If you own a business, you know how important communication is to your company. Not just communication within the company, but with investors, lenders, and of course, customers. Once your company starts to expand to more than one state, your need for quality communication increases. You will not be able to rely on several local telephone numbers anymore. You must give your customers the easiest way to get in touch with your company at the lowest cost to them. Nowadays, the best solution is to invest in a toll-free number. As more and more companies include toll-free numbers, the popular “800” numbers have been used up. So do not be surprised if you end up with an 866 number instead. They are the new popular toll-free number exchange.
Using an 866 number can open many opportunities up for your customers and your company. For your customers, you can provide a way to contact your company when they have questions or problems. Depending on your customers’ needs, you may want to invest in call centers that can receive calls during business hours. This will help to relieve your employees of their customer service type calls and free up their time for other important duties. You may even choose to provide help 24/7, 365 days a year. Your 866 number could even be connected to an automated service so that customers can access their accounts, bills, and other account-related activities that will not require the help of a customer service representative.
Your 866 number will also help to make your company become more recognizable. The toll-free number can be random or specific. Creating a customized 866 number can act as an advertising tool for your company. Known as a vanity number, your choice should reflect an important element of your company. This may include part of the company name, a company nickname, one of the company’s services, or a catchphrase. If you do decide on a vanity 866 number, remember that you will be limited by the number itself. Other than the first four numbers, “1-866,” you will have seven more digits to customize. Be sure to pick something that will be effective and recognized that can be seven letters or less.
Another great feature of an 866 toll-free number is the cost. First of all, there is no cost for your customers to use the number. Your cost to have an 866 number is relatively low. The monthly fees are usually reasonable. Each call can cost just pennies per minute. The overall costs of your 866 number will be well worth it. Along with low costs, you will get the ability to take your number with you. Unlike a traditional local number, an 866 toll-free number can move with you. All you have to do is get a new local number and the toll-free number will be rerouted to that number. Not only do you get a great number for your customers but you can expand your business and keep that unique number as well.
By Tamara C. Jude