Pointing your 800 number to your cell phone can save you money
If you’re getting a toll free number because starting a new business keep in mind that you don’t have to have a separate business line, especially in the beginning. You may think you need a separate line for your business, but many people are able to start their business with a toll free number, going to their cell phone and then change the ring to number once they get things going. That way you can wait a few months before spending the extra money for a separate business line, not to mention the convenience of your cell phone.
It always takes longer and costs more than you think it should in starting a new business. So why should you have to pay the $25 to $40 a month for the separate phone line until you’re sure you need it. You can probably put that off for at least a few months by pointing the toll free number to your cell phone until you really get things going and need it. And it always seems like there’s more crazy hours and running around to do when you’re getting a new business started. So having your toll free calls on your cell phone may be a real benefit too.
Pointing a toll free number to your cell phone can also give you some of the benefits of distinctive ringing even without technically having distinctive ring service. That’s because most of the people that call your cell phone are probably already programmed into your phone and may even have their own separate ring tone. So if you answer the default ring with a business voice or greeting, there’s a good chance that’s a business call.
There are 3 more ways to recognize calls from your 800 number if that’s important but using your cell phone and the Caller ID is the simplest way.
(3 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5)
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Bill Syrios says:
November 14, 2010 at 2:43 pm
When I dial 1-855-SELL-TO-US (and include the last letter/number–the “S” or #7 which most people will do,
a recording comes on that says “your call can not be completed as dialed, please check the number and dial again.” This only happens when I call the number from my cell phone (T-Mobile). Our home line is Comcast which doesn’t have this problem.
My question is this just a T-Mobile problem or is it a problem with other carriers, cell phone or not? Can it be corrected?
Thanks,
Bill Syrios
Bill Quimby (678 comments.) says:
November 14, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Bill,
It happens on some cell phones. Some cell phones will put a call through, some won’t, and some will only allow numbers with extra digits on toll free numbers. It’s not all cell phones and it’s not all cell phones on a specific network. It’s the hardware, not the network.
What I think you’re forgetting is what happens next after dialing the number if it doesn’t go through. Almost everyone looks at the screen which anything smart has. And when it doesn’t space it out properly most people see that and hit back a couple times and then hit send again.
This is also mostly a theoretical concern. I’ve never talked to anyone that had actual evidence that the length was an issue. Most people who see this, assume that a high percent will be using them with cell phones and that if their cell phone doesn’t work nobody’s will. And like most people worried about something, they only look at the negative side and don’t see the mitigating factors.
I can talk from experience on this because my number is 8 digits long too. I’m also in the phone number business so if there’s a problem with my phone number they’re definitely going to tell me, more than they would if you’re in something else. And my business is also an internet business so I have my email address almost everywhere that my phone number is. So they would still be able to reach me and would definitely tell me if my phone number doesn’t work.
I do lose a call or two every month or two, but that’s dwarfed by the value of having a good number and the calls that I wouldn’t have gotten without it.
Bill Quimby