Common Toll Free Mistakes

1-800 numbers have become a staple for any type of successful business because toll free service has so many advantages.

But remember, this esteemed marketing tool is most effective if you sign on for service specific to your needs and if you work with a professional carrier who is looking out for your company’s best interests.

An inferior toll free carrier and shoddy phone service can do more harm than good. Avoid these mistakes when securing a tool free number:

Leasing A Shared Use Number: Under lease agreements you relinquish control of your number. Ownership is a much better option because you hold onto the number for as long as you want to.

Signing on for VoIP: If your callers experience echoes and outages, you will end up losing revenue. VoIP is generally considered less reliable than fiber optics. For clearer connections and far less risk of dropped calls, make sure to sign on with a company that uses state-of-the-art fiber optic technology.

Long-Term Contracts: Signing a long-term contract with a carrier could prevent you from switching providers if you end up dissatisfied with the service or fees. Toll free numbers have been portable since 1991—this means you have the ability to switch carriers and “port” your number, in other words take it with you. Be careful when signing a contract. Don’t get locked in for a long period of time.


Renting an Automated System (IVR): Think carefully before getting the type of automated system that may turn off your potential customers. These systems can be effective for some types of businesses: but they can be a detriment for many others. Consider whether an automated system matches your company’s image. If you do decide to go with an IVR system, buying one instead of renting one typically makes more financial sense.

Research Carriers: Don’t sign on to the first provider you consider. Work with a company that has a variety of plans and features, flexibility of services, low prices, and uses fiber optics. Be selective when choosing a toll free service provider—it could save you money in the end. Check out Tollfreenumber.ORG for information on quality toll free phone service.