Today I decided to learn a little about something that I have no experience with at all, the toll free phone number. I only use the telephone for one of my businesses, and I only have one phone – my cell phone. That is all I need right now, because I communicate with my writing clients through email and my law office has such a small client load that I have not found myself going over my allotted minutes. Some home-based businesses do benefit form having a toll free phone number. Could yours be one of them?
Customers love toll free numbers because they do not have to pay for the call. They know that it will not cost them anything to call and inquire about your services, to make an appointment or a purchase, or to call with a customer service issue. The fact that the phone call is free will increase the interest of potential customers in your product or service because there is no risk associated with picking up the phone to find out more about it.
Toll free numbers are convenient for home-based professionals too. You do not have to give out your home phone number or your cell, yet you can usually have the calls routed to ring to your home office, cell phone, or voice mail depending on where you are at what time of day. Also, the voice mail feature means that clients can call at a time that is convenient to them without being concerned that they are disturbing someone at home. A toll free number with voice mail provides 24 hour “availability” without you being subject to calls at any time of day or night.
While all of that sounds great, you will want to do your research and see what is out there as far as pricing and features for toll free numbers before you decide whether it is something that you want to do for your business. There are many different providers, and each offers a slightly different product. You may find something that meets your needs exactly or you may, after looking at what is out there for options, decide that your current telephone situation suits you just fine.
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