A lot of start-up small businesses that we see have a “David versus Goliath” attitude. They invest a lot of energy, thought, focus, and funds into their venture; they can take on the world, the big bad corporations that they see as their biggest challenge. They have the know-how, the right approach, the customer-focus, they have everything needed to really succeed. But after a few slow months, these entrepreneurs lose steam. In many cases, we hear complaints that they just couldn’t compete with the “big guns.” Nonsense!

Small businesses have several critical advantages over large corporations. From a financial perspective, they have less layers of management. They can provide a more intimate approach to customer service without having to worry about bureaucracy. And while small businesses competing with larger corporations don’t have the same deep pockets, they also don’t have the extraordinary expenses. Small businesses truly stand to profit from the inefficiencies of larger corporations. So why don’t they?

In many cases, small businesses have a small presence. Many prospective clients do not know they exist but they find it easy to locate the large corporation or at least it is easy to remember their toll-free number of 1-800-BUY-OURS. And unfortunately many clients prefer for the right or wrong reasons, to deal with “secure” larger corporations. So how can small businesses succeed in their battle against big business? There are many ways, but the one we will focus on today is the toll-free number.

A toll-free number lends a “large” presence to any enterprise. A consumer who has no other resources than a telephone book will choose a local provider who lists both a toll-free number and a local number in their listing. Can you blame the consumer? Especially where larger dollars are involved, a customer will want to know that he can reach you for support from anywhere. He might buy locally, but when he travels out of state, he can reach you. Think about it…

The great thing about setting up a toll-free number is it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. With the advantage of technology, these numbers can be set up in a matter of minutes. Better yet, calls can be routed directly to your cell phone so you don’t miss a single call. Any unanswered calls will be answered by your existing voicemail (rather than an off-site service). This allows you to focus on other business development activities or to enjoy your free time. Sure beats sitting around your office waiting for the phone to ring.

The program Quote Stork endorses is priced at $39.99 per month. The no-frills toll-free solution gives you unlimited minutes (other services limit the usage and charge more for extra minutes), it works from anywhere in the US, and you can use your existing add-ons (e.g. voicemail) without special programming or additional costs.

The small business owners and entrepreneurs who aim to take down the Goliath(s) in their markets cannot ignore the importance of a toll-free number. Such a simple and cost-effective tool gives the small business an edge against similarly sized companies and brings them to the same level as their biggest competitors. The advantage for the small business? Customers that call their toll-free number know exactly who they will reach.