Thinking of getting a toll free number for my SEO link building website. Considering providers like freedom voice, phone.com and iplum. What are your thoughts on having a toll free # as opposed to regular phone #? Was thinking it would make site look even more reputable and could possibly increase conversions. Thanks.
Unless one has a well established toll free number, I fail to see any benefits today in having one for most businesses. HOWEVER, if you need to collect the calling numbers for whatever reason, toll free numbers are the only way to go since callers CANNOT block their number when calling a toll free number.
It's more important for presence and credibility... What type of national REAL business would not have a toll free number to offer customers who MAY incur charges by calling out of region????? You need a toll free number if your business scales beyond a local region.
I think that the value of a toll-free number has dropped dramatically since most people now have unlimited calling minutes in their phone plans. Used to be a real issue for certain customers. Now, however, I think that there is only the slight credibility that comes from having an 800-number and particularly if it is an actual 800 number (and not 877 or 866 or whatever) there is some value in having it. How much value depends on many things, including target market(s), product/service, your company positioning, etc.
Believe it or not there are still tens of millions of seniors around the globe that still do not own a cellphone. These are the "I've lived this long without one, what do I need one for?" generation. At the very least government agencies should still be utilizing 800 numbers for seniors. Businesses ought to keep in mind that many seniors have money and are an important part of their target market. An 800 number can only help with this.
And then there is my wife who has a mobile phone but never seems to remember where it is or even to take it with her when she leaves the house...of course, a business having an 800-number will not help her. Maybe carrier pigeon service...