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Seamless communication with customers is essential to running a business successfully. Therefore, being available and connected always is imperative and you have to make it a priority, regardless of the size and nature of your business.
A toll-free number solution is perhaps the smartest multichannel communication platform to invest in because it enables the customers to reach you without spending a dime. Obviously, customers will be more than happy about calling you when they can do it for free.
Whether it is a query about your product or an issue they want to be resolved or any other reason, being able to connect without paying for the call is surely a motivating factor. This makes toll free numbers a customer engagement tool that any organization can rely on.
Beyond just letting you interact seamlessly with your customers; this service also has the potential to empower your marketing and branding initiatives as well. Apart from these conventional uses, there are some unconventional ways in which these numbers can serve your business. Let us explain these in detail.
Marketing Analytics
Toll free numbers serve as a traceable marketing tool that drives inbound leads and sales as well. Businesses can have specific toll-free numbers for individual campaigns such as those for television, print, billboards or the web. These numbers can be used as analytics tools for tracking campaign-wise performance and narrowing down on the most effective campaign strategy amongst them all.
A toll-free number provider can also offer features such as live monitoring and real-time reports which help businesses to get details such as which representatives are online, and the call volume being handled at any point in time. They can even listen to live conversations, while the call recording feature helps them access the customer-agent conversations and use them for training and quality improvement.
Voting Hotlines
Apart from the marketing and customer servicing applications, toll free number solutions are widely being used as voting hotlines. In fact, a large number of television show producers are getting toll free numbers in India for empowering their participatory programming strategies.
The use of toll-free numbers in India has become a norm for reality shows, game shows and talent hunts that run on viewer voting formats where the audience is given the opportunity to poll for their favorite contestants. After all, no one would want to spend on casting votes, and this is the reason why a toll-free number solution is essential to motivate them. Each participant is assigned a specific number which the viewers can call to cast their votes.
Promotion via Vanity Numbers
The biggest challenge for businesses in the current marketing landscape lies in building a distinctive presence that the customers are able to remember. This is exactly where a toll-free number can help you with. Easy to remember and good-looking numbers are called vanity numbers. Investing in a vanity number is a wise move because these eye-catching numbers are easy to remember and recall.
Essentially, these are special types of numbers that enable a business to include its brand name in an alpha-numeric form based on the company name or the service it delivers. Obviously, the potential customers will be able to associate the number with your business and call more frequently to generate higher sales. Though you may need to spend a little extra on vanity numbers, they yield a good ROI and serve as an effective promotional tool for the business.
Non-profit Helpline
Government and non-profit organizations leverage toll free numbers to offer helpline services, accumulate donations and secure public pledges over the phone. In the event of natural calamities such as earthquakes and floods, for example, organizations often put-up toll-free hotlines for emergency relief and donations.
Similarly, they also use them to deliver information, support, advice, and referrals to the callers in need. There are examples of specific communities such as helpline for child abuse victims, tobacco cessation services and mental health counselling agencies that use toll free numbers to extend help to people in dire need. Just
Government Services
Government agencies often provide a toll-free number solution that citizens can access to get answers to their questions related to the basic public services. People who want to apply or renew their driving licenses or passports, for example, can easily get all the required information by calling a helpline number.
Similarly, there are specialized voice portals that offer health-related information to address queries regarding issues related to health, diseases, epidemics, first aid, lifestyle, directory services, health policies, programs, laws, and guidelines.
Election Campaigns
In recent years, 1800 toll free numbers have become a vital part of political campaigns as well. Parties use them to build a professional image in front of the voters. Engaging the voter base becomes easier as they have access to a free phone number that they can call without spending anything. Supporters can easily call and connect with their favorite political candidates and offer suggestions or provide feedback as well. At the same time, parties can track the location of the callers and use the data to get insights about their strong and weak areas. They can align their political campaigns accordingly, with a focus on consolidating their strengths and addressing their weaknesses.
Things to Bear in Mind While Choosing a Toll-free Number Provider
Now that it becomes evident that toll free numbers make an asset for businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations, the next key question would relate to the choice of the right provider. Here are some aspects that you need to bear in mind while choosing a service provider:
- Number of minutes you expect to use and receive per month
- Assurance of uptime so that your business is never out of reach
- Availability of numbers which are catchy and easy to remember
- Reliable customer support that you can trust to stay up and running
- Competitive pricing and flexibility in service packages
- Add-on features such as call monitoring, IVR integration, call management and more
The aim is to collaborate with a provider that enables you simplify the functioning of business, enhance its communication system and get access to new and improved opportunities.
If you are looking to avail a toll-free number solution in India, Acefone is a reliable technology partner in this domain. We offer a service that blends with a fully functional cloud telephony suite and a range of innovative features to take your business to the next level.
