TL;DR
Not sure whether to get a TollFree or Geographic number for your business?
Here’s the short answer:
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TollFree numbers builds national trust and removes cost for your callers
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Geographic numbers make you look local, familiar, and more personal
Both have strong benefits. The right choice depends on who you’re targeting and how you want to be seen.
Meet David: One Business, Two Numbers
David runs a fast-growing tech support company based in Manchester. He started local, serving small businesses across the UK.
His first number was a Geographic one: +44 161, tied to Manchester.
It worked well. Local clients trusted it. Pickup rates were high.
Then he launched a national campaign, targeting clients across the UK.
Suddenly, that Manchester number looked… less relevant.
He noticed something odd:
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People outside his area were slower to pick up
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His ads were getting clicks, but fewer calls
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Customers were asking, “Are you only local?”
David needed a number that didn’t tie him to one location.He added a TollFree 0800 number.
The difference?
Immediate. Call volume rose. National clients trusted the new number.
Now, he uses both, and knows exactly when each one works best.
What Are TollFree numbers?
Geographic numbers are tied to a physical area.
In the UK, that might be:
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+44 20 for London
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+44 121 for Birmingham
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+44 161 for Manchester
They give you:
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Local presence
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Familiarity
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Strong pickup rates from nearby contacts
With Voyced, you can get Geographic numbers in 165+ countries, not just your home market.
What Is TollFree (or FreePhone)?
TollFree numbers don’t belong to any one place.
In the UK, these start with 0800 or 0808.
In the US, it’s 800, 888, 877, etc.
What makes them different?
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The caller doesn’t pay
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They suggest national service
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They’re often linked to larger, more established businesses
Voyced offers TollFree numbers in dozens of countries, with global call routing and free Hosted IPPBX.
Comparing the Two: Pros and Cons
| Feature | TollFree Numbers | Geographic Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Caller pays? | No (you pay for inbound) | Yes |
| Trust level | National | Local |
| SEO benefits | Weaker for local search | Strong for local SEO |
| Caller recognition | Medium | High |
| Cost to you | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Support, national ads | Sales, local presence |
SEO Impact: How Each Type Affects Visibility
Let’s talk search.
If your number shows up in a local business listing, Google links that to your location.
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A Geographic number helps with local SEO, especially for region-based queries like “tech support Manchester.”
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A TollFree number doesn’t help with local search, but can appear more trustworthy in national or broad searches.
If SEO matters, consider using Geographic numbers on your website and directories, and TollFree in national ad campaigns.
How Clients See You
TollFree = National, Big Brand Feel
Think:
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Airlines
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Utility companies
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Government hotlines
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Big tech
Clients see TollFree as:
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Stable
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Accessible
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More official
Geographic = Local, Trustworthy, Personal
Think:
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Local shops
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Regional consultants
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Independent firms
Clients see Geographic numbers as:
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Approachable
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Easier to trust
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Familiar
It’s not about size. It’s about feel.
When to Use TollFree
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You’re running a nationwide campaign
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You offer customer support across regions
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You want to remove cost friction for clients calling you
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You want to look like a large or national brand
TollFree shows that you’re serious, professional, and easy to reach.
When to Use Geographic
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You’re selling locally or regionally
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You want to build trust fast
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You want higher pickup rates
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You care about local SEO
Geographic numbers make it feel like you’re just around the corner, even when you’re not.
Why Not Use Both?
That’s what David does now.
He uses:
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TollFree for ads, national calls, and customer support
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Geographic numbers for local outreach, SEO listings, and regional leads
Voyced makes it easy to manage multiple numbers from one place, using our free Hosted IPPBX.
You can route, tag, and handle calls based on:
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Region
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Language
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Time of day
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Team availability
You don’t have to choose one over the other. You can switch, split, or test.
What It Looks Like in Practice
Let’s say you run a startup based in Dublin.
You could:
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Use a +353 1 Geographic number on your site to rank better for local search
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Add an 1800 TollFree number to your national LinkedIn ads
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Route both to your same support agent using Hosted IPPBX
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Track which one brings in more qualified leads
It’s clean. It’s scalable. It works.
You’re Already in the Right Place
Voyced gives you:
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TollFree numbers in dozens of countries
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Geographic numbers in 165+ countries
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A free Hosted IPPBX
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Support when you need it
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Routing tools that scale as you grow
You’re not stuck with one image or strategy.
You can match your number to your goals, and adjust as you grow.
TollFree or Geographic?
The answer is simple: use what builds trust.
Use what gets results.
You can get both, right here.
