Toll Free Number for Business

Why a Toll Free Number

Small business are continually trying to figure out how to get a toll free number without having to spend absorbent fees and jump through too many hoops.

This is because big phone companies traditionally place all kinds of restrictions and complicated charges in the paths of these small businesses.

However, obtaining a toll free number doesn't have to be a nightmare. In fact, finding a toll free number while keeping things simple can save businesses big money.

RingCentral is one company that helps simplify the entire process through comprehensive plans, with many sophisticated features that are already installed.

RingCentral's toll free number works as a virtual PBX system, so users can choose from an 800, 888, 877, 866, or vanity number so that it's easy to remember. Users can also set up answering rules, customize hold messages, and more, according to the company.

The professional feel you get from a toll free number can also help build on the image of your brand, while the other features of a virtual PBX system will help to streamline your company's communication.

A toll free number from RingCentral also takes the cost and hassle out of communications, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on growing their business.

Tim Gray is a Web Editor for TMCnet, covering news in the IP communications, call center and customer relationship management industries. To see more of his articles, please visit Tim Gray's columnist page.

Small Businesses Need a Toll Free Number

A toll free number offers a valuable solution for small businesses in today's increasingly competitive business space.

A toll free number is also the ultimate choice as the need for communications that are consistent and professional, become a must.

For small businesses looking for a competitive advantage, without of the costs associated with an expensive PBX, choosing a toll free number makes it possible to strengthen loyalty and gain more business.

By having a single, toll free number for clients, customers and other important contacts to reach your business, for free, and regardless of the reason why they're calling, businesses are also increasing the likelihood that they will get more calls.

For smaller businesses, a toll free number allows them to not only be more accessible, but also more professional and appear much larger. This nationwide image can help to further boost their image, and guarantee more future business.

Also, by adding a toll free number, businesses are empowered with a number of options including the ability to direct calls to a single telephone, or businesses can choose the toll free number they want to use, including keeping one they already have.

Getting a toll free number from RingCentral also means businesses can keep track of all their calls on a call log that also offers real-time call management.

Choosing a toll free number along with other features offered by RingCentral's Small Business Communications System, small businesses can grow successfully and with all the right tools they need to support their businesses growth.

Stefania Viscusi is an established writer and avid reader. To see more of her articles, please visit Stefania Viscusi's columnist page.

How RingCentral Works

Despite the Web, Toll Free Numbers Continue to Bring Value

Although the Web has no doubt had its impact on the use of toll free numbers, millions of consumers continue to use them every day to get information and conduct transactions with retailers, banks, insurance companies, telcos and service providers. In fact, it can be argued that the value of offering toll free numbers to consumers has only increased since the advent of e-commerce, not decreased, as companies have come to recognize the value of offering as many different modes for contacting them as possible. In addition, with the rising concerns over identity theft and Web security, there are plenty of consumers out there who would rather dial a retailer's toll free number than type in their credit card number on a company Web site. This fear of ID theft alone is one of the major reasons toll free numbers continue to see heavy use by consumers every day.

Toll free numbers are vital for retail businesses that conduct large numbers of transactions with customers on a daily basis. Not only do toll free numbers spare customers from having to pay for the call, they also facilitate the complex routing schemes necessary to handle high call volume during peak periods -- such as when thousands of customers from all over the country dial a retailer's call center during a short period of time in order to get product information or make purchases. Showing that you're willing to accept the charges for your customers calls says a lot about your business it's reflection of your willingness to keep your customers satisfied.

Thanks to the advent of VoIP, companies can get toll free numbers more quickly and affordably and thus gain a significant economic advantage over competitors still using traditional toll free number services. With VoIP, which is substantially less expensive than traditional telephone service, toll free number services are available at surprisingly low flat rates. Providers such as RingCentral, for example, offer toll free numbers for as low as $9.99 a month.

So don't underestimate the value of toll free numbers. With so many providers of toll free numbers now competing in the marketplace plus the low cost afforded through VoIP getting a toll free number for your business continues to be one of the best moves a business can make.
Another thing to consider when purchasing an 800 number is what the actual number will be. The 800 number (possibly it will start with 888, 877 or 866 depending on availability) may just be a random assignment of digits. Or, the company may choose a 'vanity' 800 number, in which case the digits will 'spell out' certain words when associated with letters on a phone keypad.

Patrick Barnard is Associate Editor for TMCnet and a columnist covering the telecom industry. To see more of his articles, please visit Patrick Barnard's columnist page.