Guide to Getting and Using 800 Numbers

Call your phone company for 800 numbers

Most long-distance carriers now offer toll-free numbers. In general, long-distance providers charge more than toll-free service providers or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) companies, but they also may be more convenient, since you'll probably just add a service from a vendor you're already using.

I recommend: Some long-distance carriers that offer 800 phone numbers are AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. You can also find a carrier that serves your area by searching on LowerMyPhone.com. Find VoIP service providers through the directory on Business.com.

Contact an 800 numbers service provider

Toll-free service providers may help you save money when you compare prices with those of the long-distance providers. You'll need to do some comparison shopping.

I recommend: You can find a list of all toll-free service providers on the SMS/800 website.

Try broadband 800 phone numbers service

Even broadband phone service providers are offering 800 numbers, though you must also have regular phone service through the company (i.e., you can't get just a toll-free number). These services let you make and receive phone calls over your Internet connection. The good news is that prices are low. The bad news is that should your Internet connection go down, so will your phone.

I recommend: Two broadband phone service companies that offer 800 numbers are Vonage and BroadVoice. Find more broadband providers through Business.com.

Get a vanity 800 number

Vanity 800 numbers spell out words like "800-FLOWERS". In one study, ads that had vanity 800 numbers got 14 times more phone calls than ads with traditional numeric 800 numbers

I recommend: Any provider of toll-free numbers should be able to let you know if a number you want is available. You can also find available numbers with your business keywords in them by searching on mytollfree800number.com or The AT&T Toll-Free Numbers Recommendation Tool. You can also find out what your current phone number spells at phonespell.org. Research and order vanity 800 numbers through Business.com.

Be realistic about what you need

Salespeople at the phone companies sometimes work on commission, so don't let them sweet-talk you into services and products that won't be cost-effective or useful for your business.

I recommend: Depending on where you are in the country, AT&T might be able to offer Web hosting and DSL service in addition to a toll-free plan, but unless you have more than one location you don't need to consider the company's enterprise solutions. Sprint offers a large menu of fancy 800 numbers services, including interactive voice response (IVR) and Site RP (which directs callers to particular folks within your company), but the services cost a mint and are generally used by hospitals, universities, and large corporations.