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Local vs Toll Free
By Bill Quimby on September 26, 2023
I started TollFreeNumbers.com almost 30 years ago and have been one of the most fervent advocate for toll free numbers in the country, but I have to admit that local numbers are definitely much more viable than they used to be. For many businesses they offer an excellent alternative or even a superior alternative!
Toll Free Numbers came out before people even knew you had to dial a 1 before an area code. That’s why they were advertised as “1-800!” Today everyone used to dialing area codes even for local numbers. 90% of your customers have overlay area codes, and the whole world is used to new area codes everywhere.
Maybe even more importantly, with the proliferation of cell phones, all with unlimited long distance, the whole idea of phone calls costing anything has almost completely vanished. There are other benefits of toll free numbers, but the benefit of more vanity local numbers being available can outweigh the secondary benefits of toll free for a lot of businesses.
When people ask me do they need a 1-800 number, I have always said you know what you want but you take what you can get, meaning if you can get the right message in a “1-800” number go for it, but if you can’t, don’t be afraid to take another toll free area code. Today that really has to be extended to local area codes too. I include local area code matches in the toll free search results, because they are a real alternative for businesses today. And if you can’t get the right message or term in a toll free number, you have to consider the local versions of it.
That’s why in 2023, the founder of TollFreeNumbers.com is now building LocalVanityNumbers.com too. I honestly think there’s way more potential for customers today in local numbers. And if you project these trends into the future, toll free numbers aren’t disappearing, but local vanity numbers are going to continue to grow in use and value, not just for local businesses but all businesses!
We've helped tens of thousands of customers get great numbers over the past 25+ years
“I just wanted to thank you all so much for your help in getting us our vanity toll free telephone number 1888 Go Olsen - we have enjoyed actually seeing it in print now and can not tell you how much we appreciate how easy you made the process. I always felt in the loop regarding what was going on in regards to our number being back ordered, and you always kept in touch about each step. The transfer was easy and we could not be more pleased with your service.”
Cristine Olsen
Stateline, NV
“Your company was recommended to us from our call center. They said you were the best and it proved right. Easy to place order. Find a number I that fit our company and it was fast. Excellent communication through through the entire process. Line became active within the time frame stated. Tested the line and it work perfect. I highly recommend your company to anyone looking for a toll free number.”
Christopher Warren
Granite bay, CA
“We have purchased several vanity numbers thru Tollfreenumbers.com and have been extremely pleased. We liked that a Carrier was recommended. The staff is friendly and helpful. Tollfreenumbers.com is highly recommended.”
David Dise
Richmond, VA