What Is the Purpose of a Toll-Free Number

These days, it seems like you can’t turn around without seeing a toll-free number somewhere. And there is a good reason for this.

You see, a toll-free number is more than just a phone number. It can be a major asset to your business as a marketing and customer service tool. Furthermore, toll-free numbers are now very affordable and accessible to businesses of any size.

Whether you’re new to toll-free numbers or looking to improve your existing phone system, here’s a quick look at what toll-free phone numbers are and how they can benefit your business.

What is a Toll-Free Number?

A toll-free number is pretty much exactly what it says!

It’s a phone number with three distinct digit codes. These numbers allow the caller to make a call without being charged for it–even if it’s a long-distance call.

For this reason, toll-free numbers are wildly popular among businesses. In fact, the demand for toll-free numbers was so high that the 800 prefix ran out of numbers!

Toll-Free Numbers as a Marketing Strategy

You might not think that your phone number can be a marketing strategy, but the truth is, it can play a critical role in your overall strategy. In fact, the impact on your marketing is one of the main benefits of toll-free numbers.

To explain why that is, you should first understand what a vanity number is.

A vanity number is a phone number whose corresponding numbers spell out a word, service, product, or acronym. A classic example is 1-800-FLOWERS or 1-800-LAWYER.

Let’s say you place an ad on a billboard or on TV. That ad includes your phone number.

Which phone number sounds more memorable: 1-800-716-4851, or 1-800-FLOWERS?

They’re exactly the same phone number, but customers will have a far easier time remembering FLOWERS than a string of numbers.

You can also create toll-free numbers with an extension associated with a specific campaign. That way, your customer service team will know what the customer is calling about before they even pick up the phone.

Customer Support (and Satisfaction)

Toll-free numbers are wildly popular as a customer service tool and for good reason.

Think of it this way.

Have you ever tried to call a business only to find that you can’t actually locate a customer service number? Ever tried to call a business with an urgent problem only to find that they are not available to answer or worst that you had to pay long-distance charges to reach them?

It leaves you with a bad impression and the next time you come across this business, you might think twice before giving them your hard-earned income.

A toll-free number is a way for you to always be available to your customers, without costing them a penny. This, in turn, bolsters your credibility with your customers and encourages them to keep coming back. Also, historically, toll-free numbers were first used by big businesses and they still carry that aura and can lend more credibility to your business.

Get your own toll-free number today

Looking to leverage the power of toll-free numbers?

Click here to request a quote. We can help.

To unleash the full power of toll-free numbers, you can also connect them to our state-of-the-art phone system and benefit from a feature-rich infrastructure that’s affordable for large and small businesses alike.