It was January 1966 when the first toll free numbers made their appearance. Today, almost 60 years later, businesses all over the world still use them, either for marketing, tech, customer support, or even inter-business communication. The demand for toll free numbers has been rising, despite a general turn towards digital communication, like emails and chat. New toll free numbers have been added and an ever-increasing number of people use them.
In this article, we will talk about how can you buy toll free numbers, why should you add one to your business, and most of all, how to utilize toll free numbers in your marketing campaigns.
What Is A Toll Free Number & What Can it Do for Your Business
Toll free numbers let customers call your business without any charges on their phone bill. Instead, the business owner pays any long-distance fees.
🔥 Don’t confuse toll free numbers with local numbers. 👉 Toll-Free vs Local Number: Which One to Pick & Why?
Getting a toll free number is easy. Your provider will most likely be able to offer you such a service. Alternatively, you can grab a number from dedicated services, your call tracking, or VoIP software.
How much does it cost though? It depends on where you get it. Most VoIP services charge around $10 to $15 per month for a toll-free number. Sure, it’s more than a free local number, but the benefits of an 800 prefix make it a worthwhile investment.
Businesses that use toll free numbers can reach a wider, international audience without incurring hefty fees for their clients. So, if you are planning on taking your company to the global stage, a toll free number is more than required. It’s expected of you to carry one.
Then, there is also the added layer of professionalism and trustworthiness. If a business is willing to burden itself with the cost of incoming calls, then it means they have faith in itself and that it trusts its product and services. Finally, a company that uses toll free numbers shows that it cares about its customers and wants to allow them to talk directly with them, without the cost that phone calls usually bring about.
Choose the Right Toll Free Number: What You Should Know About Them
Before you go on to buy toll free number, let’s talk first about some important factors you need to consider. Like any investment you make in your business, toll free numbers come with a price tag and yield benefits that make it worth it. As long as you have planned correctly of course.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Toll-Free Number:
- Number Length and Format:
- Short and memorable: Opt for numbers that are easy to remember, such as those with repeating digits or patterns.
- Vanity numbers: Consider using vanity numbers that spell out your business name or a relevant keyword.
- Area Code:
- Geographic targeting: If you serve a specific region, choose an area code that reflects your target market.
- National presence: For nationwide reach, consider a toll-free number with a generic area code.
- Number Portability:
- Flexibility: Ensure the number is portable, allowing you to switch carriers without losing your number.
- Toll-Free Number Provider:
- Features: Compare features offered by different providers, such as call forwarding, voicemail, call analytics, and more.
- Reliability: Choose a provider with a strong reputation for reliability and excellent customer service.
- Pricing: Evaluate pricing plans and hidden fees to find the best value for your budget.
- Call Routing and Management:
- Call distribution: Determine how you want to route incoming calls (e.g., to specific departments, employees, or voicemail).
- Call analytics: Consider using call analytics to track call volume, caller location, and other valuable metrics.
Best Ways to Buy a Toll Free Number
Now, it’s time to talk about how you can get one. There are multiple options to choose from.
1. From your Service Provider
You decided to buy toll free number. Start by contacting your service provider. Talk to them and explain your needs. See what they are offering to you and if the price is good. Different providers offer different packages.
If you are satisfied, then great! Your work is done. If not, then take a look at their competitors. Compare their rates and packages. Others require a monthly payment and have a limit on minutes while others offer unlimited minutes, but charge based on them. You should also see the specific number of extensions each provider offers and any other features they add to their packages.
Remember, the cost of incoming calls varies depending on the caller’s location. For instance, a call from Europe to a U.S. business is typically more expensive than a call originating within the United States. It’s essential to compare pricing plans from different providers to find the most cost-effective option.
2. Directly from a Call Tracking Software
If you’re using call tracking for your business, getting a toll-free number should be a breeze compared to going through your service provider. Take Nimbata, for example – it’s as easy as 1-2-3!
Step 1 – Choose a Relevant Prefix
Pick a toll-free prefix that matches your business needs and is easy for customers to remember. Common toll-free prefixes include 800, 888, 877, and 866. Think about choosing one that complements your brand or marketing message.
Step 2 – Choose a Toll free Number from the list
After you’ve chosen your prefix, you’ll see a list of available call tracking numbers. Simply pick the one that best suits your business.
💡 Did you know? – Pool Checker
If you’re interested in tracking your marketing calls, then a common question is “And how do I know how many tracking numbers I need?”. That’s where the pool checker or call tracking calculator comes in handy. This tool calculates the exact number of tracking numbers you’ll need based on your website traffic and the sources you want to track – whether it’s all channels, including organic and paid, or specific ones like Google Ads. With this information, the tool recommends the optimal number of tracking numbers for you.
Step 3 – Create your call flow and assign your brand new toll free number(s)
The final step is to create your call flow. A call flow links your toll-free number to your regular business number, and with Nimbata’s call flow builder, you can add extra features to enhance the caller experience. This includes options like call recording and transcription, custom greetings, call whispers, voicemail, keypad entry (similar to IVR), and different call routing options. Once your setup is complete, head over to the “Tracking Numbers” screen and assign the new call flow you’ve created.
Other call tracking platforms also offer the ability to buy toll free numbers from them, although the process might be different or more difficult.
Combining your call tracking platform with your toll free number means that you bring all the features along with it. Analytics and reporting will work the same for your toll free number as the local ones. You can still create call flows and routings and use any other features you already have. Nimbata offers AI-powered keyword and phrase spotting during phone conversations. You can use it for toll free numbers without changing anything.
If you’re not familiar with call tracking software, here’s a quick overview of what it does
Call tracking refers to the technology that enables the monitoring and recording of inbound phone calls. It’s essentially a system that uncovers how callers discovered your business. By assigning unique phone numbers to different marketing channels, Marketers can pinpoint which ads, campaigns, or search keywords are generating calls. This data is critical because it shows you what’s working in your marketing strategy and what’s not.
💡 For the complete Call Tracking Guide, check out this step-by-step guide.
3. Your VoIP Provider
Many VoIP providers offer toll free numbers within their plans. Buying through them can bring some additional benefits for your business, like combining the features you already use with your regular VoIP numbers with your toll free numbers as well. Think call routing, voicemail, and analytics. It’s nice having them all in one place.
🔥 Here’s an interesting article about the best VoIP providers for 2024 from Forbes 👉 Best VoIP Services Of 2024
Marketing Your Toll Free Number
You already know how toll-free numbers can boost your business, but how can you leverage them to elevate your marketing efforts? Let’s explore some smart strategies to make the most of your toll-free number.
- Vanity Numbers: Stand out with a customized, memorable number that aligns with your brand. A number like 1-800-FLOWERS not only reflects your business but also sticks in customers’ minds, making it easier for them to call you.
- Boost Print Marketing: Amplify your reach by including your toll-free number on all printed materials, such as business cards, brochures, and flyers. This increases visibility and gives customers an easy way to connect with you.
- Enhance Digital Presence: Integrate your toll-free number across your website, email campaigns, and social media profiles. Use call tracking software to measure the impact of all your marketing efforts, both online and offline.
- Optimize PPC Campaigns: Assign unique toll-free numbers to different pay-per-click campaigns. This will help you track which campaigns are driving the most calls, so you can allocate your budget more effectively.
- Drive Action with Strong CTAs: Use compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) that motivate customers to call your toll-free number, such as “Call us now for a free quote!” or “Get instant support by calling our toll-free number!”
- Improve Customer Support: Ensure your toll-free number is prominently displayed for customer inquiries and support. A visible, easy-to-reach contact number builds trust and encourages customer engagement.
Takeaway
Toll free numbers have evolved from their humble beginnings in the 60s. From a simple solution for long-distance communication to a useful tool for business growth. By providing a cost-free communication channel, toll-free numbers enhance customer experience, foster trust, and expand market reach.
To buy a toll free number is a simple, straightforward process. But choosing the correct one means you need to take into account factors number length, format, area code, and provider. Whether through your service provider, call tracking, or VoIP software, selecting the right platform can significantly impact your business operations.
