Best place to get an 800 telephone number?

[georgei]

Hi,

I'm getting ready to order telephone and Internet (DSL) service for my business, and I wanted to know the best place to get an 800 number?

I'm not sure how the 800 number works, can someone explain?

Thanks

[Corey Bryant]

Do you want an toll free number or more like a virtual office? We use a virtual office ourselves from Freedom Voice. It has really be a lifesaver. A "regular" toll free number usually just terminates onto one of your phone numbers.

A virtual office can have extensions, etc. And those extensions can call different phone numbers etc.

Basically a toll free number is a number that your customers can call at no charge to them and you will pay the toll. There are still true 800 numbers available, but toll free is 800,888, 877, 866 and potentially 855.

[kevey]

I got my 800 (actually an 877) by calling my phone company (qwest). It rings down the same line as my home phone. The cost is 4/month (yes 4 dollars) + the cost of any incoming calls on a per minute charge...I think mine is 8 cents a minute. Hope this helps.

[georgei]

I don't think I need a virtual office right now, so the regular 800 number will work.
I wasn't sure if the 800 number was actually its own phone line or not, now I understand that it's just a layer ontop of another regular phone line.

Thanks

[Corey Bryant]

Correct - it basically call forwards to a number that you tell the phone company. Usually if you want this changed, there is a nominal charge.

[TipPro]

Hey check out VOIP 800 numbers, a lot cheaper than going through Verizion, ATT, or QWEST. Check out Vonage's Web site for details.