With RingEX, it is easy and cost-effective to add a vanity number to your account. In addition to all the other features of messaging, video, and phone, you’ll be able to use your phone service provider as an important marketing tool - so why not talk to one of our agents today?
How do I get a vanity phone number?
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What business phone numbers can you recall off the top of your head? For many of us, JG Wentworth’s toll-free number of 877-CASH-NOW is probably one of them. Their commercials have streamed across cable networking for years. How JG Wentworth uses their custom number in their marketing campaigns shows just how effective they can be.
We call these numbers “vanity phone numbers” and they have long been a great way to help customers remember the phone numbers of businesses. In the past, getting a vanity number with a phone service came at a high cost and needed special equipment and technical skills to manage it.
But that’s not the case anymore. Getting a vanity number is easier than ever with a VoIP phone system, and we are going to show you how to do it. Below, we will go over:
- What a vanity phone number is
- Why you should get a vanity number
- Mistakes to avoid when picking a custom vanity phone number
- How to get a vanity number with RingCentral
What is a vanity phone number?
A vanity number is a custom phone number that comes in a unique sequence. The numbers usually spell out something related to the business on the telephone keypad. For example 1-800-GoFedEx (1-800-463-3339).
They are generally toll-free numbers that are more noticeable and easy to remember than auto-generated numbers. Because they are toll-free, they can be recalled by all customers (in and out of state) better than local numbers.
Why should I get a vanity number?
The fact that we still have vanity phone numbers stored in our long-term memory is a testament to their effectiveness. However, let’s go over the reasons why a custom vanity number is right for you. This applies to small businesses to large corporations from any industry.
Improved brand recognition
With a memorable vanity phone number, you are giving your brand recognition a much-needed boost. In fact, vanity 800 recall is over 72% compared to 5% with regular numbers. You are telling prospects who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you. In a competitive market, it is important to stand out with product personality.
Toll-free vanity numbers also provide you with more recognition outside your region. While local phone numbers can be great, you may miss out on more distant prospects. Even if you do only serve customers in your immediate area, local vanity numbers can make you a star in your hometown.
A business VoIP service provider can even make it possible for you to user-test different numbers. You can release multiple vanity numbers to see which one resonates best with your customers. Because it is easy to add and delete phone numbers, you can even create specialized numbers to market your different marketing and product campaigns.
Increase call volumes
The more people who remember your local or toll-free number, the more incoming calls you will receive. Lead generation will increase, which, with some excellent sales and customer service teams in place, will result in more conversions.
With a virtual phone system, your business can also have more than one number for local and long-distance callers. Your number can begin with a local area code and a toll-free prefix. If you work across borders, you can even include a number that makes international calling easy. This way, you feel more local to certain customers while being accessible to all possible prospects.
Increased functionality
Vanity numbers aren’t only good for incoming and outgoing business calls. You can also have vanity numbers for virtual faxing. With VoIP phones, the calling features are nearly endless. They include:
- Call forwarding to your mobile device, allowing you to work from anywhere
- Send and receive SMS text messages
- Unlimited extensions
- Simultaneous call handling
- Custom greetings
- Call transferring
All of these features work to make your life easier. You can connect with your customers using your vanity number via voice or SMS message while leveraging all the advanced features of VoIP phones. With a single number, you have the power to direct your calls to any of your team members to any device.
Enhanced brand image
A vanity phone number allows you to display your professionalism and creativity to your prospects and customers. It shows that you’ve put thought into how your customers can reach you, and that you’ve spent the time to creatively consider a local and toll-free number that is memorable for them.
You will also gain credibility from your professional welcome greeting. With vanity number providers, like RingEX, an auto attendant makes it easy for you to have effective call routing at your business. The Interactive Voice Response (IVR) feature makes your customers feel welcomed by your virtual receptionist, which in turn quickly connects them to the right team member.
Increased bottom line
Because toll-free vanity telephone numbers double as an effective marketing tool, they are great for your bottom line. They increase conversions, sales, and act as great lead generators. You can put your vanity number on all your marketing materials, vehicles, and business cards so your customers see you and your contact information everywhere.
Because your business phone system also acts as your vanity phone number provider, it is extremely cost-effective. They are available with easy to understand, transparent pricing. This usually includes a monthly plan with low setup fees. With the number, you can often get unlimited minutes and all the other benefits of a VoIP phone system.
Vanity number mistakes to avoid
While you should be creative when you are choosing your vanity toll-free phone number, there are some mistakes that business owners make. Consider these top 3 mistakes to avoid:
1. Only searching on small-inventory websites for vanity number availability
1. Only searching on small-inventory websites for vanity number availability
Many first-time vanity number clients look for a new number on a single site. Make sure to shop around with multiple providers. Take a look at their options and what additional features they provide with the cost of the number.
While we may be biased, RingCentral’s Vanity Number Search is an exception to that rule. Feel free to cross-reference with different sites, but if a number is available, it is most likely listed as part of our inventory.
At any rate, conduct an exhaustive search and keep in mind that toll-free numbers can be ported over to any phone service provider. Once you have a number, it belongs to you. Invest time in the process and make sure you are getting the best cost-benefit for your business.
2. Don’t restrict your choice of vanity number
2. Don’t restrict your choice of vanity number
Vanity numbers are popular in all industries and you are limited by the available vanity numbers. For example, if you have a plumbing company, chances are that 1-800-PLUMBING is taken. However, that shouldn’t stop you from getting a number that is easy to remember and related to your business.
Consider variations and think outside the box. Think of a different word or phrase that fits with your business and that you can use in marketing materials. There are a lot of options out there, so don’t impulse buy vanity numbers.
3. Know prefix hierarchy in toll-free numbers
3. Know prefix hierarchy in toll-free numbers
Not all toll-free prefixes are created equal. Here is how the prefixes rank in terms of recognizability.
- In first place are 800 numbers
- Coming in second are 888 numbers
- Tied for third are 866 and 877 numbers
Consider your options and choose what’s right for you. If you have a choice between a mnemonic that is just alright in an 800 format and one that fits your business perfectly in the 888, go with the 888.
How to get a vanity number with RingCentral
Now that you know what a vanity number is, some of its benefits, and the mistakes to avoid, let’s talk about the technical side. While you can get your number anywhere, RingCentral can be your one-stop for all your business communication needs. This includes the adding and changing of your vanity phone numbers.
Look at the following ways you can easily add your toll-free vanity phone number to your RingEX.
Add a vanity number from your online account
Go to My Settings in your online account. From there you can search for your vanity number. You can even enter * (asterisk) to use wildcards. For example, if you want to include the word “ship”, search for “****-SHIP” to see what options are available.
Add a vanity number from the mobile app
You can also add a vanity number from anywhere using your mobile app. To do this you log onto your app as an Administrator and:
- Tap on your Profile Picture
- Choose Phone System
- Tap Company Numbers and Info then choose Add Number
- Choose Vanity and use the search tool for your desired number. You can still look for wildcards using an asterisk.
Why RingEX?
If you are not a RingEX customer yet, why should you make the change?
Well, as well as the excellent vanity number options, RingCentral has messaging, video, and phone features that put it above the competition. These features include:
- Advanced tools for effective call handling of inbound calls
- Features that allow for efficient call management of outbound calls
- Dial-by-name directory
- Call tracking
- Call logs
- Caller ID
- Call recording
- Unlimited monthly minutes
- Business text messaging capabilities
- Voicemail and voicemail transcription
With RingCentral, you can make inbound and outbound calls to your customers through WiFi calling from your mobile device or computer. You can also keep in touch with your team via text messaging and video conferencing. This means you can be anywhere in the world and still be in contact with your team.
Pricing
For new customers, plans start at $15.99 and have a quick and easy setup and require no hardware. You can even start out with a free trial.
For existing RingCentral customers, you can add a vanity number for a small $30 set up fee (plus taxes) and a small monthly subscription fee. From there, your number will be activated within 5 business days.
Now get started!
Now you have all the information to go out and get your own vanity phone number. Once you start using the number in your marketing campaigns, you will be able to benefit from higher call volumes, greater brand recognition, and a better bottom line.