Do You Want An ‘800 Number’?

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Detail of using a telephone keypad. Shallow dof.

The first step to getting an 800 number is DECIDING whether or not you need one.

Typically used by businesses, an 800 number is a toll-free digit in which the customer isn’t charged. Instead, the business (you) is charged instead. 800 numbers are useful in this way, and for many other reasons as well:

An 800 number lets people call your business from anywhere in the world, and have it be marked as a local call. Suffice it to say that any long-distance fees incurred by the caller are instead taken by business that is being called.
Businesses that spend a considerable amount of hours talking over the phone with their customers are the ones that will require an 800 number.

If a customer knows that dialing your business will result in being on a call for extended periods of time, it would be better for business if their call was free.

It’s possible to replace or add an 800 number to your landline or cellphone number. However, if you do put on your cellphone, you’ll be assessed your regular minutes in conjunction with the additional fees associated through the toll-free line.

Practically all services allow for the customization of an 800 number. This is because a personalized number makes your company look legitimate and professional, which can result in a generous bump in business.

Aside from ‘800’, toll free numbers can also start with 888, 866, 877, and 855

Check with your service provider. Rather than opening up a new account with a different phone service provider, it’s possible to bargain a savvier deal by registering an ‘800’ number with your current provider. Check with them to see what the rates will look like.

Contact a different service provider. Many companies are able to set you up with toll-free 800 numbers, so make sure you keep that in mind. You’ll want to make sure you’re going with a reputable provider in order to give the best service and support. Trustworthy and reputable service providers are listed below:

AT&T
Verizon
Vonage
Flowroute
800.com

Make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Many providers will have varying rates with a selection of packages. Some plans insist on a minimum monthly fee that will grant you a set amount of time. Others, however, will simply charge you by the minute.

You will be charged at varying rates for calls dialed from different regions. If your business or customer service center is based in the U.S., and a call comes from China, it’s going to cost more than if the call were from the U.S.

5. Make sure you know what features you need. Above just the regular calling plan, it’s important to know what features you want or need for your “800” number. Some providers have features like voicemail and caller ID that others simply won’t offer. It’s best to figure out what you’d like to see in a package before deciding on a provider.

6. Open the account. Once you’ve decided on the provider and the specific service, call the company to have an account started. Additionally, as most providers will let you customize your number, it’s best to open an account knowing whether and how you want it personalized and make it easy to remember.

A good number to pick would be something that’s affiliated with your company. For example, if you run a car wash business, your number could potentially look like 800-CAR-WASH (800-227-9274). This can make your business look more legitimate, and also be easier for people to remember.

7. The number must be routed to an existing phone line. As landlines don’t run on minutes, and typically provider better reception, routing to an existing landline is the more efficient and stable option.

Once registered, your ‘800’ number will activate under an hour.