It’s one of the necessities of running a business but an aspect that many business owners put little thought into. If you’re handling calls all day, you want your telephone manner to be perfect, but you also want your number to look professional.
You might not think it, but your business’ telephone number can carry a much bigger impact than you might first expect when it comes to customer perception of your brand.
The way in which telephone numbers are perceived will vary from person to person and will inevitably affect not only your brand’s image but the likelihood of someone answering your call.
So, when choosing a phone number to use and advertise to your prospective customers, it’s vital that you take a number of things into careful consideration.
And one of the main questions you will come across is whether you want a local or a toll-free telephone number. But what is a toll-free number, and what are its benefits and drawbacks over a traditional local number?
What is a toll-free number?
Unlike a local number, which is identified by a three-digit number at the start and specifically given to customers located in a physical area, a toll-free telephone number is any number that begins with a three-digit code, such as 800, 888, 877, 855, 844, or 833.
These numbers are not linked to any specific region and are therefore perfect for businesses that operate across the US, allowing them to contact anyone in any state and convert them into a potential customer.
They also cost the customer nothing to call, instead of billing the telephone number specifically for each arriving call. This makes them ideal for businesses looking to enhance their customer service reputation.
What are the various toll-free number benefits?
As we’ve stated, there are several crucial benefits that a toll-free number has over a local number. The following are four key toll-free number benefits that will help to show why a toll-free telephone number might be right for your business.
1. Makes your business look bigger
It goes without saying that businesses that hold a toll-free telephone number automatically appear as though they work throughout the nation and are therefore a relatively large company.
This is particularly beneficial for organizations that don’t seek customers solely within their local region and cater for a nationwide client base, allowing you to get more customers with minimal effort.
2. Ideal for offices in multiple locations
By removing the necessity to obtain separate phone numbers for each location, toll-free telephone numbers offer businesses a single work number that can be re-directed to various departments or locations as necessary.
This not only saves time and money for businesses but also removes potential confusion for customers who may choose to look elsewhere if they are uncertain of who to contact for their particular enquiry.
3. Advertising in many locations
Another great toll-free number benefit is its ability to open up many opportunities for a business as their number does not limit them to one fixed location. This means that they can advertise in multiple locations, using the same phone number.
This reduces overall advertising costs and is an effective way to minimize customer bias in local areas.
4. More professional appearance
Many businesses, particularly in their early stages, will often rely on cell phones to make contact with current and prospective clients.
While it is perfectly acceptable to use a cell phone to answer and make calls, we would only advise using a different business number to keep personal and business calls completely separate.
Having a dedicated number for business calls gives that professional appearance that all businesses seek and customers want to see.
How to tell who owns a toll-free number
Of course, one downside of a toll-free telephone number many customers experiences is being unsure who the call is from. To maintain good customer service relations, you should always begin any call identifying who your business is or leave a voicemail with your business name at the start.
Doing this will remove the need for customers to conduct a reverse number search, look you up in a toll-free directory, or hang up the phone.
How to get a toll-free number
If you’re interested in getting a toll-free number, the best way to go about it is to approach a communication provider of your choice and select the package that suits your business. As part of a whole host of additional services Moneypenny offers alongside our phone answering services, we can provide you with access to hundreds of professional numbers on a toll-free or local basis – complete with a number of smart features such as call routing and digital receptionist. On top of this, we can provide virtual receptionist and live chat services to help increase customer conversions and enhance your customer service across your business. Find out more by calling our team today! We offer a free, 7-day trial with no set-up costs or expectations to sign up. And for even more articles like this one, why not head over to the Moneypenny blog.
Find out more by calling our team today on 844 364 6617!
