For decades there was no alternative to 800 numbers to save callers money. There was a time when long distance calls were expensive and using a toll free number was the only way to make it affordable for customers. But with the advent of cell phones and the grueling competition between service providers, long distance calls are now quite affordable. So my question is: do businesses still need to use 800 numbers? Below are a few reasons why businesses still prefer to use toll free number:
Charges Nothing to the Customers
The cost of a long distance call has significantly been reduced but it is not nil. You still need to pay something – whether it is in actual cost per minute or counted toward included minutes. 800 numbers on the other hand do not charge a caller even a cent. It’s absolutely free for them. This is definitely a great bonus for the callers. Callers across the U.S and Canada can now reach you for free. Moreover, 800 numbers (http://www.itelecenter.com/Toll-Free-Number.aspx) have other significant business implications that you cannot expect from a normal cell phone number.
Reassures Your Credibility and Professionalism
In today’s business, everything from sales to customer support to technical help – everything – is done online through email or through chat. Calling a service provider may be considered the last resort but then it probably the most important option. Whenever a potential customer is visiting a website to buy a product or a service, the first thing that he/she searches for is the contact phone number and if it happens to be 800 numbers then it’s wonderful! A toll free number reassures customers about your product/service, credibility and professionalism.
Makes You Legitimate
Even when somebody is buying from an online store, he searches for 800 numbers just to assure himself that the business is legitimate. It is also important for a customer to know that he is engaging in business with a legitimate company before he actually uses his credit card. But it is quite difficult especially for a company that exists online and cannot showcase its physical existence to its customers. The only possible way is to showcase a toll free number. That assures visitors that the business is legitimate and your company can be easily contacted if there’s a need. Many times a potential customer will actually call and verify before placing an order.
Attracts More Sales
1 800 numbers (http://www.itelecenter.com/1-800-Number.aspx) are also an important tool for making more sales. Though there are other channels to reach you, customers prefer to talk in person before they get into any business deal. You can a run pay-per click campaign, advertise on social networking sites and try ranking high on Google’s organic search, but nothing can be successful if you are not using a toll free number. Right from your corporate website to social networking sites to corporate brochures and hand-outs to advertisements on billboards – everything should include an 800 number.
Builds Brand Awareness
Vanity numbers are another incredible usage of 800 numbers. They contain a combination of words and numbers that represent a business and its contact number simultaneously, for example 1 800 ICE CREAM, if you are selling ice cream. It also plays a very important role in building a brand. In fact, some of the famous vanity numbers are also synonymous with their brands.
Charges Nothing to the Customers
The cost of a long distance call has significantly been reduced but it is not nil. You still need to pay something – whether it is in actual cost per minute or counted toward included minutes. 800 numbers on the other hand do not charge a caller even a cent. It’s absolutely free for them. This is definitely a great bonus for the callers. Callers across the U.S and Canada can now reach you for free. Moreover, 800 numbers (http://www.itelecenter.com/Toll-Free-Number.aspx) have other significant business implications that you cannot expect from a normal cell phone number.
Reassures Your Credibility and Professionalism
In today’s business, everything from sales to customer support to technical help – everything – is done online through email or through chat. Calling a service provider may be considered the last resort but then it probably the most important option. Whenever a potential customer is visiting a website to buy a product or a service, the first thing that he/she searches for is the contact phone number and if it happens to be 800 numbers then it’s wonderful! A toll free number reassures customers about your product/service, credibility and professionalism.
Makes You Legitimate
Even when somebody is buying from an online store, he searches for 800 numbers just to assure himself that the business is legitimate. It is also important for a customer to know that he is engaging in business with a legitimate company before he actually uses his credit card. But it is quite difficult especially for a company that exists online and cannot showcase its physical existence to its customers. The only possible way is to showcase a toll free number. That assures visitors that the business is legitimate and your company can be easily contacted if there’s a need. Many times a potential customer will actually call and verify before placing an order.
Attracts More Sales
1 800 numbers (http://www.itelecenter.com/1-800-Number.aspx) are also an important tool for making more sales. Though there are other channels to reach you, customers prefer to talk in person before they get into any business deal. You can a run pay-per click campaign, advertise on social networking sites and try ranking high on Google’s organic search, but nothing can be successful if you are not using a toll free number. Right from your corporate website to social networking sites to corporate brochures and hand-outs to advertisements on billboards – everything should include an 800 number.
Builds Brand Awareness
Vanity numbers are another incredible usage of 800 numbers. They contain a combination of words and numbers that represent a business and its contact number simultaneously, for example 1 800 ICE CREAM, if you are selling ice cream. It also plays a very important role in building a brand. In fact, some of the famous vanity numbers are also synonymous with their brands.
