Beside can register your business name with the CNAM (Caller ID Name) registry, so some recipients see your business name - not just a number - when you call from your Beside line. This helps callers recognize your business and can reduce the "who is this?" hesitation that keeps people from answering unknown numbers.

This is different from 📖 Caller ID: Caller ID controls which number shows up on your outgoing calls, Business Name controls the name that may show up alongside it.

Turn on your Business Name

From Beside on the web

Go to app.beside.com and click Settings
Under Phone Numbers, select the line you want to configure
Toggle on Business Name
Enter your business name (up to 15 characters) and click Save

From the Beside mobile app (Android)

Open the Beside mobile app and go to Settings
In the Phone section, toggle on Business Name (it sits just below Caller ID)
If you have multiple lines: under Phone Numbers, tap the line you want to configure first, then tap Configure Number, and toggle on Business Name below Caller ID.
Enter your business name (up to 15 characters) and save

💡 Good to know:

If you've already set a Company Name in your Receptionist knowledge settings, it'll be suggested here automatically - you can keep it or enter something different.
Display isn't guaranteed - it depends on whether the recipient's carrier looks up CNAM info, so some people may still just see your number.
Changing an already-active business name can take up to 3 business days to reach carriers.

🟡 Not seeing this setting?

Make sure you're on the latest version of the Beside app.
If it's still missing, your number may not be set up to support it yet - this is rolling out to every number over the next few weeks.

Eligibility

Business Name is only available when all of the following are true:

Your number is set up to support Business Name - this is rolling out to every number over the next few weeks. If you don't see the toggle, make sure you're on the latest app version first.
Your organization is on an active paid subscription (not a free trial)
You've completed identity verification - see 📖 why identity verification is required
You've set a Company Name in your Receptionist knowledge settings

If any of these aren't met yet, the toggle stays off and explains what's missing - for example, prompting you to verify your identity, or letting you know it will turn on once your trial converts to a paid plan.

💡 Good to know: Only account owners and admins can turn Business Name on or off for a shared line. Invited members without admin access see a permission message instead of the toggle.

How Business Name display works

Business Name relies on CNAM (Caller ID Name), a US and Canada telecom lookup system. When you call someone, their carrier can choose to look up your registered business name and show it alongside your number - not every carrier does this, and there's no way to guarantee it in advance.

💡 Good to know:

Business Name only ever shows a plain text name, up to 15 characters - it doesn't add a logo, photo, or reason-for-calling screen. That richer experience is called "branded calling," a separate technology Beside doesn't support today.
Registering and using Business Name is free - there's no extra charge.
Business Name doesn't affect spam labeling (like "Spam Likely"). That's a separate carrier reputation system, unrelated to CNAM registration.

📌 US and Canada only: CNAM registration only applies to US and Canadian numbers. It has no effect on calls to or from other countries.

Troubleshooting

Your business name needs review

Some names are automatically reviewed before they can go live - for example, names that resemble a bank, government agency, or well-known company. If yours is flagged for review, you can:

Enter a different name, or
Contact support with proof that your business legitimately uses this name, so it can be approved

The toggle won't turn on

Check that you meet all three Eligibility requirements above. Tapping the toggle also shows you exactly what's missing (identity verification, a paid subscription, etc).

FAQ

Will my business name definitely show up when I call someone?

Not guaranteed. Display depends on whether the recipient's carrier looks up CNAM info - many mobile carriers don't. Some people may still just see your number even with Business Name turned on.

Is there a character limit on my business name?

Yes, up to 15 characters. Longer names are shortened to fit.

Does Business Name apply to text messages too?

No. Business Name only applies to outgoing calls. Text messages always show your Beside number as the sender.

How is this different from Caller ID?

Caller ID controls which number shows up when you call from Beside. Business Name controls the name that may show up alongside it. See 📖 Show your primary number on outgoing calls for Caller ID setup.

Will people see my business name if I call their cell phone?

Maybe - it depends on whether their carrier looks up CNAM info, and many mobile carriers don't. This is different from "branded calling" (a logo or call-reason screen on the recipient's phone), which Beside doesn't support today. Business Name only ever shows a plain text name, and only when the carrier supports it.

Does Business Name stop my calls from being marked "Spam Likely"?

No. Spam labeling is a separate carrier reputation system, unrelated to CNAM/Business Name registration. Turning on Business Name won't remove a "Spam Likely" tag if your number already has one.

Does Business Name work outside the US and Canada?

No. CNAM registration only applies to US and Canadian numbers. It has no effect on calls to or from other countries.

Does turning on Business Name cost extra?

No, it's free - there's no additional charge to register or use Business Name.

Show your Business Name on outgoing calls