Set the price ceiling first
Start with an amount you are comfortable spending on the number itself. Then compare current inventory inside that range. Listed purchase prices are separate from the recurring cost of phone service.
A small company can often make a sensible choice without chasing a rare ending. Consider where customers will see the number and whether they normally tap a link, copy it from a sign, or hear it aloud.
Compare three candidates
Select a plain numeric option, a stronger repeat or rounded ending, and a relevant word match if one exists. Read each full number aloud and ask a colleague to write it down.
Look for a word that matches what you actually do. A partial word can look promising in a search result but still be awkward on a business card. The numeric version should always remain easy to find.
Avoid paying for features that are not included
A purchased phone number does not by itself provide call answering, a phone system, text messaging, or several neighboring lines. Ask your intended provider which features it can supply and what it charges.
Before purchasing, have the provider check the exact ten-digit number. That check is more useful than relying on a general promise about an entire area code.