Here on the blog we talk a lot about how to use your 800 number and the benefits of an 800 number…we thought we’d lighten it up this week. Here are some random 800 number facts that were in the news recently:

• People make money off of 800 number misdials. According to MSN, people are now buying toll free numbers just for this purpose.

• In Fayetteville, AR you can pay your parking meter by phone. Simply call 1-888-450-PARK, give them your space number and credit card info. Beats trying to find a quarter.

• You can find out the status of your tax return by calling the IRS’s toll free number.

• Massachusetts is offering a free two-week supply of nicotine patches to veterans through 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

What other interesting stories are we missing here?

Here are 5 reasons why your small business needs a toll free number:

1. Improve customer satisfaction

Have you ever tried to get in contact with a business only to discover you can’t find their contact info (ahem, Google)?  It’s really frustrating and can leave a sour taste in your mouth about the company.

With a toll free number, you can improve your customer service and satisfaction simply by being available to take their call.  A toll free number makes it easier for your customers to reach you and get their questions answered. They’ll be able to call you any day, at any time and it won’t cost them a thing. The easier you make it for your customers to reach you, the more likely they are to remain a customer.

2. Easy to remember

Another benefit of having a toll free number for your business is that it’s much easier to remember than any other number, especially if it’s a vanity number.  It’s a lot easier for people to remember 1-800-Flowers than it is to remember 1-800-356-9377. People are more likely to call you, it can generate more sales and it can be a really powerful marketing tool for your business.

3. Credibility

Toll free numbers aren’t just for big corporations; they are great for companies of all sizes, especially those just starting a business. Having a toll free number gives your business credibility and enhances your company’s image.  You could be working out of your basement and no one would know.

4. Portability

With a toll free number, location doesn’t matter.  Relocating your business? Your customers won’t even know! You can still be reached by your toll free number regardless of where you are located, simply by forwarding your calls to your cell phone or any other phone for that matter! Did you also know that once you purchase a toll free number it’s yours? Even if you change providers, you can take your number with you.

5. Marketing Tool

We’ve already talked about using a vanity number (also great for marketing purposes) but did you know toll free phone numbers can help you better track your marketing efforts?

Think about it. You have a website, a print ad or maybe even a billboard in Times Square. When someone picks up the phone and calls you, how do you know where they came from?

toll free number allows you to create extensions, which can then be associated with a particular campaign. One number for print, one for the website, etc. Your toll free number can act as a marketing tool and as a result can increase your call volume, sales and ROI.

Need more information on how toll free numbers work? Check out our post, Toll Free Numbers: What You Need to Know.

Does your small business have a toll free number? What are the other benefits to having one?

Over at Grasshopper Group there’s a great post on how to stick to your 2011 resolution of starting a business. We included several tips including “Think big”, “Think small”, “Keep your resolution every day” and finally, “Hold yourself accountable”.

One of the tips under “hold yourself accountable” is to actually do something for your business. Doing something or even buying something tangible can help motivate you and make the process more real.

Below we’ve outlined a few low cost actions that can help you get your business going this year:

1. Register a Business Name

You’ve probably thought about what you would call your business a million times. Now it’s time to take action and actually register it. You want to make sure it’s available and also protect it. Here are a couple of resources to help you:

• Registering Your Business Name
• Steps to Registering a Business
• Register Your Business

2. Create a Logo

A website can be an expensive way to start, so let’s begin with a logo. You may not be a designer but there are a number of freelancers out there who can help and aren’t terribly expensive. Check out 99designs.com, Logoworks, Logo Design Guru or ask around, you may know someone.

3. Purchase a Domain Name

A good domain name is imperative. It will go in your emails, on your business cards and more importantly, its how potential customers will find you. A good domain name should be short, describe your business, be easy to remember and a .com. SEOMoz has a great post, “12 Rules for Choosing the Right Domain Name” you can check out.

As for domain providers, there are a number out there including the most popular GoDaddy, Network Solutions & Yahoo.

4. Get a Phone Number

Starting out you will most likely use your cell phone the majority of the time. But let’s be honest, your current voicemail message probably doesn’t really sound all that professional for a business. Plus, do you really want to put your cell phone number on all of your business materials? No.

A dedicated business phone number is a great way to go and it’s cheap. You can lock down a toll free or local number for $9.95 a month, which includes call forwarding, voicemail boxes, custom greetings and more. You can still get your calls on your cell phone but no one else has to know that.

5. Print Business Cards

You don’t have to print a ton of them but why not get a few? It’ll feel good to see your name and company on a real business card and can act as a motivator. You can get them fairly cheap from a company like VistaPrint or PrintingforLess.

Make it happen

This year, don’t just say you are going to do it, go do it. Starting a business is a big endeavor so focus on doing one thing at a time. Make 2011 the year you stick to your resolution!

Here are a few common facts about 800 numbers:

• 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.
• 855, 844, 833, and 822 numbers have been reserved to be used as toll free numbers in the future.  (As of October 9th, 855 numbers are now available to the public.)
• AT&T paid over $1.32 million to acquire the vanity number 1-800-YELLOWPAGES (* wiki)

An 800 number is a great way to make your small business sound professional for a low cost. Get an 800 number along with all the great features of the Grasshopper virtual phone system.

For customers that pre-ordered 855 numbers, we will use the same process to obtain your number this Saturday. For those who are waiting to purchase 855 numbers, they will be available on our site to purchase in roughly a week (pending any further delays).

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call support at 800-820-8210.

While any vanity number is certainly preferable to a normal one, they, too, can be problematic unless proper precautions are taken. Indeed – picking out the perfect vanity number is something of an art form.

Here are a few key steps:

Stay Away From “Hybrid” Numbers

The whole point of a vanity toll-free number is letting viewers abstract the numbers away by remembering letters instead. Unfortunately, some business owners manage to mess this concept up by using what are known as “hybrid numbers.” We’ve all seen these. It’s when a company uses a telephone number like 1-800-642-PETS.

While PETS is surely easier to remember than 7387, there’s still that pesky 642 to worry about. Chances are, more than a few viewers wont remember it. Instead, strive to get a full word or phrase, such as 1-800-PET-FOOD.

An excellent real-life example of what to shoot for is 1-800-FLOWERS (of course we know these aren’t always available but you can also check the 866, 877, 888 or 855 version)

Company Name Or Specific Benefit?

There are two basic choices a business owner has when deciding what his or her vanity phone number will spell:

• The name of their business
• The specific benefit or message being offered

Unless the name of your business also happens to express the specific benefit you offer (as is the case with 1-800-FLOWERS), always err on the side of putting the specific benefit in your vanity number. The reason is that unless your company name is already established and synonymous with your industry, it will not have real staying power with your target audience.

After all, how many people will automatically associate 1-800-BIG-DAVE with “Big Dave’s T-Shirt Shop” when the phone number offers no clue that you sell t-shirts?

Simple, Unmistakable Spelling

It should go without saying, but any vanity toll-free number you choose should be easy to spell. First, rule out any number containing the letters “Q” or “Z”, which are only available on relatively new and modern keypads.

More generally, think about how your vanity number will be sound when repeated in verbal conversation, TV or radio. Slang words usually have several different spellings and are thus a bad idea.

Same goes for possessive pronouns before words that begin with “S. For instance, if your company’s name is Sam’s Sandwiches, using this as the vanity number could confuse people. Do they dial one “S” or two? Avoid problems like these by using only vanity numbers with one, clear, unmistakable spelling.

If in doubt, practice verbally saying your proposed number to a friend or co-worker and asking them to dial what they heard. When more than a few people can effortlessly do this on the first try, go ahead and get the number.

Branding Your Number

Once you decide to do business with a vanity phone number and select a good one, don’t be shy about using it. In fact, some of the most successful companies in the country use vanity numbers as core elements of their branding. FexEx, for instance, slaps its 1-800-Go-FedEx number on all of its delivery vans, airplanes and packaging.

This is exactly the approach to emulate with your own vanity toll-free numbers. Make it the focal contact point in your TV commercials, radio spots, billboard ads, and even online campaigns like PPC and media buying. Done correctly, viewers will gradually come to associate that phone number with your business and using it to place orders will become second-nature.

Vanity numbers can be a huge benefit to any company so be sure to choose the best one for your company!

A few weeks ago we let you know that 855 numbers were set to be released in October. Today we can officially announce that we will begin taking 855 reservations.

How Can I Reserve a Number?

At midnight on October 2nd, the Grasshopper team will be working with our number carrier to reserve specific 855 numbers for our customers before they become available to the general public.

For $650, Grasshopper will make sure your number is included on our reservation list. If we are unable to obtain your specific number, you will be refunded $600.

We will notify you within 3 days (of October 2nd) as to the status of your reservation & if acquired, your number will be ready to go within 7 business days.

Grasshopper customers will have the option to pay via credit card while non-customers must pay by check. Payment must be received by September 16th in order to secure your reservation.

While there is no guarantee that we will get every number, this is the best opportunity for those looking to get high-demand vanity numbers.

If you don’t need to be first in line or are simply looking for a standard 855 number they will be available to the general public on Oct 15th.

Reserve Your 855 Number Now!

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.

While no one can actually take 855 number reservations yet, we are working toward a solution that will allow our customers to get the number they want. First though, we need to know how many people are interested.

If you are interested in reserving an 855 number, please go to our 855 Number Request page and provide us with your name & email address. We will be providing more information to those interested in the coming weeks.

I’m interested in 855 Numbers!

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.

Simplicity

Have you ever called a company for support and been forced to listen to 10 different menus? Of course you have, we all have! It can be extremely frustrating, and when you are already frustrated it certainly doesn’t endear you to the company you are trying to reach.

With a dedicated line, there’s no sifting through the phone tree. Your customer reaches the right department and can then be directed based on need. Remember the old adage, Keep it Simple Stupid.

Minute Usage

If you’re using a virtual phone system, your plan is most likely based on minute usage. One of the common traits we’ve seen in companies who go over their minutes, is they typically have a sales or support line, which can take up a ton of minutes as your business grows. Having a separate line/account may be just the answer.

To break it down, for a company on the Ramp plan ($24/500 minutes), it may make more sense to upgrade to the Grow plan ($49/2,000 minutes), but for those on the Grow plan, it probably doesn’t make sense to upgrade to the Max plan ($199/10,000 minutes). A better solution may be adding another Ramp plan to use for the support line. You don’t have to worry about minute overage and it won’t cost too much more.

Using a Grasshopper number as a dedicated support line (a Sales line would apply here too) appears to be a pretty good idea and one I’m glad was brought to our attention.

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:

1. An 800 number centralizes your business. Even if your employees are located in five different states, you still only need one number.

2. It’s easier for customers to remember your number, especially when you use vanity numbers (think 1-800-Flowers).

3. Customers are more likely to call an 800 number simply because it’s free!

4. You own your 800 number. Change businesses, locations, etc…the number is still yours.

5. 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.

6. Every number comes with a flexible plan based on your need for minutes and features. Just want to reserve a number? For $9.95 a month you can get the number you want and hold onto it.

7. 800 numbers provide you with a variety of helpful features like call forwarding, voicemail, and unlimited extensions. As your business grows, so does your phone system.

An 800 number is a valuable asset and can give your small business the professional look and feel it needs. Have more questions? Check out our FAQ or call customer support 24/7at 1-800-820-8210.

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!

Sound Local

While having a toll free number is important for businesses, having a local number can also be beneficial to your marketing efforts, especially for geo-targeting purposes.

Online efforts, paid search in particular, are a great way to reach your target audience in a particular area. With virtual local numbers, you can give that audience a way to reach your business that appears like it’s right down the street. Get local numbers across the US and have them all ring to your main business number.

Create Customized Extensions

A few months back we published a great post about how a customer of ours created custom extensions for each of their clients. When a client calls they are greeted with their own message, they are directed to their contact and the contact knows exactly who’s calling before they pick up the phone.

Not bad marketing to be able to tell your customers that you will be creating a designated line for them huh?

A virtual phone number not only helps your business sound professional but also can make it more efficient.

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).

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 change service providers, you must have the 800 number transferred before canceling your service.

4. Can I get a custom 800 number?

   Yes! Custom toll free numbers are called “vanity numbers” and we do offer them. Examples of vanity numbers include 1-800-Flowers or 1-888-BestBuy. You can search for and reserve a vanity number instantly online during signup. Vanity numbers can take up to a week to activate and require a $30 one-time fee. Don’t see what you want? Contact our customer support team and they may be able to help.

5. What if I just want to secure a number but I don’t need any minutes yet?

   With the new Pay As You Grow plan, you can reserve your 800 number for only $9.95 per month. Any minutes you use will simply be charged to your account. No minutes, no extra charges!

An 800 number can help your small business stay professional and sound connected. Get yours today!

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.

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.

• Do you need a phone number or do you already have one?

  If you already have a toll free number (or local), Grasshopper offers number transfers (or number porting). At sign up, simply choose the ‘Transfer an existing number’ option. It’s easy and you won’t have to worry about updating business cards or marketing materials.

• Do you want a toll free number for your business?

  Toll free numbers can have an extremely positive impact on small businesses. It not only helps you look more professional to customers and potential customers but also has proven to elicit more calls from customers than a traditional number.

• What kind of toll free number?

  There are three main types of toll free numbers out there – True 800 numbers, general 800 numbers and vanity numbers. True 800 numbers contain the “800″ prefix, general 800 numbers include 888, 866 and 877, and vanity numbers spell out your product or business name. Here are some tips on choosing a toll free number.

Office Space

Have a home office? Work from the road? Have a co-working space? The great thing about a virtual phone system is that no matter where you work, you can have your business number forwarded to any number on any phone.

If you are often out of the office, it makes a lot of sense to have a virtual number. Anytime a potential customer calls, you won’t have to worry about missing the call because you can simply forward it to your cell phone. Receive a voicemail? The voice mail will be emailed to you, ensuring that you can listen to it or read it (with the Read Your Voicemail feature) at any time.

Additional Extensions

When you start a business, you intend to grow, make money, hire employees, etc. When thinking about your phone system, determine if you are going to need to add extensions. (Note – all Grasshopper plans offer unlimited extensions).

• How many employees do you have?

  If you have employees, you are probably going to want to give them their own extension with their own voice mail box. More importantly, if your employees are not located in the same place, it is even more important that they be able to have their own extension that can be forwarded to their phone.

• Do you have a sales or support team?

  If so, consider creating extensions dedicated to those departments. This way, when a call comes in, you know exactly what it is in regards to. Are you the sales and support team? By creating specific extensions, you will know what the call is about as it comes in, allowing you to mentally prepare before you even answer.

Minutes

This is probably the biggest factor when choosing your actual virtual phone system plan. For most 1-2 person operations, a plan with a large number of minutes probably isn’t going to be necessary. However, maybe you have a partner in another city, do a lot of cold calling, or the majority of your meetings are done over the phone.

You also need to factor in how many employees you have. How often are they on the phone? Do they speak with clients? Is there a sales or support team that is constantly taking calls? If so, a plan with more minutes will be necessary.

A virtual phone system is a great option for small businesses and Grasshopper offers three plans to fit your needs.

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.

• 855, 844, 833, and 822 numbers have been reserved to be used as toll free numbers in the future.

• AT&T paid over $1.32 million to acquire the vanity number 1-800-YELLOWPAGES (* wiki)

An 800 number is a great way to make your small business sound professional for a low cost. Get an 800 number along with all the great features of the Grasshopper virtual phone system.

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?

2. Consistency

As your business grows, you may realize that your cell phone just isn’t cutting it anymore. You need a dedicated phone number and an actual phone system for your business. Extensions, voicemail, call forwarding, etc.

Do you really want to have to switch your number because your business is succeeding? You’d have to change business cards, social profiles, websites and marketing materials, all costing you time and money.

With a toll free number you never have to worry about changing your phone number. Toll free numbers are portable and can be transferred to any service you choose. They also can grow as your business grows. Are you a one person operation? You can have your toll free number forwarded to your phone. As you become larger and add employees, you just have to add extensions. You never have to worry about changing your number.

3. Cost

Toll free numbers are affordable for you and your customers. You can get a toll free number with a virtual pbx service for as low as $9.95 month. That includes all the great features we touched on above (call forwarding, extensions, voice mail, on-hold music & more). That’s less than $120 for your business over the course of a year!

As for your customers, they aren’t charged for calling you regardless of how long it takes to solve their problem.

Toll free numbers are a cost-effective way to help your business sound professional, project a strong brand and help your customers reach you.

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.
• Use a specific phone number in your television or print ad. This can be as easy as creating a new extension for your toll free number or using a completely separate phone number. Perhaps you want a local number for your television ad but an 800 number for your print ad since it will be less geo-targeted.

The more accurately a business is able to track marketing efforts, the more efficient they will be and the more money they will save.

Remember, with Grasshopper, additional phone numbers are only $5 each and additional extensions are FREE! Start tracking your marketing efforts now!

With the launch of Google Voice this past year, awareness surrounding the virtual phone, virtual pbx, hosted pbx industry has skyrocketed, and here at Grasshopper we have been fortunate enough to enjoy the benefits. More awareness means more people wanting to know what a virtual number is, what a virtual phone system is, how it works, who does this, how it can benefit them and how they can get it?

It also means more people asking, “What is the difference between Grasshopper and Google Voice?”.

The first thing we say is, Grasshopper is designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs versus the general consumer. We are dedicated to helping our customers sound professional, stay connected and ultimately grow their business.

That being said, our feature set has been built as a focused set of tools for entrepreneurs and their businesses – that is really the key difference.

Below we have highlighted just a few of the core features of the Grasshopper virtual phone system – all items not available with Google Voice:

Toll Free 800 Numbers

• A primary difference and business essential – A toll free number is a great way to help a business grow, look bigger and more professional, and provide customers with a means to reach you. With Grasshopper you can get general 800 numbers (800,888,877 & 866 numbers) along with custom vanity numbers (i.e. 1-800-AWESOME) and have them forwarded to any number on any phone in the world.

Phone Number Ownership

• As a Grasshopper customer you own the rights to your toll free or local number. If you decide to change service providers you can take the phone number with you. For businesses this is extremely important as the majority of marketing materials (business cards, website, etc) contain a business phone number. When you own the phone number, you don’t have to worry about adjusting all of your current materials just because you change providers.

Multiple Extensions

• As a business you probably want to add extensions for your employees. This is not only possible with Grasshopper, but also extremely easy and you are never charged for adding extensions. We offer unlimited extensions! That’s right we said an UNLIMITED amount at no extra charge ever. Each extension includes voice mail, call forwarding, custom greetings and more.

Multiple Numbers in ONE Account

• With Grasshopper you have multiple numbers within the same account. These numbers can all forward to any number you wish without limitations. This is important when you have several local numbers and a toll free number for your business. You need the ability to forward all numbers to one phone (whether this is home, office or cell). With Google Voice, you currently have the ability to forward two numbers to landline but only one to a mobile phone.

Human Voice mail Transcription

• One great feature with Google Voice is the voice mail transcription. As a general consumer, using my phone just for personal use, it is an awesome feature. The problem is, sometimes what you read, isn’t what was said. We know this can be the case with transcription which is why we offer a human transcription option included with our Read Your Voicemail feature.

• Example: Say you’re in a business meeting, can’t take a call, see the voice mail is from an important person but the transcription just doesn’t read correctly…choose human transcription and someone will actually listen to the voice mail, type it up for you and send it back. You never have to listen to your voice mail and perhaps miss an important message.

24/7 Live Support

• This is probably the biggest difference when it comes to our service and Google Voice. With our users being business men and women, we know how important it is to make sure service is always available and reliable. Just as we wouldn’t want to miss a call, we don’t want our customers to either. Our 24/7 dedicated support team offers help with set up, online account management and any issues or questions you may be having.

• That means if you live in California and decide to improve your business at 3am PST a real live Grasshopper support team member (yes we understand it is a rare occasion to get a real person on the phone nowadays) is just a phone call away at 800-820-8210 to help you out.

Away Greetings (After Hours, Vacations, Holidays etc.)

• You are a 1-2 person operation who has business calls forwarded to your cell phone using Grasshopper. Do you want to be receiving calls at 9 o’clock at night when you have settled down with your family? Probably not. With Away Greetings you have the option of creating a specific greeting for designated hours each day. Phone calls will not be sent to your phone and callers will hear the message you want them to.

On Hold Music

• You are on your cell phone, you put someone on hold, what do they hear? Silence. With Grasshopper you are able to upload your own on hold music or commercial. Choose music, commercials, jokes, whatever it is you want your customers to hear. Again, it helps your business sound professional and maybe even promote your lasted product to your customer, which is our goal.

We hope that answers any questions you have but if not, please feel free to contact our previously mentioned “live 24 hour/7 days a week” support team at 800-820-8210.

Interested in more information on Grasshopper vs. Google Voice?

• Grasshopper vs Google Voice – Live Crunch
• Your Hidden Potential Interviews David Hauser
• Grasshopper vs. Google Voice for Small Business – Longer Days

Toll free numbers can be extremely valuable to a business when they are looking to project a professional image, sound bigger or just give their customers an easy phone number to remember. 800, 888, 877 and 866 numbers from Grasshopper have helped tens of thousands of small businesses grow over the past six years and will continue to do so in the future.

How do I choose the right toll free number for my business?

Vanity Numbers

Everyone wants a number like 1-800-Flowers or 1-800-Mattress but it turns out that many of these numbers are taken. That doesn’t mean you should give up. Here are a couple of things to think about in choosing a vanity number:

• “What keywords best represent your business?” Think of a few to search for.
• “What number will be easy for customers to remember?”
• “Can the number grow with my business?” Don’t pigeonhole yourself into a niche if you plan on growing your business beyond that product/service.

When selecting a vanity number, try a variety of keywords until you find what best fits your business. If you have a specific request let us know and we can try to help you locate it.

True 800 Numbers

When people hear “toll free number” they automatically think of the “800″ prefix. These are called “True 800 Numbers”.

If you aren’t looking for a specific vanity number but would prefer having the “800″ prefix there are plenty available through Grasshopper. A True 800 number is a great way to help your business sound professional.

General Toll Free Numbers

866, 877 & 888 are the most common toll free prefixes outside of the 800 number we are all familiar with.

If you are simply looking for a general toll free number for your business, this is certainly the way to go. Any of these prefixes will provide you with a toll free number that helps your business project a larger image.

Choosing a toll free number shouldn’t be difficult but it should be given some thought. Grasshopper offers each of the toll free numbers mentioned above and searching for them is easy. We want your business to succeed and a toll free number combined with the Grasshopper virtual phone system will definitely help you stay connected and sound more professional.

*If you already have a toll free number, we also offer number portability.

“How do I dial a vanity number on my Blackberry?”

If you don’t know what a vanity number is, it is a custom phone number (toll free or local) that spells out a particular word. Here are a few examples:

• 1-800-Flowers
• 1-800-Contacts
• 1-888-BestBuy

So, how exactly do you go about dialing a vanity number on your Blackberry?

Well you could try to figure out what letter corresponds to what number, or you could simply hold down the ALT key. That’s it!

By holding down the ALT key, you can dial every letter on the keyboard, spelling out any number you need, including your Grasshopper vanity number!

To make it a little more clear, we have answered a few of the most common questions in regards to toll free numbers:

• Which numbers are considered toll free?

  800, 866, 877 & 888 prefixes are all considered “toll free” phone numbers for the U.S. and Canada.

• What is the difference between 800, 866, 877 and 888 numbers?

  Nothing. Each of the prefixes are treated the exact same way for toll free numbers.

• Why are there so many different toll free number prefixes?

  800 numbers were introduced in 1967 and as more and more businesses claimed them, the available numbers simply ran out. To meet demand, the FCC released 888 and 877 numbers and eventually 866 numbers in 2000.

• Can I still get an “800″ prefix?

  Grasshopper does in fact offer “true” 800 numbers to our customers. Check out the features page.

Have other questions or thoughts on toll free numbers? Leave a comment!