1800 numbers and international calls - what's the story?

1800 numbers are great for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You might even say that they are essential. The boost a 1800 number can give your company in terms of expanding clientele and sales revenue is outstanding. They aren’t called “business phone numbers” for nothing.

1800 numbers are great for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You might even say that they are essential. The boost a 1800 number can give your company in terms of expanding clientele and sales revenue is outstanding. They aren’t called “business phone numbers” for nothing: even already-successful companies can see a significant impact after switching to a 1800 number. And for fledgling businesses, a 1800 number is just what the doctor ordered.

The 1800 number advantage

There are several reasons for this business 1800 number advantage. First, it puts your business on the map. It gets you established in the eyes of the public. When you advertise with a 1800 number, people know you “mean business,” so to speak. They know you take your company seriously, and your customers, too. It reflects well on you as an owner. The same cannot necessarily be said for landline and mobile phone numbers, which can make your business appear geographically limited.

This is a key aspect of the 1800 number: it allows your business to cast a wider net. Using one centralised phone number, you can take calls from all over the country—and all for the cost of a local call. As the world becomes more digital and integrated, it is increasingly important that businesses have the ability to reach beyond their immediate locale. A 1800 number is enormously helpful in that regard.

Taking international calls

Which brings us to the question of whether 1800 numbers can be used to conduct business abroad. Can you take international calls with them, and if so, how much does it cost?

The answer to this question varies by country and telco service company. Some telco providers will support international calls to inbound numbers; others will not. Generally, it will be possible from more developed countries with robust telecommunications networks. But the only way to know for sure is to give it a try.

The process is simple enough. To reach a 1800 number in Australia from another country, you will first need to find that country’s exit code or dial-out code. Once you have it, do this:

Exit code + (61) + the inbound 1800 number

Again, this may or may not work. If it doesn’t, contact the relevant telco provider for assistance.

Different business phone number options

If you are trying to establish a footprint for your business overseas, the best thing to do is contact your telco provider and ask them what they recommend for a solution. They might suggest a virtual inbound local number, which is always reachable from other parts of the world. Or you could have different numbers set up for specific countries, though this will cost more to maintain.

Whatever you end up deciding on, keep in mind that a 1800 number is the centrepiece of an efficient, flexible, and reliable inbound call system for your business.