85% of customers who fail to reach you will not make a follow-up call. Instead, they switch to your competitor. Most companies do not help the situation by giving them unmemorable phone numbers: random numbers that your customers cannot remember after visiting your advertising once!
Your choice of the number will affect all interactions with the customers. An unmemorable series of numbers costs you money. A catchy one is one that keeps the customers coming back. This blog teaches you how to get a particular phone number that the customers will remember. You will also know where to purchase numbers, which types are the best types, etc.
What Is a “Specific Phone Number”?
A specific phone number is a unique phone number which comprises a sequence of digits, a number which is custom formatted, or a number assigned to one user or department. It is not a default number, and you can take it because of branding or due to the reasons of the organization.
Where to Buy or request a certain phone number?
The provider you pick will decide whether you can move your existing phone number later, the features that you get, sign up and the actual amount that you actually pay once the promotions are over.
1. CallHippo
CallHippo is a telephone service, a phone system that provides virtual phone numbers that operate on the cloud within minutes in 50 plus countries. The platform focuses on companies with startups and expanding businesses in need of simple hardware-free international calling. It begins with a price of $18 per user each month, incorporating conventional VoIP functionality, along with AI-based analytics and call tracking.
Key Features
- Numbers in 50 or more countries are virtual.
- Call Recording and Analytics.
- CRM ( Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, etc.)
- Power Dialer
- Smart Call Forwarding
Pros
- Free version applied to essential requirements.
- Most competitors are beaten in international number coverage.
- Intelligent call insights provided by AI.
Cons
- Even the free plan includes additional phone numbers as an upgrade.
- There are also extra per-minute fees on some routes.
2. Quo (formerly Openphone)
Quo is a business phone service that focuses on small business and start-ups that require a means of shared communication. Every user gets a single free local or toll-free number where there is unlimited calling in the US and Canada. The site has AI capabilities such as Sona, a smart call agent that responds to calls when teams are out of office. It begins with $15 monthly per user with clear upgrades.
Key Features
- Shared phone numbers
- Artificial Intelligence Call Transcription and Summaries.
- Built-in CRM functionality
- Auto-attendant and IVR
- Free Number Porting
Pros
- Free calls and text in the US and Canada.
- Shared inbox displays entire conversation history.
- AI agent (Sona) answers calls 24/7.
Cons
- None of the two-factor authentication.
- North American coverage only.
3. RingCentral
RingCentral offers cloud communications that are of enterprise quality and can be used with desktop phones. The system is an interface between the traditional hardware and the new cloud functionality and will provide video conferencing, team messaging and file sharing. It costs a starting price of 20 USD per month per user to businesses that are shifting to legacy systems or those that need an all-inclusive unified communications.
Key Features
- Desk phone rentals
- Video conferencing (premier levels)
- File sharing and messaging of teams.
- Multi-level IVR
- Analytics dashboard
Pros
- Supports existing desk phone support.
- Has business level reliability.
- Provides a wide range of features.
Cons
- Text messaging 25 segments per month (entry plan).
- After 90 days, files are deleted on lower levels.
4. Grasshopper
Grasshopper provides simple virtual phone solutions based on solopreneurs and micro-businesses. The audio platform has been focused on simple features, rather than advanced features with unlimited call to the US and Canada, and call routing extensions. Plans begin at 14 a month with 24/7 service. The system is based on desktop and mobile applications without the need of technical implementation.
Key Features
- Unlimited call to US and Canada.
- Call routing extensions through the phone.
- Desktop and mobile apps
- Business Texting
- Voicemail Transcription
Pros
- User-friendly interface does not need training.
- 24/7 customer support
- Voicemail to email included
Cons
- No mutual phone contacts.
- None of the native integrations with other tools.
5. JustCall
JustCall is used to drive call volumes of contact centers and sales teams in 70+ countries. The platform integrates power dialers and AI coaching with voice, SMS, and WhatsApp. It costs 29 USD a month per user (with the minimum of two users) and is capable of managing complex routing and detailed analytics of teams that make hundreds of calls each day.
Key Features
- Local numbers in 70+ countries
- SMS time-off and high volume text messaging.
- WhatsApp Business Inbox
- Power Dialer and Auto-dialer
- Call coaching with AI
Pros
- Designed to make numerous calls.
- Multi-channel support (WhatsApp, calls, SMS).
- Top-tier analytics and reporting.
Cons
- Text blocks that are limited to 500 users a month (base plan).
- Minimum license requirements are more expensive.
6. Google Voice
Google voice is a simplified VoIP tool that is only available to current Google workspace subscribers. The service offers free calling to the US and Canada with a strong connection to Google Calendar and Meet. Plans begin at $10 a month per user but make use of an extra Google Workspace licence (7 or more a month). Not able to integrate with other systems.
Key Features
- Free calls to Canada and US.
- Google Calendar connection.
- Google Meet video calls
- Voicemail transcription
- Call forwarding
Pros
- Connected with Google Workspace applications.
- Well-known user interface of Google.
- Free US/Canada calling
Cons
- None of the toll-free numbers are present.
- Inable to port toll-free numbers.
How Can You Request a Specific Phone Number?
You may order a certain phone number with the use of both traditional telecom providers and modern VoIP services. Both approaches have varying degrees of flexibility and speed.
By a Traditional Telecom Provider:
- Online Portal: Search the site of the provider, and find some numbers in your target area code. Type in particular numbers combinations that you desire, and scroll through relevant results. Book your number of choice and activate.
- Retail Store: Go to one of their physical locations and see what they offer in terms of either the premium or VIP number. Available fancy numbers are demonstrated by the store representatives. You select your number and pay at the counter and take away with your activated line.
- Enterprise Sales: Please call the business sales department directly in case you require several numbers or particular sequences. They can get into inventory which is not visible to the retail customers. Premium numbers have to be negotiated and in most cases are more expensive than regular selections.
Through a VoIP Service:
- Select Your Provider: Select VoIP providers such as CallHippo, Quo, JustCall or RingCentral depending on your feature requirements and budget.
- Choose Your Number: When registering, the customer is able to browse over numbers available. Search by area number, type in any number patterns wanted, or search by type of number (local, toll-free, vanity).
- Full Installation: Check your identity and payment method according to the instructions of the provider. The activation of your number takes a few hours or minutes.
A Number(s) Requested vs. Purchased.
The majority of businesses begin when the provider requests something in his inventory. You look through the numbers out there and take one on the spot. Buying a particular vanity number or nice pattern is logical.
What Are the Numbers that Can be Requested?
There are three kinds of numbers you can order to have in business:
1. Local
Local telephones have area codes, which are associated to a city or region. A 212 number signals New York. A 415 number means San Francisco. Customers prefer to use local numbers other than unknown area codes. The rate of call pick-up is raised by 400 percent when the caller ID displays a local number.
You do not necessarily need to have a physical office there. Voice over internet providers allow you to choose any area code. Depending on the area code, the price is between 0 and 15 per month. Big cities are more expensive than the country.
2. Toll-free
Toll-free telephone numbers are marked with prefixes 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, or 888. The called in business is not paid by the customer but by the business. Such figures operate on the national scale. They are perceived as being more professional and established by customers.
The majority of providers tell 5-15 dollars a month as the price of a toll-free number. This is because some have free minutes and others charge per minute on incoming calls. Toll-frees have a single problem, the spam filters. Most clients no longer pay attention to 800 numbers believing that they are spam calls. This is solved by distributing a toll-free number with a local one.
3. Vanity
Vanity phone numbers type words on the phone keypad. 1-800-PLUMBER makes customers know what you do. These figures boost the response rates by 33 percent. Customers do not actually lose pens. They remember the word.
There are two forms of vanity numbers:
- The real numbers vanity spells out full words (1-800-FLOWERS). These will range between 100-10,000 + or less depending on the word. Super competitive or high end words (such as 1-800-LAWYERS) may fetch thousands or tens of thousands, or even more, when bought on resale or auction.
- Pattern numbers are based on repetitions of numbers (555-7777) or sequences. These cost $20-$500. It may increase to $500 and above should they incorporate catchy sequences or availability of local area codes. Premium codes (such as 1111, 2222, 1234), may cost $1,000 or more on brokerage, or by special request.
Getting a certain phone number (step by step).
How to get a particular phone number follows the following steps:
Step 1: you need to determine the kind of number you want.
Begin with your customer base. Where do they live? In what way do you want to impress people?
- Select local in case you have certain cities and seek local confidence. A Miami roofing corporation requires a 305 number. A Denver dentist needs 720 or 303.
- Select toll-free when you serve more than one state or are desiring a national image. Toll-free numbers are the best in dealing with customer support lines. So does e-commerce business with delivery across the country.
- Select vanity when you have a limited marketing budget and you require word-of-mouth to operate. It is the greatest advantage of service businesses: plumbers, locksmiths, towing, legal firms.
It is always good to put 3 options. The first option may not be there.
Step 2: Check Availability
A majority of VoIP service providers provide search tool. Type your amount or pattern that you want. The system displays what is available in the near future.
Enter your word in the search query of the provider. In case 1-800-PAINTER is used, it tries 1-833-PAINTER or 1-888-PAINTER.
And are you asking a particular phone number when it is in use? Yes, but you cannot do this as a provider. You may talk to the existing owner either directly via number markets or via broker.
Step 3: Select a Provider or Marketplace.
Add your needs to the strengths of the provider:
- To be global: CallHippo provides numbers in 50 plus countries.
- For team collaboration: Quo offers common inboxes and artificial intelligence capabilities in case of team collaboration.
- In the case of call centers: JustCall supports large volumes and enables advanced routing.
- To gain quality vanity numbers: RingBoost deals with catchy patterns.
Step 4: Request or Buy the Number.
For provider inventory:
- Sign up for an account
- Search through numbers within your area of choice.
- Select your number
- Full authentication (usually phone and payment method in use)
- Number activates between minutes and 24 hours.
For marketplace purchases:
- Search NumberBarn, RingBoost or other marketplaces.
- Find your desired number
- Buy outright (range in prices between 20 and thousands)
- Choose a hosting provider
- Title ownership by means of LOA (Letter of Authorization).
Step 5: Activation and Configure the Number.
The activation is of different times:
- New values according to the provider: 5-60 minutes.
- Ported numbers: 7-14 business days.
- Purchased marketplace figures: 3-10 days of possession.
These settings should be configured at once:
- Call routing: What happens to calls? Your mobile? Team members? IVR menu?
- Business hours: What is the number answer? When does it go to voicemail?
- Voice mail greeting: Recording of professional message. Add your business name and the time you are likely to be called.
- Call forwarding conditions: Use backup numbers in case of the failure of the main line.
The Advantages of a Custom or specific phone number.
Some of the advantages of having a custom or specific phone number are listed below:
1. Brand Recognition and Recall Value
Customers do not forget numbers randomly, they remember the pattern. What figure would you remember seeing an advertisement?
- 847-293-8471
- 847-777-7777
The second one sticks. You would be able to dial it a week later without consulting it. This value of recall accumulates with time. Any customer who knows your number without the search is free advertisement. They share it easily. Pattern based numbers are dialed more accurately. Customers do not transpose numbers. Wrong numbers kill their time and yours.
2. Professional Image and Local Presence.
The customers using your personal cell can not tell whether you are genuine or not. They wonder if you’ll answer. They put your devotion to the test. Professional voicemail and routing of business number provides credibility. It is even more important when it is locally present.
Any city has a local area code in which you can purchase a particular phone number. Customers view you as a member of their society. A company based in San Diego that caters Los Angeles receives better response rate when it opens a 323 or 213 number compared to when it uses their 619 number.
3. Convenient Marketing and Monitoring.
Vanity numbers remove the problem of forgetting to write it down. Radio advertisements do not match vanity figures. Driving listeners are unable to write. But they do not remember 1-800-227-3638, but 1-800-BASEMENT.
You are able to follow campaigns that have distinct numbers. Use Facebook ads using one number. Another for Google ads. A third towards billboard campaigns. Several local numbers make you not get confused when testing various markets.
4. Individualized Customer Experience.
When customers notice your number on the caller ID they pick up. Random numbers get ignored. People assume it’s spam. They let it go to voicemail. This is altered by your vanity figure or familiar design. When they receive a call of 1-800-FLOWERS, they believe it must be a call about their order.
Conclusion
It is not hard to obtain a certain phone number. However, most businesses do not think strategically and snatch whatever is proposed to them as suggested by their provider. You are now informed on how to order a given phone number that the customers can recall. You know which provider is right to you. You will not fall into the trap of making the wrong number or wasting the budget.
Your business starts with your phone number. Make it memorable. Make it strategic. Make it count in your favor rather than work against you.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between purchasing and asking a certain phone number?
Requesting is picking between what your supplier has as inventory. You look up their database and take a number that is available. This is a few minutes and just the monthly subscription fee is required.
Buying refers to the process of obtaining a figure in the market, by a broker or an existing owner. This provides you with high quality vanity numbers and undiscovered patterns. You pay an upfront price.
Q2. Is it possible to have a free phone number?
Yes, but with limitations. There are some free plans that are provided by such providers and include one phone number. You select the numbers in their inventory that they have at no charge. No free premium vanity numbers and or certain patterns. Those are to be sold in the market.
Q3. What is the activation time of a purchased number?
Fee numbers bought in the marketplace require 3-10 days of ownership transfer. You have to do the LOA (Letter of Authorization) paperwork, pay transfer and wait till the hosting provider activates it.
Q4. Am I allowed to transfer my particular number to a different provider in the future?
Yes, provided that your provider allows number porting. A majority of reputable providers of VoIP services permit porting out, albeit some of them do charge. Before buying, you should check your contract. Other providers limit porting or have a minimum term requirement.
Q5. Can one be able to find the same number in more than one country?
No. Telephone numbers are country-specific
. The US number (i.e. 1-800-555-1234) does not resemble the UK number at all (i.e. +44-800-555-1234). You can however buy a certain phone number with the same pattern in various countries.
Q6. Is it possible to share the number of two individuals?
No. There is only one account that can be allocated to each phone number. Nonetheless, several individuals can have the common number by using shared phone services, forwarding, forwarding of calls to different phones, ring groups that divert one number to many phones and extensions where a main number is broken off.
