Home » Posts tagged 'toll free numbers' (Page 2)

Tag: toll free numbers

How to Dial a UIFN Number

5th March 2020 How To's, Learn

So, you’ve purchased a universal toll free number (UIFN) and want to learn how to use it. UIFN numbers are a good resource for businesses looking to expand internationally. But before we discuss how to dial a UIFN number, it is important to understand what such numbers are and how they work.

What are Universal Toll Free Numbers?

Universal International Freephone Numbers, or UIFN are similar to international toll free numbers. They make it free for customers to contact your business, with the added benefit of using the same number in multiple countries. Businesses looking to expand their growth to cover more countries across the world will find a need for a UIFN number.

How this works is that the UIFN number is a unique number that can be reached from any country in the world. And so, instead of advertising multiple contact numbers for each country, you can advertise one universal number that is toll free, no matter where callers are calling from.

Countries Where UIFN Numbers are Available

Now, you can also request a UIFN for the 3 or 4 countries you want to connect with. Say, your business is located in the United States but you want to create a communication channel with Australia, Brazil, France, and Germany. You can request a UIFN for these countries and then add new countries — that is, new markets — while keeping the same number.

Only a limited number of countries participate and work with UIFN numbers but more are being added. UIFN numbers are currently available in up to 62 countries spread across the globe. A few of these are:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Guiana
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Guadeloupe
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Martinique
  • Mayotte
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Reunion
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan

UIFN Calling: Regulations

While UIFN numbers seem like the ideal way to connect with customers across the globe, it is important to keep in mind that there are some regulations and restrictions applied. For example, certain origination countries may impose restrictions on calling abilities and the networks your customers can dial from. Additionally, countries have different prefixes that need to be dialed before dialing the 800 number. Some of the regulations regarding purchasing and dialing UIFN numbers include:

1. The UIFN number needs to be registered in at least two countries.
2. These numbers require a one-time set-up fee.
3. The number needs to be activated for inbound calls from at least two country codes within 180 days.
4. A different format is needed to dial UIFN. Customers will have to include a country code or international access code as a prefix at the beginning of the 800 number.

Sign Up For UIFN

How to Dial a UIFN Number?

Now that you have a better understanding of how UIFN numbers work, let’s look at how to dial a UIFN number. UIFN numbers start with “800,” assigned to them by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). With this, customers from anywhere in the world can dial and call a UIFN number without being charged for the call. However, the format varies depending on which country is being called. The format generally is:

International access code (IAC) + 800 + 8-digit UIFN

And so, to successfully dial a UIFN number, customers need to know the appropriate international access code. Then, they can add 800 and dial the rest of your UIFN number. Always confirm with your provider what your customers will need to dial to reach you.

Now you know how to dial a UIFN number. But, as you can see, the process can be slightly complicated. Additionally, when dialing, customers may not recognize this number as a toll free number. They are typically more accustomed to 800 numbers or their national toll free number formats.

Universal Coverage with UIFN Numbers

If you want to expand your business globally and work with customers from different countries, then request a UIFN number.

For more global access with a single toll-free number, you may be interested in our Toll Free FlexDial solution — a popular UIFN alternative. Browse our FlexDial prices or reach out to a team member to learn more.

Morocco, Mauritius, and Lebanon Toll Free Numbers Available from Global Call Forwarding

4th March 2020 Press

The company’s latest release makes it one of the only toll-free service providers with extensive coverage in the Middle East and North Africa.

DELRAY BEACH, FL, March 2020

Global Call Forwarding, the leading provider of international toll-free numbers in the Middle East and North Africa, now offers virtual toll-free numbers for Morocco, Mauritius, and Lebanon.

With this latest expansion, companies can branch out and extend their services to even more countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Global Call Forwarding has already enjoyed a strong presence in the region for many years, offering toll-free numbers for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and most other countries situated there. It now has the most comprehensive toll-free coverage in the region.

Through its international call forwarding service, Global Call Forwarding enables businesses and call centers to connect with their customers and contacts around the world. With this service, companies can set up international toll-free or local call forwarding numbers that can be dialed locally without subjecting callers to high international calling rates. Multinational companies utilizing call forwarding services can easily enter new markets and expand their global customer base.

Businesses can now use local toll-free numbers to establish and grow their presence in Morocco, Mauritius, and Lebanon without incurring the expenses of relocating or setting up physical offices in those countries. Additionally, these numbers are available with many advanced service features such as Outbound Calling, Call Recording, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and more, which assist users in managing their call flow and improving their overall customer experience.

With the latest additions, Global Call Forwarding is well-positioned to provide greater extensive toll-free coverage worldwide. Their latest expansion enables companies to open new channels of communication and improve their voice communications throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

About Global Call Forwarding
Global Call Forwarding is owned and operated by United World Telecom, which has been serving businesses and call centers with innovative telecommunications solutions since 1996. Global Call Forwarding has an expansive global reach, offering local DID and international toll-free numbers for more than 160 countries with resourceful service features like IVR, advanced call routing, SMS forwarding, and more. Visit https://www.globalcallforwarding.com for more information.

About Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding is the leading telecom provider of virtual phone numbers for business, serving thousands of contact centers around the world. GCF was launched in 2007 as an exclusive brand of United World Telecom (UWT). UWT was founded in 1996 in Delray Beach, Florida, as a global telecommunications provider.

The company has a physical presence in the United States, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and serves SMB and enterprise clients worldwide.

Contact: Luke Genoyer
Phone: +1 (561) 908-6171
Email: luke@unitedworldtelecom.com

What is the Difference Between Toll Free and Local Phone Numbers?

2nd March 2020 Learn

Are you in the market for a business phone number but cannot decide between local and toll-free numbers? Selecting the right phone number type is crucial for your company’s communication strategy.

Whether you are a startup, a local business, or a large multinational corporation, choosing between a local phone number and a toll-free number will impact customer engagement and your brand image.

This guide will help you understand the key differences between these two types of numbers and why you might choose one over the other based on your business needs.

Local Phone Numbers vs. Toll-Free Numbers

Due to technological advancements, you now have more business telephone number options than ever before. Both local and toll-free phone numbers have unique benefits that suit different business strategies and use cases. Before you start, you should consider how the benefits of each number type support your business use case.

Why do Businesses Use Local Phone Numbers?

Local phone numbers correspond with a specific geographic location or city. These numbers have a designated area code for the city, town, or state they are issued in, such as 786 or 305 for Miami and 204 for London. Local numbers are beneficial for:

  • Establishing a local presence: They signal to partners and consumers that your business is part of their local community.
  • Enhancing local SEO: Local numbers improve your chances of appearing in and being contacted through local searches.
  • Building business relationships: Outbound calls are more likely to be answered because these numbers foster trust with local clientele.
  • Increased engagement: Customers and prospects are more likely to call a local phone number than an international one from another country.
  • Targeting specific markets: With virtual numbers, you can have multiple local numbers for different regions from one central location.
  • International reachability: Local numbers can be dialed from within the country and from other countries.

Calls made to these numbers are not free. Callers pay what their provider charges for local calls. However, people in-country can still contact your business to resolve their concerns over the phone without paying international calling charges. Local geographic numbers can also receive calls from outside the country and across mobile networks.

Thanks to its accessibility from in-country and abroad, a local phone number can be a local and regional contact number. And you can have one without physically expanding to another city and opening a local office. You can target different markets from one central location if you buy local phone numbers in other cities and countries. In this article, you can learn about using local numbers to establish a virtual business presence.

What Can Toll-Free Numbers Do for Businesses?

Toll-free numbers are not tied to specific local areas. They allow callers to reach your business without incurring charges. The business bears the cost of the calls, making toll-free numbers a suitable option for:

  • National reachability: They are ideal for businesses expanding to specific countries or servicing employees and customers in other countries.
  • Professional image: Toll-free numbers, such as 1800, 0800, or 888, are associated with established, customer-focused businesses.
  • Enhanced customer service: They encourage customers and local partners to reach out without concern for call charges.
  • Marketing and brand recall: Toll-free numbers have better brand recognition and are more effective in marketing materials.

While using toll-free numbers might seem obvious, you need to know that they are usually only reachable from in-country. They generally cannot be dialed from other countries, with only a few exceptions, making them a less-than-ideal choice for businesses that need a phone number that can be dialed from multiple different countries.

Does Your Business Need Local or Toll-Free Numbers?

The decision ultimately depends on factors such as your target market, expansion plans, desired brand image, and company documentation.

Local numbers may suit businesses with their sights set on having a hyper-localized brand presence, but their documentation requirements can be stricter. For example, local numbers in certain countries require a preexisting company presence. Toll-free numbers, on the other hand, are better for businesses aiming to project a corporate image to a wider national audience. Documentation requirements are also generally less strict with toll-free numbers than local ones.

Choosing Between Toll-Free and Local Numbers

So, how do you choose which phone number type will better suit your business? There are a few questions to review with stakeholders:

  • How will this phone number be used?

Your business phone number shapes customer expectations and trust. Local numbers create an impression of a community-focused business in a specific locale, while toll-free numbers convey a sense of a larger, more established company.

  • Do you need a local city presence or a wider national reach?

Local phone numbers are tied to specific cities, while toll-free numbers are nationwide. Choose wisely.

  • Does this phone number need to be reachable from other countries?

Toll-free numbers are generally not reachable from other countries, while local phone numbers can be dialed in-country and abroad. Choose a local number option if you need the phone number to be reachable worldwide.

  • Do you have the proper documentation requirements?

Review the country documentation required and learn more about why documentation is required to get a business phone number.

  • What is your budget for IT and telecommunications projects?

Toll-free numbers might have monthly initial costs due to the business bearing call charges, but they can encourage more customer interactions, higher sales volumes, and happier customers. Being more cost-effective, local numbers might be a better choice for smaller businesses with a limited budget focusing on a specific region.

Let Global Call Forwarding Help You Decide

Our team of experienced telecom experts can help you decide whether a toll-free or local number is right for your business. We can also walk you through each phone number type, present a demo, and help you get started with a free trial to test both options.

You can also experiment with both number types. Set up toll-free and local numbers simultaneously, and see which is better for yourself.

How To Make Your iPhone Announce Calls

11th December 2019 How To's

Want Siri to tell you when your annoying boss or an old friend is calling instead of searching for your phone as it’s ringing? Let’s face it, sometimes we don’t know where our phone is. Other times, we would like to do everything we can to make our lives easier. Having your iPhone announce calls is one more way to make answering your phone convenient. So, how can you make Siri announce calls for you?

Making Your iPhone Announce Calls

Apple is constantly trying to find easier and more handy (or hands-free) ways to use their devices. And Siri has been an invention for this purpose. One of the useful features that come along with Siri is having your iPhone announce calls. This feature came out in 2016 among more than 100 other new features for iOS 10.

With this feature, you will know who is calling you without having to look at your phone. iPhone uses Siri to announce the calls by saying their name out loud. For example, if John Doe is calling, the phone will first start ringing, then the ringtone volume will reduce and Siri will say “John Doe.” If Siri doesn’t know the name of the caller, she will announce the number. The process of making your iPhone announce calls is very easy. To enable this feature, follow the below steps:

make the iphone announce your calls
Source: DepositPhotos.com – Lic#9135188 ID#27446420

iPhone

Step 1: Open “Settings.”
Step 2: Select “Phone.”
Step 3: Then, tap “Announce Calls.”
Step 4: Finally, choose when you want Siri to answer your calls:
• Always
• Headphones & Car
• Headphones Only
• Never

How Can You Use This Feature?

Now you know how to make your iPhone announce calls. But why should you use this feature? Assuming the caller is in your phone contacts, Siri will announce the name of the person calling you. This is a good reason to keep your contacts up to date so that there are no surprises. Otherwise, Siri may announce the number of the incoming call or tell you that it’s an unknown number.

You can determine in what circumstances you want your iPhone to announce calls. Set it up to always announce calls by selecting “Always.” If set to “Always,” Siri will announce the caller through the phone’s speakers only when the phone is in Ring mode. So, if the phone is set on Silent, calls won’t be announced.

Generally, when you are wearing headphones or using the phone hands-free, you can use this feature by selecting “Headphones Only” to let you know who is calling. This way, you don’t have to fish out or locate your phone to see who is calling. Select “Headphones & Car” if you want to answer phones hands-free when driving and when using headphones. Lastly, you can always disable the feature by selecting “Never.”

Customize Incoming Calls

Other ways to know who is calling you are through caller ID or by assigning ringtones to a caller. To set up caller ID functionality, go to “Settings,” scroll to “Phone,” and select “Show My Caller ID” and turn it on or off.iphone

To assign ringtones, open “Contacts,” select the person you want to assign a custom ringtone for. Then tap “Edit,” scroll to “Ringtone,” and select from a list of available tones. Then, tap “Save.”

Get A Virtual Phone Number for Your iPhone

Global Call Forwarding offers virtual numbers for more than 140 countries. You can get a local or international number for your business at a very reasonable price. Virtual numbers route calls over the internet to any device, in any location. Answer business calls on your iPhone, even when you are traveling for business. Sign up for a number with Global Call Forwarding today or contact us for more information at 1-(877)-898-8646.

FreedomVoice vs Global Call Forwarding Business Phone Service and Pricing

5th September 2019 Reviews

Need a service that provides a VoIP phone number and a number of useful features without breaking the bank? It’s probably reassuring then, to know many different business phone services are available to choose from. FreedomVoice and Global Call Forwarding are two of the most competitive options out there. If you don’t know which company to choose for your business phone number needs, keep reading. In this article, we provide information to find out more about the best business phone deals. This way, you can confidently choose the best phone service providers on a global scale.

The Similarities Between the FreedomVoice and Global Call Forwarding

Both FreedomVoice and Global Call Forwarding offer some of the same business phone solutions. The feature we’ll focus on in this article is VoIP phone numbers. Essentially, these are phone numbers with any local area code in the nation. And, you can use them to reach specific audience bases. Plus, since they route over the internet, they don’t require you to purchase big, expensive telephone systems. Rather, they give businesses the capability of using any type of business phone system. These systems include cloud-based systems, PBX phone systems, and even mobile devices.

Both organizations can provide these numbers with easy installation. And, both organizations offer virtual phone numbers that are easy to use. However, there are some differences between these companies. And, recognizing these differences could save you and your business loads of time, money, and energy.

Comparing the Pricing of Each Business Phone Service

Companies that offer great business phone services, like Global Call Forwarding, deal with business owners who strive for success. To be successful, a business should look for ways to save money on the services they use every day. So, comparing VoIP service pricing is important. Especially if you have a business that relies on making or receiving business phone calls. When it comes to pricing for VoIP numbers, there is a difference between FreedomVoice and Global Call Forwarding.

What FreedomVoice Costs

According to their website, FreedomVoice offers three different pricing structures. The first comes with 400 minutes to use and is priced at $9.95 per month. The second is a plan that comes with 1,200 minutes and is priced at $19.95 per month. With either of these two plans, you can go over the allotted number of minutes. But, the company will charge you an extra 3.9 cents for every additional minute you use. For companies that do more phone business, there is an unlimited minute plan that costs $29.95 per individual user. However, this plan is designed for businesses who have four employees or fewer.

FreedomVoice vs Global Call Forwarding Business Phone Service and Pricing
Source: Depositphotos.com Lic#158306602 ID#36347541

What Global Call Forwarding Costs

On the other hand, Global Call Forwarding also offers various pricing packages to choose from. The first starts at only $7.95 a month, which is less than what FreedomVoice offers. This means you can have a virtual phone number for your business for less than $8 a month depending on the type of service and phone number. Furthermore, you also can choose the applications, features, and phone numbers you need. This way, you only pay for what you use, rather than what your phone service provider wants you to pay. Plus, with no hidden fees and a transparent pricing structure, you always know what to expect with billing. And, you’ll never run into costly surprises, like you would with competitors.

Get a VoIP Phone Number for Business Today

Think that a VoIP phone number is what you need to take your business to the next level? Don’t regret your phone service provider decision. Go with the company that can customize a phone service to meet your exact business needs: Global Call Forwarding. When you choose us as your business phone service provider, you can take advantage of our 15-day free trial. This way, you can see if a VoIP phone number is what you need. And, do so without having to commit or even pay a single cent. Furthermore, there are no contracts. So, there is no commitment and you can cancel your plan at any time, for any reason. Finally, take advantage of the best business phone deals available by getting a discount for high volume orders. This means that if you need more than one virtual phone number, there could be even more savings in store! To get started with your VoIP phone numbers through Global Call Forwarding, reach out to us now.

How to Get a Toll Free Number for KaiOS

2nd August 2019 How To's

KaiOS is an emerging phone software system. It allows people to use smartphone applications in locations where they would otherwise not be able to. With this emerging software comes the need for various calling features that toll free numbers provide. So, how do people with these types of phone systems get a toll free number for KaiOS? In this article, we determine what KaiOS is and its benefits across the world. We will also cover how people with this phone software can benefit from and use toll free numbers for KaiOS.

What is KaiOS?

KaiOS is a phone software system that is intended to help people across the world get the most from their cellular devices. In many countries, smartphones are still not accessible to every person. For example, in India, most people have cell phones that aren’t touch screen and use a standard keypad. Seeing that these individuals don’t have access to internet applications and search accessibility, Google wanted to provide a new software system with the option of uploading onto these phones. So, with a fund of $22 million, the KaiOS software was developed. Since its beginning, the software system has brought more applications to people who would otherwise not be able to access these types of platforms. And, it continues to grow as a leading software system in India and other countries. In these countries, it has even surpassed Apple IOS systems.

The Benefits of a Toll Free Number for KaiOS

This software can be uploaded to outdated and non-smartphones because it doesn’t take nearly as much memory as other software; only 256MB. This means almost anyone who has a phone can download the software to begin using web-focused applications like WhatsApp, even though they don’t own a smartphone device. Plus, it can connect through various connection options like 4G, LTE, and can even process payments using NFC. Additionally, it can pair devices so they may utilize WIFI. It even has the option of being SIM card compatible. Finally, phones downloaded with the KaiOS system are relatively affordable. So, almost anyone can benefit from using the internet on their phones without having to fork over high monthly fees. For example, one KaiOS option in India called the Reliance’s JioPhone costs only around $20.

The Growth of the KaiOS System

Just like other software systems, KaiOS has an application play store that’s built by HTML5. This allows for the building of various applications that can be utilized on this software system. This allows applications to be created and utilized without a high demand for additional resources. Plus, since KoiOS can work across a number of phones like Nokia, Alcatel, and Reliance, their applications can be universally downloaded. So, app builders only have to make one type of application for it to work on any of the types of phones that KaiOS supports.

Toll Free Number for KaiOS
Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 ID#100071739333

The Applications Used on KaiOS Systems

(PSo, what types of applications can the KaiOS system support? While the same applications we use on our smartphones may not look or act like the same on KaiOS, the basics of these applications are still there. Some examples of applications you’d recognize on both smartphones and phones with KaiOS software may include:

  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Maps
  • Google Assistant
  • WhatsApp
  • And even some games like Danger Dash

In addition to these applications that you’d recognize, there are some applications built specifically for the KaiOS system. Some of these include weather checking applications and even a QR scanner for help with barcode scanning.

Who Does KaiOS Benefit?

Essentially, this phone software system was developed to get people web-based applications in countries where smartphones still aren’t the norm. But, it can also work well for those who don’t like the functionality of a touch screen. Or, those who simply don’t want to hop on the mainstream smartphone wave. With a toll free number for KaiOS, you get all the regular applications you would use on a smartphone. An additional benefit is a functional device that still offers many conveniences.

Additionally, many people like this type of software for their grandparents or kids. This is because it’s easy to use and regulate for older and younger generations. If you’re worried that your children may spend too much time on their smartphone or that your parent/grandparent may be confused by all the options on a smartphone, a KaiOS phone may be your easiest and most effective solution.

Getting a Toll Free Number for KaiOS Phones

If you do business from a phone that runs off of KaiOS, you may want to take advantage of the features of a toll free number. Virtual phone numbers allow you to make calls from an 800 number. They also ensure that the people you call don’t have to pay a thing. Plus, these numbers are customizable, so you can choose one that is easy to remember and that helps to brand your company.

Choosing Global Call Forwarding for Your Toll Free Numbers

Getting a toll free number on your cellular phone with KaiOS is as easy as giving us a call and getting started today! Choose your telephone number and we’ll route it to your cell phone in minutes! Contact us today if you have additional questions about our toll free numbers for KaiOS phones!

Toll Free Numbers for Social Media Marketing

15th May 2019 Tech, Tips

If you are crafting a new marketing campaign, you may be trying to come up with new ways to affordably boost the success of your campaign and also involve social media tools. If this is indeed the case, you should consider using toll free numbers for social media marketing as a key tool in boosting the success of your campaign.

A customized toll free number fits well into a marketing campaign because it enables you to use the phone number of the company to define the brand. When you think of a vanity toll free number, such as 1-800-FLOWERS, you know specifically what the company offers when that number is dialed. If you dial 1-800-FLOWERS you are able to order flowers for any number of occasions.

Generally speaking, you can use a custom toll free number to do a number of things, including sharing the name of the business, communicating a benefit the business provides, and tracking marketing efforts for a specific campaign. Either way, whether you use toll free numbers for social media marketing or toll free numbers to advance your business in any other way, the toll free number should reinforce the brand’s image and clearly indicate how the company differs from its competitors.

Research has repeatedly pointed to the benefits of incorporating toll free numbers for social media marketing or any kind of marketing into a company’s marketing campaign plan. In addition to offering a way for the company to communicate something specific, incorporating toll free vanity numbers in a marketing campaign can provide additional meaningful benefits, including:

Increased Interest and Calls

A greater number of inbound calls and referrals. Because toll free vanity numbers are expressed with a word or words instead of a string of random numbers, vanity numbers are much easier to remember than a number that is composed of digits exclusively. This means that it is more likely that customers and potential customers will use these types of toll free numbers and also share them with their friends and family. In fact, research indicates that vanity toll free numbers have a rate of recall that is approximately 75 percent higher than the rate of recall for phone numbers that are exclusively numeric. Custom toll free numbers also generate a much higher response rate than regular phone numbers.

A Social Media Credibility Boost

Having toll free numbers for social media marketing or for all of the company’s marketing can improve a business’ credibility and enhance sales efforts. A toll free number shows customers that the business owner and marketing team have taken steps for them to contact the business with more ease and without having to incur any long distance charges for calls. Vanity toll free numbers and regular toll free numbers also make a business seem more established and larger than it actually is, which will help people to have more confidence in the company’s offering of goods and/or services.

Tracking Capabilities

When a company uses toll free numbers for social media marketing or any other marketing efforts, there is ease in tracking key performance indicators. These key performance indicators can help in analyzing the success of an ad campaign overall and allow for a company to adjust their message on an as-needed basis. Having the ability to do this is critical in aiming to generate the best results for a business. Tracking calls linked to a campaign is an affordable and effective way to identify what is working and what is not. The information that is gathered through the tracking of campaign efforts can help a business to improve in every way, whether it is social media marketing, sales campaigns, print ads, or other forms of marketing efforts.

Toll Free Numbers for Social Media
Source: Stockphoto.com O# 100220944824 ID#100200144052

Superior Customer Service

Depending on whether you use toll free numbers for social media marketing or for other types of advertising, toll free numbers can help a company to offer better customer service by helping the business owner determine why a customer or potential customer is reaching out to the business before anyone even answers the phone. When a company has an idea of why a person is calling, it allows customer service representatives to be better prepared to offer superior customer service.

Global Call Forwarding offers toll free numbers for social media marketing or any other type of marketing that a business would like to include in their marketing efforts. Global Call Forwarding has been offering quality products and superior customer service to each and every client worldwide for over two decades. With a knowledgeable and professional staff, GCF customer service representatives are able to best serve each client to ensure each and every business takes advantage of the most advanced services and features available to support business success.

Be More Professional – Use Toll Free Numbers with Extensions

16th May 2018 Learn, Tips

Consumers prefer to work with a business that they can trust, and the most professional companies allow consumers to feel at ease, enabling them to freely give their trust. There are several ways to make your business appear more professional and gain the trust of your clientele. If your product is amazing but you are struggling with getting people to trust your brand and give it a try, then it is probably time to upgrade your business style. This can be done in a series of ways, such as upgrading your website, using high-quality business cards, and adding a phone number where your customers can reach you.

Invest in Your Website

A website is usually the first thing that potential customers will be viewing before trying your service or product. Having a polished and up-to-date site gives the appearance of validity. You can affordably update your web page by using a popular hosting site or hiring a professional designer to create something that is unlike other sites. Very few businesses can compete in their market without a proper website, and if you have no website is extremely unprofessional, and you’re probably going to miss out on a lot of traffic.

Your Business Card Matters

Sharing a quality digital business card is another great way to leave a lasting impression at networking events. It is always a great idea to use a professional printing company and it may be worth it to splurge on the highest card quality offered. If you are not that creative, it is a good idea to outsource the image that you will be using for your card to a professional artist or graphic designer. This will ensure that your cards are unique and memorable, while clearly representing your work. Word of mouth marketing is one of the greatest marketing tools in your arsenal. Be sure that you are ready to jump on any opportunity that comes your way by being fully prepared with an elevator pitch and a high-quality card.

Open Up Communication with Toll Free Numbers

One of the simplest ways to promote your business and make it appear more professional is to use a toll-free phone number.

Getting a phone number for your business is the first step in creating a more professional brand. Having a toll free phone number shows that your business is legitimate to potential customers. Plus, advertising a phone number on your website will drive more customers to your page. Being able to customize your greeting on a toll free line is a much better first impression than hearing a simple “Hello” with no other prompts. There are several different benefits to using a toll free phone number for your business. You can customize a unique phone number with Global Call Forwarding, take advantage of unlimited forwarding options, and you can benefit from unlimited extensions.

Phone Line Extensions

Phone extensions are different divisions within your company that your toll free phone number will forward to when the person on the other line is prompted to be directed to that department. If you have a small business, your business will seem larger by simply adding several extensions for no extra charge from the provider. If there is only one person working in that department, that is no problem. The unlimited extensions simply create the appearance of having a larger company without having to pay extra.

You can customize your extensions and greeting with your new toll free phone number by using the Global Call Forwarding control panel. You can gain access to your control panel from any device that uses an internet connection. Simply log into your account to begin setting up the different extensions. The more extensions you have, the bigger and more professional your business will seem.

If you have three people working for your company, a sales manager, a CEO, and a marketing person you can still take advantage of the unlimited extensions. For example, you can create your own greeting on the toll free line, and then it will prompt the consumer to dial an extension to reach the department that they need. The prompts may be “Press 1 for the Sales Department, Press 2 for the CEO, and Press 3 for Marketing.” Once your customer has chosen their needed department, they will be forwarded to the person in charge of that department. If you have multiple people working in one department there is also a feature included in every virtual phone number package that will allow your consumer to be forwarded to any person that is available within that department. This is called Sequential Forwarding. This feature ensures that your customer will always be greeted by someone in your business even if an employee has stepped out of the office.

Every extension can also be set up to have their very own personal voicemail and message delivery settings. That way the right people from your company will receive the messages that have been left for their unique department. This is helpful for an organization in any size business. If you only have one employee, and the message was left for the sales department, the employee will know how to respond properly.

Never Underestimate the Power of Your Toll Free Phone Lines

Having a phone number that your business can be reached at is extremely important for growth. Toll free numbers allow customers from anywhere to call your number without being charged. These phone lines create a way for the business and consumer to interact on a more personal level. You can use yours for customer service or as a helpline. Establishing a relationship with your customers in such a direct manner paves the way for a long-term relationship. Customers will be more likely to stay loyal to your company if your helpline or customer service line is filled with helpful and friendly professional people. Once a customer has decided that they are loyal to a certain brand, they are more likely to spend more freely on that brands’ products. While you focus on gaining more customers through marketing and advertising methods, having a customer service line will help your business keep the customers you already have.

The best part about having a virtual toll free phone number is that you can add a line to your everyday cell phone. These virtual lines can also be added to landlines and other devices like computers and tablets.

Is an 877 Number Toll Free?

23rd March 2018 Learn, Tech, Tips

A toll free number is one that can be dialed without the caller being charged. In the United States, all toll free numbers have a distinctive three-digit code. These are 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833. One of the most popular uses for toll free numbers is customer service calls. Toll free numbers allow your clients to call your company without having to pay local or long-distance charges.

How 877 Numbers Are Assigned

You can obtain toll free numbers from a number of companies, such as Global Call Forwarding. As well as providing a toll free service, many of these companies will also offer other features and services. Some of these features include time-based routing, hosted call recording, blacklisting and whitelisting, voicemail to email, SMS forwarding, and failover forwarding.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees the official regulating of toll free numbers. The organization sets mandates for how toll free numbers may be obtained and used. One of the requirements is that all toll free numbers must be portable, which means you can take your number with you when you’re switching service providers.

Benefits of Toll Free Numbers

Using toll free numbers for your business has several benefits including:

  • Saving your customers money: they will be more inclined to make the call if they don’t have to pay for it.
  • Boosting your brand: it enables you to build your brand effectively across different media.
  • Making your company contact information easier to remember: it will stick in your customers’ minds every time they see or hear it.
  • Giving your company a more professional appearance: your company will look bigger even if you’re operating from a home office.

Is an 877 Number Toll Free?

Not all toll free numbers are equal. Dialing a different prefix will route your call to a different recipient. For example, dialing 1-800-767-0987, will not connect you to the same recipient as dialing 1-888-767-0987. The first toll free number available was an 800 number, which has been around for about 50 years. As these numbers became saturated, other toll free numbers had to be created to meet the demand. One explanation of how the numbers differ is by comparing them to web domains:

  • Having an 800 number would be similar to having a .com domain
  • Having an 888 number would be similar to having a .net domain
  • Having an 887 number would be similar to having a .info domain
  • Having an 866 number would be similar to having a .biz domain

Why are Free 877 Numbers Important Marketing Tools?

Toll free numbers, when used correctly, can provide a valuable marketing tool for your company, particularly if you want to boost your brand. Although the numbers are toll free for your customers, your business will pay for incoming and outgoing calls. You can use toll free numbers to help with generating leads. Customers who call your toll free numbers have usually already used your services or bought your products at least once. They may also wish to place an order, or they may have some questions about your products or services. Toll free numbers offer a great way to track your leads to the source and see if your marketing strategies are working effectively.

Making the Most of a Toll Free Number

To make the most of a toll free number it’s important to choose one that is easy to remember so that it will reinforce your brand. There are two types of toll free numbers; these are known as vanity numbers and prime numbers. A vanity number is one which spells out the name of your company or something related to it. For example, if you are a wedding photographer, you may choose the vanity number 877-WED-PHOTO. A prime toll free number is one that is easy to remember because of the combination of digits. For example, 877-777-8787.

If you are looking for a vanity number, many more are still available with the newer prefixes. But bear in mind that some mobile devices don’t have alphanumeric keypads, so customers who are calling from their cell phone may have an easier time remembering a prime number. If you do wish to go ahead with a vanity number, always include the numeric equivalent alongside it in all of your advertising campaigns.

Which Toll Free Prefix Should I Choose?

Although many companies have been using 800 numbers for decades, the other toll free prefixes are becoming just as popular. However, which one you choose may have some impact on your return on investment.

For example, if you are advertising your business on television or radio, you may prefer to use 800 or 888 numbers simply because they are easier for your prospective customers to remember. Nevertheless, whichever prefix you use, a toll free number is always a good option.

If you do decide to use an 877 number, be sure to make it clear to your customers that this is a toll free number, as some of them may not be aware of this. One of the problems that business strategists often point out with using one of the less familiar toll free prefixes is that clients may misremember your number and replace the 877 prefix with 800, which will obviously lead them to a different company, perhaps even one of your competitors. But, an advantage of using an 877 toll free number is that because they are not yet as popular as 800 numbers, more of them will be available. It pays to check the 800 version of your vanity number to make sure that it is not in use by one of your competitors.

Using toll free numbers are beneficial for your business because they encourage people to call you and they help you trace your marketing campaigns back to the lead. If you use an 877 prefix, it would be wise to remember to make absolutely clear that it is a toll free number for customers who may not be aware of this. Don’t forget; you can use toll free numbers for your U.S. and international customer base.

Related: The Difference Between 800, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 Numbers