Whether your e-commerce store is run out of your garage, or you have an entire warehouse full of inventory, it is essential that your customers can contact you and talk to a real person to ask questions. As an e-commerce store owner you need to treat your website like a business and having a 1-800 number is essential. Most people put off getting an 800 number because of the hassle and added costs. You have to call the phone company, sign up for a new number, and then have them come out and install a second phone line for your home/office. However, thanks to the wonders of the internet getting an 800 number for your business can be done in a few clicks, only takes 10 minutes and requires no additional phone line. This is possible through a website called RingCentral.

Why Do I Need an 800 Number

Communication - An 800 number gives your customers an easy to contact you. You will be amazed how many people would rather place an order over the phone, or just ask a few questions before ordering. All these potential sales are lost because you do not have an easy way to contact you. Having an 800 number will increase your sales and it will also build your customer confidence levels because they know there is an actual company behind the products they are buying.

Appearance – When you are first starting your store, you may be just one person working from your living room. This is totally fine, but it is always good to give the appearance that you are bigger than you really are. With an 800 number you can set up multiple extensions (sales, support, returns, etc.) Now when someone calls you they get the impression that you are an established company and not just some guy in his living room. This added customer confidence will definitely have an impact on your sales.

Fax – Along with the easy to use 800 number you also get a internet fax. This allows you to send and receive faxes through your email. When someone is sending you a fax they do it exactly what they would for any other fax. They enter your phone number at a fax machine and send away. That fax is then processed by your RingCentral software and sent directly to your email as an attachment. It could not get any easier. Now with this functionality you have the ability to accept faxed in orders.

The reason I recommend RingCentral as opposed to other VOIP phone systems out there is because I personally use RingCenral for my business. It is increadbily easy to use and the features are amazing. I signed up for their free trial and was hooked within the first 2 days. You get this Call Controler software which acts like a virtural phone on your computer. You place calls and receive call all using the cool software and a headset plugged into your computer.

One of my favorite things about the RingCentral software is that is allows me to forward my calls to my cellphone. Say for example I know I am going to be out of the office all day, I have the option to forward all the calls to my cell phone. This allows me to constantly keep in contact with my clients.

For anyone who is thinking about getting an 800 number I highly recommend RingCentral. They offer a free 7 day trial to test out their product. Take advantage of it and I promise you will be hooked in the first few days. Their pricing is very reasonable too. View their website for full pricing.

About the Author: Brennan Heyde is an e-commerce consultant working in San Diego, Ca. He specializes in online marketing and SEO for e-commerce. Have a struggling e-commerce website? – Contact Brennan today for a site analysis.