| There are several types of businesses on | | | | a feel for who you are, and in the |
| the market... from the traditional brick | | | | process, develop a sense of security and |
| and mortar, to the dot coms. But does | | | | trust in both you and your business. |
| your business really need a toll free | | | | Do you have a business that requires |
| number? That depends on a number of | | | | more contact with your clients? Say to |
| factors, such as: | | | | customize a product or service, based on |
| | | | your client's needs? Speaking to that |
| - Do you only market your business to | | | | client one-on-one leaves little room for |
| local customers, clients, or businesses? | | | | mistakes and misinterpretations. |
| - Is most of your business done on an | | | | Do you have a business where you are |
| international scale versus a national | | | | constantly away from the desk? Having a |
| scale? | | | | cell phone is a great idea to stay in |
| - Do you have an online business that | | | | touch with your clients, but what if |
| leaves little room for personal contact? | | | | most of your clients are out of state? |
| - Are your products special orders, in | | | | Having a forwardable toll free number |
| which others have to give specific | | | | directed to your cell phone means that |
| instructions? | | | | you never lose another business call. |
| - Do you have a business, where you are | | | | If you have employees, such as |
| constantly on the go and away from the | | | | salespeople, do they call you collect or |
| office? | | | | use a calling card? What happens when |
| - Do you have employees that do a lot of | | | | those calling cards run out or they |
| traveling and call you collect or using | | | | don't have any change? They have to |
| a calling card? | | | | check in by calling collect, don't they? |
| To answer these questions, let's take | | | | Over time, having a toll free number can |
| them one by one. If you only market your | | | | save your company big bucks. |
| business locally, and you do not have | | | | If you decide that a toll free number is |
| any intentions of marketing it | | | | best for your business, there are |
| nationally or internationally, you do | | | | several options you can choose: |
| not need a toll free number. | | | | Order a T-1 line from your local phone |
| If your business is mostly done via | | | | company -- you have to have a |
| international avenues, you may want to | | | | traditional brick and mortar business |
| think twice about the cost involved in | | | | for this and it can be very costly. |
| having a toll free number. For instance, | | | | Order a "Stand Alone" Toll Free Number |
| if you are based within the US, and the | | | | -- you can use your "fixed" phone line |
| majority of your clientele comes from | | | | and have a toll free number forwarded or |
| overseas, a toll free number can become | | | | redirected to that number. Your clients |
| very costly. However, if you are based | | | | and customers never have to know that |
| with the United States, and you have | | | | you did this. |
| mixed clientele, both internationally | | | | Order a "Forwardable" Toll Free Number |
| and nationally, it may be advantageous | | | | -- you can have your toll free number |
| to get a toll free number. In fact, some | | | | moved as often as you like. Forward it |
| companies have the option of blocking | | | | to your home phone, office phone, cell |
| certain phone numbers and locations from | | | | phone, hotel room, or wherever else you |
| using your toll free number (such as | | | | may be. This is the ultimate option for |
| Kall 8). | | | | home businesses and businesses on the |
| If you have an online business, it's a | | | | go. |
| good idea to get a toll free number. | | | | The most important thing to remember, is |
| Having a toll free number can make or | | | | that every business can use a little |
| break a sale. | | | | help. If you feel that a toll free |
| Often, customers have questions and | | | | number can help your business, order one |
| concerns about ordering your product and | | | | today. |
| service and having a toll free number | | | | Make sure that the toll free number you |
| eases their minds, while making you look | | | | order is one that you like, as you will |
| more professional. | | | | be putting that number on all your |
| Not having a toll free number doesn't | | | | business and promotional materials, as |
| mean that you will lose that sale, as | | | | well as your website. (This really |
| the customer or client can just as | | | | refers to Vanity numbers, like 1800 CALL |
| easily email you. However, human beings | | | | ATT.) |
| are naturally inclined to do business | | | | And finally, make sure that you can |
| with someone they know, versus someone | | | | squeeze that number into your business |
| they don't. Being able to hear your | | | | budget. |
| voice allows potential customers to get | | | | |