Local Numbers: How to Build Trust and Sense of Community

Local numbers refer to phone numbers assigned to a specific area code and exchange, enabling calls within the same area. Compared to long-distance numbers, local calling is more cost-effective. The exact cost of a local call depends on the phone carrier and the time of day, typically offering lower rates during off-peak hours. 

These numbers serve various purposes, including:

• Personal calls to friends and family: Local numbers provide a convenient way to stay connected with loved ones in the same area.
• Business calls to customers and clients: Utilizing local numbers aids in fostering relationships with local customers and clients.
• Calls to local businesses: Local numbers enable contact with nearby establishments like restaurants, shops, and service providers.
• Marketing applications: Businesses may employ local numbers to cultivate a sense of community and familiarity with potential customers. Additionally, they facilitate tracking the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, especially when it comes to outbound calling campaigns. 

Local numbers play a vital role in various aspects, offering benefits such as:

Enhancing Customer Service

Local numbers contribute to superior customer service. Customers who dial a local number are more likely to receive prompt and knowledgeable assistance. The local representative is familiar with the area and better understands the company's products or services, which can enable a better quality of service overall.

Driving Sales While Saving Costs

Local numbers have the potential to boost sales. Customers tend to be more inclined to engage with a business displaying a local number, knowing that convenient and swift support is readily available when needed. Local numbers also provide cost savings, as calls made locally are typically charged at a lower rate compared to long-distance calls. This translates to significant savings for both businesses that operate call centers for sales or customer support.

Creating a Sense of Community

By displaying a local number, businesses gain customer trust and credibility. Local numbers indicate that the company operates within its community, fostering a sense of reliability and comfort in conducting business. Local numbers also foster a sense of community engagement. Customers recognize that calling a local number connects them to a business that shares their community, establishing a deeper connection and encouraging support.

This facilitates stronger customer relationships by enabling convenient contact for inquiries or concerns. The association of local numbers with a specific business fosters customer confidence and encourages communication.

Wider Audience Reach

When a customer sees a number to a business that is outside of their local area code, they could hesitate to make the call which can cost you valuable business. Businesses can expand their reach to a broader audience by utilizing local numbers. The association of a local number with a specific area code increases recognition and memorability among individuals residing in that area. 

They are also more likely help businesses convert more customers than calling from an out-of-area number. Unknown numbers often go unanswered, which can be futile for your marketing campaigns. In order to make sure that you reach your audience effectively, employing a local number is the way to go.  

In a modern context, businesses need local numbers to reach the right audience. Switching to the best VoIP systems has enabled businesses to achieve this in a cost-effective manner.  

Choose a VoIP Provider

Start by selecting a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) provider that offers local numbers in the area you wish to serve. Use our VoIP vendor checklist to help research and choose the one that meets your requirements. 

Purchase a Local Number

Once you have decided on a VoIP provider, proceed to purchase a local number from them. Provide the provider with the specific area code and exchange you desire for your local number. 

Configure Your VoIP Phone

After obtaining your local number, you will need to configure your VoIP phone to utilize it. The process of configuration may vary depending on the type of phone you have. Refer to your phone's documentation or contact support for detailed instructions.

Test Your Local Number

To ensure proper functionality, it is recommended to test your local number. You can do this by calling your number from another phone or utilizing a VoIP test service. Verify that the calls are being received and connected as expected. 

By following these steps, you can successfully set up a local number using a VoIP provider. This technology allows you to make and receive calls over the Internet, providing flexibility and convenience for your communication needs.

To transfer your existing number to a local number, you should contact your current phone carrier and request a port out. They will provide you with a port-out PIN number, which you'll need to provide to your new VoIP provider when signing up for their service.

Once you've given your port out PIN number to your new VoIP provider, they will initiate the porting process. If you want to confirm that your current phone carrier supports number porting to other carriers before initiating the process. You can request your current carrier to provide you with a port-out PIN number. This PIN number ensures that you are the authorized owner of the number.  

Your new VoIP provider can use this port-out PIN number during the sign-up process to initiate the porting procedure. It is important to note that the porting process may take several hours to a few days. Remain patient throughout the process, and once it is finalized, your existing number will be successfully transferred to your new VoIP provider.

If you encounter any difficulties while porting your number, seek assistance from your current carrier and the new VoIP provider to troubleshoot. Compare the best VoIP service providers that can provide a local number for your business.