We all know that 800 numbers are popular among regular people and business folk alike. Customers can use them to make collect calls to companies, which can consequently bring in a lot of opportunities for an enterprise. Who couldn’t appreciate the benefits of being able to make money out of giving something for free? For the past several decades, this type of phone number has identified businesses as stable, dependable and above all, big.
Among regular people and business folk alike, we all know that 800 numbers are popular. Customers can use them to make collect calls to companies, which can consequently bring in a lot of opportunities for an enterprise. Who couldn’t appreciate the benefits of being able to make money out of giving something for free? This type of phone number has identified businesses for the past several decades, as stable, dependable and above all, big.
Of course, it may not necessarily be a good thing being perceived as a “big” business today. It has led some to prefer small and local companies over giants because of the world’s economy, as well as the increasing discontent some people feel towards the supremacy of big-name businesses.
And it is likely that advertising a tollfree number to a certain demographic will only drive customers away because many potential customers still tend to make assumptions about enterprises based on phone numbers. So how do you know which kind of telephone number your business should put forward?
Take a look at your aspirations for your enterprise
When you’re planning to advertise your business telephone number, the kind of reputation you want for your business is also a very important consideration. In terms of image, do you want to exude a sense of exclusivity, or do you want to be more all-encompassing? To understand what kind of number best fits your business and the trajectory of its success, you need to make this clear, in conjunction with the other elements. Basing your decision on this is a bit trickier, though – both local and automatic collect call numbers (especially vanity numbers) can suggest inclusivity and exclusivity. It all depends on your audience.
Take a look at your products or services
Looking at what you have to offer to customers is one of the best ways to approach this conundrum. Could you only serve a niche consumer base or could your products and services be enjoyed by a broad market? And how big is that niche if you’re offering a niche service or product? Before you advertise or even pick a phone number, you need to figure these things out. If your market base is broad, remember that an 800 number is the better option, and a local number can be more attractive to more specialized interests.
Take a look at your customers
To have a really good idea of which kind of number they might prefer, you really have to look at the demographics of your customers. Could they be found all over the country or do they primarily come from a specific location? Does a majority of your clients have a strong sense of local identity? To understand which type of phone number will most likely get them to call, you need to pay attention to the overall culture of your customers. As a rule of thumb, people who live in smaller, more close-knit communities tend to trust local numbers instead of national numbers. More cosmopolitan places may appreciate tollfree numbers more.
Of course, you can just get both an 800 number and several local numbers if you want to cover all your bases.
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