How Do 1-800 Numbers Work
When it comes to good customer service, one of the most important aspects is having an easy-to-contact phone number, which is preferably a toll-free number. In the past, the only ones who take advantage of 1-800 numbers are larger businesses or corporations. Over time, the prices to avail a toll-free number have become more affordable and they evolved into a standard business expectation.
But how do 1-800 numbers work? That’s what you’ll find out by reading the article below.
What Are 1-800 Numbers?
Commonly referred to as toll-free numbers, 1-800 numbers refer to numbers wherein the cost of a long-distance call is charged to the owner of the toll-free number or the business, rather than the customer or person making the call. Having a toll-free number is a common business practice to promote excellent customer service. Check this link to find out more about getting a 1-800 number for your business.
Toll free codes include three-digit codes, such as 800,833, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888, which can’t be interchanged. When customers dial a number with the 1-800 prefix, it would reach different recipients compared to dialing the same number using a 1-877 prefix. All calls to toll-free numbers are routed to particular local telephone numbers.
Modern toll-free service is now made possible as telephone companies have switched to computerized switching systems from electro-mechanical switching systems. This allows the routing of toll-free calls based on the instructions in central databases.
What Are Vanity Phone Numbers?
Advertisers and marketers are constantly looking for ways to increase their return on investment. One way they do this is by having a vanity phone number. Vanity phone numbers usually spell a name, an acronym, or a word chosen by the business owner (subscriber), such as 1-888-TRUCKER or 1-800-MOVE-NOW.
Businesses with vanity phone numbers posted on their advertisements can entice more people to avail their products and services. It’s because consumers are more confident to deal with businesses knowing that they can reach them easily through their toll-free numbers. Vanity phone numbers are also easier to recall, so your customers don’t have to spend so much time looking around for your contact information when they need your assistance.
What Is Shared Use?
A shared-use number in toll-free telephony refers to a vanity number rented to several local companies having the same line of business located in different cities. The RespOrg infrastructure direct calls of the same number to various vendors, which are based on the area code of the caller.
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Toll-Free Number?
A toll-free number is a number that is available in the market which is unlisted by the cell phone service providers. As a business owner, it’s vital to understand what makes a toll-free number so popular. Here are some of the top benefits of getting a toll-free number.
1. Reach More Customers
For a company or business owner, a 1-800 number is an invaluable tool that allows you to reach more customers. It helps generate your business revenue and improve overall customer contact, allowing new and existing customers to talk and do business with you over the phone. As you reach more customers, expect more sales, improved customer experience, and increased customer retention.
2. Establish A Legitimate And Good Business Reputation
For businesses, having a 1-800 or toll-free number reflects their legitimacy. Trustworthy companies are expected by customers to have one. While many small and medium-sized companies prefer to use a standard number as their business contact number with a regular area code to avoid the cost, it could hurt their sales.
Not having a toll-free number limits the chance of a company to find new avenues or opportunities of business expansion. In short, potential growth is stunted.
3. Cheaper Access For Customers
For customers, a toll-free number allows easier, quicker, and more affordable access to contact your company to place an order, verify information, such as your order status, or to talk about customers’ concerns.
4. Easy To Use
A convenient feature of a toll-free number is that it’s very easy to use for customers. With just dialing the number, you’ll be immediately connected to the company and you can call anyone at any time. The service provider will help you if you want to transfer money, buy products or services, or just ask for more information. In addition to that, the companies who provide this facility will also give you information about the location of the person who answered the call so you can even track your calls.
5. Expand Your Business Internationally
With international commerce, one of the established trends is moving businesses globally. For this reason, a lot of companies are looking forward to expanding. For global companies with international customers, a toll-free number is indispensable if you want to make it easier for your customers to reach you.
Having a toll-free or 1-800 number can help decrease your expenses when you’re operating globally. If you have a virtual international forwarded number, it also help decrease your expenses even more. At the same time, it makes your company more attractive to potential partners and investors.
How Do Toll-Free Numbers Get Assigned?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is mandated to assign most toll-free numbers. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle dealing with the FCC, you can avail the services of one of the Responsible Organizations (RespOrgs) to reserve numbers on your behalf, if they’re still available.
Toll-free subscribers can seek the services of RespOrgs, which are the ones that manage and administer their records. Also, RespOrgs can offer toll-free service. They provide access to a database, which carries the information about toll-free numbers and their availability.
Usually, the FCC makes 833 toll-free codes available through an auction. This 833 Toll-Free Code Auction is a way to determine how to utilize competitive bidding when effectively assigning toll-free numbers.
How Do 1-800 Numbers Work?
If you’re considering getting a toll-free number for your company, it’s a good idea to start by understanding how 1-800 numbers operate. This will allow you to make the most of your customer contact experience and help you save money on your expenses.
Toll-free numbers can be used in VoIP and call centers, so businesses can run a smooth customer service department operation. Here’s how 1-800 numbers work in VoIP and call centers:
1. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Dialing a traditional phone number typically requires you to physically dial in. You’ll have to either punch in the number or type it into a telephone keypad. Either way, this process requires some amount of effort to be done.
Dialing a digital line number doesn’t require as much effort. These are also known as a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). As the name implies, these lines can be dialed through your computer using your computer’s Internet connection. The VoIP is simply what makes it possible to dial the number without having to punch in any numbers. A typical phone dialer doesn’t have the capability to dial this way so most companies use voice recognition software to do the job.
2. Call Centers
Many of the companies that use VoIP also use the technology for actual call centers. For instance, you might find that a large company calls a certain service provider to request information about that service. The information you get back would include a toll-free number which you can simply dial and ask the representative for the same information.
In many cases, this number is tied to an actual customer service center. Since the information isn’t available through conventional methods, the service provider simply answers your question by calling a hotline number set up at the customer service center.
Call centers usually offer several features such as advanced calling features, voicemail, caller ID and more. These are features you might want to take a look at if you need a way to cut down on your expenses with your calling costs.
Where To Get A Toll-Free Number?
Once you’ve decided to use a toll-free number, it’s time to find a reputable service provider. Be sure that you understand the terms and conditions before you begin using it. Make sure that you read the fine print and all of the terms and conditions. You should be comfortable with them before you begin to use the number.
What’s The FCC’s Role?
It’s the role of the FCC to set the rules for obtaining and utilizing toll free numbers. The agency requires that all toll-free numbers must be portable, which means that subscribers can move or “port” their number to one of the new RespOrgs when they are changing service providers.
Conclusion
With all of these different options, it’s important to understand how exactly they work so that you can choose the right one for you. Having a toll-free or 1-800 is now considered a business necessity. It enables customers to contact your company fast, easy, and for free. Having a toll-free number is something that every business must take advantage of because it adds validity and appeal for both domestic and international customers, setting your business apart, at a greater level, from your competitors.
About the Author
Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.
