When purchasing business numbers, often called DID (Direct Inward Dial), it is crucial to understand the type of number your business primarily requires. There are two main types of DID numbers:
1) Toll-Free Numbers
A toll-free number (or DID) allows callers to reach your business without incurring charges. This means the caller is not billed by their carrier; instead, the owner of the toll-free number pays for incoming calls. Note that toll-free numbers are country-specific and are only free for callers within that geographic region. These are also referred to as Freephone numbers in the UK.
Another variant is the ITFN (International Toll-Free Number), which covers multiple regions under the same number. For example, a single ITFN can serve callers across several countries, with charges borne by the number’s owner.
2) Local Numbers
A local number is region-specific and further classified as Geographic (Geo) or Non-Geographic (Non-Geo).
Geographic numbers are tied to a specific state, town, or county. For instance, London uses the 0207 area code.
Non-Geographic numbers cover an entire country or nation. In the UK, the 0330 prefix serves as a national number.
A business targeting a local audience (e.g., a London-based office) might choose a Geo number like 0207, while a nationwide service provider would opt for a Non-Geo number like 0330.
Aancall provides DID numbers in over 50 countries, offering a wide selection to meet diverse business needs.