Do 800-numbers Matter?

I can recall the first time I heard of an 800-number. It was back in the dark ages of long distance phone charges. Do you remember those days?

Many working folks these days – Millennials, mostly – don’t recall those days because those days died long before they were born. We didn’t have the Internet in those days or even cell phones. What we had were printed materials like phone books or just plain advertisements that would show the toll-free numbers of business. The word “toll free” was the hook.

You see, back then, to call Grandma who lived a thousand miles away meant waiting until later evening hours when it wasn’t “long distance” calling to call her. The charges during the day were seriously out of reach.

That kind of selling environment was a killer for anyone looking for customers nationwide.

So they got an 800-number. It was key to building sales.

What 800-numbers Became

If you had an 800-number then you had a brand. It really was that simple. An 800-number was not only a signal that you cared about acquiring new customers it was a status symbol. It meant you were established and trust worthy.

Of course, nobody then really understand what it took for businesses to get such a number or what they cost. What regular folks understood is that they wouldn’t have to pay to do business with anyone using that 800-number. And frankly that was a huge selling feature.

Think about it. When the airlines got 800-numbers their business exploded. Why? Because they became free to contact. It was a huge customer benefit and anyone with an 800-number got huge business.

Vanity Numbers Sold Hot Dogs

I can recall a local meat company who got an 800-number that spelled out “hot dogs”. All people had to do was remember the word “hot dogs” to call them. That 800-number increased their sales ten fold overnight.

Their story, and many others like them, sold the idea of vanity numbers for businesses. And it still works. From lawyers to one-hour cleaners, the fact you can call them using a catchy word instead of a number is still a thing.

The Internet Changed Everything

Then the Internet came along. We went from 50 million people being online in 1993 to just a decade later having billions online. Is it any wonder that Amazon and other Internet pioneers who were able to hang on and figure it out became so massive?

At first, those with toll-free numbers just used the Internet to promote their phone numbers. But then, over time, those phone numbers became just kind of a byword in business marketing. The Internet made the novelty go away. A website, and not necessarily a toll free number, because the latest thing in reaching out to customers.

Cells Phones Changed Everything Again

Then came cell phones, and then cell phones with Internet. And just like that, 800-numbers came back in style.

How did THAT happen?

Consider this: of the world’s 8+ billion people experts say more than 7.4 billion of them are using cell phones.

Imagine it. Guys in the pizza business – a model that still relies on the good old fashioned connection technique of voice – rejoiced when all these technologies combined. Customers were literally carrying around a business in their pocket.

Those with 800-numbers benefitted right away with the habit-forming cell phone in everyone’s hands. Emergency road services, hair salons, and even the post office business models all changed to a whole new level because their customers could call them on the fly and arrange for business on their way home from work.

Do you still need an 800-number today?

Yup.

And it’s not expensive. In fact, if you don’t spend the pocket change to get a toll free number these days, you’re a fool. There are no long distance charges any more. In fact, businesses we work with just set up their toll free numbers to forward to a cell phone. It doesn’t even go through phone exchanges any more. For less that the cost of a burger you can pay to have phone calls from your toll free number forwarded to any number that you want.

Toll free number are fast to get, inexpensive to own, and essential to your business growth.

Don’t believe me? Call me at 888-499-5333 to discuss.