Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

This is sort of a marketing/customer service combo question.  I`m debating on buying a vanity number for my web design business for a variety of reason.  I want potential clients to pick up the phone and call obviously, and also I think it looks good from a customer service standpoint because it makes it look like my business is easy to get a hold of if something happens down the road.

What do you guys think?  Yeay or nay on the vanity 800 number?


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Ben Grinnell - 337 Design - Web Design & HD Video Production

What do you mean by "vanity number"?

I have to share a story about an ad I keep seeing on TV ... it`s a CRACKUP.
There`s a plumber that bought 866-867-5309.
Yes, like Jenny. And they sing the song in the end of the ad to make you remember the number. 865530oooooonieine.

My husband thought it was the dumbest thing ever. I said, do you remember the number? He said, "yes". Do you know what it was for? He said "a plumber".

So I said "Then that`s one damn good marketing move, isn`t it?"


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That PHP Girl
Small Business Essentials
Latest Post on SUN: New Facebook Pages - First Impressions

I don`t think the ROI would justify the expense, personally.

Vanity numbers are great if your company is one that people will be out and about, away from a directory, and perhaps need to recall from memory. Or maybe even a company that requires an impulsive response, so there would be no time to research a telephone directory. Or, even if you`re trying to create a recognizable brand in your market.

I think the money would be better spent making sure that whatever number you end up with is very easily accessible if someone were to search on "web design" in search engines or your local telephone directory. Or, maybe even spend the money on a print ad in a trade magazine.

I do however, think that the 800 number is a good idea, just sans "vanity". It shows that you`re open to clients on a national level, rather than just locally.

I`m left-handed, a bit dyslexic, and have a horrible time remembering numbers. But I remember words and phrases fairly easily. As such, I tend to like those numbers that spell out the business name, or something memorable. On the other hand, I can`t, for the life of me, think of a single example of a number I remember and would call in the future for anything. LOL!

I always wonder about those radio adds that constantly repeat their phone number.  Has anyone in the histroy of history ever called a phone number from an add heard on the radio??  I bet not.  I have gone to websites mentioned however.  Much easier to remember.

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Travis Tschepen
Hibachi Bros. LLC

--My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.--

(raising hand) I have....! :-)

If it is a product I want, I will call the number and it does not need to be a vanity number.  I will call it from a radio ad, tv ad or internet ad.  It is appreciated when someone has an 800 number, although I don`t have one for my business  because I`m just about to open. It doesn`t matter if I dial it left-handed, right-handed, or standing on my head -- I will call if I want the product or service. (CraigL -- I`m ambilateral and dyslexic which comes out when tired and can`t remember 10 minutes ago . . . are we related? ) But PULEEZE don`t have an automated system that takes 20 minutes and 30 different number punchings to get me to somebody`s full voicemailbox.  That makes me nuts  !

jillybeans

jillybeans

Well, I have appreciated the fact that my insurance company has an easy to remember phone number... although I could just as easily look it up off my insurance card, which I keep in my purse.

It is nice when I go out to my car, and find some mystery damage, or if I get into an accident on the road, I can pull out my phone and dial 1-800-PROGRESSIVE without thinking too much or having to go look it up.

That`s really the only vanity phone number I use though. Most phone numbers that I need freqently are already programmed into my cell phone. There are only a few numbers that I actually need to memorize.

I think nhgnikole and surfdodger have stated my perspective pretty well. I can remember them with a word... but I also remember them by the "jingle" on the radio ad.

Here in my area there is a roofing company that produces a stupid ending to their commercials. But... I still remember it, so it`s effective... if I am his target audience. This commercial doesn`t use a words to describe the phone number. It`s an inflection or a vocal style...

For your roofing needs call Armstrong. It`s three sevens aaaannnnndddd a one two three four.

So... it worked on me, but it wasn`t even the usage of words (vanity numbers) that did the trick.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

well we got this number for our salon and only cost us 20$ 282-HAIR, everyone seems to like it so far and it is easy to remember.

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He who gets greedy like a pig, gets slaughtered like a hog!