Toll Free vs. Standard Phone Service

There was a time when 1-800 numbers were only used by a few big businesses. For most people, standard phone service was the favored option—the advantages for most callers outweighed that of toll free service.

But these days, the pendulum has swung the other way and for many businesses, and even for personal use, toll free numbers obtained from providers like Tollfreenumber.ORG are becoming the preferred choice.

Consumers recognize the many advantages of 1-800 numbers over standard local phone service and long distance plans. Toll free service is becoming increasingly common with parents wishing to keep in close contact with children and for other personal use. Businesses with a 1-800 number see increases in sales and word of mouth referrals, plus a sharp decrease in product returns. Standard local phone service just doesn’t offer these advantages.

The value of a 1-800 number has become a necessity for any business. Toll free numbers allow callers to reach company representatives, organizations, and even friends and relatives without being charged for the call. A toll free number lends credibility, enhances customer service, and increases customer confidence. There are no additional installations needed for a 1-800 number and the calls can be routed to any cell phone, land line, or fax.

Toll free service has been available for 40 years, but has skyrocketed in popularity in the past decade. In the 1970s and 1980s, toll free numbers were simply cost-prohibitive for most small businesses. That is no longer the case. In fact, toll free can be cheaper than standard phone service.

Recent studies indicate that 98% of U.S. residents say they called a toll free number in the past year. With statistics like that, toll free is winning the race.

Ownership of Your 1-800 Number

There are many features to look for when choosing a toll free phone service provider: variety of options, low prices, fiber optics technology. And for many subscribers, ownership of the 1-800 number is also essential.

With ownership, the number stays with the subscriber for as along as they want it. Some subscribers opt to rent or lease a number—but this can mean losing your phone number if you switch providers or if other changes necessitate a new type of phone service. A different phone number means a loss in continuity—which could mean the loss of existing customers.

While a rented number may be right for a limited market, ownership is often the best option for the majority of subscribers. If you want consistency and an assurance that your exact phone number will be associated with your business for as long as you choose, then deal with a provider that offers full ownership of your 1-800 number. (Tollfreenumber.Org for example)

Why risk losing your number due to unforeseen changes? Secure your rights to a phone number that suits your business or personal needs.

So, if you run a company now or if you are thinking about starting a new business—one that you plan to operate for years—consider toll free phone service for all the marketing benefits. And then consider working with a provider that can offer you full ownership of the number.

How Retail Businesses Can Reduce Product Returns.

Product returns are costly and time-consuming for retail businesses and for customers. Returns and exchanges are often made because the customer doesn’t have a full grasp of what the product looks like or how it works. Perhaps it appeared suitable, but it wasn’t really what the customer needed.

In many cases, a photo in an advertisement or on the web, or a written description of the product, just doesn’t provide a customer with enough information on exactly what a product has to offer. And a customer calling long distance may rush through inquiries to avoid hefty charges on their next phone bill.

But there is a solution. With a toll free number, customers can call retail businesses for free and can ask as many questions as they want about a product they are considering for purchase. The ability for a company representative to fully explain to a customer about the product is invaluable. These conversations reduce misunderstandings and benefit both parties.

There are a host of advantages to using toll free service, especially for retail businesses. 1-800 numbers obtained through Tollfreenumber.ORG expand the market because there is no geographical link to the product or business. The level of customer service increases if consumers can call free of charge to ask about a product. And customer confidence also increases because a 1-800 number associated with a business automatically provides an image of an established company.

Retail is a competitive market, especially in an economy when consumers are cutting back, shopping very selectively. A free call can entice a new customer, and then the personal connection to a sales representative can reduce the burden of product returns.

Tracking Phone Calls

Have you heard of the call-capture feature available through some toll free phone service providers? It’s a popular and innovative feature that allows subscribers to obtain a list of everyone who has called them—even if the call came from a blocked number.

Through a service called Real-time Automatic Number Identification, some toll free providers (Tollfreenumber.ORG is one) can track every incoming call and can “unblock” blocked phone numbers. This nifty feature is offered for no additional charge.

Aside from the obvious business benefits—leads on who calls, what areas of the country are responding more, or less, to advertisements etc—this option can also help prevent harassment problems.

Imagine getting repeated nasty calls from competitors or from personal adversaries—if they have a blocked number there is little you can do stop the behavior. But if you have a toll free plan that includes this tracking feature, then you can find out what number or numbers these calls are originating from. Providers like Tollfreenumber.ORG can help you trace whoever might be harassing you.

I’m always amazed at the ever-expanding level of technology available through toll free phone service. It gets better every year. This feature is particularly appealing because it can help promote business and has the added benefit of helping protect personal safety.

The History of 1-800 Numbers

1-800 numbers were started in 1967 by AT&T as an alternative to collect calls. Until 1984, AT&T had complete control over all toll free numbers. But when the phone monopoly broke apart, toll free service came under the oversight of the Federal Communications Commission.

In 1991, the FCC required that toll-free numbers be portable, meaning that a toll free subscriber can “port” his or her number to a new provider. Subscribers were no longer locked into their providers.

As interest in toll free service grew, the available supply of 800 numbers became more and more scarce. To address the anticipated shortage, the FCC introduced the 888 and 877 numbers in the mid-1990s and then the 866 pre-fix in 2000.

Available stock of toll free numbers is quickly depleting and industry insiders are awaiting the release of the 855 and 844 numbers currently reserved by the FCC. These numbers, however, may not be released for several years.

Under rules established in 1997 by the Federal Communications Commission, toll free service providers cannot reserve a number without having an actual toll-free subscriber for whom the number is being held. By law, available numbers must be doled out on a first-come, first-served basis. Numbers are selected off the database at the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800).

The SMS/800 Data Center was created to maintain the database of available toll free phone numbers. SMS/800 updates the database and records of the owners of each number.

More and more owners of small businesses are returning to traditional marketing methods once available only to large national companies. Even a start-up business located in a home can present the image of an established, larger company by including a toll free phone number in advertising. It’s good that the toll free industry has progressed so that 1-800 numbers are now available, and affordable, for anyone who wants one.

Top Ten Reasons To Use Toll Free Numbers

Toll free numbers can be a big asset for business owners. If you have been debating whether or not to get a 1-800 number, here are ten reasons why you should sign up today.


1.) Reach More Potential Customers. A 1-800 number appeals to potential customers nationwide. Avoid losing long distance customers with a standard phone number.

2.) Establish Credibility. Businesses with a toll free number instantly establish the image of a credible, legitimate business. A 1-800 number boosts customer confidence.

3.) Easy and Affordable. Getting a 1-800 number has never been easier. Contact a reputable service provider (Qwest, Tollfreenumber.ORG) and sign on. There are no installations or new phone lines needed.

4.) Vanity Numbers. A 1-800 number with a word or phrase can be easily remembered. Vanity numbers also shape brand image and increase word of mouth referrals.

5.) Access to Calls 24/7. Toll free calls can be routed to any cell phone or other phone line, fax or even e-mail. With a 1-800 number, you will never miss an important call.

6.) Number Moves With Your Business. Your business skyrockets and you need to expand. With a 1-800 number, there is no risk of losing contact with valuable customers. The number goes with you.

7.) Helps Upstart and At-Home Businesses. An upstart business using a 1-800 number generates the instant impression of an established business. New business owners can choose a plan that works for their small company, and then as the business grows, the plan can be updated to meet changing needs.

8.) Increased Response to Ads. It has been proven that a 1-800 number in an advertisement significantly increases ad response.

9.) Keep in Touch With Friends and Family. Avoid costly long distance charges and collect calls. Keep in touch with children, parents, and friends with a toll free number.

10.) Variety of Plans To Meet All Needs. Many service providers offer a variety of plans that include many features--owning a number, call routing, mailboxes, even on-hold music. Check out the website of a provider like Tollfreenumber.ORG and see just how many unique options are available.

Frequent Traveler? Consider a 1-800 Number.

If business or personal obligations require you to travel frequently, you may want to seriously consider getting a 1-800 number.

Making a call from a hotel phone can be astronomically expensive. Cell phones don’t work everywhere. To beat gaps in cell service or hefty hotel phone charges, obtain a toll free number from a reliable service provider such as Tollfreenumber.ORG and you will always stay in touch while on the road.

With people on the go more than ever before, the convenience and affordability of toll free phone numbers are becoming more and more popular. Business people who frequently travel are using 1-800 numbers as a cheaper and more convenient way to stay in touch with employees, existing clients, and new customers. Calls can be routed to wherever you happen to be.

It is imperative that company representatives stay in touch with their customer base. And in an unstable economy, small businesses need reliable marketing tools to increase the flow of new and repeat business and to compete with bigger, sustained companies. Toll free numbers instantly win customer confidence and give new businesses the jumpstart they need to grow into sustained companies.

If you travel often, staying connected is even more important. A toll free number has many advantages for businesspeople on the road.

A Growing Trend: Churches Have 1-800 Numbers.

Check any 1-800 directory and you will find hundreds of ministers and churches listed within. Clergy members nationwide have recognized the advantages of offering parishioners a free, convenient way to contact them 24 hours a day.

Busy ministers are always on the move. In times of crisis, parishioners and community members may suddenly need counsel and comfort. With a 1-800 number, ministers can be in constant contact with anyone in need.

To help their ministries grow, members of the clergy are finding innovative ways to stay connected to their congregants. Some ministers are using one toll free line to stay connected and another toll free line that conveys a taped message about an upcoming event or a devotional with uplifting words of faith. These messages can be very comforting to people in need.

Clergy members often have tight budgets. Ministers will find that there are several service providers that offer plans at affordable rates—in some cases 40 percent lower than the big phone companies. (Tollfreenumber.ORG for example)

Members of the clergy must be instantly available to comfort and advise their congregation, or anyone else who may need them. A crisis can occur at any time. Caring ministers who want to be there 24/7 for their parishioners are discovering that toll free numbers keep them in touch with their flock.

Using Vanity Numbers

A memorable word or phrase attached to a 1-800 number is one of the easiest ways for anyone to permanently recall the number.

Known as a “vanity’ these connections produce a consistently higher rate of customer response than most other forms of advertising. A vanity number can identify your brand and your image. Once a potential customer sees the number, they are very likely to remember it.

In addition to a higher response rate, a vanity number creates an established, stronger identity for any company and increases word of mouth referrals. Recalling a seven-digit numerical sequence can be difficult for anyone. Remembering a toll free pre-fix attached to a word or catchy phrase is much easier. (Think 1-800-FLOWERS) The majority of successful, large-scale businesses and most of the Fortune 500 companies have toll free numbers because they are so effective.

Toll free phone service, with or without a vanity number, is easy and affordable to obtain. Service providers like Qwest and Tollfreenumber.ORG have access to the database of available numbers and they can match any subscriber up with a perfect 1-800 number.

Recently, vanity numbers have grown popular with the large number of people signing on for toll free phone service for personal use, Vanity numbers are perfect for parents who want to keep in touch with their children. Use your last name, a nickname, a pet’s name, or street name for easy recall. This is a good option for elderly parents too. Often on a limited income, elderly parents can reach their grown children or caretakers at no charge through a toll free number.

Non-Profits Rely on 1-800 Numbers

Non-profits need to find ways to cuts costs and attract donations. By signing on for toll free phone service they can accomplish both goals.

Many non-profits survive solely on donations from generous supporters. But before gaining the trust of benefactors, a non-profit must establish itself as credible. Donors want to know that their contributions are going to help those in need and not toward wasteful administrative costs.

Affordable toll free phone numbers are crucial to the vitality of any non-profit. Signing on with an affordable company like Tollfreenumber.ORG can save non-profits money because rates can be as much as 40 percent cheaper than the rates at big phone companies.

This low-cost and reliable service lends credibility to the charity, allows them to reach donors nationwide, and reduces wasteful spending. When offered a toll free number, contributors gain confidence in the integrity of the non-profit. And they won’t have to pay for a phone call to ask questions about the cause or to make a donation.

Low-cost services from Tollfreenumber.ORG help non-profits keep administrative costs down. Without having to pay expensive monthly phone bills, the charity can focus more funding on humanitarian programs. Non-profits want every available penny to go toward their cause.

In addition to choosing the most affordable plan, they need to select the most reliable service—meaning they need to make sure they sign onto to a service that provides fiber optic technology. Fiber optics consistently offers clearer connections than the less reliable broadband service. Donors and those in need must be able to contact the charity without gaps in phone service and dropped calls.

Adding 1-800 Numbers To Advertisements

If someone suggested an inexpensive addition to an advertisement that could double your business, you’d jump on it, right? How about if the suggestion potentially increased response to the ad as much as 600%? It’s a no-brainer.

By adding a 1-800 number to an advertisement, consumer response to the ad can jump by as much as 600%. An ad with a 1-800 number in the Yellow pages, on websites, or in brochures will attract new business, enhance customer confidence, and instantly broaden the potential market.

1-800 numbers allow you to advertise nationally. The 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers are not tied to any geographical location so they expand your market reach. And most importantly, toll free numbers don’t result in long distance charges on your customer’s phone bill.

Why should a customer be forced to pay when they just want to ask about your services or products? They shouldn’t. In most cases, the business should cover the cost of customer service calls. Businesses with a 1-800 number in their advertisements instantly gain an edge on the competition.

When potential customers or clients notice a 1-800 number in an ad, they perceive the company as professional, trustworthy, and established. They are more likely to conduct business with a company that offers a toll free phone number.

When choosing toll free service, subscribers select from a menu of options. It’s important to sign on with a service provider that offers a variety of features to match individual needs and budgets. (Tollfreenumber.ORG and Qwest are good options) Once a number is assigned, it can stay with the owner permanently. If a company grows or moves locations, the numbers remains, safeguarding the connection to all their customers.

Marketing experts routinely advise small and mid-size companies, and upstart businesses, to place a 1-800 number in all ads, on all business cards and stationary, and on packaging. It’s a no-brainer.

Toll Free Numbers Enhance Your Credibility

Consumer fears linked with Internet scams can paralyze legitimate small business sales. How does the legit businessman eliminate customer concerns that the “business” they called isn’t actually some guy on a throw-away cell phone who jots down the customer’s credit card number and then is never heard from again?

Millions of business owners have found the solution. They are using toll free numbers, offered by Tollfreenumber.ORG to lend credibility to their company.

Toll free phone numbers provide a sense of security for customers wary of scam businesses. By offering this service, bona fide business owners can distinguish themselves from the fraudulent ones. Most customers equate a toll free number with an established business and they will consider the company safe to deal with. A business that puts the effort into providing a convenient toll free number for its clients and customers will differentiate itself from deceptive companies.

Complaints against scam businesses, especially online services, increase every year. The authentic businesses must fight the negative impact of these scammers. Toll free phone service is a vital marketing tool that addresses this problem.

It’s really a very simple business marketing strategy--customers want to know that a business is established and legitimate and if a company offers them a free service, they will be more likely to contact that business.

The FCC and Toll Free Phone Numbers

There are a lot of questions floating around these days about the role of the Federal Communications Commission in the toll free phone service industry. The FCC’s responsibilities are really pretty basic. Here is the lowdown:

Aside from regulating the use of toll free numbers and establishing rules on how they can be obtained and used, the FCC is the entity that reserves and launches new pre-fixes to beef up the supply of available toll free numbers. The amount of toll free numbers has been shrinking in recent years and all industry insiders are eagerly awaiting the release of the reserved 855 numbers. However, this may not happen for several years.

Started in 1967 by AT&T, 800 numbers came under the oversight of the FCC in the mid-1980s after the phone service monopoly disintegrated. When the popular 800 numbers became scarce, the FCC introduced the 888 and 877 numbers in the mid-1990s and the 866 pre-fix in 2000.

To make sure everyone has an equal shot at obtaining a 1-800 number, the FCC’s rules prohibit “warehousing” and “hoarding” of toll-free numbers. The Commission can impose hefty fines and can intervene if they find a number is being used in a manner contrary to the established regulations.

However, the FCC does not oversee the assignment of toll free numbers and does not have direct access to the toll free number database maintained by the 800 Services Management System (SMS/800). Numbers are assigned through service providers such as AT&T or Tollfreenumber.ORG.

Also, the FCC cannot make a request for a toll-free number on behalf of a customer. The FCC cannot reserve or hold numbers for a customer but they can mediate conflicts that arise over rights of ownership of specific numbers.

Toll Free Numbers Help Recent Victims of Natural Disasters

In late June, approximately 70 Indiana attorneys joined forces and volunteered to provide free legal advice over the phone to victims of floods in the Midwest. To coordinate this massive altruistic undertaking, the group set up a convenient 1-800 hotline.

Within days, a division of the Wisconsin Bar Association followed suit, quickly setting up a 1-800 number for flood and tornado victims in 29 counties.

Toll free services like these are critical for victims of natural disasters. When floods, tornadoes, or hurricanes wipe out whole communities, victims need easy access to a variety of services. In the above-mentioned situations, homeless Mid-west residents were able to call for legal counsel at no charge. Many had lost their homes and their businesses.

Making a costly, lengthy phone call for assistance on complicated legal matters could be difficult to manage and perhaps even too expensive to consider. But through the convenient hotline set up by the volunteers, these victims were offered free of charge calls, no matter how many times they contacted the volunteer lawyers and no matter how long the conversations lasted.

In time-sensitive situations like these, toll free phone service is a good option for many reasons. It can be obtained quickly and efficiently through established providers (Tollfreenumber.ORG. for example). A toll free number connects to any designated cell phone or other phone line. It does not require a special set-up or installation of any kind. There are four toll free pre-fixes, 800, 888, 877, and 866, and they all work the same way. Calls to these numbers are charged to the subscriber, not to the caller.

In times of crisis, toll free service is key to getting people the information and resources they need.

Fortune 500 Companies and 1-800 Numbers

Have you ever noticed that the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies have a toll free number? Nearly all of them use this tried and true marketing tool. And over the past decade, millions of small and mid-size companies have started doing the same.

Once cost prohibitive for most businesses, toll free numbers are now very affordable—in many cases even cheaper than standard phone service—and are easy to obtain and reliable. Getting an easy-to-remember 1-800 number can instantly boost business for any company.

Vanity numbers provide a word or phrase in place of a string of random digits. These catchy phrases help customers remember the phone number and also act as an advertisement for the company. For example, customers will easily remember 1-800-23Kodak without having to look up, or memorize, a numerical sequence.

Many Fortune 500 Companies use vanity numbers because they are a proven way to establish public recognition of a brand image and can dramatically increase word of mouth referrals. Numbers can be assigned permanently, offering consistency even if a business expands or changes locations.

A toll free number obtained through a reliable service provider like Tollfreenumber.ORG lends credibility to any business, enhances customer service, and increases customer confidence. By combining a toll free call with a catchy vanity number, businesses have an effective marketing tool that attracts new customers and retains repeat business.

When subscribing for a 1-800 number, make sure to sign on with a service provider that offers a variety of options to suit your individual needs and one that uses fiber optic technology, which is proving to be more reliable than broadband service.

1-800 Numbers For Elected Officials? A Necessity.

In a recent letter to the editor printed in a major Mid-Western newspaper, a reader proposed that the city government install a toll free number for complaints about potholes and other highway and traffic problems. It’s a good suggestion.

All municipalities, regardless of size, should obtain a toll free number. Taxpayers should not have to pay to reach out to their elected officials with a complaint or suggestion, especially in smaller communities where residents rely on their officials to deal with everyday concerns and quality of life issues.

Plenty of federal government agencies have toll free numbers—the social security administration and FEMA for example. But it’s not as common to see this option offered by small town governments and city officials. Resident input is essential to improving services. Municipalities with a 1-800 number are bound to benefit from this vital link to the community.

Another letter recently appeared in a community newspaper at a popular resort town in the Carolinas. A woman on vacation noticed that the public restroom facilities were filthy. She lived 1,000 miles away and had no idea who to complain to. When she returned home, she researched online and found the name of the Park Commissioner. However, she decided against making the pricey long distance call. Instead, she wrote to the editor of the community’s newspaper. By the time the complaint appeared in print, weeks had passed by.

If officials in that popular Carolina beach town had a 1-800 number advertised at their parks and beaches, they could have been informed of the problem, and then resolved it immediately.

Taxpayers deserve an easy, reliable connection to their elected hometown representatives. Every city and county government should contact a toll free service provider like Tollfreenumber.ORG and set up a 1-800 number for their constituents.

Always On The Move? A Toll Free Number Goes With You.

If you are always on the move, hardly ever seated at a desk waiting for the phone to ring, then toll free phone service is a necessity. Real estate agents, salespeople, attorneys, contractors checking out job sites are just some of the professionals who need access to their clients 24/7.

What if you have an appointment or have to pick the kids up from school at the same time you are expecting a call? The customer doesn’t have your personal cell number. You might be stuck with two options: stay at the office staring at the phone, willing it to ring. Or leave, and miss the important call. But with toll free service, you don’t have to make that choice. You won’t miss that call because it will be immediately routed to your cell phone.

In increasingly competitive business markets that run round the clock, seven days per week, the level of customer service can make or break a company. Customers and clients gain confidence if they are able to immediately reach a business owner, or a representative of the company, with a question or concern.

When subscribers sign on for toll free phone service through established providers (Tollfreenumber.ORG is a good option) customer inquiries can be routed to their cell phones or landlines. This keeps the business owner in constant contact with existing and potential customers 24 hours a day.

Once too costly for small companies, this trusted marketing method is now available for any business because of its low cost, reliability, and easy access. It is simple to set up and you can choose the plan that best suits your needs.
Business owners on the move need a 1-800 number to stay connected.

Lawyers Use 1-800 Numbers To Connect With Clients

If you tune into the Today show on NBC, you are bound to notice a banner for 1-800-Lawyers during segments aired outdoors on the pedestrian plaza near the NBC studio. The ad is typically held by an audience member in the front row or strategically draped over the security rail that keeps onlookers to the side.

A company representative who didn’t want to be named said 1-800-Lawyers makes sure that the banner is front and center, just behind Matt Lauer, as often as possible. Why? The free ad, seen by millions of viewers every day, is a priceless marketing tool for the thousands of attorneys connected to the toll-free number referral service.

In years past, lawyers hung a sign outside their home or office and clients found them. But times have changed. Lawyers nationwide are obtaining 1-800 numbers for their individual firms and are joining forces with groups of attorneys by collectively signing on for toll free referral numbers.

A 2008 Time magazine report on the glut of lawyers states that there is one lawyer for every 300 Americans, and that law school admissions continue to rise. Attorneys are scrambling to get clients: competition is fierce and they must advertise their firms rather than rely on word of mouth.

Subscribing for toll free service through a provider like Tollfreenumber.ORG is ideal for attorneys and indeed for any business owner. Clients and customers can reach them anywhere, at any time. After-hour calls can be routed to cell phones or landlines. It’s a perfect match.

Professionals need to draw customers the same way that any retail business does. Pairing legal services with toll-free phone service is a productive combination for attorneys and clients.

1-800 Numbers Are An Asset For Online Businesses

Website sales are convenient for both businesses and consumers. But the lack of a personal connection between the company and the customer can be a huge drawback. Online business owners are quickly discovering that listing a toll free number on their website eliminates this problem.

The plummeting economy, coupled with skyrocketing gas prices, has created a surge in e-commerce businesses. Services and retail options of every type can be found on the Internet. Shoppers save time and gasoline by buying products and services online. The trend has created intense competition in online sales, making it necessary for web businesses to offer their customers options for cost-free and convenient personal service.

Although it is virtually impossible to get a definitive statistic, the Department of Commerce estimates there are about 10 million online businesses in the U.S. And Forbes magazine recently predicted that those numbers could increase substantially each year over the next decade. With that type of growth, and that level of competition, online companies need to use every marketing tool available.

1-800 numbers give online companies an edge over the competition by allowing customers to call a free number for information on the product. This type of personal service is key to a successful web business.

Email exchanges take time and are often inconvenient in a business situation. Customers may have a variety of questions and wish to hear all about the options available. Speaking directly to a company representative about the product, shipping options, and availability of the item provides a sense of security in the product and lends legitimacy to the business.

Business owners or company representatives who are away from their office will never have to worry about missing a call. With a 1-800 number secured by a reputable and comprehensive service provider such as Tollfreenumber.ORG, calls can be routed to any phone. A salesperson on the road will pick up the call as easily as if he is sitting in his office.

College Students Stay Connected to Mom and Dad

This time of year, millions of recent high school graduates are getting ready for their first semester of college, their first venture away from mom and dad. And to prepare, not only are their parents buying clothes, books, and bedding for dorm rooms--they are getting 1-800 numbers.

With their precious teens about to fly from the nest for the first time, parents want the security of knowing that their college-aged children can contact them for free, anytime of day. Every summer, more and more parents secure toll free numbers as their teens leave for college.

In addition to giving parents peace of mind, it is also an option that saves money. Signing on for toll free service eliminates costly long distance plans and if obtained through affordable providers like Tollfreenumber.ORG, 1-800 numbers can be far cheaper than paying for collect calls. Toll free calls can be routed to land lines and cell phones so parents will never miss a call.

No special set-ups or equipment are needed for toll free service. In fact, the process of obtaining an 800, 888, 877, or 866 number for personal use is very simple. Parents can contact a provider like Tollfreenumber.ORG by phone or on the web and then choose a toll free number, either in a numerical sequence or a vanity number—which spells out a word, phrase, or name. (Vanity numbers are a good option for teens who will easily recall the number.) There are plans available to suit every budget, with low per-minute fees and no monthly service charges.

The amount of toll free numbers obtained for personal use in the U.S. has skyrocketed in recent years. The FCC reports that this is a growing trend. Personal toll free service is also popular with parents of younger children and for keeping in touch with elderly parents.

Don't Wait. Invest in Toll Free Service Now.

Did you know that more than two-thirds of the available supply of 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers are already taken?

Meanwhile, millions of new subscribers are registering every year, scooping up the remaining available numbers. Business owners who wait for the “perfect” time or the “perfect” number may regret it. The time to invest in a 1-800 number is now.

In a competitive business market, especially in this weak economy, a toll free number is a valuable commodity. But the supply of remaining available toll free numbers is limited. And there are no immediate plans to introduce another toll free pre-fix. (The Federal Communications Commission is holding the 855 numbers for an eventual release however this could take years.) Anyone who is considering getting toll free service should act quickly and contact a reliable established toll free service provider (Tollfreenumber.ORG or Qwest for example) to register for a 1-800 number.

Toll free service has become a staple for businesses, organizations, and not-for-profits. According to reports, 98% of Americans use toll free numbers regularly. Responses to ads can increases as much as 600 percent if the advertisement includes a 1-800 number.

Toll free numbers are economical, convenient, and very effective. And the time to get one is now. A nationwide demand for toll free service has caused supplies of the limited available phone numbers to plummet. Catch this gravy train before it takes off. Don’t wait.

Why The Hospitality Business Relies on 1-800 Numbers

Last month, Banyan Tree Hotel Resorts announced that beginning August 1, they would launch 18 new toll free phone numbers in 17 countries. Banyan Tree wants callers to be able to reach hotel reservationists at anytime, in their own time zone, at no cost.

This is a truly a brilliant marketing strategy--one that will likely be copied by hotels worldwide that don’t already have a 1-800 number. For U.S. companies in the hospitality business, this type of solid marketing is especially important now, when the falling dollar has made American vacations a real bargain for foreign tourists.

With the dollar dropping faster than ever before, European and Asian travelers are flocking to the U.S for cheap vacations and shopping. Many large hotel chains already have 1-800 numbers but more and more owners of small hotels, inns, and bed-and-breakfasts are capitalizing on the surge in international travel by securing toll free numbers through providers such as Tollfreenumber.ORG.

While some luxury hotels have veered away from providing toll free service in the past, this scenario is changing. International travelers able to afford more expensive accommodations in high-end hotels are creating intense competition in this market. Even luxury hotels want to make reservations and inquiries for their customers simple and cost-free.

Hotels offering toll-free numbers see a boost in domestic business too. In this economy, all vacationers are cutting back, pinching pennies. If they see a hotel with a toll free number, they will be more likely to call that hotel or restaurant for information instead of paying for a pricey long distance call.

And USA today reports that foreign visitors are not just hitting well-known tourist spots and big cities. Vacations in small towns are all the rage. According to reports, European travel to Alaska in the first half of 2008 is up 30 percent over last year. Ohio? Up 20 percent. Yes, Ohio.

These days, any hotel without a toll free number is at a huge disadvantage. In this economy, every marketing tool available is necessary to boost company recognition and customer outreach. Banyan Tree has the right idea.

Don't Lose Customers Over Long Distance Charges

Long distance phone packages can be complicated and expensive. What time of day do my rates go up? What regions of the country can I call without incurring hefty out-of-area charges? Small businesses relying on long distance phone service risk losing valuable customers.

Consider this scenario: a customer or client is given the choice of contacting two small businesses offering similar services or products. The customer has numerous questions about the services, costs, company history, and shipping options. The conversation could be lengthy. One company has a standard phone number, which means a long distance call for this customer. The second company has a toll free number that will cost the customer nothing, no matter how long the call lasts. We can safely assume the customer will decide to reach out first to the business with the 1-800 number.

By offering a toll free number, small and mid-size business owners can connect to customers nationwide. The use of a toll free phone number extends market reach and increases the amount of potential clients who are lured by the benefit of a free call. The opportunity to attract new customers is limitless because the 800, 888, 877, and 866 numbers are not connected to a specific location.

With a 1-800 number obtained through a provider such as Tollfreenumber.ORG, a business in San Francisco can attract customers in Florida, Texas, or anywhere else. In addition, a toll free phone number provides the business with a sense of legitimacy and credibility. This is a tried-and-true marketing tool that will draw new customers and expand any business.

Toll free numbers are portable. This means if a business moves to a new location, the contact number for customers remains the same. No business owner should risk losing existing customers because they move to a new locale. Toll free service bridges any geographical gap between the company and all its customers.

So, if you want to attract customers nationwide, a toll free phone number is your best bet. Don’t lose customers over long distance charges.

Choosing The Right Toll Free Service Provider

We all know it’s a commonly held business credo that every company looking to draw a large customer base must have a toll free number. They teach this in Business 101 classes in college, nearly every Fortune 500 Company has a 1-800 number, and business-marketing experts consistently praise the many advantages of toll free numbers.

But choosing the right service provider is essential. An inferior toll free provider can do more harm than good.

Anyone looking for a 1-800 number should research service providers and sign on with a reputable company like Tollfreenumber.ORG, which offers state-of-the-art technology and a variety of service plans.

Before registering for a 1-800 number, make sure the service provider offers all three of the following options:

1.) Fiber Optics. A business won’t benefit if a customer suffers through a bad connection or gaps in phone service. So, how can this be avoided? By securing toll free numbers through service providers that use fiber optic technology. With fiber optics connections, callers don’t have to worry about interruptions in service associated with the less reliable broadband service.

2.) Ownership of Numbers. Deal with a provider that offers the option of complete ownership of the number. A permanently assigned number goes with the owner during any change of location or company expansion. Once a number is assigned, the owner holds onto it for as long as they want.

3.) Variety of Options. Make sure to deal with a company that offers at least two service plans. Whether for business or personal use, the plan should fit the individual needs of the entity signing on for service. For example, small businesses may want to sign on for a plan with a low per-minute rate and no monthly fees. A larger company may choose auto attendants or mailbox options.

Be choosy when getting a 1-800 number. Tollfreeenumber.ORG is a dependable service provider that offers all the above-mentioned options. Get the most from your 1-800 number.

Welcome 1st Post

Welcome to the Phone Bill Help Blog, by Tollfreenumber.ORG.

We plan to update this blog everyday with information and insights on the telecommunications industry, specifically, toll free numbers. Our forte is toll free phone numbers, hence our company name Tollfreenumber.ORG.

This blog is meant to give a more personal outlook on 'toll free numbers' that no one else can give. No other company updates their blog everyday like we plan to do.

Feel free to comment on any post. We will read all comments.

Enjoy.

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