A toll-free number is a phone number that's free of charge for the person placing the call. Any long-distance fees for the call are incurred on the receiving end.

Toll-free numbers are popular options for businesses that want designated support lines for their customers or potential clients, free of charge. Most often, sales and support representatives are at the end of the line, ready to respond to queries. It's worth noting that toll-free numbers are only reachable from numbers with the same country prefix.

When someone dials a toll-free number, the call routes to the subscriber of that number. Different telephone providers use different types of networks to carry calls. Aircall connects voice conversations digitally using voice over internet protocol (VoIP).

Modern VoIP is faster, more cost-effective, and portable than the former analog method. Traditionally, 0800 numbers are routed through a public switched telephone network (PSTN), which transfers sound through dedicated copper wire transmissions. For more information on understanding VoIP, check out this blog post.

A toll-free number is a simple way to add additional value to your existing product or service. By making it free and easy for your customers to speak to a live sales and support representative, you're improving their overall experience. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction and retention rates.

The option to speak directly with your sales or customer satisfaction team may also encourage users to engage more with your brand and get the help they need to better use your product or service. By setting up business hours, they'll also know when they can reach you. Toll-free numbers automatically route your incoming calls to the next available agent, so this can significantly improve your customer service response time.

Aircall offers a range of phone number types that vary in capability and cost. Here's an overview and what they can do.

National phone numbers

National numbers can be reached across an entire country at the same cost. This choice is common for businesses that want to be reached nationwide. In the UK, the national number is +44. National toll-free numbers are convenient because you don't have to change your business number if you have another office within the country. You can create 0800, 0888, 0877, 0866, 0855, 0844, and 0833 numbers. Advertising your company's national toll-free number can also increase the number of incoming calls.

Geographic phone numbers

Geographic numbers are specific to regions like a town or a city. Also known as local numbers, these are typically used by local businesses. Customers or clients may recognise local numbers better than a toll-free number and assume the caller is within their region. As a result, a local number has the potential to increase the likelihood that they would pick up a call from your business. Geographic numbers can be identified by area code; for example, a number for Bakersfield in Los Angeles would start with 0121.

Classic numbers vs. IVR (Interactive Voice Response) numbers

You can choose whether your toll-free calls are received by a person directly, or whether the call is answered by an automatic voice message before being routed to support personnel. These two options are called number classifications: a classic number and an IVR number.

A classic number is assigned directly to a person or a team through a distribution centre.

An IVR number goes to a pre-recorded voice communication via dial tones (DTMF) connected to the receiver's number pad on their phone. You may be familiar with call options such as, "Please press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish..." and so on. Once the option is chosen, the caller will be directed to a sales or support representative in the right department.

A vanity number is a toll-free number where the digits spell out words or phrases that are relevant to your business. A vanity number makes it easier for a customer in need to recall your number, and it can boost your brand awareness. With an easy to remember vanity number like 1-800-FITNESS, customers won't have to look your service up online; they'll already have the number in mind. This way, you don’t have to compete with similar businesses vying for their attention online.

Aircall provides businesses with 0800 numbers and local numbers for both inbound and outbound calls. When you sign up for a free trial, you can instantly claim a new 0800 number or local numbers of your choosing. With our VoIP phone system, you'll be able to create toll-free 0800, 0888, 0877, 0866, 0855, 0844, and 0833 numbers, instantly.