What is a Vanity Number and How Does it Work?

Virtual telephone numbers, such as Freephone or Premium Rate numbers, are designed to encourage potential customers to call. These numbers help establish a professional brand image for organizations serving a nationwide audience and, when selected thoughtfully, are easy to remember.

To make your Freephone or Premium Rate number even more memorable, consider registering a vanity number.

In this article, we will explain what vanity numbers are, how to dial them, and why a vanity number could be the ideal choice for your company.

What is a vanity number?

One of the easiest ways to understand what a vanity number is, is by looking at some well-known examples.

For instance, the supermarket chain Lidl uses the vanity number 0900-LIDLINFO for its customer service in the Netherlands.

Another popular example is 1-800-FLOWERS, the toll-free vanity phone number used by the U.S.-based flower delivery service.

Vanity numbers are custom phone numbers. They are effective because they replace a string of random digits with a memorable word or phrase, making it easier for customers to recall the phone number.

This simple yet powerful marketing tool helps businesses stand out and connect with clients more effectively.

You can even find local vanity numbers to serve specific communities, which can be an easy dial phone number for residents.

How to dial a vanity number

Look at the dial screen on your mobile phone or the keypad on your desk phone. You’ll notice that numbers 2 through 9 each have three letters associated with them.

Dialing a vanity number is straightforward: simply press the keys corresponding to each letter in the vanity word. For example, to call 1-800-FLOWERS, you would dial 1 800 3569377.

The word “FLOWERS” is much easier to remember than the string of digits “3569377.” Using a vanity word instead of random digits makes your phone number instantly more memorable and can even include repeating digits for added memorability. Using easy dial numbers can also help to attract more leads.

The length of a vanity number depends on the standard telephone number length in the country. Note that prefixes, such as country or area codes, are not included in the vanity word.

Vanity words don’t need to exactly match the length of the phone number; they can be longer, and any extra characters will be ignored by the telephone network.

The advantages of a custom phone number

Research conducted in Australia reveals that businesses using vanity numbers can experience a remarkable increase in inbound calls—up to 290% more compared to standard telephone numbers. This significant boost highlights the effectiveness of vanity phone numbers in attracting more clients and increasing sales.

Vanity numbers generally have superior recall value compared to random digits. In fact, studies show that around 85% of people are likely to remember a vanity number after an advertisement.

Around 35% more people are likely to call a vanity number compared to a non-vanity number. This makes a vanity number a powerful marketing tool that enhances brand recognition and creates a memorable connection with customers.

A vanity number allows your customers to easily remember how to reach you. You can place the vanity number on your website, use it in commercials, on billboards, or in radio ads. A memorable repeated sequence of numbers is often valuable to taxi and food delivery companies.

Unlike outbound calls which rely on a different strategy, vanity numbers focus on making it easy for customers to contact you. Vanity numbers can help create a scalable marketing platform for businesses.

Getting your own vanity number at Belfabriek

The availability of vanity numbers varies by country. Depending on your target country, our team can assist you in finding, registering, and setting up a custom vanity number. Simply let us know your requirements, and we will handle the entire process for you.

Vanity numbers can be used with new or existing phone systems including VoIP, mobile, and landline. You can even explore numbers ending in a specific sequence that is easy to recall.

Conclusion

In today’s competitive market, anything that gives your business an edge is invaluable. A vanity number is more than just a phone number; it’s a powerful marketing tool that makes your brand unforgettable.

By transforming a string of digits into a meaningful word or phrase, you not only make it easier for customers to remember your contact information but also create a professional and trustworthy brand image.

Whether you're a small startup or a large corporation, investing in a vanity number can lead to a significant increase in inbound calls and, ultimately, business growth.

Get in touch!