Question 1

Should I get a local vanity number or a toll free vanity number?

Accepted Answer

Local if your customers are in a specific area. Toll free if you serve customers nationwide.

A local number like 619-ROOFING builds trust because 83% of Americans prefer local businesses. The area code signals you’re nearby, and the word makes the number memorable.

A toll free number like 800-FLOODED works everywhere in North America. Generic toll free terms cost six figures because they’ve been advertised for decades, but a branded toll free vanity (like 800-YOUR-NAME) is reasonably priced and works nationally.

Many businesses use both. A local number for their primary market, a toll free number for everything outside it.

Question 2

Can I get any local number I want, with my word in my area code?

Accepted Answer

There’s no central database for local numbers the way there is for toll free. They’ve been given out for 100 years, but you can only get the ones given to your local phone company within the past 18 months or so. If they were given out 10 years ago, they aren’t going to be available from that phone company anymore. Start with local numbers by state.

Question 3

Why can't I just buy any of these?

Accepted Answer

Local numbers aren’t in one national database like toll free. They go out to phone companies in blocks of 1,000 or 10,000, so most are already with customers. We show them all anyway: the ones we sell, the ones you might get yourself, and the ones nobody can get.

Question 4

Can I use a number from another state?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A local number rings wherever you forward it. The area code tells callers where you are, so it works best when your customers are in that area. Nationwide shows the ones we sell in any state, premium ones you can own, and ones just given to a phone company.

Question 5

What does Current Carrier tell me?

Accepted Answer

Numbers move between phone companies. Tap it and we look up who carries that number today, so you call the right company instead of the one it started with. We also check how much it’s being used: ACTIVE means it shows real use lately, INACTIVE means it’s been quiet, which is often your better shot.

Question 6

Is DIY really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for now. DIY checks every number that spells your word across your state, shows who carries each one today and which look available, and emails you who to call and what to say. If it helps you land a great number, pay what you think it was worth.