800 Response and Infosurv recently commissioned a study that looked at the habits of 1,000 consumers when they were presented with an advertisement that contained a toll free number and a web address. They found that consumers were 45% more likely to remember the vanity toll free number of a company rather than its website. In one instance, a fictional ad for an auto dealer called Bayside Auto Sales presented a vanity toll free number of 800-new-auto and a website of baysideautosales.com. Respondents were 52% more likely to remember the vanity number over the website, even though the website reflected the exact company name of the auto dealer.
After Google Voice from last week, I wanted to get back to the basics and describe some of the uses, both standard and more complex, that consumers and businesses can put to toll free numbers. I’ll touch further on consumer use of vanity toll free numbers in a future article, but first, let’s discuss what toll free numbers can do for your business.
At last, you’ve got it: Your new vanity toll-free number. It’s catchy and memorable — and powerful. But only if you get it out there where prospective customers can see it. While you certainly have plans to use it in the next big direct marketing campaign you roll out, keep in mind that there are many other ways you can a vanity toll-free number to boost business and improve ROI.