Toll Free Number vs JIO

When customers reach out to a business, they chat, email, or tweet. But, when wanting a serious talk or quick closure, they prefer to call (best when it’s a toll free number). And, with rapidly dropping telecom tariffs, customers are calling for free.

Meaning, the ‘call us for free’ bait may be fading for businesses.

That said, the arrival of Jio and similar players is now good three years old. Without an effort, masses have the leverage of free calling in their mobile phones.

Consequently, telecom operators can’t help but register a major portion of their potential market being swayed away.

In February 2018, ET Telecom reported an addition of 8.74 Million users in Jio’s subscriber base.

With an enormous size of addressable audience of the telecom industry shifting to free calling medium, the industry seems to experience FOMO on business opportunities.

However, moving all Jio or free calling arguments aside, why is it that a lot of businesses, surprisingly SMBs, are still picking 1800 Toll Free Numbers for customer communication?

Despite these businesses know their prospects/customers aren’t really enticed with the ‘Call us for free’ advantage anymore, they’re still being loyal to serve customer experience and introducing call center software in to their daily business communications

Is this why Jio itself uses 1800 Toll Free Number as a customer support companion? *smirks*

Now notice here, the above search says ‘Jio / Customer service’ right above the displayed number. And, beneath the number and the logo in the first organic search, they say ‘Interested in Jio? Talk to us.’

Here, ‘Jio / Customer service’ denotes a place where existing customers can get help.

And, ‘Interested in Jio? Talk to us’ denotes where new prospects can become customers.

So let’s believe such businesses empathise with their buyers’ behaviour very deeply. Maybe they care more about delivering a superior service and appearing credible, than just saving costs.

Toll Free Numbers and tons of other assets are pure revenue-generating remedies.

Though, with a vision to survive in an aggressive market, businesses become customer-centric i.e. they think from a customer’s POV which is pure purchase satisfaction.

This is where a Toll Free Number eases the journey of a business and a customer at different stages of purchase; right from starting to end conversion point.

With this blog I’m really hoping to convey some practical (and psychological) reasons on why it’s a good decision to have 1800 Toll Free Number (even though you know the masses have free calling leverage).

1. Customers Can Get it for Free

If your company has a toll-free number, consumers can call without incurring any call-related costs. 

As they will not have to worry about paying for the call, it is like giving them a friendly way to interact with you. 

Customers are more inclined to get in touch, ask questions, and inquire about what you have to offer when they know it is simple and free to do so. 

As a result, you are allowed to open up a conversation with your audience and motivate them to engage with your company more frequently.

As per a Forrester Research study, 72% of customers claim that toll-free numbers affect their choice to get in touch with a business. 

This is due to the connections between toll-free numbers- accessibility and focus on clients, leading to a higher likelihood of customer engagement.

2. Pre-Purchase Stage With Toll Free Number: Help Potential Customers Find (and Choose) you

I believe you have a great product/service. There’ll come a time when you or your team will plan marketing and promotional activities.

Of course it’s needed as you can’t just have your idea hidden. It has got to be out in the open.

You may hire a professional agency/consultant or an in-house team for marketing. And in your research, you will find a pool of ways to market your business.

By any chance, has anyone ever recommended you use a 1800 Toll Free Number? I’ll be glad if I’m not the first.

Using a Toll Free Number on a display platform alone is equivalent to N number of triggers you may insert in your ad; of course with the right targeting.

Imagine this ー you’re on the web in search of a 3D gift card designer & printer. You spot two results on the first page with their contact numbers displayed in bold.

Unknown to both and to give them a try, will you consider calling company A with a contact point, 98990 xxxxx or company B displaying 1800-YOUR-BRAND first?

At first sight, isn’t the choice clear?

Your choosing to call company B first may not necessarily be to avoid call cost. It’s likely that subconsciously, company B imprinted on you a sign of carrying more brand value and better serviceability towards customers like you.

Will it make a difference to you if customers feel the same way for your company?

Moral: A Tollfree Number automagically adds to the presence and credibility.

3. Purchase Stage With Toll Free Number: Draw More Customers No Matter Where You Are

Your marketing worked!

In your lead management CRM, you can see leads populated who belong from different cities, regions, and even small districts you never knew your brand reached.

Do you understand? At this point, you’d need a point of contact which brings you a national (and local) presence and lets customers from around the country contact you without any barriers.

That’s not it. Valuing the fact your potential customers chose to call you (over others), can you afford to lose their calls in broad daylight when you and your team is working so hard for them?

This is where a Toll Free Number reduces chaos and this is how you can get a toll free number

You may or may not know, a Toll Free Number comes with call tracking feature. This practically means you can track and see every call you or your team attended or missed.

Having a Toll Free Number in house, you can ensure your customers connect with you effortlessly and by choice; not just because you have a free calling medium for them.

Moral: A Tollfree Number can prevent missed business calls from becoming your nemesis.

4. Post Purchase Stage With Toll Free Number: Remember Not To Forget Customers After You Win Them

It’s not just about free calling…

As consumers of any product or service, customers don’t just seek phone numbers where they’d call (for free), meet an agent, narrate their problems, get a solution, and just say goodbye.

On the run of receiving solutions the business initially promised, customers, in a state of subconsciousness, develop expectations from businesses.

The expectation of customers is ‘we will be heard, answered, and treated’ at any point they feel now is the moment for businesses to hear them out. (hope you’d second me here)

This is what a Toll-Free Number empowers you to do.

Whether you’re a budding business or growing, you can only survive on the backbone of trust you’ve embedded in your customers’ hearts right from the beginning.

An average contact number, say your mobile or old-school landline number, may not be capable of yielding you the trust.

It’s just a usual phone number present in your personal mobile. Of course you can have your customers call you there whenever they might need you. But in reality, it can cater to your customer needs only to an extent.

5. Stand Out from Competitors

Having a toll-free number distinguishes your company from those who might not have it. 

It reflects your concern for your customers and the effort that you want to make it simple for them to contact you. 

A Nielsen study found that 75% of customers are more likely to pick a company with a toll-free number than one without. 

This gives you a competitive edge by highlighting your dedication to customer happiness and establishing your company as a client-oriented one.Did you know? As per another Nielsen study, a toll-free number can raise customer trust and confidence by 30%, enhancing the likelihood of customer retention and brand loyalty.

6. Professionalism and Reliability

Toll-free numbers are frequently connected with reputable, established companies. Customers feel more professional and trustworthy when they see a toll-free number associated with your company. 

Since they are frequently utilised by reputable and customer-focused businesses, toll-free numbers serve as a kind of seal of approval. 

Customers are more confident doing business with you because of this improved sense of professionalism and trust.

Based on a study by the Custom Toll-Free group, 90% of customers view toll-free numbers as a reliable and trustworthy company’s mark. 

This illustrates how toll-free numbers can help build trust and confidence among potential customers.

7. Better Customer Service

Customers can reach your company easily and conveniently with a toll-free number. 

As a result, clients can contact your agents without fear and without having to worry about paying for the call, which improves your customer service capabilities. 

Toll-free numbers promote rapid and easy problem-solving, which improves the overall customer experience and fosters more customer loyalty.

According to a Microsoft survey, 96% of consumers agree that a brand’s customer service is a deciding factor in whether or not they would remain loyal to it. 

Toll-free numbers access is crucial to fulfilling such demand from users.

8. Effective Communication at a Low Cost

Adopting a toll-free number not only relieves your clients of the stress of high call costs, but it also benefits your company financially. 

Incoming calls are free owing to the toll-free provider, which substantially reduces communication costs. 

These savings could be used to improve the effectiveness of other corporate functions like marketing, product development, or customer service.

The International Customer Management Institute (ICMI) conducted a cost analysis and discovered that adopting toll-free numbers for customer support can cut call center costs by 40%. 

This demonstrates the toll-free numbers’ notable cost-effectiveness in the area of consumer communication.

There are times when you’re out dining with family, watching a movie, or down with fever :(. Or simply, your business hours are off for the night.

Will you leave your prospects unheard?

Are you thinking about it now?

Moral: Toll Free Number is more about trust and goodwill, than just a plain free calling medium.

Whether you’re an established one or just starting out, business is a long-term plan and customers are future investments. There are innumerable ways to attract, convert, and delight them.

However, at this time, businesses are intensely impacted with a market that changes overnight.

Fortunately, in this maze of ever-changing policies & market trends, there are at least a few clear paths to have ease of customer acquisition, 1800 TollFree Number being one of them.

P.S. Still don’t believe me? Just give it a try by signing up for a free demo and see for yourself.