How To Choose Your Business Phone Number

Businesses of all sorts and sizes need to have a business phone number to help their customers get in touch with them easily. Having the right number for your business is considered to somewhat influence potential customers to call in, whereas, having a wrong business phone number can have a detrimental effect on your business and might even drive them towards your competitors.

Nowadays there are three distinct types of business phone numbers available in the market, like 800 phone numbers, vanity numbers, and local numbers.
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In this article, we intend to discuss briefly the pros and cons of all three types of business phone numbers and help businesses figure out which type is best for their operations.

Toll Free Numbers

Toll free numbers are the most popular among businesses because they offer them the ability to provide their callers with the privilege of charge free calling. They usually have recognizable prefixes like 800, 888, 877, 866, 855 or 844 and are intended to influence the callers/customers to dial the business’s number by eliminating call charges on their end. The businesses subscribing to a toll free number, however, must pay call charges for both their end as well as for the caller/customer.

Having a toll free number also projects a credible and reliable business image to the callers/customers and considerably increases incoming call traffic for businesses, ultimately creating more chances to convert prospective leads.

Vanity Numbers

Vanity numbers are also quite popular among businesses as they are made up of numbers which when dialed on any keypad spells out a phrase which is easily associable with the business itself. This allows businesses which subscribe to a vanity number to promote their business phone number not as a random string of numbers, but an actual phrase. For instance, 1-855-ACE-IT-UP is a prime example of a business vanity number which in reality is the number 1-855-223-4887.

The special thing about vanity numbers is that unlike normal toll free numbers, vanity numbers are more memorable and projects a more professional image to the callers or customers. It also increases the chances of the callers/customers recalling the business

The special thing about vanity numbers is that unlike normal toll free numbers, vanity numbers are more memorable and projects a more professional image to the callers or customers. It also increases the chances of the callers/customers recalling the business 800 vanity numbers from memory, rather than having to rely on other sources.

The instant addition of credibility to a business’s public image and quicker ROI on marketing campaigns make vanity number a great choice for businesses all over the world.

Local Numbers

The third and the last type of business phone number in use today are local business numbers. These specialized business numbers allow businesses to project a local presence to their callers/customers, through numbers with local area codes.

This type of business phone number also allows businesses to use numerous area codes and set up virtual local presence anywhere in the world and make their customer feel more connected to the business, regardless of the fact, that the business might be headquartered many miles away.

How to Decide Which Number is Good for Your Business?

First of all, Toll free business numbers are advised to businesses and enterprises who can afford to bear the call charges on the caller’s end. The customer can reach such businesses without incurring any call charge which helps create a scenario where the caller is more likely to dial your business toll free number. This scenario or effect also helps creates a loyal customer base.

Vanity numbers on the other end are usually preferred by businesses who need to increase brand awareness among its target audience. The memorability factor of vanity numbers, which comes from its alpha-numeric number association to a relevant phrase makes it very popular among businesses which undertake numerous marketing campaigns.

Lastly, local business numbers are advised to businesses which want to project a local presence to their existing and potential customers. This allows such businesses to gain on reliability by influencing customers/callers into thinking that their business has a strong local presence.

Still confused about which type of business toll free number suits your business needs? Please connect with our agent to learn more about these.