Your business phone number is the first point of contact for your existing as well as probable customers. Quite often, businesses end up using their personal phone number instead of a work phone number. The result? Unwanted calls from other businesses trying to sell their product and a sense of distrust among the customers.  

A business phone number boosts credibility and helps establish a solid local or nationwide presence. It also plays an integral role in building customer trust.  

So, which type of business phone number will best fit your business’s needs, and how to choose the most suitable one for your business? That’s the scope of this blog!  

Local Vs. Toll-Free Vs. Vanity Phone Number 

To help you make a well-informed decision, we have broken down the differences between local, toll-free, and vanity business phone numbers. So, let’s delve deep! 

Local Business Phone Number  

A local phone number for business starts with a three-digit area code representing the specific geography. The area code is followed by the prefix and the number of the business.  

Nowadays, businesses opt for a local phone number even if they are not physically present in that location. The idea is to improve brand visibility among the target customers. If your prospects belong to particular demography, a local phone number can be pivotal in building a sense of trust and empathy.  

Best of all, they can seamlessly communicate with their local phone number and feel that your business is dedicated to catering to their needs. Another great advantage of a local phone number is that the business is charged just for outgoing calls.  

Example of a local business phone number: (205) 203-8294 

The first three digits that is (205) represent the state, the next three, that is (203) represent the area, while the last four, that is (8294) represent the business’s phone number.  

Toll-Free Numbers 

A toll-free number for business begins with a prefix 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833. It allows the callers to make the call without any charges being levied on them.  A business using a toll-free number is billed for both incoming and outgoing calls.  

Toll-free numbers can be instrumental in building a company’s reputation and helping establish a nationwide presence. According to customer research firm Technical Assistance Research, almost 86% of the customers believe that businesses having 800 numbers offer quality products. The same study also revealed that customers are more likely to call an 800-phone number than businesses with local phone numbers, as they feel more confident while making a transaction.  

Example of a toll-free phone number: (877) 915-556 

The first three digits, (877) represent the toll-free code, the next three digits, (915), represent the area code, while (556) is the business’s number line.  

Vanity Phone Number  

A vanity phone number is an alphanumeric combination that’s easy for the callers to retain in their memory. It can be either local or toll-free. According to a study, vanity numbers can increase incoming calls by up to 50% month over month.  

If your business relies heavily on customers reaching out to your team to know about your business through advertisement commercials, a vanity number is what you need to make it easier for them. It establishes a sense of professionalism and sends a clear message that the business is established and trustworthy.  

Example of a vanity phone number: (877) 5-HAMBURGER 

The first three digits (877) represent the toll-free code, the next digit, which is 5, represents the business, while HAMBURGER is the business’s number line.  

What Should You Know for Picking the Best Business Phone Number? 

Now that you know the types of phone numbers you can choose for your business, let’s discuss five things that you must know before you get a business phone number:  

Get a Local Phone Number for Your Small Business  

Local numbers can immensely benefit businesses with a brick-and-mortar store. A local phone number ensures that a business doesn’t look spammy and instills confidence among the customers. The most exciting thing? If your business operates from a small town and you wish to reach more customers, you can easily select a prefix from a nearby, larger city to make it appealing.  

Choose an 800 Number for Nationwide Presence  

Toll-free numbers are the best option for businesses trying to make their presence felt throughout the nation. These numbers usually come with unlimited minutes and don’t levy any charges to the caller.  

As a small business owner, you can drive your revenue growth through a vanity phone number as they are easier to remember and call whenever customers are looking for a similar product(s) or service(s) that you have on offer. That’s not all! Toll-free numbers can be integral in helping your business establish trust among target customers, which is crucial for establishing a nationwide presence.  

Find an Easy-to-Remember Phone Number  

An easy-to-remember phone number significantly increases the brand recall value of the business. No matter the industry you serve or the product(s) or service(s) you offer, your customers will try to reach you for technical assistance or seeking answers to their queries.  

If you want your customers to remember it, you must make it easier for them to remember. The more random your business phone number is, the harder it will be for your customers to remember. But the simpler it is, it’s more likely to remain in their memory.  

Always Pay Attention to Add-On Charges  

VoIP mobile apps allow users to add any number to their accounts. But the providers usually charge an additional fee, which eventually contributes to the overall charges. If you are planning to integrate more than one number, try searching for providers offering multi-number plans and advanced features to ensure you are always getting a vale-for-the-money deal.  

Always Be on the Lookout for Creative Vanity Phone Numbers  

A vanity number makes it seamless for your customers to remember the work phone number. Being an alphanumeric combination and not just numerical digits, they are easy to recall. The key to acquiring a perfect vanity phone number is to narrow down the terms that represent your business and are available for use. You can try using different area codes and a vanity phrase having similarities with your business.  

Conclusion  

Choosing the perfect business phone number can be intimidating. But we have tried to make the process as seamless as possible. These few tips will help you narrow down your options and choose the best one. Your business phone number can be pivotal in ensuring continuous lead generation and expanding your sales and revenue. The tips and tricks discussed above will surely help you choose the most appropriate one for your business’s unique needs.