How To Get A Free Toll Free Number
A free toll free number can really help your business by improving your customer service. The way it works is that you "subscribe" to the number so that your customers can call it for free. When they make the call, you pay for it. Rates can be very cheap, depending on the provider you use. There are two ways to get a free toll free number. You can either contact the telephone company or use a virtual phone service provider. Here are the pros and cons of each.
Getting Your Free Toll Free Number Through The Phone Company
The old way has always been to contact the telephone company. They've been issuing "800" numbers (and now "866," "888," and others) for decades. It simply involves calling the telephone company, which then chooses a number for you through their database.There are a couple of disadvantages to this message. First of all, you don't get much choice when it comes to numbers. They also don't charge the best rates going. Although it is relatively easy to get set up with a free toll free number through them, all you get is the number while virtual number providers offer more features.
Virtual Toll Free Number Providers
You can find lots of companies online offering a free toll free number service. These are companies that are licensed to use the toll free number database and issue numbers to private companies. They offer competitive pricing lots of added features. Plus, you can sign up online which makes it easy.Searching for providers online also gives you the ability to do some comparison shopping. Rates vary widely, from something like a few cents per minute to over a quarter. You can find discounts and special deals offered by providers online that can help save you money. As mentioned earlier, many online providers also offer other features that allow you to block, manage, automate, track and forward calls. When you add all of these features into the equation, it turns out to be a pretty good deal.
One of the great things about getting a free toll free number for your business is that it can really improve your image. By having an 800 (or other prefix) number, it makes your company look bigger and more reputable. It also offers a way to let your customers reach you more easily. It shows them that you're a company that's serious about customer service.
If you want a free toll free number, get online and start shopping around. Once you find a provider whose rates and features you like, contact them and find out what they can do for you.