The internet has made it easier for small businesses to sell their products or services outside of their traditional local city area. It is now possible for a small business on Main Street and offer a service or product to companies on Wall Street. This brought on the change in business mindset in a some ways.
For example, let’s take a company that is looking for a specialized consultant to help with an upgrade of an existing system. However, like any project, there is a time and budget constraint and local suppliers are coming in well above their budget. With a simple search on Google, you can find a list of consultants that offer the same service but at a reduced cost because they live in a smaller city center. On the flip side, the consultant can market in major city centers where their target market is found. At the same, they are keeping their operation costs low by living in a smaller city.
With the new competitive landscape, due to the internet, how do you stand out from the crowd? What can you offer that gives you a competitive advantage? One thought here could be providing a local number in the city where your customers live and work. A telephone number as opposed to a toll-free number. That number will give a couple of key benefits that will give you an edge over your competitors.
Instant Credibility
Having a local telephone number in the city where your prospective customer reside can instantly give your business a local presence. By having a number in the same city of your target audience, you immediately cut the competition that are also located outside your customer’s core market.
Customers First
How much would your customers appreciate the fact, that you have taken the time to put in place a local telephone number, that they can use to get a hold of you. With a local number, there are no long distance charges, no complicated toll-free numbers to remember, and a customer service first organization.
Professional
Your customers know the cost it takes to improve their business. They hire companies and consultants to provide solutions that will lower cost and increase efficiency. Having a supplier or partner that has invested some time and money to put in place a proper telephone solution reflects well on themselves. Ultimately, nobody wants to work with a company that does not value the cost of efficiency.
It is obvious that having a local telephone number in your customers city provides key advantages. Next time you speak to a prospective client or existing customer, tell them to call you on your local number in New York (or London; or Paris).