How to Carefully Choose an 800 Number?
Why Toll-free number?
Toll free numbers impress customers and are more successful than normal telephone numbers in generating new sales. They boost up the image of your business and sound more professional and organized. Furthermore as they are easier to remember, they increase the probability for your customers to call your business again.
Vanity Number or not?
It becomes important to choose your toll free number very carefully. Make sure you opt for a toll-free vanity number as people tend to remember words more easily than numbers. Your vanity number should be easy to spell and should exemplify your business. For eg: 1-800-CAR-WASH is easily remembered rather than 1-800-346-7834.
800, 877, 866 or 888?
As of today, 800 number pool is exhausted which means that your chances are very very slim to get a toll-free number starting with 800. However, do not lose hope. Many of our clients have found that the other series (866, 877 and 888) have similar advantage in brand exposure. You may find your keyword or combination with these numbers.
I didn’t get my number. What next?
Well, we understand. Many of our clients approach us and we always suggest that they look for their keyword (job activity) while choosing the number. While your company name may sound cool to you, the customers will soon forget it. Remember someone who knows your company by name will not mind calling your business looking it up in the yellow pages. However, someone who has forgotten (everyone does, including your customer) will easily correlate your business with the job activity. How many times did you remember (1-800-LOCKSMITH as opposed to 1-800-BARRON-LOCKSMITH)?
Finally
Remember to integrate your toll free number actively in all phases of your business activity including brochures, letterheads, visiting cards and promotional marketing campaigns.
Make your toll free number is visible at every possible place where your target audience sees or hears about you.
Charges
Please note that providers charge at least $69 for searching and another $49 for assigning the number on your name. Few of them (we do) provide free of cost. Why? Because, we are confident that your business will help us compensate the associated number costs in long term.
Conclusion
Please sure to ask your toll-free provider with the questions here before making a decision to subscribe to their services.