Toll Free Numbers For Small Business – Does Your Small Business Need One
By: Jason Kay
Submitted: 2009-12-26 08:54:44 | Word Count: 532
You may have a thriving small business and think that there is absolutely no need for you to have a toll free number. If that is your line of thinking you could not be more off track. A toll free number will no doubt help your small business grow and the benefits far outweigh the cost. You probably think that toll free numbers are reserved for the larger businesses because of the cost, but again you would be wrong. With the implementation of virtual 800 numbers now any business regardless of size can have a toll free number that is cost effective.
Here’s how a virtual 800 number works:
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•Choose a number: You pick a toll free number to use that starts with 800, 888, 866, or 877. If you want to for a few dollars more you can get a custom 800 number like 800 EAT FOOD.
•Choose extensions: Because the virtual 800 number service you go with will act as your switchboard, you will have to choose extensions. You can choose any extension you want such as technology, shipping, accounts receivable, and on and on. The best part is that when a customer calls your toll free number and pushes an extension, that call gets routed to whoever you choose at whatever phone you choose be it a cell phone, office phone, or even a home phone.
•Check messages: If you or anyone on your staff misses a call a mailbox will record a message and those mailboxes can be checked online or by phone.
With a virtual 800 number nobody but you knows that your business is a small business.
You may be asking yourself why you should use a toll free number. The answer is simple; more money to the bottom line. Here’s how:
•More calls: Just put yourself in the customer’s shoes. If you go to a website and want to call the company to ask questions or even to purchase something, are you more likely to do so if they offer a toll free number as opposed to a regular local number that is not local to you? Of course you will be and your customers are no different. Many people will simply not call a company that doesn’t offer a toll free number and why should they? When you foot the bill for the call you will be receiving more phone calls than you can shake a stick at.
•Big look and feel: Again, think of yourself as the customer. Do you like dealing with multi national businesses that have been around the block a time or two and really know what they are doing? So do your customers. With a virtual 800 number your small business has the look and feel of a huge multi national corporation which means more calls, which means more sales.
You may think that your small business is plenty busy right now and it very well might be. But by implementing a toll free number you will have your head spinning at how much extra business you will do. The only question you will ask yourself after you do get a toll free number for your small business is why you didn’t get one sooner.
