Why get a toll-free number?
A toll free number is a phone number with no direct charges to the caller. It serves as an easy way for customers and business owners to connect with one another without worrying about long distance fees. Toll free numbers are also known as 800 numbers, 888 numbers, and vanity numbers.
Toll free numbers originated in 1967 when AT&T opened up a system that allowed businesses to advertise their services through a national telephone network at no charge to the caller. This was then followed by the introduction of 800 numbers in 1976, which gave businesses more ways of connecting with potential customers all over the country. With the help of toll free numbers, businesses were able to reach out to people who normally would not have been able access them due to geographical limitations or cost concerns.
History of Toll free number.
Toll-free numbers have been in use in the United States since 1967, and are now also used in many other countries. The first toll-free number in the United States was 800-TOLLFREE, which was assigned to AT&T for customer service. It was introduced on November 10, 1967, in the AT&T Long Lines Handbook by John D. Goeken. It was soon followed by 800-NXX-ROLLOVER, introduced in 1968 by Western Union.
The term “toll-free” had previously been used to refer to telephone numbers beginning with zero to indicate that the call was local. The numbers 800-TOLLFREE, 800-WATSUB, and 800-COMPARE were all introduced in 1968.
The initial purpose of toll-free numbers was a service to help telephone users avoid charges on long distance calls. This was useful for customers of companies with more than one location. Instead of calling each location separately, it was possible to call the company once, and ask for any of their locations. The concept was quickly adopted by the telephone industry as a whole, and toll-free telephone numbers became common.
In 1976, AT&T introduced toll-free 800 service to compete with MCI’s similar service. AT&T’s service, however, required users to have special equipment in order to use it. In contrast, MCI’s service was open to anyone using the public telephone network.
Toll-Free Numbers For Small Businesses.
If you are a small business in need of a toll-free number and aren’t sure where to start, here are some tips:
- Look into a toll-free number that is shared by several businesses. If you do business in the same industry, you may be able to share a toll-free number with other related businesses.
- Consider getting an 800 number instead of a 900 number. 800 numbers are often more affordable.
- Make sure you can answer calls at all times of the day and night. Some shared toll-free numbers restrict the hours of operation for each business that uses it.
- Look into a toll-free number that is local to your business. Often these numbers are cheaper than national toll-free numbers.
- Consider using a shared local number instead of a toll-free number. Local numbers are often more affordable.
- Ask about any additional fees that may be associated with the toll-free number you want to use. Some number services charge extra for local access, call forwarding and other features.
- If you’re using a toll-free number for your business, make sure the number is not associated with any other similar businesses.
- If you’re using a toll-free number to promote your business, consider applying for a vanity toll-free number. These numbers are easier to remember and can have a positive effect on your business and sales.
- If you’re using a toll-free number for fundraising purposes, make sure the number is not associated with any other similar organizations.
The 10 benefits of a toll-free number for Your Business?
A toll-free number is a telephone number with a distinct three-digit code that allows callers to reach businesses and individuals without being charged for the call. In today’s business world, having a toll-free number is becoming more and more of a necessity. There are many benefits to having a toll-free number, including increased professionalism, credibility, and customer satisfaction.
A toll-free number gives your business a national presence and makes it seem larger and more established. It also shows that you’re committed to customer service and willing to make it easy for customers to reach you.
Credibility is another important benefit of having a toll-free number. The ease of contacting you through a toll-free number shows that you are serious about providing good customer service. This is especially important if you are in the business of selling products or services over the phone. A toll-free number also can increase customer satisfaction. For example, if someone calls your business and gets an answering machine, it may be frustrating to have to leave a message and wait for a return call. But with a toll-free number, callers can receive immediate assistance.
The use of toll-free numbers has been growing steadily over the past few years, as more businesses see the value in providing this type of service to their customers. There are many benefits of using a toll-free number for your business, including increased customer satisfaction, higher conversion rates, and improved branding. Here are 9 benefits of using a toll-free number for your business:
- It’s Easy to Remember.
A toll-free number consists of three digits, which makes it easier for consumers to remember. This can be beneficial to your business in the long-term as you begin to establish a reputation for providing excellent customer service, and people start to associate that number with your business.
- It’s Easy to Reach In today s digital world.
Many people conduct their business on the Internet and via mobile devices. With a toll-free number, consumers can reach your business easily from anywhere at any time.
- It’s Easy to Use.
A toll-free number is easy to use, simple, and straightforward. You can expect your customers to be able to reach your business easily, and they’ll also find it simple to re-direct their calls if they want to.
- It’s Easy to Understand.
A toll-free number is easy for your customers to understand. They’ll know that it’s a number that’s dedicated to your business, and they’ll also know how to reach you.
- It’s Easy to Remember.
A toll-free number is easy to remember. Your customers can just dial the number and they’ll be connected to your business.
- It’s Easy to Re-Direct.
A toll-free number is easy to re-direct. If your customers want to, they can re-direct their call from a toll-free number to another number.
- It’s Easy to Set Up.
A toll-free number is easy to set up. It’s as simple as just finding a number you like on your toll-free provider s website, paying for it, and then you re good to go.
- It’s Easy to Change.
A toll-free number is easy to change. If you decide to change your toll-free number, it’s as simple as just changing the phone number on your toll-free provider s website and choosing a new one.
- It’s Easy to Order.
A toll-free number is easy to order. If you want a toll-free number, all you have to do is go online and pick the one that’s right for your business. Then, you just pay for it, and you’re good to go.
The drawbacks of a toll-free number.
In recent years, businesses have increasingly been using toll-free numbers as a way to boost customer service and sales. However, there are some drawbacks to using a toll-free number that businesses should be aware of.
One of the main drawbacks of using a toll-free number is the cost. While the initial investment may not be too high, the monthly fees can add up, especially if you have a high volume of calls. In addition, many customers are reluctant to call a toll-free number because they perceive it as being impersonal and cold. The following are several ways to avoid the drawbacks of using a toll-free number.
Invest in a good IVR system:
An IVR system allows you to deal with customers quickly and efficiently. It also allows you to provide quick access to information (e.g., hours and services). The better the IVR, the more likely customers are to be satisfied with their experience. In addition, callers can be routed to the correct individual or department for assistance.
Voice Mail:
Using an automated voice mail system is a good way to increase customer satisfaction and retention. However, there are many types of voicemail systems available, so it is important to do your research before deciding which one may work best for your business. Some of the most common include the following: Voice mail greetings—greet callers in a friendly manner, and let them know how long they can expect to wait for someone to answer.
The use of a greeting that is personalized to the business (e.g., “You have reached the XYZ Company, please leave a message”) is a good practice. However, avoid giving out too much information (e.g., “You have reached the XYZ Company, your call may be monitored or recorded”). Be sure to use a professional, enthusiastic tone. A professional sounding greeting is definitely a good idea for larger businesses and corporations, but it may not be appropriate for smaller companies or independent professionals.
How to decide if a toll-free number is right for your business.
Small businesses have a lot to think about when it comes to their phone service. One important decision is whether to get a toll-free number. There are a few things to consider when making this decision.
First, think about your customer base. If most of your customers are local, then a toll-free number may not be necessary. On the other hand, if you have customers all over the country or even internationally, then a toll-free number could be very beneficial.
Another thing to consider is how you will use your toll-free number. Will you ever use it on the phone? If not, then you can get a number that will ring through to one of your other phones or lines. This way, it will show up on your phone bill and be free. If you are going to use the number for something like a fax line, then you can use an 800 number that is billed by the minute.
Finally, make sure it is easy to remember. This way customers can have a direct number to call you, and it will be easy for them to remember.