Practically all businesses that operate outside of their local calling area have toll free numbers. High startup costs of installing a toll free line used to limit this option only to large companies; today, toll free, or "inbound," services are available to businesses of all sizes. New toll free service programs have low monthly fees, making service cost effective for even the smallest businesses.
Toll free numbers have many uses for many different types of companies. Although it is a good tool for marketing firms and customer service lines, toll free numbers can be used by any company who has customers, clients and/or business partners in different parts of the country. On the other hand, customers always appreciate being able to call a company through a toll free number as opposed to worrying about paying for the call.
Toll free numbers can be obtained either by a long distance company or your local phone company. There is usually no equipment needed to install a toll free service, since it simply utilizes your existing phone lines. The toll free call will ring into the office phone system like any normal call. Companies with higher volume sometimes purchase a separate line that carries inbound calls exclusively. These dedicated lines require paying for installation; however, these charges are usually made up for by lower per-minute rates.
When you choose a toll free calling program, you must consider the rates and features each offers. You certainly want to pay the lowest rate possible, and you want to get the most for your money. Some programs include basic toll free features. Some other features to look for are call blocking (to prevent paying for calls from areas you do not serve) and account codes, which restrict toll free service access. Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) is another feature that identifies the toll free numbers that are dialed. Larger businesses usually opt for this feature if it has more than one toll free number. ANI is the same as caller ID, as it allows a business to see the caller's number as the call is received. This information can be used by companies to bring up customer information on a computer as the call comes through, making for more effective customer service.
So what’s the difference from 800, 877 and 888 numbers when it comes to toll free service? As far as 888 numbers go, in March 1996 the FCC released this area code to as an add-on to the decreasing supply of 800 numbers. 888 numbers are the exact same as 800 numbers, in that it bills the recipient rather than the caller. Over the years, 888 numbers have and are becoming even more commonplace and better understood among the public.
When you and your company decide to look into purchasing a toll free plan, keep in mind that well-known providers may not always be the best choice. These are often more expensive than smaller national and regional companies. Some providers may ask you to agree to a monthly minimum volume requirement. This can be dangerous, as your company can be charged if call volumes drop below this minimum.
Also try to avoid long term agreements that lock you into a fixed rate for several years. Shorter billing increments can save you a lot of money. For example, companies that bill by 1 second rounding can save you 10%-20% more than those using full-minute call rounding.
By Kelley Caner