While a lot of business communication these days has shifted to email, chat and instant messaging, rumors that the phone has died have been greatly exaggerated. Here are some eye-opening statistics:
- Calls to businesses are expected to surpass 169 billion per year by 2020, and are 10-15 times more likely to generate a successful sale or follow-up activity vs. digital form submissions. (Source: BIA/Kelsey)
- 65% of customers prefer to contact a business by phone, while only 24% are satisfied with only a web form. (Source: Invoca)
- 75% percent of customers believe that calling is the most effective way to get a quick response from a business. (Source: NewVoiceMedia)
- 61% of mobile users prefer calling a business when they’re close to buying. (Source: Google)
Clearly, today’s customers — even digital native millennials and the emerging Gen Z cohort — want the option to speak to a qualified human being, whether they’re in the process of purchasing a product or service, or need post-sale support. And that’s where a toll-free number enters the picture!
By equipping your cloud phone system with a surprisingly affordable toll-free number (or multiple toll-free numbers if desired), you can start reaping the following benefits and rewards:
By equipping your cloud phone system with a surprisingly affordable toll-free number (or multiple toll-free numbers if desired), you can start reaping the following benefits and rewards:
Boost Credibility
A toll-free number instantly boosts your credibility, and helps you stand out in a crowded, competitive marketplace — especially if you’re a smaller business or a startup, and are pitted against large enterprises.
Save Customers Money
A toll-free number eliminates long-distance costs that would otherwise block out-of-market customers from giving you a call (including those who are temporarily out-of-market on a business trip or vacation).
Easy-to-Remember
“Infobesity” is the new term to describe the overwhelming and, frankly, incomprehensible amount of information that people are exposed to on a daily basis. A vanity toll-free number (e.g. 1-888-FIX-HVAC) is refreshingly easy to remember — which means more calls to your business, and ultimately more sales.
Support Commitment
According to a survey by American Express, 90% of customers rely on service — not price — to determine whether or not they will choose a business. A toll-free number clearly signals that you’re committed to delivering excellent support, because you’re making it easy and free for customers to reach you regardless of where they are.
Track Marketing Spend
You can assign a unique toll-free number to each individual offline or online marketing campaign. In addition to enhancing response rates, this lets you accurately and easily track performance and measure the ROI of your marketing spend.
100% Portable
If you change locations, then you can easily take your toll-free number(s) with you. You don’t have to update your website and business cards, or worry that customers will fall through the cracks.
Forward to Any Number
By default, your toll free number(s) will be routed to your business, just like local calls. However, whenever you wish you can forward incoming toll-free calls to any other number — such as a mobile phone or landline. This is ideal if you want to provide after-hours support from a remote location, or if the local power goes out and you want to ensure business continuity.
To learn more about equipping your cloud phone system with a surprisingly affordable toll-free number — and start reaping all of these rewards in your business — contact us today at (336) 544-4000 for a live, guided demo.
We can connect with you in-person at your location, or over-the-web if you prefer. There is no cost, no risk, and no obligation!
About Carolina Digital Phone:
Carolina Digital Phone is a pioneer of hosted phone services, and provides products that improve the capabilities of business, education and government telephony, while reducing their overall cost. The company’s offerings stand out for their excellent value, including very competitive pricing, the industry’s deepest feature set, ease of deployment, and many user-friendly packages – from a full turnkey setup including dial tone and VoIP phones to automated call answering and routing solutions that work with existing landlines, cell phones or VoIP phones. Learn more at CarolinaDigitalPhone.com