Virtual number hosting means running your mobile number through an online control panel (SMS to email, call forwarding, multi-number management) instead of — or as well as — treating a single plastic SIM as the only home for the line. Create Numbers custom mobiles can work as a virtual number on any tariff once fulfilled; for hosted virtual service Create Numbers works with partner gosimless (IO Microservices Ltd). GoSimless positions UK virtual mobiles for WhatsApp Business and app verification from about £5.99 / month, with unlimited SMS-to-email and optional call forwarding from 5p / minute on its public site (gosimless.com). Confirm live pricing and the exact join path for a Create Numbers PAC on gosimless and with Create Numbers before you rely on a launch date [TBC: joint onboarding checklist].
What virtual hosting is (and is not)
A virtual number is a real telephone number managed in software — routing SMS and calls to email, apps or forwarding targets — rather than being usable only while one physical SIM is seated. GoSimless describes virtual numbers as identities you manage online for WhatsApp Business, OTP/2FA and call features, distinct from a full mobile eSIM data plan (gosimless — eSIMs vs virtual numbers). Create Numbers remains the custom number provider; gosimless (or another host you choose) is the day-to-day virtual platform. Ofcom’s CMR 2025 counted 117 million UK mobile subscriptions in 2024, which is the wider pool virtual and traditional SIMs both sit inside (Ofcom CMR 2025).
| Approach | Best when you need | Not ideal when you need |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual host (e.g. gosimless) | WhatsApp Business on one handset, SMS inbox in email, multiple numbers | Heavy native mobile data on that same credential |
| Physical SIM / network eSIM | Everyday calls, SMS, data on a UK MNO/MVNO | Avoiding a second SIM tray without dual-SIM / eSIM |
| Create Numbers optional PAYG SIM | Simple plastic card to receive the inbound PAC | Full virtual dashboard features |
Homepage positioning: Create Numbers custom numbers work on any UK network and with physical SIM, eSIM, or virtual-number setups. Virtual hosting is one of those go-live paths — see Get connected.
Create Numbers + gosimless partnership
Create Numbers sources and fulfils memorable UK mobiles (PAC by email, optional PAYG SIM); gosimless provides the simless hosting layer many buyers use for WhatsApp and SMS workflows. GoSimless states it has operated since 2022, serves UK and international customers, and lists contact channels including [email protected] on its homepage (gosimless.com). For privacy, gosimless notes most customer/transactional data is stored in the UK, with some processing possible in the EEA (gosimless Privacy Policy).
| Party | Owns | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Create Numbers | Custom number purchase & PAC fulfilment | Bronze from £205, PAC in 2–4 weeks |
| gosimless | Virtual hosting subscription & dashboard | SMS to email, forwarding, WhatsApp-oriented numbers |
| You | Day-to-day configuration & compliance | Who can access the inbox, 2FA hygiene |
Read gosimless’s own FAQs for product behaviour (OTP reliability, roaming, short codes). Use this Help article for how that sits beside a Create Numbers purchase.
When to choose virtual hosting
Choose virtual hosting when the number’s job is verification, WhatsApp Business, shared SMS visibility or call forwarding, and you do not want a second handset. Meta put WhatsApp above 3 billion monthly actives in Q1 2025 commentary, and Sensor Tower reported 54m+ UK WhatsApp app MAUs by March 2025 (Sensor Tower) — so a dedicated business identity is a common requirement. If you need bulk mobile data and native dialler use as a primary phone line, a traditional MNO/MVNO SIM (or gosimless business eSIM products, where offered) may fit better.
| Choose virtual hosting if… | Prefer a network SIM if… |
|---|---|
| You need WhatsApp Business beside personal WhatsApp | The number must be your only everyday phone line |
| SMS must land in a shared email inbox | You rely on every bank short code without checking host limitations |
| One device must run multiple numbers | You need maximum native radio features offline |
| You want cancel-anytime hosting fees | You already standardised on one MNO estate |
How go-live typically works
Fulfilment still starts with Create Numbers: buy the ending, wait for the PAC (and optional SIM), then complete hosting so the number is reachable for SMS/voice checks. Exact “PAC into gosimless” clicks can vary — treat the table as the logical sequence and confirm with both parties [TBC]. Ofcom still expects PAC-based switches onto a gaining provider to complete within one working day once a valid code is accepted (Ofcom switching).
- Request and buy your custom number (submit, buy).
- Receive the PAC within the usual 2–4 week window (delivery).
- Create / sign in to your gosimless account and follow their connect / port / assign flow for your number
[TBC: screenshot steps]. - Confirm SMS delivery (email log / dashboard) with a test message.
- Complete WhatsApp verification if that is the goal.
- Only then publish the number on your website or print.
| Stage | Owner | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase & PAC | Create Numbers | Custom 07 + PAC email |
| Hosting subscription | gosimless | Dashboard number live |
| App verification | You + Meta / apps | WhatsApp or 2FA success |
| Ongoing bills | Split | Number (CN, one-off) + host (monthly) |
Features to configure on a virtual host
Configure SMS visibility, call behaviour and access control before you hand the number to customers. GoSimless publicly highlights unlimited SMS-to-email, call forwarding (calls disabled by default until set), Call Whisper-style features and multi-number control panels (gosimless.com). UK average mobile data use was about 10.6 GB per mobile data user per month in 2024 (Ofcom CMR 2025) — virtual WhatsApp lines often ride on Wi‑Fi/data from your personal SIM while the business number stays virtual.
| Feature | Why it matters | Action |
|---|---|---|
| SMS to email / log | Catch OTPs and customer texts | Confirm the monitored inbox |
| Call forwarding | Voice reachability when enabled | Set destination; budget per-minute fees |
| User access | Stop shared-password chaos | Individual logins where offered |
| Billing alerts | Avoid silent non-payment suspension | Card on file + invoice emails |
Virtual hosts may block or fail some short-code or sender ID traffic. Test every OTP path you depend on (banking, Meta, Google, HMRC) before decommissioning any old number.
Virtual hosting versus eSIM versus plastic SIM
Pick the credential that matches the job: virtual for app identity and shared SMS; eSIM/plastic for a full mobile subscription on EE, O2, Vodafone, Three or an MVNO. GoSimless also markets separate business eSIM plans on host networks such as O2 and Vodafone in its blog material — that is a different product from WhatsApp-oriented virtual numbers (gosimless blog). Create Numbers’ optional free PAYG SIM remains available when you simply want plastic to receive the inbound PAC (delivery guide).
| Credential | Data / dialler | WhatsApp Business fit | Manage via |
|---|---|---|---|
| gosimless virtual number | Not a full mobile plan | Strong (by design) | gosimless dashboard |
| Network eSIM / SIM | Full MNO/MVNO plan | Works if SMS/voice OTP deliver | Network account |
| Create Numbers PAYG SIM | Starter plastic path | Works after port + app verify | PAC → SIM → apps |
Billing, cancellation and responsibilities
Expect two money trails: a one-off Create Numbers number purchase (bands from £205, see Pricing overview) and a recurring gosimless subscription while hosting continues. GoSimless advertises cancel-anytime positioning on its marketing pages — always re-read the live terms before you cancel, and port or export what you need first (Number porting). Non-payment on the host side can suspend SMS even though you still “own” a memorable number commercially through Create Numbers’ sale — keep hosting funded if the digits are in market.
| Cost type | Typical source | Failure mode if ignored |
|---|---|---|
| Custom number | Create Numbers checkout | You never receive a PAC |
| Virtual hosting | gosimless subscription | SMS/WhatsApp stop working |
| Forwarded voice minutes | gosimless usage fees | Bill shock on heavy forwarding |
| Airtime (if also on MNO) | Network tariff | Separate from virtual host |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy gosimless before or after Create Numbers?
Buy the Create Numbers ending when you care about specific digits; start gosimless when you are ready to host and verify. If gosimless can issue its own numbers for WhatsApp only, that path skips custom endings — use Create Numbers when the memorable 07 matters. Confirm dual timing with both sides if you are launching on a deadline [TBC].
Should I still order the optional Create Numbers PAYG SIM?
Only if you want a plastic fallback or a non-virtual go-live. Virtual hosting is designed to avoid a second SIM tray. Many WhatsApp-only setups skip the PAYG SIM and use the PAC/host path instead.
Should I host on gosimless if I already have EE or O2?
Yes, if you want a second business identity without dual-SIM pain — personal life stays on EE/O2, business WhatsApp on the virtual number. If the Create Numbers mobile is your only line, a conventional SIM may be simpler.
Should I put call forwarding on from day one?
Turn it on when callers must reach a human; leave it off if the number exists mainly for WhatsApp/SMS OTP. GoSimless notes regular PSTN-style calls can be disabled until forwarding is configured. Budget for per-minute forwarding fees.
Should agencies put client numbers under one gosimless login?
Only with clear access control and offboarding. Shared inboxes create GDPR and staff-leaver risk. Prefer separated credentials per client where the product allows.
Should I expect every UK bank OTP to work on a virtual number?
Test — do not assume. Hosts and senders differ on short codes. Keep a verified backup channel until critical OTPs succeed twice.
Should I cancel gosimless after WhatsApp shows a green tick once?
No — WhatsApp can re-challenge the device; customers will still SMS the number. Cancel only when the number is retired or moved. See WhatsApp verification.
Should international teams use a UK virtual number?
Yes, if your customers expect a UK 07 and the host allows your country of residence (gosimless FAQs discuss non-UK sign-up). Check tax/VAT treatment with your accountant. Create Numbers delivery can also ship optional SIMs internationally with duties payable by you (Pricing overview).
Should I move from gosimless to a traditional network later?
Yes — that is a normal outbound port from the current host using a PAC into the gaining MNO/MVNO. Follow Number porting. Do it before you cancel hosting if you need continuity.
Should Create Numbers support configure my gosimless dashboard?
Expect Create Numbers to help with number/PAC fulfilment; expect gosimless to help with dashboard, SMS logs and subscription. Use each support desk for its layer. Keep both order emails when escalating.