How to Get a 900 Number

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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A 900 number refers to a pay per call telephone service where the caller pays for information that is received during the phone call. Recently, 900 numbers have become popular as more businesses are considering offering a variety of services to customers such as post-sales service, troubleshooting, insurance quotes and many more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Understand how the basic functioning of 900 numbers works. Your business will be assigned a telephone number starting with area code 900. When anyone calls that number, they will be given a brief introduction of the nature of the call and how they will be billed. This is so they may choose to hang up before they accrue any charges.
Step 2

Determine how you would like to bill your callers. This can be achieved by charging a per minute rate or as a flat rate per call. A per minute rate is usually preferred by most business enterprises.
Step 3

Go online and search for service providers offering 900 numbers. Some of the popular service bureaus are Advanced Telecom Services, Best900.com and 900profits.com.
Step 4

Shop around and compare rates between different packages offered by different service bureaus.
Step 5

Provide all the necessary information to the bureau such as taped recordings that you would like your callers to hear. Also pay start-up charges and other ongoing fees to the bureau.
Step 6

Subscribe for a package with the service bureau that best suits your business needs. This can be done online or by calling a sales agent for the service bureau. Try negotiating with the sales agent because you might get a better deal.

Tips & Warnings

If your business relies on incoming phone calls, remember to have a backup plan such as a toll-free number or a regular number that you may or may not publicize along with the 900 number. This option can be utilized in the case that your 900 number doesn't work properly and your customers need to reach you.
Consider choosing 900 lines with additional services, such as charging the calls made on the caller's debit or credit card instead of the phone line. This can be especially helpful if the caller wants to call discreetly and also prevents non-payment.
Watch out for packages with "charge back" options; that is the attachment of phone charges from a default caller to your bill.
If you have the skill, expertise and exclusive knowledge about your area of interest, only then it is a good idea to get a 900 number for your business and make it work for you. Don't get a 900 number if you don't offer anything unique.

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