Shopping for a 1800 number

Shopping for anything these days can be overwhelming, confusing and irritating. Searching for a 1800 number for your business is no different. But getting a 1800 number doesn’t have to be a pain in the neck. Just keep the following in mind when you begin your search.

Shopping for anything these days can be overwhelming, confusing and irritating. Searching for a 1800 number for your business is no different. From phoneword companies to large and small telcos, there are countless sources of information, many of which say different things. So how do you make sense of all the information and compare 1800 number plans? Getting a 1800 number doesn’t have to be a pain in the neck. Just keep the following in mind when you begin your search.

Which 1800 number is right for you?

First, decide what kind of 1800 number is right for you. Is your company a small company doing business in a niche market? Then a standard issue 1800 number may be all you need. Like mobile phone numbers, these are randomly assigned, inexpensive and simple to obtain. However, they are obviously not going to be the most memorable numbers.

What is a 1800 Smartnumber?

If you want a 1800 number that your customers will be able to dial off the top of their heads, you might want to think about obtaining a smartnumber or 1800 phoneword. This can be a number with an easy-to-remember pattern, like 1800 332211 for example.

Alternatively, you can go the extra step and find a phoneword. 1800 phone words are numbers that, when you enter them on the dial pad, actually spell out a word. An example would be something like 1800 SAVINGS. The advantage is obvious: customers see or hear the number and remember it, forever associating it with your business. This will almost certainly translate to more business. But there are a couple of drawbacks: (1) most popular phonewords are already in use and (2) they can be more expensive as there’s an upfront purchase price.

It’s up to you to weigh up the pros and cons of each 1800 number option and decide what is best for you and your business.

Configuring a 1800 number call forwarding

Once you have your 1800 number, the next step is deciding how to set it up. The greatest advantage of having a 1800 number is that they can easily be routed to the most convenient destination, or destinations. For example, you can configure your 1800 number routing so that calls are automatically routed to whoever happens to be available at a given time. If you’re eating lunch every day from 11 to noon, you’re probably not going to want to have to answer calls during that hour. In which case you can arrange for those calls to be routed to another line manned by an available staff.

You can also route calls to a single phone line, or, if you’re doing business in several locations around the region or country, a number of different lines. In this case, the destination will depend on where the customer is calling from.

Another thing to consider is adding an automated greeting message that not only introduces your company to callers, but also gives them the option to punch in a party’s extension or choose between various departments. This, of course, has been standard practice in the business world for many years and is included in most 1800 number systems.

Buy a 1800 number today and take advantage of all the great business benefits.