Why Do I Need a Toll Free Number?
Many, many reasons exist for having a toll free number for your business. Here are just a few statistics to show how 800 numbers have helped other organizations increase profit margins and maximize marketing ROI.
Toll free number statistics:
- Ads featuring 800 numbers generate approximately 30% more orders
- Using a toll free number on product literature can result in 50% less product returns
- Several fund raising organizations realized a 25% increase in response rates when using a toll free number in their ads
However, direct increases in response rates are not the only reasons why you need a toll free number. Toll free numbers offer instant credibility and present you as an established and reliable business. This perception that your company is long-lasting is extremely important considering the collapse of many organizations in recent years; you also want your company to set itself apart from the tons of start-up Internet companies launching on a tight budget. A toll free number will differentiate you as a serious company that will be around for the long-term.
In addition, shrinking market shares in many industries make it necessary to operate outside of your local area to bring in the revenues you need. Consumers would rather call a company with a toll free number that appears to have a national presence rather than a number from a different area code.
If you are really planning to create an empire and a business that will last, a toll free number is crucial to building your branding. Companies that build strong brands survive longer. An article in Business Week demonstrated that 30% of the most valuable brands in the world were established before 1900. While today's economy may be tighter, it is not a time to be cutting advertising and branding initiatives. In fact, the opposite is true. A PIMS study showed that during the last recession, companies that increased their spending on branding and marketing saw over a 5% higher return on their marketing dollars than those companies who decreased spending. Clearly, the current state of the economy actually presents some incredible opportunities to get ahead of your competition, jump in, and take over new markets and industries. It is up to you whether your company will take this opportunity to emerge as a leader or just wither away. Regardless of your industry, one thing is certain: those who come out on top will be those with toll free numbers.
ShareThisThe Worst Toll Free Numbers
Toll free numbers can absolutely compliment your business and in many cases be the single best investment you can make to maximize marketing ROI. However, a huge difference exists between winning toll free numbers that can actually rocket you ahead of your competitors, helping you to pick up market shares and operate more efficiently, and poorly chosen toll free numbers that do not live up to their full potential and can even mean wasting valuable marketing dollars.
800 Service Texting Marketing
One of the latest 800 service marketing tools is text marketing. No, this isn't one of those annoying junk text emails you receive on your cell phone. This 800 service is an evolution of 800 call capture that has been used successfully in many industries to increase response rates and maximize marketing ROI.
800 Numbers for Display Advertising
Display advertising is an important element in the success of any marketing initiative. It sends a strong visual message to the target market that enables people to retain the brand in their minds. You can take advantage of display advertising in different ways. Using toll free numbers is one of the most popular methods. 800 numbers provide an immediate and effective way to boost business recognition.
Use toll-free numbers to test your direct marketing campaigns
New products, new competition, new mailing lists, new government regulations — there are always reasons why you should be updating your direct marketing materials.
One of the best ways to test and compare the effectiveness of new materials is by using toll-free numbers. That way you can tell immediately which offers are getting responses. Plus, response rates can be tabulated automatically through your phone system.
Direct response consultants will tell you that you need to be constantly testing and refining. Here are a few of the ways you can test your materials:
- Test your new campaign to your current customer base. Mail to existing lists, or advertise in the existing channels. See how the new campaign compares to previous ones to the same lists.
- Test current directing marketing campaigns to a new customer base. Try a new mailing list, put your ads in a new periodical or on a new radio station. See how the new customer lists responds.
- Try out preliminary versions of a new campaign, testing to sub-sections of your existing customer list. This will help you determine which version of the new campaign to roll out to your full list.
When you sign up for toll-free numbers with Custom Toll Free, you get access to an online management tool that assists you with direct response tracking. There’s even a free campaign analysis tool included; input advertising costs and see your return-on-investment expressed in terms of cost per call.
