How Vanity Phone Numbers Can Help You Generate More Inbound Calls

For any call-reliant business, how their phone numbers look is extremely important. It’s one thing when a caller forgets whom they called shortly after the call, and another thing when the name of your brand imprints in their mind for a long time. 

Think of 1-800-FLOWERS instead of 1-800-356-9377, or 1-800-GOT-JUNK instead of 1-800-468-5865. No marketing expertise needed to see that showing the name or idea of your business before the call gives you a head start in the conversation. 

This is why many businesses use vanity phone numbers instead of regular numbers. They’re building awareness and trust from the very start, which makes it easier to put the caller in the right mood and nurture them to a purchase. And even callers who don’t convert will likely remember the brand for weeks and months, with a greater chance of recall. 

Read on to learn everything you need to know about vanity phone numbers.

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What Is a Vanity Phone Number?

A vanity phone number is a number that usually spells out a specific word or phrase that represents the business name or ideas. For example, the 844-PHONEXA phone number connects the client to our company even before they’ve started the call, which is quite advantageous in terms of brand awareness and recognition.

Likewise, those who’ve seen an ad but refused to call might also become a bit warmer and change their mind after several interactions. At the end of the day, if the customer meets your pay-per-call ads over and over again, they might eventually want to check if they’ve been missing out on a good opportunity. 

Long story short, vanity phone numbers make your business visible and memorable.

“When phone calls convert 30% faster, spend 28% more, and the retention rate is 28% higher, you don’t need to generate as many as you would web leads. A lot of people are used to generating hundreds of thousands of web leads, but you can’t consider phone calls as equal. Calls are more valuable, and therefore, you don’t need to generate as many. So businesses are leaving money on the table if they’re just neglecting them altogether.”— David Pickard, CEO at Phonexa

How Does Vanity Call Numbers Work?

From a technical perspective, vanity numbers work exactly like regular phone numbers. When initiating a call, you simply dial the company’s name on the keypad—for example, PHONEXA—by typing the numbers each letter corresponds to.

When calling 844-PHONEXA, you type 844-7466392, with 7466392 corresponding to:

• P=7
• H=4
• O=6
• N=6
• E=3
• X=9
• A=2

There is one caveat, though: if a number like 844-PHONEXA exists, this also means there cannot be any other business that could register a vanity number like 844-QHONEXA or 844-RHONEXA or 844-PHONEXC, and so on, because this number is taken already.

Types of Vanity Phone Numbers

First, it’s worth mentioning that vanity phone numbers don’t necessarily have to consist of letters only. Numbers like 1-800-FLOWERS, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, or 1-800-CONTACTS are the most popular, but numbers like 1-888-888-8888 are also vanity numbers.

Alphanumeric Vanity Phone Numbers

Alphanumeric phone numbers are the most popular—letters on a phone keypad are easy to type and remember. On top of that, you can make such a phone number a CTA; for example, 1-800-GOT-JUNK. 

However, alphanumeric phone numbers might be less understandable in some countries and may not even reach your business if the country doesn’t use the ITU E.161 standard. Countries using Cyrillic, Arabic, Hebrew, and Chinese may have different keypads or no letter mapping.

Standard Phone Keypad Layout

2	ABC
3	DEF
4	GHI
5	JKL
6	MNO
7	PQRS
8	TUV
9	WXYZ

Numeric Vanity Phone Numbers

Numeric vanity numbers are repeating or patterned digits that usually don’t have a direct connection to the brand (unless your brand’s name or ideas have to do with numbers) but are still easy to remember; for example, 1-888-888-8888. 

Numeric numbers might be even more expensive than alphanumeric numbers because of the rarity of memorable patterns. However, numeric vanity numbers might still be worth it if you run click-to-call campaigns or mobile-first ads in high-ticket industries like finance or insurance.

Hybrid Vanity Phone Numbers

Hybrid vanity numbers—for example, 1-888-2-HIRE-US—are a mix of alphanumeric and numeric numbers. These phone numbers are less expensive, easier to get, and a great branding tool if used creatively.

Here are a few great hybrid vanity numbers:

• 1-800-4-MY-TAXES
• 1-800-4-PIZZA
• 2-HIRE-ME

Hybrid vanity numbers are significantly cheaper than full alphanumeric numbers, which may cost thousands to millions of dollars for the most popular numbers. For example, the New York City number 212-222-2222 cost $7.5 million. 

Alphanumeric vs. Numeric vs. Hybrid Phone Numbers

	Alphanumeric	Numeric	Hybrid
Branding Potential	Very high	Moderate	High
Memorability	Very high	High	High
Ease of Use Globally	May confuse some users	Very easy to use	Easy to Use
Cost	Expensive	Expensive	Moderate
Use Cases	Branding, ad campaigns, hotlines	Branding, hotlines, tech support	Branding, ad campaigns, hotlines, tech support

Toll-Free Vanity Phone Numbers

Toll-free numbers—for example, 844-PHONEXA—use a national prefix before the branded part and are free to call. The United States has seven toll-free prefixes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.

Unlike local numbers, toll-free numbers aren’t tied to any specific area code, which gives you a nationwide presence and perfectly coordinates with the vanity word or phrase. In fact, the only disadvantage of toll-free vanity numbers is the lack of local presence.

Note: Toll-free vanity numbers are not international numbers by default, and if callers connect internationally, they may be charged for the call. Each country has their own toll-free prefix—for example, the toll-free prefixes in the United Kingdom are 0800 and 0808—that you can call for free nationwide, but anyone calling from outside the country will be charged international long-distance rates (based on your carrier and the country you’re calling from) if the call goes through at all.

Book a demo to learn what phone numbers you need to generate and convert more calls.

Local Vanity Phone Numbers

Local vanity phone numbers use local area codes—for example, 512-PLUMBER—which makes them perfect for state-specific campaigns. Likewise, they are significantly cheaper than toll-free numbers, with the cost varying from a few dozen dollars to several thousand dollars.

However, while a local code builds trust and the vanity part has the same marketing power, local phone numbers are not free to call by default. Unlike toll-free numbers, which are always free for callers from the United States, local numbers might charge the caller.

But then again, since most mobile plans in the United States include unlimited nationwide calling, most customers won’t get charged. The only exceptions are calls from a landline without long-distance service (for example, a call from the 310 area code to a 212 vanity number), calls from customers using a limited prepaid plan, roaming calls, and international calls.

	Toll-Free Vanity Numbers	Local Vanity Numbers
Branding Potential	National-level	Local-level
Memorability	Very High	Very High
Ease of Use Globally	Works across the United States and Canada	Works across the state and may charge an extra fee for calls outside the state
Cost	High	Moderate
Use Cases	National campaigns	Local campaigns

International Toll-Free Vanity Numbers

For toll-free international campaigns, you have to use a different toll-free vanity number for each country you operate in, while also factoring in:

• The country’s keypad: Most countries follow the U.S. layout, but for campaigns in non-Latin-script countries like Japan and China, vanity numbers are impractical.
• The country’s length rules: Number length standards may differ between countries, so you may have to use 6 digits instead of 7. For example, 1-800-FLOWERS in the United States will transform into 0800-FLOWER in the United Kingdom.

The downside of international call campaigns is that you have to pay for multiple numbers across countries, so you have to make sure your profits justify the costs.

Here’s an example of a toll-free vanity phone number adapted for international campaigns:

	Toll-Free Prefix	Full Numbers	Spelled Number
USA	1-800	1-800-FLOWERS	1-800-784-25633
UK	0800	0800-FLOWERS	0800-784-25633
Canada	1-800	1-800-FLOWERS	1-800-784-25633
Australia	1800	1800-FLOWERS	1800-784-25633
Germany	0800	0800-FLOWERS	0800-784-25633

Alternatively, you can use a Universal International Freephone Number (UIFN), which is an 18-digit number that always starts with the international freephone code +800 and works in around 60 countries. A UIFN number simplifies branding by ensuring consistency across countries.

The main disadvantage of UIFN numbers is that you must use exactly 8 digits after the +800 prefix, so you may have to add an extra number or letter on top of your main vanity word to fit the standard. For example, instead of +800-FLOWERS, you’d have to use, say, +800-FLOWERED.

Likewise, there are two problems with the “+” sign, which is a part of the UIFN number:

• First, many people are simply uncomfortable with dialing + on the keypad.
• Second, most people don’t know what “+” means and therefore won’t be able to replace it with the international code of the country they are calling from if they call from a landline or desk phone that doesn’t support the automatic “+” conversion (mobile phones usually convert + to the country code automatically, unlike older phones or PBX systems).

So if you’re calling +800-12345678 from the United States, you’re actually calling 011-800-12345678, with “+” being converted to 011 (the international phone code of the United States) automatically. In older phone systems, you may have to dial 011 manually.

How To Get Toll-Free Vanity Phone Numbers for Your Business

Vanity numbers are quite rare, so the first thing to do is to check whether your target word or phrase is available in the target markets. For international companies, it’s a bit harder because you have to make sure the vanity number that you’d like to get is available in each country you operate in, at least as long as you want to ensure branding consistency.

• Important: You cannot buy toll-free vanity numbers in the United States—you can only rent them. Toll-free numbers are owned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and are assigned to Responsible Organizations (RespOrgs), which are companies authorized to manage toll-free numbers in the SMS/800 TFN Registry, the official system for toll-free numbers in the United States and Canada.

RespOrgs ONLY manage toll-free numbers, having the exclusive right to access the toll-free number database in the United States and Canada, including reserving, assigning, and transferring toll-free numbers.

For example, if you want to switch your toll-free number from one phone service provider to another—you might want lower rates, more features, a better business phone system, or you might be uniting multiple phone numbers and lines into a single system like Phonexa—you should do it through a RespOrg.

RespOrgs are like domain registrars; they can reserve toll-free numbers for businesses, control call routing, transfer and port numbers, and maintain number records. To become a RespOrg, a company must be certified by Somos, an organization that administers the SMS/800 system in the United States and Canada. All reputable toll-free number providers are either a RespOrg themselves or partner with one.

Conclusion: With toll-free vanity numbers, you’re buying the rights to use the number as long as you’re paying the monthly fee and the number is active. Once you stop using the toll-free number, it goes back into circulation.

Toll-Free Vanity Numbers

Managed By	Regulated by	Phone Number Database
RespOrgs	FCC in the United States and CRTC in Canada	SMS/800 TFN Registry

How To Get Local Vanity Phone Numbers for Your Business

Local vanity numbers are not managed by RespOrgs, so you can truly buy them (or rent) from phone number providers or brokers. If you’ve purchased the number, you can keep it indefinitely even if you switch carriers.

With local vanity numbers, there’s no centralized database, so each provider manages their own pool of numbers. To avoid duplicate numbers between providers, local numbers in the United States and Canada are administered through a national system called the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).

So if you want a local vanity number, you should go provider by provider (traditional or VoIP) or use a broker with access to multiple providers. Once the number is yours and activated—you’ll need to activate it if you’ve bought it from a broker—you can port it to your provider, configure call routing and tracking, and update all your marketing channels.

Local Vanity Numbers

Managed By	Regulated by	Phone Number Database
Local carriers, Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), or VoIP providers	FCC in the United States	Local Number Portability (LNP) database

As a Phonexa user, though, you don’t even need any extra steps to get the best vanity phone numbers for your business because you get them when using Call Logic, our proprietary call, distribution, and analytics software.

Book a demo to learn more about how your business can utilize a free vanity phone number as part of dynamic call software.

How To Check the Availability of Toll-Free and Local Numbers

To check the availability of toll-free phone numbers, including vanity numbers, you can use this official search tool, which will return one of the following statuses: available, reserved, assigned, or unavailable. Alternatively, you can check your provider’s pool of numbers if they allow it.

To check the availability of local phone numbers, you can use checkers with VoIP providers, which usually allow you to filter the available numbers by area code, city, prefix, and specific patterns. Then you can reserve the number directly through their dashboard.

Get Vanity Toll-Free Phone Numbers at Phonexa

There’s no doubt that Phonexa’s vanity phone numbers can make your brand more memorable and credible. And if you want to shine in the local market and get more control over call forwarding, you can use our local phone numbers.

In other words, you can get:

• The best toll-free vanity numbers—800 prefix—for nationwide campaigns
• The best vanity local numbers for local campaigns

Customers prefer local brands, so using a local number can give you a boost in calls and conversions. At the same time, you can provide comfortable toll-free numbers for callers from other states and globally.

Phone Numbers Management Fee with Phonexa

	Lite Suite	Premium Suite	Enterprise Suite
800 toll-free, imported	$2.50	$2.50	$2.50
Non-800 toll-free, imported	$1.25	$1.25	$1.25
800 toll-free, leased	$2.50	$2.50	$2.50
888 toll-free, leased	$1.25	$1.25	$1.25
877 toll-free, leased	$1.25	$1.25	$1.25
866 toll-free, leased	$1.25	$1.25	$1.25
855 toll-free, leased	$1.25	$1.25	$1.25
844 toll-free, leased	$1.25	$1.25	$1.25
833 toll-free, leased	$1.25	$1.25	$1.25
Local, leased	$1.00	$1.00	$1.00

Get your toll-free phone numbers at Phonexa today.

Generate and Convert More Phone Calls with Phonexa

Since vanity phone numbers can be tracked exactly the same as regular numbers, with a comprehensive call tracking system like Call Logic, you can analyze where inbound calls are coming from, what keyword or phrase triggered the call, how specific types of callers behave before, during, and after the call, and what you can do better to increase sales.

“Having all in one place allows you to give your decision makers and your media buying team the right data – what’s happening and what stuff that’s working they should do more of. That’s the performance marketing logic. But it’s surprising how many systems just don’t allow you to do all of that quickly – spotting issues as you go.”— David Pickard, CEO at Phonexa

With Phonexa, not only can you get the most out of inbound and outbound calls, but you can synergize your call campaigns with web lead campaigns and all other marketing efforts. Whether you’re running affiliate, social media, referral, SMS, or text campaigns, you can unite them into a single performance marketing ecosystem with Phonexa’s eight software solutions.

Here’s how Phonexa can elevate your performance marketing:

 

Get Phonexa’s eight proprietary solutions at a single price (online price calculator):

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a vanity phone number?

The exact procedure depends on whether you’re buying (or renting) a toll-free or local vanity number. With toll-free vanity numbers, you can get them from a provider that is a Responsible Organization (RespOrg) or that partners with one. With local numbers, you can get them from local carriers, CLECs, or VoIP providers.

How much are vanity toll-free phone numbers?

Most phone number providers lease phone numbers, which cost $10 to $50 per number monthly, depending on the provider and the vanity part of the number. According to the FCC, toll-free numbers are managed by the RespOrg system, so you cannot truly own such a number.

Are there free vanity phone numbers?

It’s almost impossible to get a vanity toll-free number with a meaningful word combination for free, but you can get it at the lowest possible price as a Call Logic user. Phonexa provides affordable vanity toll-free and local numbers that can elevate your call campaigns.

Is a vanity phone number a trademark?

No, vanity phone numbers do not give you exclusive legal rights to the word or phrase you’re using, even if you’ve been using this number for decades across all marketing channels. To legally protect the word or phrase the phone number represents, you need to register a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and prove that you’re using it commercially.