Last updated Mar. 12, 2023 by Peter Jakes
Toll-free numbers have been available for a long time, but most people are unaware of how to get one for their business.
A toll-free number, also known as an 855 number, is beneficial for several reasons. With an 855 number, you can increase your customer base and provide your company with a professional outlook.
Just as the world has changed, so does running a business. Unlike before, entrepreneurs now run businesses remotely from home, shared offices, and even dorm rooms.
But while being flexible is great for saving costs and productivity, staying connected to your customers and team makes it quite challenging. And this is where the toll-free number comes in!
Toll-free 855 phone numbers can help you to stay connected with business partners, customers, and clients for free! It eliminates long-distance phone charges so you can easily reach your customers, build your reputation, and gain more leads and customers.
In addition, due to zero costs on the person calling your number, it’s helpful for the individual to reach out to your business or personnel via long-distance call. In this post, we’ll show you the three ways to get an 855 number for your business.
What Is An 855 Number?
An 855 number is an area code or toll-free number mostly used by business owners to connect with their customers, clients, and partners.
Regardless of the distance, your customers, clients, leads, and other stakeholders can connect with you in real-time without worrying about the cost.
Phone numbers with 855 area codes are typically accessible to callers in over twenty North American Numbering Plan countries, including the United States, The Bahamas, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. With this, your US client can easily reach you for free, even if they’re chilling in the Caribbean.
For convenience’s sake (among other reasons), most businesses use 855 area codes as their primary customer service number. However, some businesses use it as a backup number or for specific campaigns.
Regardless of the reasons for getting the number, establishing an 855 area code is undoubtedly a valuable tool.
As the global market keeps expanding, toll-free numbers are more likely to increase. If you want your business to stay ahead of the bunch, then you should consider using an 855 number; it improves customer service and reaches new markets.
How To Get An 855 Number
Getting a toll-free number is pretty straightforward and won’t cost you much. However, we’ve provided a guide that can help you to get an 855 area code for your business.
1. Do Your Research
The first step in getting your 855 number is checking out the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines, rules, and regulations. All toll-free numbers can be transferred from one phone provider to another per the FCC requirements.
Furthermore, the FCC assigns companies in need of an 855 number on a first-come, first-served basis. However, phone numbers must be reserved and managed using third-party entities known as “Responsible Organizations” or “RespOrgs.”
2. Search For An Available 855 Number
RespOrgs holds the databases of toll-free numbers, such as 855 numbers, that businesses can search for availability. Besides, some RespOrgs provide phone services to businesses in need of a toll-free number.
However, all RespOrgs must be certified by Somos, Inc.- the company in charge of all toll-free numbers, including 855 numbers. So you will need to visit www.somos.com/find-a-toll-free-number to find available 855 numbers and search the database.
3. Contact a Certified Provider
Finding an available 855 number isn’t the final step. You’ll also need to contact RespOrg or a certified service provider to authenticate the number. You can find a list of RespOrgs on the Somos website, where you can reach out to get your 855 number.
Some of them even offer business phone services to help manage and administer the necessary records. So you can choose the best option that works for you and move on. However, note that the FCC rules prohibit RespOrgs from reserving a toll-free number without a toll-free subscriber using the number.
In the same way, the FCC does not permit individual subscribers to hoard toll-free numbers. Number brokering and hoarding of toll-free numbers are illegal and subject to penalties. So before getting a toll-free number, you must be sure that you’re ready to use it then.
Ways To Get An 855 Number
You can get the 855 number to support your business call service in several ways. However, Somos, Inc., is the one-stop to get an 855 area code. Once you’re there, it’ll display a list of available 855 toll-free numbers. You’ll have to pick the one that works best for you.
Then reserve the number you chose until you find a company that’ll administer it. Here are some of the certified service providers you can use to secure your 855 number and create a service for your business.
1. CallFire, Inc.
CallFire, Inc. is a certified Somos RespOrg toll-free number provider. In addition to 855 phone numbers, it offers call analytics and tracking, call routing, call monitoring, and texting toll-free numbers.
Furthermore, other features will help track and analyze your data from toll-free numbers and figure out any issues. You can also test and optimize various marketing campaigns based on the call volume.
What’s good is that CallFire is free to join, but you’ll only pay pennies per minute, which is a great way to save some money.
The web-based service company also has features to help you scale the service for several phone numbers and download a report for each one to examine the return on investment.
Furthermore, CallFire allows you to receive both calls and texts to local numbers. You can also record inbound calls and respond to messages via text. Just to be sure, CallFire gives free trials for their service for 855 toll-free number services.
2. Avoxi
Avoxi is another RespOrg listed in the Somos, Inc. database offering 855 area code phone numbers to subscribers. Once you secure the 855 number you like, you can then contact Avoxi to set up the service.
Like CallFire, they’re no setup fees or minimum contracts, and you complete the entire process online. In addition, the company has made it possible to purchase a business phone plan and try any plan risk-free. You can forward calls to virtually any location; this can be handy when traveling.
Furthermore, Avoxi toll-free business lines offer other features like global call forwarding to multiple devices, custom ring rules, and more at no extra cost. You can also do call transfer, hold, and conferencing.
The company also offers 24/7 technical support in the situation you encounter any issues with your 855 number operation. In addition, Avoxi operates on a global cloud infrastructure, giving it a better voice quality regardless of your business location.
3. FracTEL, LLC
FracTEL, LLC, is also a Somos-certified RespOrg toll-free number provider. In addition to providing 855 numbers, the company also offers call routing, call monitoring, texting toll-free numbers, and vanity numbers.
Similarly, FracTEL offers an 855 number that enables customers to message and text you. Other impressive features include automated outbound calling, conference capabilities, routing for inbound calls, voicemail, and more. The service is easy to join, and its features are easily understood.
More so, it is possible to configure the network to send and receive SMS or MMS messages; this can be helpful for your business. You can set up various phones to support your system, including iPhones and Android devices.
You don’t need a credit card required to get started on FracTEL. This makes FracTEL’s services risk-free because you have the option of a free trial before you can commit to a provider.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper platform provides you with 800, toll-free, and local phone numbers. This platform also provides a text messaging feature on both toll-free and local numbers in order to improve the customer service you offer.
One benefit of Grasshopper is the cloud-based approach it adopts that eliminates the need for hardware. With Grasshopper, you can manage your customer service operations using your mobile phones.
How To Get a US Phone Number
TextFree offers a free US phone number that can be used to make phone calls, send texts, and authenticate other applications like WhatsApp and Facebook.
TextFree does not ask for your phone number but relies on an email-based verification method.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To 3 Ways to Get an 855 Number
How Do You Get An 855 Number?
The best way to get an 855 number is by carrying out research and going through the Somos website. Somos’ website hosts a variety of 855 numbers, where you can search and select one of the available numbers. Once you choose an 855 number that works for you, reserve it until you find a company that’ll administer it.
What Area Code Is 855 In The Us?
An 855 number is a toll-free number free for callers to dial. So regardless of the distance, your clients, leads, and other stakeholders can communicate with you in real time without having to worry about the cost. So while you’ll pay a small subscription fee to get the number, your customers can call the number free of charge.
Can You Text An 855 Number?
The 855 number allows you to text and send SMS messages. Similarly, they’re phone service providers offering toll-free phone numbers with SMS services for users to send text messages to mobile phone numbers or any related virtual phone numbers. So you can both send and receive messages with the 855 number.
Is 855 A Free Number?
Yes, 855 is a free number. In addition, toll-free numbers are numbers that start with one of the following three-digit codes: 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888, or 800. Although 833, 888, 877, 888, 844, 866, 855, and 800 are all toll-free codes, they’re not interchangeable.
Are 855 Numbers Safe?
The FCC is in charge of regulating 855 toll-free numbers, meaning numbers are safe. However, it doesn’t mean that all the calls you get from 855 are genuine. You can get scam calls from any number with an area code. And there, you cannot tell whether it is a scam call or not without receiving the call.
In addition, a toll-free number gives your business a reliable outlook and credibility.
What Phone Number is 1 855?
Like 800, 855 is the first digit of a toll-free number. Calls that are prepaid by the receiver instead of the caller is identified by the prefix 855.
Is 855 Area Code a Spam?
No! 855 area code is not a Spam. But most fraudulent businesses use 855 codes to send spammy messages and calls to numbers.
Can you text an 855 number?
Yes! You can text an 855 number if the business with the 855 number offers a “text-enabled” service.
How Do I stop 855 Calls?
Call 1-888-382-1222 (voice) and 1-866-290-4236 to register your phone numbers on the global “Do Not Call list” for free.
How Can I Buy a Number Online?
You can ask your service provider for a special phone number if you want one. Vanity number plans for internet phone services are also available for registration. Additionally, there are applications that allow users to choose their own contact information.
How do I get a US number in Kenya?
To get a US number in Kenya, visit http://phone.ipkall.com and complete the required fields. Once this is done, you will receive an email from [email protected].
How Can I Get An International Phone Number?
You can generate international phone numbers by using a service platform like Toll-free forwarding.com.
This service enables you to route a call to any phone of your choice.
