A toll-free service doesn’t charge the person who places the call. Instead of charging the caller, this number charges the receiver. Toll-free numbers are popular for businesses where customers reach out from landlines; however, there are multiple benefits to opting for one of these phone numbers regardless of where your target audience is calling from. Here are four benefits of investing in toll-free service.
You convey brand authority.
Opting for a toll free number can help with your branding. Many small businesses want to stand out and attract new customers. However, trust is a big part of the buying process. If a customer isn’t sure about your business, then they might not want to buy from you.
By investing in a toll-free code, you can show potential customers in your area that you are a serious, professional company. Even if you are just starting out with a few customers, a toll-free option can make you seem larger and more experienced.
You can choose a PhoneWord for brand recognition.
One of the best ways for customers to remember your phone number is to simplify it. You can do this by buying a vanity number (like 123-5555) or by selecting a phone word. A PhoneWord uses numbers to spell out a word so it is easy to remember. It comes from the days of payphones and early cell phones when different numbers were assigned letters (like the number 2 representing ABC).
You might have seen PhoneWords in other marketing materials in your area. An attorney might choose the number 1300-LAWYER for his ads, while a salon could choose 1300-NEWCUT.
Instead of remembering a string of numbers, your customers just have to remember one word. This increases the chances that your brand will stick in the heads of people who you want to buy from your brand.
You can brand yourself as a local company.
Many companies want to connect with local audiences but they don’t have the right area code to operate in the area. Your customers might ignore a phone number from an unknown area code if they aren’t expecting your call. This can slow down your customer service efforts while you wait for your customers to call you back.
Instead, invest in a toll-free service. Your telephone number will look more professional and you can even make sure your company name pops up when you call. Instead of leaving a voicemail to show who you are, break through the noise and convince customers it is safe to answer your call. This is essential if you have customers across the United States who need to pick up your calls.
There are toll-free texting options.
Investing in a toll-free option can also help if you want to use text messages as part of your marketing strategy. More consumers are turning to text messages for customer service because it is immediate and convenient. However, few small businesses have the capabilities to handle this option.
There are multiple ways to offer customer service via text. Instead of asking an employee to sit on a mobile phone, you can invest in software options so conversations populate on a desktop. There are also mobile apps for customer care on the go. Your team members can solve customer problems quickly and reduce the number of angry customers reaching out to your business. If you want to invest in good customer care, look into toll-free SMS.
Whether you opened a small business this year or have decades of experience, it’s never too late to invest in a vanity number. Look into a toll-free service so your customers can make free calls to get the answers they need.