For medspas, having reliable phone service is crucial. While social media presence is important, it doesn’t provide the same level of service and availability that potential leads and existing patients expect. Engaging posts and direct messaging on social platforms are helpful, but many patients prefer speaking directly with a live agent over the phone.
Patients often want to speak with a real person when they have questions about treatments, appointments, or other services. However, many medspas are unsure whether a local or toll-free number is best for their needs.
Toll-free numbers are great for marketing, indicating that the business is large and established. But why should a medspa choose a local number over a toll-free one, and how can each type benefit the business?
This article will explore the differences between local and toll-free business phone numbers, along with their pros and cons.
Local Number vs. Toll-Free: Importance of a Business Number
Effective communication is essential for a successful medspa. A professional, recognizable business number builds trust and security between your medspa and its patients.
When patients have a clear point of contact, they feel more confident booking appointments and inquiring about services. A legitimate phone number serves as a trust signal linked to your brand. But does the type of number you choose make a difference?
What Is a Local Phone Number?
A local phone number features a three-digit area code specific to a region. Medspas use these numbers to connect with potential leads and existing patients in that area. Providers typically do not charge for incoming calls, only for outgoing ones.
VoIP-based local numbers or virtual phone numbers are particularly beneficial for medspas operating within a specific area.
What Is a Toll-Free Number?
A toll-free number, identified by a prefix like 800, allows patients to call the business without incurring charges. Medspas pay for both incoming and outgoing calls, facilitating easy communication for patients from anywhere in the country.
By addressing patients’ issues in real-time without the concern of call charges, medspa owners can create a positive impression and strengthen patient relationships, leading to increased satisfaction.
Advantages of Local Phone Numbers
Local phone numbers have become increasingly popular among businesses. Potential leads often search local directories for medspa services and find local numbers. Here’s why medspas should consider local phone numbers:
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Patients feel assured of direct contact with a person, enhancing satisfaction levels.
- Local Presence: Medspas can establish a virtual local presence by acquiring local area phone numbers, even without a physical office in the area.
- Increased Credibility: A local phone number enhances a medspa’s credibility within a local community, fostering a sense of belonging.
- Professional Image: Local phone numbers contribute to a strong brand image.
- Effective Local Advertising: Local numbers can be used in advertising to quickly generate leads, as they are easily recognizable.
Advantages of Toll-Free Numbers
Toll-free numbers offer several benefits to medspas:
- Enhanced Brand Image: A toll-free number gives the impression of a well-established, nationwide business.
- Portability: Toll-free numbers can be retained regardless of location changes, ensuring consistent service.
- Improved Customer Service: potential leads and existing patients appreciate the ability to communicate with a business before booking services. Toll-free numbers provide the necessary support for effective engagement.
- Additional Marketing Tool: Toll-free numbers are effective in marketing channels, allowing patients to contact the business without worrying about area codes or call charges.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Toll-free numbers are quick to set up, with subscription rates often lower than traditional phone services.
Drawbacks of Local Phone Numbers
Before choosing local phone numbers, medspa owners should consider the following:
- A local phone number may imply a limited local presence, which can make the medspa seem smaller.
- Patients from different regions may find it expensive to call a local number.
Drawbacks of Toll-Free Numbers
- Toll-free numbers can be susceptible to scams and robocalls.
- Incoming toll-free calls may be perceived as spam by potential leads, leading to unanswered calls.
U.S. Phone Number Registration
I have talked about this in detail in my previous article
Toll-Free
- The registration process is simpler and does not require a Tax ID or registration fees. It can take 4 to 6 weeks, but approval can happen in as little as two days.
Local
- Requires a Tax ID and includes a registration fee and a monthly campaign fee. The process can take 4 to 6 weeks, but approval can occur in as little as one week
Local Number vs. Toll-Free: Which Is Right for Your Medspa?
Your choice depends on your specific needs. Consider the following questions:
- What is your client base? Are they concentrated in a certain area, or spread across various regions?
- What are your expansion plans? Are you planning to grow nationally or internationally?
When to Choose a Local Phone Number
Local numbers are ideal for small medspas that operate within a specific region or city. For example, if your medspa is based in one city, a local number will make your business feel more accessible and familiar to residents.
When to Choose a Toll-Free Phone Number
Toll-free numbers are best for medspas that serve a wide patient base without a specific location. If your medspa aims to attract potential leads from different regions, a toll-free number will facilitate this expansion.
Should You Have Both Local and Toll-Free Numbers?
Having both local and toll-free numbers can support different aspects of patient interaction. Each type offers unique benefits that can enhance your medspa’s services.
A local number is excellent for building a local presence and engaging in local advertising, while a toll-free number is ideal for scalability and presenting a professional image across broader regions.
Additionally, since the U.S. phone number registration for local numbers can sometimes take weeks to get approved, we usually get our clients a toll-free number first, then once the local number is approved, we switch to sending from your new local number.
Get a Business Phone Number with High Level
Choosing between a local number and a toll-free number involves weighing their advantages and disadvantages based on your medspa’s needs.
At MedspaBloom, we provide the numbers and support you need to keep your medspa ahead of the competition. Sign up today at medspabloom.com/consult.
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