How It Works

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Getting a Vanity Number

is a great and easy way for your customers to reach you.
Learn how vanity numbers work, and can increase inbound calls by 25% or more.
Some famous vanity number examples:

1-800-Contacts, 1-800-Dentist, 1-800-Progressive.

how it works

How Will A Toll Free Vanity Number Help Me?

Boost Your Brand

Just like a good domain name, a good vanity number creates instant prestige. This is probably more true of 1-800 vanity numbers because of the amount of toll free marketing that’s been done by large companies over the years.

Stronger Market Presence

A good vanity number can make your company appear larger and more established, and creates an image of a brick and mortar business.

Customer Recognition

A good vanity number is one of the best things you can do to increase customer referral marketing as well as repeat customers. A vanity number makes it easier for customers to remember how to reach you for repeat orders and to tell someone else how to reach you.

Creates Instant Credibility

Having an established vanity number has proven to be a real advantage in online marketing where customers have to gather lots of clues to assess credibility.

Increased Response Rates

Studies show that advertising using a good vanity number can increase your response rate by 12 to 42 percent or more.

Creates a Sense of Ease with Customers

Consumers trust companies that are more accessible. They feel more comfortable knowing they can pick up the phone and talk to someone easily. A good vanity number creates a much stronger image in the mind of your potential customer.

Owner Profitability

Stronger public recognition increases your company’s net worth. An established vanity number is a valuable negotiating tool during acquisitions.

Maximize Advertising ROI

Toll Free vanity numbers provide additional channels to reach more customers and close more sales.

SERVICES COMPARISON

INCLUDED SERVICES

ENHANCED SERVICES

  • CUSTOM RING-TO-NUMBER

    You get to choose any valid phone number for your toll free number to ring through to (land line, cell phone, etc.).

  • VOICEMAIL & FAX

    With your professional Voice Mailbox you have the option of receiving your voice messages and fax messages as email. You can access your account online, or forward your voicemail message to your main email address. This way the voicemail message flows into your email workflow. It will be a permanent record of the information and a task reminder! You can then easily forward voicemails to coworkers. Custom Toll Free's® services also allow you to record a personalized voicemail greeting and specify how many seconds before voicemail answers the call.

  • Large Message Storage Capacity

    In addition to the easy message management with your Voice Mailbox, you can save up to 999 voice messages for 30 days on the call system.

  • Conference Calling

    Conduct conferences with up to 25 participants any time you want for as long as you like. Regular per-minute charges apply for each participant that dials your toll free number for access.

  • Call Blocking

    Block unwanted calls to conserve minutes and save your valuable time. You can block calls based on the state, area code, area code + prefix, or even one specific phone number. Calls from blocked areas/numbers can be sent to a busy signal, to continuous ringing, to an error message, or directly to voicemail. You can also choose the specific areas or specific numbers from which you would like to receive calls, and avoid receiving and paying for irrelevant calls.

  • Non-Blockable Caller ID

    You will always know who's calling with Non-Blockable Caller ID. This means you'll be able to block problem callers and be able to return client calls more easily.

  • Custom Call Forwarding

    Along with the flexibility of forwarding calls to any domestic number, you can also set a schedule to automatically forward calls to different numbers based on one or all of the following: time, day, area code, specific number or the state from which the call originated. Your callers won't know the difference.

  • Call Notification Emails

    Stay on top of your usage easily with call notification emails. You can receive an instant email notification every time your 800 number is called. Each notification includes the Caller ID of the calling party, the number to which the call was sent, time of day, and the length of the call.

  • Maximum Call Length

    Set the maximum allowed time that an answered call can stay connected. Calls will be automatically disconnected when the specified time length is reached. If you have voicemail enabled, you can also set the maximum duration of your callers' voicemail messages.

  • Online Account Management

    Custom Toll Free's online account management is included free with service and includes a variety of tools to help you track your calls such as call detail and campaign analysis reports.

  • Virtual PBX (Auto Attendant)

    Setup Fee: $50.00 / Monthly Fee: $25.00

    Integrate your TFN with an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system that can contain multiple menus, greetings, and extensions. Our Customer Service department will work with you to decide on the programming that will best fit your needs, and will record or upload any custom menu greetings needed. There is no hardware to buy or software to install.

    Add To Your Toll Free Number
  • Hunt Groups

    Setup Fee: $5.00 / Monthly Fee: $5.00

    Distribute your calls between multiple numbers using hunt groups. Choose to distribute your calls evenly amongst a group of numbers or sequentially in a specified number order. Includes an optional greeting to play to your callers before hunting begins, music on hold, and several end of hunt options.

    Add To Your Toll Free Number
  • Call Announcement

    Setup Fee: $2.00 / Monthly Fee: $2.00

    Play a brief announcement before your calls are connected. You can customize the announcement to identify which toll free number was dialed, which ad the caller was answering or any similar kind of message you choose. This is especially helpful when using a phone that doesn't display Caller ID, or when multiple 800 numbers ring to the same phone number.

    Add To Your Toll Free Number
  • Call Recording

    Low Volume $10.00 / High Volume: $60.00

    Choose to record every call you receive, or use call recording intermittently to only capture representative samples of telephone conversations. Store your recordings online, stream, receive them via email, or even download for long term storage solutions.

    Add To Your Toll Free Number

Helpful Toll Free Tips

Vanity numbers are typically the most successful toll free numbers. Toll free numbers are words spelled out in the number. Here are some tips to be sure you find the best toll free number for your business:

Choose your words carefully!

Pick words that are easy to spell to ensure they will be remembered correctly.

The words you choose for your toll free vanity number should generally pertain to your target market culture. It must make sense and describe your product and/or service or fit in a well-crafted tag line like: “Call 1-800-SOLUTIONS for solutions to your financial problems.”

It’s better to reduce mixing words and numbers. The most successful toll free vanity numbers are comprised of only words, and are considered more valuable.

Execution is Everything with Your Vanity Toll Free Number

Integrate your toll free vanity number throughout your business. Your toll free vanity number must be seamlessly intertwined and highly visible in everything the public sees or hears about your company.

Consider Reserving Toll Free Number Variations

  • What is the status of the different prefixes for your number? 800/855/866/877/888?
  • Use our Reverse Lookup Tool to find out!
  • Have you checked for common misspellings or similar words?
  • Do you have variations with zeroes for O’s?

When to Go For a Numeric Toll Free Number

Numeric-only numbers don’t have the same memorability as vanity numbers (numbers that spell something), but some people prefer them because they are easy to dial. Numeric numbers are especially good for:

  • business that offers a variety of products and services.
  • A diverse client base. If your potential clients speak a variety of languages, a numeric only toll free number is the perfect match.
  • Call centers that change clients repeatedly. Blocks of easy to remember numeric numbers would be more valuable to your clients than words that may not apply to their businesses.

When in doubt, give us a call!

We can help you locate the best words and numbers for your business! We’ve been doing this for more than ten years! helpful tips

    Getting a Toll Free Number FAQs

  • WHAT DOES 'TERM' MEAN?

    A: After you have selected your toll free number you will be asked to select your term. This is the option that will allow you to receive a 10% - 30% discount on the recurring monthly fees, depending on the term you would like to commit and secure your new toll free number for. Terms range from 1 year to 3 years.

  • HOW CAN I USE MORE THAN 7 DIGITS

    A: Good question! Sometimes you have a bit longer word that you want to include in your vanity toll free, and that's ok. These extra letters are called trailing digits, and don't effect the dialing.

  • HOW CAN I GET A TOLL-FREE NUMBER?

    Through CustomTollFree.com of course! We are the leading online database of toll free numbers, since 1997. Some additional information: Toll-free numbers are usually assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Entities called Responsible Organizations ("RespOrgs"), which are usually toll-free service providers or carriers, have access to a database that contains information regarding the status of all toll-free numbers.

  • CAN WE KEEP OUR LOCAL NUMBER?

    Absolutely, your new toll free number will work WITH your local number. In fact, that's all toll free numbers do; they point to a local number where you want your calls received. With the services we provide, you'll be able to login and change the "ring-to" number whenever you like. Make it ring at your office, your home, or even your cell phone. You can do this manually when your number is ready, or you can setup a schedule to handle the changeover automatically at a specified time.

  • CAN THIS WORK WITH MY CELL PHONE?

    Yes! You can point your toll free number to any regular phone line, including your cell phone. You can also change the number that your toll free numbers rings to at any time.

  • WHY DO I NEED A TOLL FREE NUMBER IF ALL MY CALLS ARE LOCAL CALLS?

    Toll free numbers offer an easy way for your clients to contact you, but they also do much more. Your number will be on the tip or your satisfied customer's tongue when they're asked for a referral. It also gives your company an instant sense of prestige as consumers equate quality vanity numbers with quality services and products.

  • WHAT IF I WANT A NUMBER I DON'T SEE HERE?

    Custom Toll Free® specializes in helping companies find just the right number for their campaigns. If you don't find what you are looking for on the website, you can always call one of our consultants at 1-855-800-3030 to assist you.

  • CAN I USE MORE THAN 7 DIGITS?

    Yes, absolutely. We recommend 7-10 digits as optimal but it depends on your market and advertising medium. For example, if you advertise on a billboard then it's most important that your audience remembers the number. Chances are that they will wait until they get to the office or get home before they actually call. In that instance it's best to make it memorable, even if it goes over by a few digits. When dialing from a land line you can easily dial 10 digits without any interference. If a longer number is chosen, make sure that it won't interfere with you're companies menu options.

    See our Basic Services Summary for more details about these services.

  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

    Rates vary depending on several factors including the demand for the number in question, the areas of usage and the contract length. When you select a number from our Search Results page you will see more detailed pricing information for that particular number. You pay just the one flat rate for usage of the number each month. You will pay an additional prepaid rate for your long distance charges if you desire more than 100 minutes. Like cell phones plans, you pay a fee per minute regardless of whether the number is actually long distance. See our Tips on Pricing page for more specific information.

  • WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR LONG DISTANCE?

    All toll free numbers must run through a telephone company in order to route them to their destination and those carriers charge per minute fees regardless of where the calls are coming from.

  • WILL THIS WORK WITH MY CALL CENTER?

    Most call centers have the capability of having calls routed through direct lines. Our consultants can work directly with your call center to determine the feasibility of usage in your particular situation.

  • CAN I CANCEL AT ANY TIME?

    If you choose a monthly contract, you may cancel at any time with 15 days written notice. All other contracts must be fulfilled by completing the contract length, or paying the remaining contracted fees.

  • WILL PRICING EVER INCREASE?

    Your contract will automatically renew at the end of your contract period to make sure you never have a lapse in service. If you remain a long-term client it's reasonable to assume that at some point there may be some minor fluctuation in price when your contracts renew, but our main goal is to keep your service as consistent as possible. We know that clients spend a lot of money on advertising and branding and we have your best interests in mind when it comes to safeguarding that asset.

  • HOW LONG UNTIL MY NUMBER IS ACTIVE?

    Typically a number is set up automatically to go to your free voicemail that comes with the toll free number, however occasionally it can take longer. We recommend setting up your number at least a week before running any advertising so that you have time to test and set up options for your new custom toll free number.

General Toll Free Number Questions FAQs

  • WHAT IS A TOLL FREE NUMBER?

    A toll free number is a telephone number that can be called at no cost to the caller, because the recipient pays for the cost of the call. Also referred to as '800' numbers after the original area code, although toll free numbers today can start with the area codes, 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.

  • HOW CAN I CANCEL?

    A: Call us at 1-855-800-3030 to notify us that you wish to cancel service. Note that you MUST cancel by the 15th of the month in order to avoid incurring additional fees for the next month's billing cycle. Once processed, you will receive an email confirmation with your effective cancellation date. If you are on a long term contract a representative will send a reminder of your term length and discuss cancellation terms.

  • WHAT IS A VANITY NUMBER?

    A vanity number is an alphanumeric telephone number which often incorporates words, abbreviations or acronyms in place of numbers. For example, the letters in 1-800-Flowers correspond to the numbers 800-356-9377 on your phone's dial pad.

    While in use for over 30 years, vanity numbers have recently become recognized as one of the most powerful business, branding and marketing tools. Most notably their ability to generate 30-60% higher response rates to direct response advertising has dramatically driven up demand. This is attributed to the ease of memorability compared to regular phone numbers especially when consumers only have a few seconds to take them in.

    The latest toll free number search tools allow you to quickly and easily find vanity numbers by keyword or phrase for specialized purposes or to unify business branding.

    However, there are also numeric vanity numbers which are easy to remember numeric numbers often incorporating strings of the same digits. For example 888-888-8888.

  • HOW DO TOLL-FREE NUMBERS WORK?

    A toll free number just forwards to or points to a regular local number. No special equipment or additional line or installation is required.

    When a call is placed to a toll free number, the Local Exchange Company (LEC) queries the SMS/800 Database to determine the inter-exchange carrier (long distance company) responsible for carrying the call. The inter-exchange carrier then picks up the call, applies the appropriate features or routing, creates a call record for billing, and routes the call to the terminating number, trunk ID or circuit ID to which the toll free number is programmed to ring.

    For example, when you reserve a toll free number with Custom Toll Free, we ask you for your 'ring-to' number, and upon successful reservation your new toll free number is routed to your designated local number. *Hint, a cell phone works too! Want to change where your toll free number rings to? No problem, changing the 'ring-to' is easy with the online account management included with your custom toll free number.

  • CAN I STILL GET TOLL-FREE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE THROUGH "1-800-555-1212"?

    Yes. Toll-free directory assistance for all toll free numbers can be obtained by calling "1-800-555-1212."

  • CAN YOU TELL ME WHO KEEPS CALLING ME OR MY FAX LINE?

    We have a Reverse look up tool which will show you the active service provider for that number, and you can see information that other users have provided. We are not able to provide the personal information for the party that is using the number.

    You might also want to try the following directory for assistance :http://www.inter800.com

  • DO YOU HAVE FURTHER TOLL FREE QUESTIONS?

    If you're looking for a great toll free number, but still have a lot of questions, give us a call at 1-855-800-3030 or fill out our contact form and we'll contact you!