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.