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 toggle on Business Name in the Phone section, just 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?
Check that you're looking in the right place: Business Name sits in the Phone section of Settings, not on the Configure Number screen. If you have multiple lines, tap your line under Phone Numbers first, then look in the Phone section.
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. If identity verification is what's missing, the alert includes a Verify Identity button that starts the Persona verification flow right away - no need to leave the screen or contact support (Contact Support Team is still offered as a fallback).
⚠️ Verification can't be done for you:
Identity verification (KYC) is a legal requirement for U.S. telecom providers, meant to fight spam, fraud, and robocalls - see 📖 why identity verification is required
Because of that, only you can complete it, through the Verify Identity button (Persona flow). There's no manual override, no alternative provider, and support can't verify or unblock this step on your behalf
Contact Support Team in that alert is there to answer questions, not to complete verification for you
Only seeing Contact Support Team with no Verify Identity option? Update to the latest version of the Beside app - older versions don't yet offer the direct in-app verification flow
💡 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) - if it's identity verification, tap Verify Identity in that same alert to start the Persona flow immediately. This step is a legal requirement only you can complete - support cannot do it on your behalf or bypass it, even on request. If the alert only offers Contact Support Team with no Verify Identity button, update the Beside app to the latest version first.
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.
Where do I find Business Name in the app?
Where do I find Business Name in the app?
In the Beside mobile app, open Settings and look in the Phone section, just below Caller ID. If you have multiple lines, tap the line you want under Phone Numbers first, then look in the Phone section. On Beside on the web, go to Settings → Phone Numbers → select your line.
Will people see my business name if I call their cell phone?
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"?
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?
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?
Does turning on Business Name cost extra?
No, it's free - there's no additional charge to register or use Business Name.
Can support verify my identity for me, or turn on Business Name without it?
Can support verify my identity for me, or turn on Business Name without it?
No. Identity verification is a legal requirement for U.S. telecom providers, not a Beside policy, so it can't be waived or completed by anyone but you. Tap Verify Identity in the gating alert to complete it yourself through Persona - it only takes a few minutes. If you only see Contact Support Team with no Verify Identity button, update the Beside app to the latest version. See 📖 why identity verification is required for details.