After previously announcing 855 toll free numbers would be released on October 2nd, the FCC has issued an order to delay the release to October 9th.
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.
Posted in Toll Free & Local Numbers | Tagged 800 number, Toll Free Numbers | 2 Comments
If your company does business via phone or uses display advertising, a vanity toll-free number is a must. Expecting rushed viewers to remember a random 10 digit string is simply unreasonable, and relying on this could destroy the bottom line. However, not all of these numbers are created equally.
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)
Posted in Marketing & Brands, Tips & Tricks, Toll Free & Local Numbers | Tagged Toll Free Numbers, vanity numbers | 6 Comments
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.
Posted in Toll Free & Local Numbers | Tagged 800 number, Toll Free Numbers | Leave a comment
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:
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.
Posted in Toll Free & Local Numbers | Tagged 800 number, Toll Free Numbers | 1 Comment
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.
Posted in News & Updates, Tips & Tricks | Tagged customer service, Local Numbers, tips, Toll Free Numbers | 3 Comments ← Older posts Newer posts →
