| With the growing popularity of toll free 800 numbers, | | | | are features which are common with most personal |
| there are now many service providers to choose | | | | phone services such as voicemail, call waiting, and call |
| from. Gone are the days when only the big companies | | | | forwarding. There are some features which are unique |
| such as AT&T and Qwest offer 800 number | | | | to 800 numbers:o Call blocking. With 800 numbers, |
| services. A quick search of providers yields upwards | | | | some callers fall outside of your coverage area and |
| of 50 different companies offering 800 numbers. | | | | would cost you more. With this feature you can block |
| With so many companies to choose from it's important | | | | those callers who fall outside your coverage.o |
| to carefully compare the 800 number services. First, | | | | Account codes. In some cases you may want only |
| you should decide what kind of plan you would like. | | | | authorized callers to get through. You can issue |
| There are two main types of plans: monthly service | | | | account access codes to employees and/or |
| plans and pay-as-you-go plans. With the monthly | | | | customers.o Automatic Number Identification (ANI). This |
| service plan you receive a set number of minutes | | | | feature is similar to caller ID. However, because ANI is |
| each month for a set price, similar to cell phone plans. | | | | unrelated to caller ID, even if caller ID blocking is |
| This monthly fee is charged regardless of usage. | | | | activated, the caller's telephone number and line type |
| Alternatively, the pay-as-you-go plans have a monthly | | | | are captured by ANI equipment. This is same |
| charge as well as a fee for minutes used. Determining | | | | technology that is used to assist in identifying the |
| how many minutes you intend to use will help you in | | | | caller's address to speed response time to 911 calls.o |
| choosing between the types of plans. | | | | Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS). If you have |
| Once you've determined the type of plan that best | | | | more than one 800 number, DNIS lets you know which |
| suits your needs, it's time to compare rates. Costs can | | | | number was called. This is particularly useful if you are |
| vary widely between 800 service providers. It's a | | | | running multiple marketing campaigns, and would like to |
| common misconception that the large service | | | | know which is the most successful. |
| providers will be able to offer the best rates. The big | | | | With a thorough search you'll certainly be able to find |
| companies do not specialize in 800 numbers, so | | | | and compare 800 number services that fit your needs |
| actually the smaller providers, which only deal with toll | | | | and your budget. Whatever your reason for searching |
| free numbers, often can offer more competitive rates. | | | | for such a service, whether to make your business |
| When comparing rates be sure to consider what | | | | appear more national or just to give your business a |
| features are included or offered. Some companies | | | | more professional appearance you'll find an 800 |
| include additional features in their base price while | | | | number can be an affordable way to stay connected |
| others charge additional fees for such features. There | | | | to your customer base. |