How to Get a 900 Number

A 900 number refers to a ‘pay per call’ telephone service where the caller pays for information that is delivered upon calling the 900 number. 900 numbers are quite a rage nowadays, as more and more businesses are offering a variety of services to customers such as post-sales service, troubleshooting and insurance quotes. Here’s how to get a 900 number for your business.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Understand the basic functioning of 900 numbers. Your business will be assigned a telephone number starting with the area code 900. When anyone calls that number, they will be given a brief introduction of the nature of the service and how they will be billed. This is done so that one may choose to hang up before being billed for the call.
2. Determine how you would like to bill your callers. It can be done by charging a per minute rate or a flat rate per call. A per minute rate is usually preferred by most business enterprises.
3. Setting up an instrument to manage calls on your 900 number can be expensive. Most entrepreneurs choose to go with a service bureau that can handle all the operational details.
4. Go online and search for service providers offering 900 numbers. Some of the popular service bureaus are Advanced Telecom Services, Best900 and 900profits (see Resources).
5. Shop around and compare rates of packages offered by different service bureaus.
6. 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 on-going fees to the bureau.
7. Subscribe for a package with your choice of service bureau. This can be done online or by calling up a sales agent for the service bureau. Try negotiating with the sales agent; 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 which you may or may not publicize along with the 900 number. You can use this number in case your 900 number doesn’t work 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 on the phone line. This can be helpful if the caller wants to call discreetly. It also prevents non-payment.
• Watch out for packages that carry charge-back options, which attach the phone charge of a defaulter to your account.
• If you have the skill, expertise and exclusive knowledge about your area of interest, 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.