A note: Different types of small business phone numbers to choose from
There are different options of small business phone numbers to choose from, each with slightly different use cases. Each type can receive incoming calls from customers—the main difference is in what they charge, to whom, and what the business phone number looks like.
Numéros locaux
The most common type of business number is the typical local number. To reach customers in your area, using a local phone number reduces the cost of calls to your standard local call rate. Within Dialpad’s phone plans, a new local number is provided for free with the area code of your choosing, and you get free unlimited calls in your country, the US, and Canada.
Similarly, for businesses across multiple locations, having local numbers for each office or site expands your reach affordably.
Toll-free or 1-800 numbers
To make it easy and free for your customers to get in touch with your sales, customer support or general team, you could use toll-free numbers, which charge the business or person being called instead of the person making the call (in this case, your customer or prospect). Known as a 1-800 number in the US, these numbers begin with a toll-free code (like 1-800 or 1-888) and provide free phone calls for callers.
Vanity numbers
Also generally using the toll-free prefix, vanity numbers are usually spelled out with letters (corresponding with numbers on the number pad), making them more memorable and ideal for advertising. Vanity numbers tend to be more expensive, but they are more easily recalled by customers.
These tend to include words that link to the business or the business name, emphasizing your number in marketing campaigns, like 1-800-FLOWERS. These can also be made up entirely of numbers in a recognizable pattern or sequence, like 1-888-520-2020.
International numbers
If you’re growing your small business worldwide, then you probably need an international number. This allows calls to be made to and from your number from anywhere in the world at a standard rate. If you’re regularly taking and making long-distance calls, an international number could save money for both you, your customers, and your suppliers.