It’s essential that your customers can get in touch with you any time they really want, and in the cheapest way possible. That’s why some business, big or small, opted to have a toll free number so that instead of their customers paying for the phone call, you take the charges. It’s really easy to set one up. In a week or two, you will have your toll free number and people can easily call in right then and there.
The phone company will just redirect phone calls to your preferred phone. Most of the time, you’ll be answering your toll free number from a predetermined landline. It may even cost you more if you redirect it to your cell phone but you can do that.
But is it really for you? We’ll take a look at why or why not you should consider getting a toll free number.
The first thing that you should consider is the geographical location or scope of your business. Before you get a toll free number, take a look at your frequent customers. If your customers are all from the area within your proximity, you should think twice about doing that. Your customers wouldn’t even be charged a cent if they are just living a mile or two from your business location. On the other hand, if you’re taking your business online, you should definitely get a number. You’re going to have customers from all over the country and people want to call you and ask questions. As a good customer service guy serving country wide, you should consider getting a toll free number fast.
The next thing you should consider is the cost of operation. Remember that you’re running a business and you don’t just go ahead and get the things that would seem great for your business. First of all, there are set-up fees that you should pay. Phone companies will charge you an upfront fee that will cost you from $40.00 or to $200.00. That’s just the first thing that you think about. Then you’ll be paying for each minute of your conversation with your customer. If each of your sale is not that big, for example, only earning yourself a dollar or two, better forget about the toll free number. Even though the toll free number could only cost you a cent a minute, the monthly fee that you’ll be paying will not covered by your earnings, especially when people want to order through the phone. It’s even worst if you use the toll free number and people can keep on calling you just to ask if you have this or if you have that.
These are the things that you should consider before getting a toll free number. Remember that it’s not that essential and if you have a business that’s already known for years, people will not really care or ask why you don’t have one. It’s an additional perk that you can add for customers if you want to reach out to more customers around the country.
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Assuredly, it does not make fiscal sense to include an 800 number to your business, merely for the purpose of having one. An additional thought may be that with the use of “cellular phones” a LD call, is really symantics. Also, for the small business owner, there are plenty of ‘lock box’ voice mail systems, that are simple to navigate, include a call forward and are very little per month. Final thought - for me personally, 800 generally equates to: automated system - we prefer to do business the old fashioned way. Just a thought.
Comment by Audi — January 25, 2008 @ 11:31 pm