenes.
DID stands for Direct Inward Dialing, a feature that lets external callers dial straight through to a specific extension, person or department without going through a switchboard or receptionist first.
Typically a few dollars a month per number on most cloud phone systems, often bundled into a per-user price. Toll-free and vanity DIDs usually cost more than standard local ones.
Not quite. A DID is a full external phone number that reaches someone directly, while an extension is usually a short internal code (like 101) used within the business. Many systems map one DID to one extension.
One app, your number, calls logged to your CRM. Per-user pricing, no minimums. Free for 7 days, working in minutes.
7-day free trial. No card required. Cancel anytime.
7 days free, no card required. Tell us about your setup and we'll have your number ready in minutes.