How many of you have toll free numbers associated with your websites? Do you find that it doesn't bring you any more calls? What's your success? Thanks
Having a phone number is extremely important (for most businesses). And if you want to have a national presence, a toll free number is definitely advantageous. Obviously a lot of this depends on they business type.
I agree with Rob, while it has it's definite advantages and benefits, for many types of online businesses, it wouldn't be necessarily too relevant.
With cell phones and digital phones long distance charges have become almost irrelevant. A toll free number can give your company validation in some consumer's eyes. If your client base is mostly from other businesses you;ll probably want to have a toll free number. If you're working mostly with individuals a local number will work just as well especially if most of your business comes locally.
Some will respond well while others will not. Those who dont like these numbers are people who are looking for a local service which they assume will be cheaper than a 'big' company who they thing will use the other toll free/national numbers.
I think as long as you have good quick email reply/live chat reply then it is not 100% necessary. But it makes you look more professional if nothing else.
I don't think that in most cases it will help your business as it will make you suffer, if you have a number associated to your online business then you better be prepared to hire the staff that you will need to answer the calls as missed calls is one thing that costs most companies there clients. Personally I know that when I call a company wanting to order a service or buy a product I expect to get an answer and if I don't then I just hang up and try a different company.
I use vonage. I get an 800 number for 5 dollars a month. Clients old and new use it daily..... and the folks love it Nigel
i was going to post this same questions. We have been asked many times for a 1-800 line and we are looking into it. I can't find the vonage 5.00 deal....where is it? Do you have the site?
I work for a ISP in New Zealand (So 0800) And i can say most of our customers have an 0800 number that barely gets used. When our clients sign the contract for whatever services. Generally there is a minumum spend on each service. So say 100 dollars for toll calls etc. Well come of our customers have a 10 dollar minumum spend on there toll free number that they dont even reach that. I think its more a gimmimck. That if you want it there is free support. But most will never use it anyway.
yeah that is why we are thinking more along the lines of a cheap answer services over a 1-800 line. anyone know of any?
There are offsite services that will answer your phone number and take a message or call you to try to get you on the phone. It's often pretty obvious to the caller but some of the better ones do a very good job.