Customer engagement is a priority of all businesses. Over the years, numerous ways of customer engagement have developed, and telecommunication is one of them. Despite the emergence of modern methods like websites and social media, telecalling is still very much relevant, and for that, it is best to use a toll-free number.

Research published in Harvard Business Review emphasized that customers prefer to talk to a human being rather than a bot.

Chat and mails are also good options, but they can’t touch human emotions as well as a phone call. Many people prefer to directly reach a representative using a phone call than waiting for a response to an email. However, they might be hesitant if calling your customer care helpline is not free. Obviously, why would anybody want to pay for getting information or complaining about a product or service?

Getting a toll free number for your business solves this problem. By using a toll-free number, customers can reach you directly in case of a query without having to pay a penny. This is a great way to achieve customer satisfaction, which should likely be the ultimate goal of a far-sighted company.

A toll-free number has numerous benefits. Nevertheless, you can use those benefits only when you have the right toll free number service provider. But how to do that? Here are a few tips that might help you to select the best toll-free number service provider easily. 

1. Number Pattern

Numbers like 1800-118-811 and 1800-110-011 are easy to remember because of their repetitive nature. These types of numbers are the best for the business. However, if you are looking for a more economical option, go for simple numbers like 1800-20-2983* or 1800-29-1234*. Such numbers aren’t easy to remember, but you can buy them at cheaper rates. You can also opt for vanity numbers, which draw customer attention. A vanity number looks like 1800-RETAIL, where RETAIL on the mobile keypad stands for R – 7, E – 3, T – 8, A – 2, I -4, L -5, or 1800-738245. 

2. Uptime

Uptime is an eminent factor in a telephony service. It is the time for which the phone number is available for the customer to call. Top companies like Knowlarity offer 99.99% uptime, which nears 100%. Choose the vendor that guarantees similar uptime. However, don’t mistake 99.9% with 99.99%, as both are different. 99.99% uptime means the call remains down only for 52 minutes and 35 seconds in a year. On the contrary, 99.9% uptime leads to 8 hours, 45 minutes, and 36 seconds of phone number unavailability in a  year. 

3. IVR Integration

IVR or interactive voice response is an automated technology that allows customer interaction. IVR guides customers through pre-recorded voice and touch-tone key selection like “Press 1 for X” or “Press 2 for Y.” IVR gathers information about the customer needs and redirects the call to the most relevant person based on the information provided. Nowadays, most vendors offer the facility of IVR integration. Knowlarity is even a few steps ahead. Apart from IVR integration, you also get call recording, call transfer, and call tracking facilities. 

4. Reviews of Vendor

Check the website of the toll-free service provider. See what people have to say about their service. You should check the Google reviews of the website. However, many people argue that the reviews on the website are fake. If that’s the case, you can check out trusted sources like Trustpilot, Capterra, and Software suggest. These platforms have genuine reviews and ratings, which can help you to make a decision.  

5. Pricing

The probability of selecting a toll free number service provider largely depends on its pricing. It makes no sense to get the toll-free number service at a price that disturbs your budget. Similarly, choosing a cheap vendor that compromises on features would also be a wrong decision. Opt for providers that strike a balance between price and features. Compare the price and features of toll free number service providers and choose the most suitable one for your business.

Final Thoughts

Having a toll free number is no less than a boon for your business. It keeps your customers just a phone call away. All you need is a trustable toll-free number service provider who can offer the best solution according to your requirements. Opt for a toll-free number and make your customer feel more valued by solving their queries immediately and witness your business growth.