We’ve all been there—you sign up with a telco and find out over time that their service is less than what satisfactory. While this can be a source of frustration, the great thing about owning the rights of use to your business number is that you have the option to switch providers through 1800 number porting.
Transferring your service doesn’t have to be a stressful experience for your business. We’ve put together a quick and easy guide on how to port an 1800 number to help you find a service provider that delivers all your needs.
Step 1 – Research your choices
Before cancelling your service with your current telco, you must have a new provider to transfer your existing 1800 number to. Thanks to the internet, it’s easier to do your research and compare available number plans offered by different telcos. At the same time, it helps to ask other businesses for referrals to get a realistic idea of the kind of service you can expect from these companies after signing up.
Step 2 – Compare plans
While low monthly charges may look like a good deal at first, it’s better to take a closer look at the individual call charges. Remember that these are billed on top of your monthly charge—rock-bottom monthly pricing can easily be offset by expensive call rates.
It’s good to have an idea of what type of calls you expect to receive. Find out if you receive mostly local, international or mobile calls. This way, you can identify the telco that offers the best call rates for your needs before you go ahead with 1800 number porting.
Always be wary of lock-in terms that make it extremely hard for you to cancel if the need arises. Not having restrictive terms show that a company is confident that they can keep your business through excellent service, not by tricking you into a long-term contract.
Step 3 – Plan for now and the future
Apart from the price, you should also look at the value of the features that come with your number plan. Find out what redirection options come with your service. Can you easily switch your toll free number to a different answer point? Basic routing configurations are often free, while complex ones come at an added cost. Choose a telco that can cater to both simple and complex requests.
1800 number porting can give you access to compatible services for your number. These could be IVR menus, professional business greetings and online voicemail. Consider these add-ons as you make your decision.
Will you have access to call reports and track your usage? An online portal where you can easily manage your service is always a plus. This gives you full flexibility over your number, and helps you make informed decisions using real data from your calls.
Step 4 – Go with the experts
At 1800 Numbers Australia, our goal is to help you get the most out of your 1800 numbers. This is why we work hard to make your switch as easy and hassle-free as possible. You can rely on us to provide you with honest and expert advise about call routing and modifying your service with advance add-ons. If you want a quick and easy switch to better communications, just call us at 1800 900 991 today.