In May of 2012, I established a small online marketing agency exclusively serving the Hospitality Industry. In the bar & restaurant space, especially, there is a considerable level of distrust between business owners and the countless services being pitched to them every day. It was absolutely crucial that my fledgling startup looked as legitimate and professional as possible to potential clients and the general public.
The Problem
For all intents and purposes, we were a virtual startup with no official headquarters. Although we offered an unprecedented level of service, battling the skepticism of small business owners was an ongoing effort. It was clear that in order to become successful, we would have to exude an image of success (commonly known as the “fake it until you make it” method). How do we achieve such a professional front with limited funds and resources?
Being a web marketing firm, our own website came first, of course. The design was slick, minimalist and beautifully-responsive. We then invested in very cool, super-luxe business cards to elevate our in-person first impressions. Meeting with a lead was almost always a home run for our sales team but we wanted that professionalism to translate throughout our online presence as well. This didn’t just mean our official website but also 3rd party business listings such as Facebook, Yelp, Manta, YellowPages, Google and Crunchbase. One fateful day, it hit us – we needed a toll-free number!
The Solution
It may seem like a small, insignificant detail but a professional corporate main phone number can be the difference between a potential customer calling or not. Up until this point, we had been using our personal cell phones for all business correspondence which was not just amateur but inconsistent as well.
After some heavy research, I learned how expensive and involved a 1-800 number can be to secure through traditional means. There was, however, one exception – Grasshopper! They billed themselves as “the entrepreneur’s phone solution” and I was immediately convinced their product was exactly what we needed.
A relatively small service with the guts to compete against some of the world’s biggest phone companies, Grasshopper offers a variety of marketing-friendly numbers for a low monthly fee. We have hosted our 1-800 number through them for nearly 4 years now and couldn’t be happier. The setup is easy, simple and starts at just $12 per month. Users can define the entire caller experience from Grasshopper’s control panel. Everything from greeting uploads to dial options to auto-transfers, all in just a few clicks. They even send our voicemails to our e-mail inbox! If you’re not interested in a toll-free number but still seeking a way to keep your personal phone out of the public eye, Grasshopper offers local and other vanity numbers as well.
Get Your Phone Ringing
From one online business owner to another, I genuinely recommend Grasshopper as a crucial first step in growing your empire. They are offering my readers a 30-day money-back guarantee right now so you literally have nothing to lose. Put a professional spin on your public image and signup for Grasshopper immediately!