800 Vanity Numbers

Use a toll-free search tool to find your perfect number Online toll-free number search tools are terrifically helpful. All phone companies draw numbers from the same pool, so you can check availability anywhere, but sign up with a different company if you want.

I recommend:  A search tool lets you quickly try out different letter and number combinations to see if anything is available in 800, 888, 877 or 866 all at the same time. AT&T's Toll-Free Lookup Tool is one of the easiest to use and most helpful available.

Use special tools and 'wildcards' to make your search easier Using 'wildcards' in a number search tool in place of letters or numbers will make your search easier.

I recommend:  For example, if you want the word 'food' in your toll-free number, you could search for '***-FOOD' which would return all available toll-free numbers spelling the word FOOD as the last four digits. The AT&T lookup tool offers this capabililty. AT&T also offers a very handy toll-free recommendation tool that you can use to get a list of vanity number possibilities. Insert keywords or special terms, your business name, trademark or something else and the tool brings back number variations that might work.

Need help? Hire a vanity number specialist Toll-free specialty firms help small companies find and set up the perfect vanity number.

I recommend:  Dial 800 will assign a 'Vanity Number Brand Task Force' to help your business find just the right number, using a keyword phrase that resonates with your target customers.  They'll help identify your brand, select keywords, and set up your entire toll-free marketing program.

Can't find the right number? Try 3rd party providers. A variety of firms have snapped up batches of toll-free numbers that they make available to small businesses.

I recommend:  Firms such as Gotvmail,  OurTollFreeNumber.com, Ring Central, TollFreeMax and Kall8 provide instant toll-free number activation for as little as $2 per month. One advantage of using these third-party providers is the additional features you get, such as online tools to track and manage your toll free numbers in real time, activate and forward 800 numbers and analyze results. Ring Central, for one, lets you pick a number before you proceed so you get what you want.

Consider 'shared use' toll-free vanity numbers Shared-use services offer vanity numbers for dozens of specific types of businesses, from accountants, attorneys and antique dealers, to veterinarians, welders and window companies.

I recommend:  Telename provides shared-used vanity numbers used by hundreds of businesses. You can search for something that works by category or check the entire list that includes numbers such as 800-Apt-Rent, 800-Framing, 800-Music Store, 800-Roof-Care and hundreds more.