Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

hi Renee,

I`m only going to tell you what I`ve seen and experienced personally for myself and my clients. You can definitely expect to see an increase in sales by having a telephone number. But usually, the increase doesn`t come in "telephone orders" per say, the bulk of the increase in orders will come through the website. Having a visible number on the website just assures people that you`re "real" and if there is a problem, that they can call you.

Most of your customers will never call and will continue to order thru the site.

Whether or not to invest in a toll-free number is another story...with a toll-free number, you will incur charges based on how long you`re on the phone with customers/prospects. On the other hand, with a local number, you don`t... I`ve seen no increase in orders when we had local phone numbers and toll-free phone numbers. Most people have cell phones now and that`s what they`ll likely use when calling you (usually on break at work -- or you`ll get those who suppose to be working but will sneak away to call )

All in all, if I had to choose between a local number and toll-free, I`d put the toll-free... but for those of you who can`t afford a toll-free, at least get a $10/mo local voicemail number and put that on your site. You will see an increase -- Most people won`t call it, but is reassures them when they see a number on the site and you win by getting more sales.

If they call, many will leave a message... of course some won`t, but many will... especially if you have something they want.

On another note.. I`d be exploiting the heck out of Oprah on my site if I appeared on her show. While I see it on your site, I really "don`t see it".

Exploit that fact to the MAX!

That is a huge endorsement
Cartess



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Website Startup Coach: Step-by-Step Coaching to Help You Build a Profitable Business Online!

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Sue Fenwick
The Success Collaborative
Creating Space for Businesses to Grow
http://www.successcollaborative.com

Thank you so much for the input on the toll free number.  Sounds like something I should really look into more.  RE: Oprah....when you are there, they have you sit down with someone from their legal team and sign all this paperwork waiving any right to endorsement, etc.  I struggle with, well, this is just fact and I`m not suggesting that she endorsed me, etc.  But in the end, I`m just not sure where that leaves me.  I know so many others who talk about "As soon on the Oprah Winfrey Show" and it is true, but I don`t know legally how far I can go with it.  Not that anyone would probably ever find out and if they did, I would just have to cease and desist.  But that`s why I`m on the shy side about it.

Hi Renee,

I agree with all the posters above, specifically for sake of credibility.  We do get a number of calls through our 800 number, but most of the disseminated information is done through the web.

Although long-distance is almost non-existant, or Minimal in most areas now, some of our customers still have the cost concerns for calling cross-state (which most of our clients are), and so the 800 number helps with that immensely.

We use a web based 800 service, ~$20 a month, which has fully automated customizable options for extensions and voice.  The service ALSO forwards all the calls to cell phones; it can ring multiple numbers before going to voicemail.

Pretty handy, its Got Vmail

Http://Gotvmail.com




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-You may indeed fail before you succeed, but don`t make it a habit.

A tollfree number would look really good on your website and for your image. It can bring alot of business in from my experience. Specially if you`re catering to customers across the continent.

If you`re on a budget I`d suggest an internet voicemail service. I researched on several providers and I really liked 101voicemail. They give a Free Tollfree number, Unlimited usage, and has a flat rate of only $8.50 /month. The service is easy to use and their customer support is friendly and very accomodating.

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IsraelExporter.com - Marketing and Lead Generation for Israel's Leading Export Companies PiTag Media - PiTag Media uses online tools to provide increased value for start ups and large companies. Connect with me on LinkedIN

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Thank you,
Tina Moore
Owner
PrimoSites.com Web Developers
"We make having a great website easy!"

If you need any help and want to use a vanity toll free number instead of a numeric one...please feel free to contact me at paul@primarywave.com.

There are many benefits to having a number...and exponenial benefits if they remember it.

Paul