Toll free numbers

1-800 or 1-866

[raja4]

We are going for some Radio advertising. We already have a toll free number 1-800-XXX-XXXX. Not so easy to remember.

We wanted an easy to remember phone number, we got similar to 1-866-900-4111 (not a real number). As you can see last 7 digits are relatively easy to remember. But I did not like 1-866 part. I feel 1-800 is still better even if the last 7 digits are not so easy to remember.

I am very confused now and don't know which one should I go with for radio advertising? 1-800 or 1-866? What do you suggest.

[buzzmaster]

Go with the one that's easy to remember. Many fortune 500 co's are switching to memorable 866 #'s...

[thehittmann]

I agree if it's easy to remember then a 866 will be just as good as having an 800

[brdwlsh]

i just completed a site for a communications consultant. apparently the 866 is pretty popular now and if the digits that follow are memorable or significant, i say thats better than a random 800 number.

[KevinC]

I don't know - I think if you asked the average person is a 1-866 number is toll free they would say yes. But Many companies still feel the need to emphasize the fact it is 1-866 not 1-800.

[raja4]

Many companies still feel the need to emphasize the fact it is 1-866 not 1-800.

This is my main concern.

[eWhisper]

We do some radio advertising with 888-keyword, and have not had too many problems with people dialing 800keyword (which we also own, but for a different company - so we can tell the referral difference) I'm a big fan of using a word, any word thats similiar to your site over a straight number.

If you also promote your website in the ad, I would also suggest if you go with 1-866 -- to buy the domains 1800yournumber, 1866number, 1888, and if you can afford it - the permutations (1-888-number, 1-800number, etc) and set up a page that says if you're looking for Your Company Name, the number is 1-866 and this is our website URL.

We get a decent amount of referrals from 1800keyword and 1866keyword for people who did a search for the phone number.