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Most of the time, all you can learn from someone’s area code is where they’re from or where they’re based. But, there are also area codes that have separate meanings unrelated to geography.
Being aware of what these different area codes denote and how to use them can make life a lot easier, especially when it comes to 800 numbers or 888. The right knowledge can save you time and money.
What do you need to know about toll-free numbers? Here’s our toll-free toll-free breakdown.
What Is the 888 Area Code?
The 888 area code is most often used by businesses. Because 888 numbers allow businesses to take on the fees associated with long-distance or long-lasting calls, they keep lines of communication open. Using an 888 number allows businesses to offer better customer support and to create a more legitimate, professional image.
Besides, there’s nothing more annoying than spotting unexpected fees on your phone bill. Toll-free numbers can help smooth this potential rough area with new customers, especially when you’re a growing business.
It’s also possible to customize the digits following your 888 area code when you get this sort of number. By implementing this kind of “vanity” number, you can improve your branding and make things really stick in customers’ minds.
These numbers aren’t the only toll-free numbers out there. There are also 800, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833 area codes. While these numbers have similar usage, they aren’t interchangeable! So, there is, in fact, a difference between dialing 1-800 and 1-888, even if a company has both types of numbers.
What Is a Toll-Free Number?
You’ve definitely heard about toll-free numbers before. You’ve probably even said the phrase yourself at some point. And if neither of those things is true, we’re willing to bet you’ve at least heard the cheerful “CALL TOLL-FREE TODAY!” voice on a late-night infomercial from time to time. But what that actually means can be a little more elusive.
In part, it’s obvious, right? It’s a call you’re not charged for. It is, however, important to know which direction that toll goes because there are some exceptions, like international calls — which we’ll talk about in a minute.
Toll-free means that the person receiving the call is responsible for picking up the tab, rather than the person calling. This is particularly beneficial when it comes to long-distance calls. It means you can call an 888 number from (almost) any distance, and the person or business answering will pay those fees.
Can You Dial Toll-Free Numbers Internationally?
The 888 area code falls under the North American Numbering Plan Administrator or NANPA. The NANPA covers the United States, Canada, and several Caribbean countries as well. If you’re in any of these countries, you’ll be able to dial an 888 number without an issue.
Outside of these areas, toll-free status doesn’t always apply! Dialing an 888 number internationally may incur fees, depending on the country you’re calling from and your carrier. That said, some toll-free numbers are set up specifically to accept international calls at no cost.
It’s also worth noting that some countries use 888 numbers as their toll-free prefix, like Australia and the Philippines. It’s worth double-checking unfamiliar numbers for this reason, as they may not be toll-free for you.
The History of Toll-Free Numbers
Toll-free numbers have been around since the 1960s. Their introduction was revolutionary at the time. Callers could suddenly reach businesses without being charged exorbitant long-distance charges. By shifting the burden of paying that charge to the business or service providing the toll-free number, it became much easier for people to get in touch.
The popularity of toll-free numbers grew from there. By the mid-1990s, almost all of the variations on the 1-800 number had been exhausted, so new prefixes were introduced.
Toll-free numbers have played an integral role in providing free, accessible communication for a range of businesses and services. Despite the out-sized impact toll-free numbers have had on the way we communicate, we don’t often pay them much mind because they’ve become such an accepted part of daily life.
Learning a bit more about how and why toll-free numbers operate, however, can give you some useful insights.
What’s the Difference Between the Toll-Free Prefixes?
Sometimes, you might see companies with multiple toll-free numbers with different prefixes for different departments, branches, or other delineations. The toll-free prefixes are different in the sense that they aren’t interchangeable. But they all work in exactly the same way.
The only real difference between these prefixes is when they were introduced. As we mentioned, the 800 prefix was introduced first in 1996. As the available 1-800 numbers went into short supply, new prefixes were introduced.
The 888 area code came next in 1996. The 877 and 866 area codes were next in 1998 and 1999. The 855 prefix made its debut in 2010, followed by the 844 area code a few years later in 2013. The most recent toll-free area code added to the list was 833.
Despite all of these options, the 800 area code remains in high demand. This can most likely be attributed to its status as the original. It had a solid three decades to work its way into the public consciousness before another prefix was introduced.
Because of this, 800 toll-free numbers are often associated with a higher call volume than others. They’re seen more often in media advertising than the other prefixes, which reinforces their prized status. And due to being both more popular and more difficult to nab, they can be pricier than other prefixes if you want to get your very own 800 number.
While there’s no denying that there’s something to name recognition, 800 numbers do exactly what 888 numbers do. So, ultimately, there’s really no reason to opt for the more expensive option unless you have a killer jingle in mind.
What Are the Most Common Uses for a Toll-Free Number?
There are many reasons to opt for a toll-free number. Some of the most common uses include helplines and hotlines. Whether it’s a company specializing in mental health, addiction, crisis intervention, or your weird uncle’s phone sex operator, toll-free numbers are great for managing a high volume of calls from all over.
Admittedly, we’re just kidding about the sex phone operators. They definitely charge tolls.
But the other examples work best with toll-free numbers because they’re about providing free, accessible services to people in need. In general, any service that offers educational resources uses a toll-free number for the same reason.
Toll-free numbers are also often used for companies or organizations seeking donations. If you want someone to call you up and offer to donate fifty bucks to your cause, you want to be sure you’re not first asking them to foot the bill for the call, as that might eat into your total.
In these ways, toll-free numbers are a great resource for encouraging accessibility and open communication lines. It’s a way of removing possible roadblocks to people reaching out and ensuring people get connected with the services or educational resources that they need.
While those are the most common and some of the kindest reasons to use a toll-free line, there’s also the obvious use that’s a little more corporate, though no less legitimate, of course. The 888 prefix is commonly used by businesses.
What Are the Benefits of an 888 Number for Your Business?
We’ve already touched on some, but there are many reasons to look into getting an 888 number.
1. Branding and Image
As anyone who has ever logged into a social media account before knows all too well, image is half of any battle. Luckily, getting a toll-free line for your business is a whole lot easier than curating the perfect Instagram feed.
No one’s going to wonder if you’re running your company out of your mom’s basement when you use a toll-free number — even if you are. It gives a more professional impression. You can also, as we’ve mentioned, customize the rest of your toll-free number. This helps strengthen your brand and creates a more cohesive impression across all of your materials and contacts.
2. Customer Service
The main reason to get a toll-free number is in the name: it’s toll-free. Even the smallest barrier between a business and its customers is a problem. Using an 888 number for customer service purposes can eliminate the possible speed-bump of unexpected chargers on your phone bill.
Even if you don’t receive a high volume of calls related to customer service, having a toll-free number can’t hurt. It gives the impression of an open line of communication and lets people know a company is there to answer their calls whenever they need it — free of charge.
3. Consistency
A less obvious benefit of toll-free numbers is that they’re actually portable. That means that if your business undergoes any shifts or changes, or if you start a new business and want to keep your toll-free number, you can do that.
This also means that you can change service providers with ease. If you’re not happy with your carrier, you can take your business and your toll-free number with you.
How Do You Get an 888 Number?
Getting an 888 number is as simple as calling one — or at least as simple as setting up any other phone line. When you’ve decided your business needs a toll-free number, you’ll start by contacting your service provider. Often, they’ll be able to set you up with a toll-free number at a reasonable price, especially when you’re an existing customer.
If you’re not happy with your service provider or think they’re messing you around on the rate, you can explore other options. Compare the rates of different service provider packages.
Some plans may charge you a monthly fee with overages past a certain number of minutes. Other plans may skip the monthly fee and charge you a per-minute rate. Which one works best for your business will depend on how large you anticipate the demand to be.
The nice thing about toll-free numbers is that once you purchase one, you own it. So, if you commit to one service provider at the time of purchase and decide later you’d like to try something new, you won’t have to start all over again.
So, Who Pays the Tolls?
You might have noticed the implied fine print here. The benefit of toll-free numbers to customers is the lack of toll. But somebody has to pick up that bill, and you’ve guessed it! That somebody is the business.
Ultimately, this will depend on your deal with your service provider. In the same way that things like monthly fees and per-minute rates may vary, the way that this toll is ultimately settled will vary, too.
Naturally, incoming calls from different areas incur different fees. Your service provider will put together a plan and discuss the terms with you before you agree to work with them. It’s important to get clear on all the details in terms of the fees for local numbers and long-distance calls.
It’s also worth discussing how call-backs work — can you make outbound calls from your toll-free line, or will that be an additional charge? Calling customers back from a different number than the one they reached you on can be confusing, so it’s a helpful feature to ask after.
Can You Text From a Toll-Free Number?
The answer to this question also depends on your service provider. It’s entirely possible to text from a toll-free number. You’ll just need to check on the details with your service provider.
Texting is a necessary line of communication to keep open, especially if you’re running a business targeted at people under the age of fifty.
Should You Get a Vanity Number?
We’ve mentioned vanity numbers a few times now and how a custom phone number can enhance a company’s branding. When done right, a vanity number can become a jingle that sticks in people’s heads and makes a business the default number they dial.
At the same time, we’ve all heard a few whoppers of vanity numbers on bad commercials. So, there’s one very important thing to consider before committing to a vanity number.
How good is your vanity number? If it’s funny, catchy, or strikingly clever, definitely do it. It can only help. If your parents were too embarrassed to hang your middle school poetry on the refrigerator door, this might not be the best move for you.
Are Toll-Free Numbers Still Relevant?
While the many benefits of toll-free numbers are clear, and their popularity over the years is undeniable, there’s definitely an elephant in this room.
People pick up the phone less and less, for one. On top of that, some of the best ways to get your toll-free number out there are no longer so popular. Just think of that jingle you’d hear at 3 a.m. for the local used car place or mattress store — one-eight-hundred … yeah, we’re willing to bet you just sung the rest in your head.
But with more people cutting the cord to cable, there are less eyes on late night television, and on television commercials altogether. While they used to be a sure-fire way to get your service or business’s contact information to the masses, the market has become a lot more narrow.
So, are toll-free numbers still relevant? The short answer is, well, yes. Their function and place in the business landscape. If you run a business that’s dealing in a high volume of customer service calls, they’re indispensable even now. Toll-free numbers are non-negotiable if you work for a non-profit, helpline, or another semi-automated resource.
That said, there are other options for optimizing your phone system. If you don’t want something as large-scale as a toll-free number, or you’re looking for ways to streamline your personal phone, keep reading.
What’s the Best Option for Taking Control of Your Personal Phone?
If you think your very own 888 number might be the best way to re-organize your life and save grandma money on long-distance calls, stop right there. The 888 area code can be very useful, but it’s generally not for personal or private use.
And frankly, if you’re getting so many calls that you think you need a designated hotline to keep it together, you might need to talk to someone about boundary setting. At Burner, we’re good at that. We’re an app that helps you stay connected by giving you a number that’s yours — but also not yours.
In the same way that toll-free numbers help to declutter main business lines and streamline communication, we help you streamline your personal phone. You can get as many additional numbers as you need through our app without needing to add more plans or lines via your carrier.
It’s like your email inbox. You have multiple email addresses to prioritize and organize your conversations, right? One for family and friends. One for college or school. One for work. One for spam and all those newsletters you think you’d learn a lot from but can’t be bothered to read.
Your phone shouldn’t be any different. You can keep your main number for the people who matter and add additional lines for your other needs. Each line can be muted when you need, so you can start enforcing those boundaries without missing important messages or calls on your other lines.
You can even set up functions to auto-reply to messages from some lines — whether that means putting up what’s effectively an away message when you need to decompress or automatically replying UNSUBSCRIBE when you’re forced to sign up to yet another website to get that 15% off coupon.
The other benefit of Burner lines is that you can delete or switch them whenever you need. If you’ve ever regretted giving someone from a dating app your phone number after the fact, well, we’re sure you’ll see the value in this feature.
Numbers that start with 888 help focus and streamline professional communications. Burner can help focus and streamline your life.
Answer the Call
Once you understand the basics of how these types of area codes work, it’s like getting a grip on a whole new language. You’ll be able to easily understand which numbers are best to call, depending on your needs at the time, without having to google it first.
But if what you’re looking for is a way to optimize your personal number, there are better options. With Burner, you can organize your calls and texts, customize your area code to your needs, and protect your privacy with one easy app. We do for your personal line what a toll-free number can do for your professional line — make everything easier.
Sources:
What Is a Toll-Free Number and How Does It Work? | FCC
How To Get a Toll Free Number for Your Business | Forbes
