Get a Toll-Free Number for Your Business
Make your business look bigger and easier to contact, with no long-distance charges.
What Is a Toll-Free Number?
A toll-free number is a phone number that lets customers call your business without paying for the call. Instead, your business covers any associated costs on the caller’s behalf.
Originally, businesses used toll-free numbers to encourage more customers to call them. For a long time, if someone wanted to contact a business outside of their local area, they either had to pay for the long-distance call or have an operator ask the business to accept the charges. It wasn’t exactly a user-friendly process.
That’s why toll-free numbers were born — to allow customers to call businesses at no extra cost. We still use toll-free numbers today (albeit mostly for different reasons).
How To Get a Toll Free Phone Number
1
Choose Your Toll-Free or Vanity Number
2
Browse Plans
3
Order Now or Call Us
Toll-Free Number Options
With AccessDirect, toll-free numbers are highly customizable. Here are some options you can choose from:
Prefixes
Your toll-free number can start with one of the following prefixes:
- 800
- 888
- 877
- 866
- 855
- 844
- 833
The next available prefix (822) is expected but has no confirmed release date.
Vanity Numbers
A vanity number is a toll-free number customized to spell out a word or phrase on a traditional keypad. They’re great for marketing and easy recall.
When choosing a vanity number, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Length: At least 7 digits/letters after the prefix (max 10 total).
- Simplicity: Choose words that are easy to spell and remember. Avoid Q's and Z's, as they aren’t available on all keypads.
- Relevance: Align your vanity number with your brand or tagline.
- Backup Choices: Have alternative options in case your first choice isn’t available.
- Display Both Numbers: In all marketing, show both the vanity and numeric versions for clarity. (e.g., 1-800-FLOWERS / 1-800-356-9377).
- Mobile Optimization: Ensure the numeric version is tap-friendly on mobile.
- SEO Considerations: The numeric version helps with search rankings.
Are Toll-Free Numbers Still Necessary?
With VOIP (internet calling) making long-distance fees a thing of the past, you might wonder: Do toll-free numbers still matter? Most people can call anywhere without extra costs, so why do businesses still use them?
There are 2 reasons:
- 1. Some People Still Use Landlines - While less than a quarter of Americans rely on landlines, that number is much higher for Canadians and others worldwide. For many people, toll-free numbers help avoid long-distance fees. However, this isn’t the primary reason.
- 2. Professional Branding - A toll-free number isn’t just about saving money. It gives your business a polished, credible image and makes it easier to connect with customers everywhere.
Even as the number of people using traditional landline services is declining, toll-free numbers are becoming more important for businesses to grow and maintain a professional image.
Toll-Free vs. Local Numbers
Modern VOIP systems give businesses flexibility, whether through a toll-free or local number. The choice depends on how you want to position your brand:
- Toll-Free: A toll-free number makes your business feel bigger and more accessible to customers across the country. It’s great for national brands or even entrepreneurs that want to appear established and professional.
- Local: A local number builds trust with customers in a specific area. Even if your business isn’t physically there, a local number makes you feel like part of the community. Even if you keep a toll-free number, adding a local number is still a great option for companies expanding into new markets.
Modern Benefits of Toll-Free Numbers
Toll-free numbers aren’t going anywhere. They still deliver real benefits that help businesses connect and build trust with customers.
1. A Professional & Recognizable Brand
Toll-free numbers have been around so long that they’re instantly associated with established businesses. Today, customers recognize 1-800 numbers as a sign of credibility. That makes your business feel more trustworthy to call.
2. Branding With Vanity Numbers
A toll-free number can be customized to be memorable, like 1-800-FLOWERS or 1-888-BEST-DEAL. This is called a vanity number. Because it’s catchy, it makes marketing easier by helping customers remember your business phone number.
3. Better Call Transparency
Toll-free numbers prevent anonymous calling. When you have a toll-free number, no one can block their number when calling you. This is useful for filtering out spam and keeping track of customer identities for marketing.
4. Compliance for Regulated Industries
Certain industries, like healthcare, require toll-free numbers for compliance. This ensures accessibility for patients and customers, in case they still have to pay for long-distance calls. But even if it isn’t required, a toll-free number still signals professionalism and accessibility.
5. Flexibility & Portability
Unlike traditional landlines, toll-free numbers aren’t tied to a single carrier. That means you can switch providers easily without losing your number, which gives you more control and flexibility with a number you can keep forever.
Who Needs a Toll-Free Number?
While any business can benefit from a toll-free number, some industries rely on them more than others. Here are a few examples where a toll-free number makes a big difference:
1. Retail Businesses Expanding Beyond Foot Traffic
2. Businesses with 24/7 or Emergency Services
3. Customer Service Departments
4. Franchises & Multi-Location Businesses
What Customers Say About AccessDirect’s Voicemail Mailbox Service
A Quick History of Toll-Free Numbers
- 1950s: Zenith Calls - The first version of toll-free calling. Customers would dial an operator who would then route the call to a business that agreed to pay for incoming calls. This made it easier for customers, but it was still a clunky, manual process.
- 1960s: AT&T Introduces InWATS - A flat-rate toll-free system for businesses to accept calls more efficiently. It streamlined the process, but it was really expensive, so only big companies could afford it.
- 1980s & 1990s: Toll-Free for Everyone - New technology made the toll-free numbers we know today much more affordable, so businesses of all sizes could finally use them. 1-800 numbers became the gold standard, with additional toll-free codes like 888, 877, and 866 following.
- Today: The VOIP Era - With internet-based phone systems, toll-free numbers are more flexible than ever. Businesses can route calls anywhere, screen incoming calls, and use advanced call management features to provide better service.
Today, toll-free numbers still serve the same core purpose: making it easy for customers to reach you. But now, they come with smart features that go way beyond a simple call.
Toll-Free Number Features
Find-Me/Follow-Me Call Routing
Virtual Call Management
Professionally Recorded Greetings
We’ll craft and record polished greetings that enhance your brand and create a great first impression.
Visual Voicemail
Individual or Department Extensions
Music on Transfer
Dial-by-Name Directory
Multiple Numbers on One Phone
Custom Solutions
FAQ
What is a toll-free number?
Why choose a toll-free number over a local number?
How do I choose the right toll-free number?
- Memorability: Opt for vanity numbers (e.g., 1-800-FLOWERS) or repeating digits.
- Prefix: 800 is the most recognized, but newer options like 833 and 844 offer more availability.
- Relevance: Choose a number that reflects your brand (e.g., 1-866-PLUMBER).
How much does a toll-free number cost?
Can I keep my toll-free number if I switch providers?
Do toll-free numbers work internationally?
Are vanity numbers worth it?
How long does it take to set up a toll-free number?
- Standard toll-free numbers: Activated instantly.
- Vanity numbers: 1–3 business days for verification and provisioning.
Get Your Toll-Free Number Today
A professional toll-free number enhances your brand and makes it easier for customers to reach you. But having a number alone isn’t enough — you also need phone service that’s responsive to your business.
At AccessDirect, we don’t just provide toll-free numbers; we offer a full suite of features designed to improve call management. That way, you never miss an important call. Plus, our team is always ready to assist you in optimizing your setup.
No matter the size of your business, our toll-free solutions offer the reliability and flexibility you need to grow.