1 800 Toll Free Numbers Make Businesses Look More Professional

While much of the professionalism associated with a business comes from overall appearances and fantastic customer service, 1800 toll free numbers can certainly provide a boost. Whether a business consists of a dozen employees or is a one-man show being operated from a basement, consumers will always have a professional image in their minds. Statistical Evidence The first thing that must be considered when it comes to the comparison between standard local numbers and 1800 toll free numbers is the likelihood that a consumer will choose one over the other. In one study, it was found that consumers who searched the Yellow Pages either in print or online were more likely to dial a toll free number more than 70% of the time, whether or not dialing the local number would cause them to incur charges. This is thought to occur because consumers naturally associate toll free numbers with established and professional places of business whereas local numbers signify smaller mom-and-pop operations. Image Boost Small business owners who have anywhere from one to several employees will often competed with large corporations and more established companies in order to generate a customer base. While this can certainly pose a problem, using 1 800 toll free numbers may help to generate more call volume simply because it boosts the business image. Consumers who dial these toll free numbers often have a mental image that consists of a larger, more established business, regardless of the size of the actual company. This improves the overall business image and helps even the smallest business owners generate a customer base and stay competitive within their industries. Vanity Numbers For an even larger boost to their overall business images, business owners can invest in vanity numbers. Instead of traditional toll free numbers, these vanity numbers alphanumeric words and phrases that callers can spell out on their telephone keypads. While they may provide an additional boost to professionalism, the primary goal is to improve memorability and increase the likelihood that consumers will dial the number if they are in need of products and services. When these numbers are used in conjunction with strong marketing campaigns, professionalism goes through the roof. National Outreach Finally, 1 800 numbers allow businesses to reach out beyond their local calling areas to consumers in other locations across the country—and sometimes even across international borders. When consumers see a toll free number, they assume that a business has a national presence and that it is available to them regardless of where they live. This is a great way to set a business of any size up for later expansion, particularly if the business is able to ship goods cross-country or provide services regardless of where their clients live. This is especially useful if a business offers a website that can be accessed either nationally or internationally. Businesses who want to enjoy a larger customer base know that they need to improve their professional image in a number of ways. 1 800 toll free numbers are a great way to portray establishment and professionalism to consumers across the country.