subject: Why Your Online Business Needs A Toll Free Number [print this page] A mistake that countless online businesses make is they do not invest in a toll free phone number for their customers to call. This is a major mistake to make because customers want to know that they can contact a company whenever they need support. Generally, a company becomes much more legitimate in the eyes of a customer if it has a toll free, or otherwise known as 800, phone number. It is absolutely vital for any online business to consider obtaining a toll free number because as the business expands, its customers will demand the need to deal with a professional company.
The first way that a toll free phone number will help an online business is by giving the company a streamlined way for customers to contact those within the company. Many customers do not like communicating strictly through email because a response to a simple inquiry can take hours and, therefore, is not the most efficient way to communicate. In addition, customers want to feel as though business owners are not running their business out of a basement. Having a toll free phone number will give the customers security and peace of mind. Sending money to someone for a product or service that is only available online comes with a perceived risk. Giving customers a number at which the company can be reached will immediately put their minds at ease, and can effectively function to attract new customers.
Business owners can also make their online business run much more efficiently with a toll free phone number, as it will give them a quick and easy way to handle inquiries. All a customer has to do is pick up the phone and give the company a quick call whenever any questions arise. This reduces the amount of time that employees will spend checking emails and eliminates the necessity of setting up a local number. Setting up a local number typically comes with long distance charges, which many customers will refuse to pay. The key to an 800 number is that an online business must make itself as available as possible to potential and current customers alike. It is an efficient way to expand business and grow and develop a company.
Perhaps the most important aspect of a toll free phone number is the fact that, when you couple it with a virtual PBX, information is available to your customers 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Individuals who are running a small business have a lot to worry about because losing even one customer could significantly impact the bottom line. Many online business lose customers because of time zone differences, since it is impossible to field inquires around the clock. Having a toll free phone number with a virtual PBX will ensure, however, that these companies are able to offer availability, much like their websites are.
A virtual PBX with an 800 number allows for informational recordings about products and services, the ability for callers to request fax documents be sent to them automatically, automated order taking and more. This can give a company a definite advantage over online businesses that do not have a toll free phone number. Such a factor is especially important for businesses that wish to expand into foreign markets, as they will want their phone lines to be open during business hours in other countries. Unfortunately, this can be next to impossible when operating a business with a traditional phone line.
The image of any business with a toll free phone number improves immediately, as there is an element of accessibility that such numbers convey. Enhancing a business's image can work to improve its sales since customers want to trust and feel comfortable with any company that they're aligned with. By becoming more professional, online business can put their customers' minds at ease, which is critical in today's society as many fraudulent online businesses have scammed people out of money and time. In addition, an 800 phone number will make life easier for a business owner because it not only opens up additional lines of communication between the business and its customers, but it also ensures that new customers will receive timely responses and assistance.
by: Brandi Cummings
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