Toll-free numbers offer a convenient way for your customers to reach your offices, no matter where they live. Beyond that, they can be great marketing devices and a great way to connect with your audience.
Getting your own 1-800 or other toll-free number isn’t hard. Here’s what you need to know to get started:
Registering a toll-free number
To get your own toll-free number, you’ll have to contact a Responsible Organization, sometimes called a RespOrg, such as Dial800. These entities assign toll-free numbers and are certified by Somos, Inc., which is the administrator of the toll-free number database.
You may have an idea for the number you want associated with your business. It’s smart to strategically choose your number, but your No. 1 choice may not be available. Luckily, there are a variety of prefixes you can use with your toll-free number: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855 and 844 are all options. If your ideal combination isn’t available with the 800 prefix, you may be able to find it with another one.
Toll-free number vs. vanity number
Vanity numbers are a type of toll-free number that spell out a specific word. Chances are, you’ve heard some catchy vanity numbers simply by listening to the radio or watching TV; some highly memorable vanity numbers include 877-CASH-NOW or 1-800-GoFedEx.
Another way to craft an easy-to-remember toll-free number is to choose a repeater number, such as 855-545-4455. People remember patterns more easily than random digits.
Hybrid numbers can also be memorable options. These contain letters and numbers to create a message, such as 1-800-DIAL-800.
Choose an easy-to-remember number
You’ll find the most benefit from choosing a toll-free number that’s easy for your audience to remember. Since you’ll likely be using these numbers in a variety of channels, you’ll want the number to stick in people’s minds.
Consider the ways people will think about your business. This will help you come up with some ideas for vanity, repeater or hybrid numbers. For example, a coffee roaster could seek out numbers like 1-855-CAFFEINE or 1-877-HOT-COFFEE. Toll-free numbers need to have at least seven digits following the three-digit prefix, but you can add more characters to reinforce your message – the excess digits won’t direct the call anywhere else.
Once you have your toll-free number registered, think about how you want to portray it in your messaging. Including it in a catchy jingle in your radio commercials will help customers remember it later on. Creating visually captivating images will draw the eye toward your number in print media.
Multiple toll-free numbers
You’re not limited to just one toll-free number. In fact, registering more than one can benefit your marketing efforts immensely. If you’re promoting your company through multiple channels – say, billboards, radio ads, PPC and television – you’ll want to know which is working best.
By determining which strategy brings in the most calls, you can see which strategies are performing best. If you assign a unique number to each medium, you’ll be able to track the success of each channel. With that information, you can determine in which media you want to invest more of your marketing budget, or which campaigns you should adjust to increase visibility.
Dial800 can help you find the perfect vanity number or other easy-to-recall combination for your marketing efforts. Plus, we’ll help you track your marketing success when you choose multiple toll-free numbers with Dial800. To get started, get in touch or request a free demo today.