Build a stronger, more credible local presence with a dedicated 717 area code business phone number designed for entrepreneurs, small teams, and growing companies that want to connect with customers more effectively. If you’re ready to improve how customers reach you and present a more professional image, see how easy it is to get started.

Where is the 717 Area Code Located?

The area code encompasses a region defined by agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and a tight-knit network of small businesses. For any SMB looking to earn the trust of local customers, having a local code is one of the fastest ways to signal a genuine community presence—before you’ve even said a word.

Areas Served

The 717 code is rooted in Lancaster and York counties, two of Pennsylvania’s most economically active counties. Lancaster is home to a thriving agricultural sector—particularly Amish and Mennonite farming communities—alongside a growing arts scene, food manufacturing, and healthcare.

York County contributes significantly through manufacturing, distribution, and a rapidly expanding service sector. Beyond these anchors, the 717 code reaches into the broader south-central corridor, covering communities across Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Adams, Lebanon, and Franklin counties.

The regional population exceeds 1 million. Local businesses and residents here tend to value personal relationships, community accountability, and reliability—qualities that a local phone paired with the USA country code (+1) quietly reinforces when building trust with callers.

Time Zone

The 717 area code is in Eastern Standard Time (EST), so business hours run from 9 AM to 5 PM EST. When scheduling calls, keep in mind that EST is UTC-5 in standard time and UTC-4 during daylight saving time. If your team operates in multiple time zones, use Omnivoice’s after-hours routing to automatically send calls to voicemail or a backup line—so no customer call goes unanswered.

Is It Toll-free?

The 717 area code is a standard geographic code, not a toll-free number. Callers dialing a local phone are subject to their own carrier’s plan for local or long-distance calls—most modern plans include these at no extra cost. Toll-free numbers like 800 or 888 have a different structure in which the business absorbs the cost of inbound calls. A local 717 number focuses on geographic trust rather than cost absorption.

Why Does Local Area Code Matter?

Getting a number with a 717 area code isn’t just about having the right digits—it shapes how customers perceive and respond to your business. Here’s why it makes a measurable difference:

  • Higher answer rates. Phone calls from unrecognized or out-of-state numbers are constantly screened out. A local phone number shows up as familiar on the caller ID, which means more people in your customer base are likely to pick up. Studies consistently show that local numbers outperform non-local ones in call answer rates.
  • Perceived community presence. Customers often prefer to do business with companies that feel familiar and connected to their area. A local presence helps signal that you understand the community and are accessible—even if your team works remotely.
  • Separate business identity. A dedicated 717 business phone number keeps your personal and professional lines cleanly separated. This protects your privacy and gives your brand a consistent, professional face.
  • Trust with regional industries. South-central Pennsylvania’s economy leans on agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. Decision-makers in these sectors are relationship-driven and trust local contacts over anonymous 800 numbers.
  • Support for local growth. A local phone number provides a stable, recognizable contact point you can use across Google Business Profile listings, local ads, business cards, and directories—strengthening your visibility across the region’s markets.

How to Get a 717 Phone Number for Your Business?

Getting started with Omnivoice takes just a few minutes. Here’s how to claim your area code phone number:

  1. Sign up at Omnivoice and start a free trial—no credit card required.
  2. Select your city or region within Pennsylvania to browse available local numbers.
  3. Pick a 1-717 number from the available options, including standard or vanity formats.
  4. Set up your call flow—configure IVR menus, routing rules, business hours, and custom greetings from the dashboard.
  5. Add team members and assign extensions, roles, and ring groups as needed.
  6. Connect your devices—use the Omnivoice mobile app, webphone, or a compatible desk phone.
  7. Test the number by placing a call to confirm routing and audio quality before going live.

 

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Why Get a Phone Number from Omnivoice

Omnivoice lets businesses set up and manage a 717 area code phone number without relying on traditional phone service infrastructure. Everything runs through a centralized online dashboard that you can access from anywhere, making it practical for remote teams, businesses with multiple locations, and growing operations that need to adjust quickly as needs change.

No Hardware Required

Omnivoice runs over VoIP, meaning your 717 number works through the mobile app, desktop browser, or any SIP-compatible device. There’s no PBX to install, no technician to schedule, and no waiting for physical hardware. You can be up and running the same day you sign up.

Centralized Dashboard

Every call, team member, number, and routing rule lives in one place. Admins can make changes—adjust business hours, add a new extension, or reroute a number—in seconds, without touching any hardware or calling support. If your team is spread across Pennsylvania or across the country, everyone connects through the same system.

Flexible Call Routing

Omnivoice supports call routing rules that adapt to your schedule and structure. Route calls to individuals, groups, or queues. Enable ring-all or round-robin distribution. Set specific rules for after-hours, holidays, or overflow. This means your local customers always reach someone—or a professional voicemail—when they need to.

Scalable for Growing Teams

Start with one user and one local number, then add extensions and direct phone lines as your team expands. There are no long-term contracts, and pricing plans are structured to fit solo operators, small teams, and growing companies without forcing you to overpay for capacity you don’t need yet.

Works Across Devices

Your 717 phone number isn’t tied to a desk. Team members can make and receive business calls from their smartphones using the Omnivoice mobile app, from a browser via the webphone, or from a traditional desk phone, whichever fits your workflow. One number, multiple devices, consistent caller ID.

Easy Number Management

Adding, removing, or reconfiguring phone numbers takes just a few clicks. Set up a separate business number for different teams, product lines, or customer service needs without relying on your personal phone. Whether you want to get a number for a new product line or create a dedicated support line, the process is fully self-service and immediate—no waiting in a carrier’s visioning queue.

Top Features You Will Get With Your 717 Number

Omnivoice gives businesses the tools to run a complete phone system from a single dashboard, with no dependency on legacy telecom infrastructure. The platform is built for flexibility, allowing you to configure and adapt your phone system to your business’s needs.

  • IVR and Multi-Level IVR: Build auto-receptionist menus that greet callers professionally and route them to the right department or team member. Multi-level IVR lets you create layered menu structures so callers can self-serve before reaching a live agent. This is especially useful for businesses handling high call volumes in healthcare, retail, or professional services.

Setting Up Multi-Level IVR in Omnivoice

  • Call Recording: Record inbound and outbound calls for training, compliance, and quality review. All recordings are stored and accessible from the dashboard. For businesses in regulated industries common in Pennsylvania—like healthcare and legal services—this feature adds a layer of accountability and documentation.
  • Call Routing: Direct incoming calls based on rules you define—by time of day, department, or individual availability. Combine with ring groups and call queues to prevent missed calls during busy periods.

omnivoice call routing options

  • Text Messages: Send and manage text messages throughout your communication workflow to keep customers informed and engaged. Use this feature to deliver important updates, confirmations, reminders, or follow-up information instantly. You can customize text messages for different scenarios, ensuring customers receive the right message at the right time while improving response rates and overall customer experience.
  • Business Hours: Define your operating schedule, so callers receive appropriate routing—live answering during business hours, automated messages, or voicemail after hours. This feature keeps your virtual phone system running smoothly without manual management.

business hours

  • MMS Messaging: Send and receive picture messages, documents, and media directly from your number. MMS helps teams share visuals, confirmations, and important details with customers, making communication clearer and more engaging without switching to personal messaging apps.

You Can Port Your Existing Business Number With Area Code 717

If you have a business number and want to move it to Omnivoice, the process is simple and won’won’terrupt service. Follow these quick steps:

  1. Check that your current provider allows number porting.
  2. Keep your existing service active until the transfer finishes.
  3. Collect your account details.
  4. Submit the port request in your Omnivoice dashboard under Business Numbers.
  5. Wait 5–10 business days for completion and confirmation.
  6. Test the number on Omnivoice to ensure calls route correctly.
  7. Cancel your old service only after the number is fully active.

717 Area Code History and Overlays

The local 717 area code was one of Pennsylvania’s original phone area codes, established in 1947 under the North American Numbering Plan. It initially covered most of Pennsylvania before a 1994 split created the 610 area code to serve the southeastern part of the state. A second split in 1998 created the 570 area code for the northeast. Today, 717 serves south-central Pennsylvania. As demand for new phone numbers grew, the 223 overlay was introduced in 2013 to expand capacity without forcing existing customers to change their numbers.

Area Code Location-Based? Trust Factor Known Risks
717 Yes — geographically tied, including Lancaster and York counties. Well-established since 1947, strongly recognized by residents and businesses across the region Occasionally targeted by robocallers and spoofers, STIR/SHAKEN authentication helps reduce the impact
223 Yes — overlays the same geography as 717; assigned after inventory ran out. Introduced in 2013, carries less regional recognition than 717; it may require extra effort to build local familiarity. Less familiar to older demographics, some recipients may mistake it for an out-of-area number on first contact.

Start Doing Business in Pennsylvania

A local 717 phone number is one of the simplest and most effective ways to connect with customers. It signals local presence, builds immediate credibility, and works across every device your team uses—all without the overhead of a traditional phone system.

Omnivoice makes it easy to set up and manage your business communications in one place, with tools designed to support teams of any size. Get started quickly, stay connected from anywhere, and scale as your business grows with a flexible, modern phone system built for everyday use.

Other Pennsylvania Area Codes Available in Omnivoice

Expand your reach across Pennsylvania with additional phone codes:

  • 215
  • 267
  • 272
  • 412
  • 484
  • 570
  • 610

Other USA Phone Codes

Explore these popular area codes:

  • 312
  • 404
  • 415
  • 512
  • 617
  • 702
  • 713