Companies We Love
GH in the news- @Grasshopper
- Interested in getting an 855 number? We're taking reservations now - http://bit.ly/ailETt
- RT @chrisgeyer: excited i get to talk with more of our @grasshopper customers today as well
- RT @melilitts: I use @grasshopper as the main means of communication within my business, since our team is spread all over the US!
Toll Free Numbers Archive
855 Numbers to be Released in October. Don’t Miss Out!
A few months ago we announced that 855 numbers were on the verge of being released, we just didn’t know the exact date. Well, a date has been set and 855 numbers will finally be released to the public on October 1, 2010.
This is the first time in 10 years that a toll free prefix has been released (866 numbers debuted in 2000) and will result in around 7 million new numbers! This presents a rare and phenomenal opportunity to businesses looking to get a new or better vanity number.
New Vanity Numbers!
Vanity numbers (ex: 1-800-MATTRESS) are a great tool most often used for business. Mainly because a simple thing like a phone number can actually have a pretty significant impact:
- Improved brand recognition
- Increased call volume
- Increases sales & ROI
Think about it, we’re all familiar with numbers like 1-800-Contacts, 1-800-Flowers or 1-888-Best-Buy. These numbers are easy to remember and they describe the business. These are the types of numbers companies would love to have but are all taken…until now. 855 numbers present a whole new opportunity.
Getting an 855 Number
The current buzz around 855 numbers tells us that there’s probably going to be a pretty high demand for these numbers, especially companies looking to secure the 855 version of their current number.
Creating a Dedicated Support Line for Your Business
One of the great things about our phone system is that it can be used in different (and creative) ways. While yes, it’s intended to be used as a full-featured, make your company sound big phone system, our customers have made it their own. Some people use it strictly as a voicemail service, some use it as a call forwarding service and one customer uses it to provide clients with personalized extensions.
A new use we came across recently was a customer using their Grasshopper number as a dedicated support line. What a great idea! We certainly have customers who use extensions for support/sales/departments/etc, but I’d never really thought about using an account just for Support.
As it turns out, there are actually quite a few benefits to this:
Professionalism
One of our main priorities here is to “Help entrepreneurs stay connected and sound professional”. Why? Because to customers, perception is reality.
A dedicated support line certainly shows customers that you are professional, successful enough to have a support team & you are there to help them when they need it. Whether this line forwards to a 100-person support team or your home office doesn’t really matter.
Why Your Business Should Have an 800 Number
In today’s economy, it’s important to make your business seem like number one. That means as a small 1-5 person business, you need to look and sound as professional as the big guys. An 800 number can not only help you sound bigger but can also make life easier for everyone. Here are seven reasons your small business should have an 800 number:
-
An 800 number centralizes your business. Even if your employees are located in five different states, you still only need one number.
-
It’s easier for customers to remember your number, especially when you use vanity numbers (think 1-800-Flowers).
-
Customers are more likely to call an 800 number simply because it’s free!
-
You own your 800 number. Change businesses, locations, etc…the number is still yours.
-
They are easily transferable. Your business has grown tenfold and you need a bigger phone system but you don’t want to have to change your number. Good news, you don’t have to! Take it with you.
How Grasshopper Can Help Your Marketing Efforts
Aside from the awesome information you get here on the Grasshopper blog, did you know that Grasshopper can help you with your marketing efforts? It’s true! In fact, we’ve outlined how below:
Vanity Numbers Can Increase Calls
Vanity numbers are custom toll free numbers that spell a word or mnemonic that helps customers easily remember your phone number (think 1 800 Flowers or 1 888 Best Buy). How much does it help? Vanity numbers can provide a business with a 25% to 69% increase in caller response rates!
While many of the best vanity numbers are taken, there are still great ones out there and with the eventual release of 855 numbers, even more will be available.
Phone Numbers Help Track ROI
When you are running several different marketing campaigns it can be tough to track ROI. While you can easily send someone to a specific URL, you can’t always send someone to a different phone number.
With a toll free or local number, you can actually create specific numbers for specific campaigns using extensions. Then using your call reports, you’ll know exactly how many people called that number and combined with a CRM, who bought your product. Create specific numbers for print, web or TV and know which are actually working!
Got an 800 Number Question?
Here at Grasshopper we get a lot of questions from people who want an 800 number but they aren’t sure about the specifics. To help, we’ve included five of the most frequently asked questions below. Have a question that isn’t on here? Feel free to leave a comment or contact our awesome customer support team 24/7 (800-820-8210).
-
You have 888 numbers listed. Are they the same as 800?
888, 877, 866 and 800 numbers are all toll free prefixes that work exactly the same way. A number with an “800″ prefix is simply called a “true” 800 number.
-
Can I buy an 800 number from another company and use it with Grasshopper?
We know how important a phone number can be to your business and that’s why we try to make transferring numbers easy. You can transfer any toll free number to Grasshopper, ensuring marketing materials, contact infor, etc won’t have to be changed.
We do ask that you allow up to three (3) weeks for transferring. The number will not be transferred before all of the necessary paperwork is submitted and verified complete.
-
So, if I get an 800 number do I own it or does Grasshopper?
Once an 800 number has been assigned to you, you’ll have ownership of it. If you decide to Read more »
855 Numbers to Become Toll Free?
We all know toll free numbers have become a staple in business communication over the past 35 years. However, as more and more people buy them, the less numbers there are for new businesses.
As a way to ensure toll free numbers remain available, the FCC intermittently releases new toll free prefixes based on demand. In 1996, 888 numbers were released, in 1998, 877 numbers were released and most recently, in 2000, 866 numbers were released.
Release of the 855 Prefix
The latest news indicates that 855 prefixes are the next to be released, meaning over 7 million new toll free numbers will be available to our customers. While there is no set date for this, the announcement is positive for companies looking to acquire toll free numbers and especially for those looking to purchase vanity numbers.
Grasshopper will keep you up to date on any new developments regarding 855 numbers. In the meantime, if you have any questions about toll free numbers, local numbers or the Grasshopper virtual phone system, please feel free to contact us 24/7 at 800-820-8210.
Choosing the Best Phone System for Your Small Business
When you start a business there are obviously a number of things you need to think about. One of these things is your phone system. While it may seem fine to start with your cell phone, eventually you will want to expand, have a dedicated number, hire employees and so on. Using your personal cell phone probably isn’t going to work for long.
What is it you will really need though? A big expensive PBX system? An extra phone line? A virtual phone system is a low cost solution that may be exactly what you need.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing your phone system & plan:
Phone Numbers
Your phone number is the first thing to consider and hopefully will stay with you as your business grows. Your phone number will be how your customers communicate with you.
10 Facts About 800 Numbers You May Not Know
While we have an FAQ section on the site, I thought we could address a few things specifically about 800 numbers right here on the blog.
Here are a few common facts about 800 numbers that you may not know. 
-
A “true” 800 number is simply a toll free number with an “800″ prefix.
-
You own your 800 number.
-
800 numbers are portable. If you change service providers, you can take your 800 number with you.
-
800 numbers that spell out a company name, product, etc are called “vanity numbers”.
-
800 numbers have been around for over 35 years.
-
800 numbers are regulated by the FCC.
-
800, 888, 866 & 877 are all toll free numbers. The only difference is the numbers themselves.
-
800 numbers can be used for home numbers as well as business numbers.
Top 3 Benefits of a Toll Free Number
Toll free numbers are a great tool for any business and are extremely easy to get these days. You can search and buy an 800 number as easily as you can a t-shirt (Note: A toll free number will probably have a more positive impact on your business than a t-shirt).
But if you are wondering just how a toll free number can help your business, we have listed 3 key benefits to toll free numbers:
1. Professionalism
As anyone familiar with Grasshopper knows, one of our brand promises is to help entrepreneurs sound professional. A toll free number not only helps your small business look big, but it also helps it look (and of course sound) professional.
Would you feel more comfortable buying from a business with a standard voicemail message or a company with a dedicated business number and professional greeting?
Using Phone Numbers to Track Marketing ROI
As a small business it is often hard to track exactly where your customers are coming from; Television, radio, web, partners, etc, etc. While analytics have certainly made it easier to track web traffic, offline efforts aren’t as clear cut.
A great way to track offline marketing efforts and determine ROI is to use multiple phone numbers. Using separate phone numbers for separate campaigns can help you track where your visitor came from and give you insight into which campaign is working the best.
Using Multiple Phone Numbers to Track ROI:
-
Place a phone number on your website that is found no where else. This will allow you to track conversions from people visiting the site and then picking up the phone and buying. You can even create use separate numbers for your pay-per-click ads.
