Personal toll free numbers you manage online
More and more people are getting personal toll free numbers. These toll free numbers can be managed online in real time. That means you can route the incoming calls to any phone or cell phone (in the USA or worldwide).
In fact, there are many expatriates from the USA getting their own US based toll free numbers so that friends and family can easily reach them. Wherever you are, having a US toll free number is very simple and cheap. See my recommended providers to the right, or keep reading for more ideas.
Why have a personal toll free number
In the USA
We are increasingly people on the move, commuting betwen home, work, church, and the local coffee shop. We meet friends, juggle kids, run a home business, volunteer, and generally stay more busy than we should.
In the process, we pick up multiple phone numbers: the home number, the office number, and the cell phone. What numbers go on the business card? What number do you give to friends? What number do you provide on the homepage or your home business?
People get personal toll free numbers to solve this problem. Then they have one phone number that never has to change. These toll free numbers are managed online, so you can have a toll free number ring to a work phone from 9 to 5 and switch to your cell phone when you're out of the office.
Internationally
People are also spreading out all over the world, living abroad far from family and friends. But most Americans simply don't dial international phone numbers. It's intimidating, and they're still afraid of the rates (even though international calls are cheap as you can see here).
If you live abroad, create a US based toll free number that routes phone calls to your number overseas. The rates for the service are remarkably cheap. Family and friends who won't dial an international number will dial a toll free number.
People who are in business and working abroad get toll free numbers to receive important messages and faxes. Parents living abroad get toll free numbers so their kids can easily call them.
Some hypothetical examples
Consider these possibilities.
Student at college
Rather than giving your son or daughter a phone card, create a toll free number than directs calls to your home (or office, cell phone, etc).
Soho business
Are you running an Internet business on the side? Do you have a website with potential that just hasn't taken off yet? Add a toll free number so that people can reach you as you go through your day.
Mountain climbing...
I read once about a customer service professional who takes business calls on his cell phone from mountain sides all around the world. Where would you rather be if you didn't have to be stuck at the office (or home office)?
Personal toll free number providers
Following are short descriptions and reviews of two toll free number providers that I have used and worked with extensively. Both are very good at what they do. Both will assign you a personal toll free number in the USA that you can manage online, and they have great options and rates depending on your needs.
These are the cheapest services I've found. If you know of a better option please let me know.
Sign up with either of these providers online. The first one can give you a toll free number during the sign up process, and you even get to choose a number from a list (very cool). The second will assign you a number within 2-3 business days.
Good luck!
Kall8 (click here)
Kall8 is a very skillful and well developed toll free number provider. It's easy to use and includes great features for both personal or business needs. Kall8 routes calls within the USA for 6.9¢/min, and you can have the calls routed to worldwide locations at fairly cheap rates. Kall8 charges a $2 setup fee and a $2 monthly fee for 888, 877 and 866 toll free numbers. Kall8 toll free numbers can be managed online, and you can schedule your personal toll free number to be routed to different numbers depending on the time of day (a big plus). The service also includes voicemail and fax reception. Voice mail messages and faxes are sent to you as email attachments, or you can get them online. Kall8 can also host conference calls with up to 25 participants with no extra charge (e.g., have a phone family reunion). Kall8 has much to offer. It's truly an well designed service. For more information visit the website and learn more.
- $2 setup fee
- $2 monthly fee
- 6.9¢/min within the USA (48 states)
- Manage your toll free number online
- Low international rates (a bit higher than UWT)
- Schedule call routing depending on time of day
- Built in voice mail and fax reception
- Caller ID
- Call Blocking
- Call notification emails with call details
- Conference calling feature (up to 25 people)
- Number assigned when you sign up
- Learn More, Sign Up
United World Telecom (click here)
UWT doesn't have all the features that Kall8 gives you, and the rates to route calls within the USA are a bit higher at 8¢/min. But UWT has the cheapest international toll free rates (if you route the calls worldwide). You can manage your toll free number online, but you can't schedule call routing depending on the time of day. UWT has free setup for 866 toll free numbers and a $2.95 monthly fee.
- $1 setup fee
- $2.95 monthly fee
- 8¢/min within the USA (48 states)
- Manage your toll free number online
- Cheap international rates
- Multiple lines capability
- Number assigned in 2-3 business days
- Check Rates
- Learn more, Sign up