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 AI 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
You've set a Company Name in your AI 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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.