Toll free numbers are one of the best telephone system features. These unique kinds of phone numbers have been around since the United Kingdom's General Post Office introduced them in the 1960's, but they have never lost their relevance. Presently, this feature is used worldwide and in different ways.
Government
Just recently, the US government released a toll free phone number citizens could call to find out how their representatives in Congress are "voting on bills and raising campaign money." The new campaign is part of the effort to make sure higher transparency in government. Like a lot of nonprofits, government institutions also subscribe to toll free to provide their public with instant service.
Business
Probably the most obvious use of toll free numbers is in business. Having this type of number is one of the best ways to get customers to connect and engage with businesses. Obviously, they also give a much-needed way for customers to ask for support without being charged long-distance or international fees. Companies have the option of keeping their toll free service within a particular locality or to expand their reach to other regions. If they want their business number to be even more memorable, they could also subscribe to vanity toll free phone numbers.
There was a time when only big enterprises could afford to go toll free, but with the rise of VoIP telephone systems which made calls a lot less expensive, toll free also became affordable to startups and small- and medium-sized businesses. These VoIP phone systems were also boosted with other features such as visual voicemail, Internet fax, and advanced call forwarding. These days, having a toll free business number is a must for any company.
Non-profits
Another obvious use of toll free is for the added services of non-profit organizations. Since these organizations' clients are mostly from the grassroots or don't have adequate means, going toll free is really an useful service. Some nonprofits use these numbers for emergency situations or for the simple purpose of supplying a helpline when the need arises.
Entertainment
Google for "funny toll free" and you will be taken to toll free sites you can call for a quick laugh. However, these prank websites could be quite insulting or boring for many people.
Family
This is perhaps one of the not-so-popular uses of tollfree but one with the most beneficial. Some parents subscribe to tollfree numbers, so they could give their kids free calls to home once they go off to college. By doing this, youngsters can't use excuses like "my cellphone bill is too high," "I ran out of battery," or "I couldn't find a telephone."
If you're thinking of subscribing to toll free numbers, try getting 800, which is the oldest and thus, probably the most memorable. However, you might have a hard time finding one. Another great option will be to use 888. Newer prefixes are 877, 866, and 855.
Learn more on how toll free numbers can enhance your strategies. Aside from the toll-free 800 number we also offer helpful information concerning business phone systems along with VoIP service providers which will assist your company with its communication needs.