How to Get a 1800 Number for your Business

Whether you’re a brick and mortar business, or operate online, your phone number that you provide to your customers can become important. Phone support is one of the oldest methods of customer support. It means the difference between a customer buying from you or even coming to visit your store. However, aside from a regular number, you can opt to get a 1800 number for your business. In this article, you’ll learn about how to get a 1800 number for your business, and if it’s right for you.

What is an 1800 number?

The 1800 number is known as a toll-free number. A toll-free number is a type of number that anyone can use without being charged. Some common toll-free numbers start with the first three-digits: 800, 888, 887, 886, 885, 884, and 883. Most 1800 numbers are used for customer service for businesses.

Majority of 1800 numbers can be obtained through an approved service that abides by the US Federal Communications Commission, or FCC. The FCC doesn’t directly assign the numbers or sell them. Additionally, any 1800 number is a first come, first serve type deal.

How does a toll-free number work?

A toll-free number gives customers a free and easy way to contact businesses. These types of numbers can also accept texts, if the capability is enabled. You can get a 1800 number from a Responsive Organization, also known as a RespOrg. These RespOrgs have access to a database of 1800 numbers already in use, so they can tell you if you want something like a custom vanity number (ex: 1-800-FLOWERS), or a random toll-free number.

Why should you get an 1800 number for your business?

Here’s some reasons why you might want to get an 1800 number for your business:

1. Offer a free method for customers to contact you.

2. Offer a more memorable number to your customers

3. Display a more professional angle to your business.

4. Create brand loyalty.

1. Offer a free method for customers to contact you.

If you have customers that use limited plans or landlines that charge for each phone call, a long distance call can become expensive. A toll-free number is absolutely free, so your customers don’t have to pay extra for a call, and how long they are on the line with you.

2. Offer a more memorable number to your customers.

When you use 1800 for your business, your customers may remember it over a regular number. There are so many different area codes, so a number with 800 in it reduces remembering extra numbers. Additionally, you can opt to have a vanity number and increase call volume by 33-percent.

3. Display a more professional angle to your business.

A toll-free number gives your business a more professional and polished look. People know when they see 1800, they are calling a business, and not a residential home.

4. Create brand loyalty.

When you offer any type of customer support, including phone support, statistically 83% of customers are more loyal to the brand.

Services to Get a 1800 Number for your Business

To get a 1800 number for your business, you need to select a phone provider that offers such a service. Once you’ve purchased a 1800 number, the service will help you set it up so you can take calls from your smartphone or landline.

Services that you can sign up for a 1800 number for your business

You can buy 1800 numbers from approved RespOrg services. Here are some of the services out there that you can get a 1800 number for your business.

• Grasshopper.com

• Nextiva.com

• Phone.com

• RingCentral.com

• Vonage.com

Grasshopper.com

Grasshopper.com offers phone number solutions for local, toll-free, and even vanity toll-free. You can give your customers your 1800 number for your business, while protecting your private line. Grasshopper provides features like:

• Incoming call control

• Handle simultaneous calls

• Texting

• Desktop and mobile app

• Call forwarding

…and much more. You can pick 1 number with up to 3 extensions for $26 per month.

Nextiva.com

Nextiva.com offers the ability to manage calls using a local or toll-free number. Some of their features include voicemail setup, caller-ID, call logs, accept calls via desktop or mobile, call forwarding and many other options. Nextiva starts at $18.95/month.

Phone.com

Phone.com offers a few packages based on your business’ needs. If you don’t need much and anticipate under 500 calls in a month for one phone number, they have a decent package for that for as low as $11.99/month. However if you need unlimited minutes for your toll-free number, and want to benefit from video calls, texting, and many other features, you’re looking at least spending $15.99 per month.

RingCentral.com

RingCentral.com is one of the few options on this list that allows you to check out a demo of their system. They offer options for 1800 numbers as well as other toll-free prefixes. You can manage your line from most devices and even integrate them into other apps, including Slack.

RingCentral’s packages start at $19.99 per month, but the package is very limited in comparison to their price tier at $27.99/month.

Vonage.com

Vonage.com offers 1800 numbers, and other toll-free prefix numbers, as well as local phone numbers. You can take advantage of their web-based control panelto monitor your calls, as well as voicemail, call forwarding, and more. Pricing starts at $19.99 a month, but if that tier isn’t enough, you might want to purchase the $29.99/month plan to take advantage of more features.

Once you sign up for any of these services, the company will provide instructions on how to get started. Some may involve downloading software or an app.

Things to know when you get a 1800 number for your business

• Can you move your toll-free number to another company?

• Can you receive international calls using a US based toll-free number?

• Can you forward calls from your 1800 number to your regular phone number?

Can you move your toll-free number to another company?

Yes, you can migrate your 1800 number from one company to another phone company.

Can you receive international calls using a US based toll-free number?

While you can receive calls from international customers, the call isn’t free. A US based 1800 number is free for the US and Canada.

Can you forward calls from your 1800 number to your regular phone number?

You can definitely opt to forward your calls from your toll-free number to your regular phone line. The phone company gives options for forwarding that you can set for forwarding, like business hours.

In SuMmary

Now that you know about toll-free numbers and how to get a 1800 number for your business, it’s time to sit down and decide if this is a solution that will benefit your business. You can decide whether to get a regular 1800 number or a vanity toll-free number. If an 1800 number is a solution that you believe will benefit your business, hopefully once you implement it, you’ll see a rise in customer calls.

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