My daily travels provide me with much of the content I regularly share and engage with you via this website.
I keep my eyes on alert as I drive or ride around, especially taking long trips like the one that’s coming up this week.
Nevertheless, I see many forms of advertisements and quite a few companies using a wide variety of domain names.
From signs to vehicle wraps to windows to billboards to tv commercials, domains have become a way of life and a vital part of business for a plethora of businesses, especially businesses with a local market focus.
On my most recent trip into the office one morning last week, I encountered a pickup truck with some writing on the back of it.
As usual, I attempted to understand what exactly the pickup truck was advertising based on its tailgate.
In the upper left-hand corner of the tailgate, there was a logo and the name of an exterminating company that read: Bulwark Exterminating.
In the tailgate’s center was the following text with a guy pointing to it positioned on the far right: Call 512-GOT-BUGS.
And right beneath it, in a smaller green text, a domain name read: www.512GOTBUGS.COM.
My initial thoughts about 512GotBugs.com.
When I initially saw the domain, I wrote it off as bad because it was alphanumeric.
If you don’t know, domain names that include numbers and alphabets typically don’t pass the radio test.
For this reason, I wrote off 512GotBugs.com when I saw the domain as advertised on the pickup truck’s tailgate.
I would never think of typing a domain that concatenates an area code with a keyword or keywords.
Then, I’m not a fan of vanity numbers that don’t put the numbers in parentheses.
After all, what if I’m using a phone that doesn’t have the corresponding alphabets associated with the keypad or dial numbers?
But then reality hit me as I approached the next light, which was red at the time, and observed 7 out of 11 drivers using smartphones.
A person using a smartphone has alphabets associated with the keypad numbers when they dial.
Not only that, but they ask Siri and speak and request business services via phrases, numbers, domains, etc.
So not knowing that the vanity number 512-GOT-BUGS translates to 512-468-2847 is a moot point.
Vanity Number Domain Names are a Clever Marketing Alternative
It wasn’t until I got home that I realized just how clever using a matching domain with its corresponding local phone or toll-free number was for many reasons.
Using such a domain is clever because even if you can’t remember the exact numeric digits, you can be reminded by spelling out the vanity number on your phone.
Plus, vanity number domains tend to visually stand out amongst the plain Jane keyword and branded domains.
Think about that from an existing or potential customer perspective.
If you weren’t forward thinking enough back in the last ’80s to ’90s to register domains like PestServices.com, PestControl.com, GotBugs.com, KillInsects.com or whatever your line of business is, then using vanity number domains is a clever alternative for boosting search rankings too.
When to consider using vanity number domain names
As it relates to a local business, which often has many businesses vying to own specific market domain names, maybe your business didn’t snag the geo service domains for its respective area.
For example, what would you do if you were starting a business today and couldn’t own AustinPest.com, AustinPestControl.com, or AustinPestServices.com as your business’s digital presence?
Outside of registering and using your business name as its domain name, I encourage you to consider a vanity number domain.
However, the catch with this approach is that you MUST also own the vanity number and domain, which oftentimes is much like owning domains: you had to be first and likely decades in the past.
Yes, local businesses are using vanity number domains.
I know you’re thinking to yourself that 512GotBugs.com is only one company out of thousands in the Austin, Texas, market that uses such a domain.
I thought the same thing until I encountered the following businesses blindly typing 512 while appending the following keywords and .com in a web browser:
- 512GarageDoors.com
- 512Dentist.com
- 512Plumber.com
- 512Windows.com
- 512BuyHome.com
- 512Cleaning.com
What’s more interesting to me is the number of vanity number domains available to hand register right now.
Now domain availability may be because the person registering the domain will likely not own the matching phone number.
However, not long ago, Austin introduced a new 737 area code due to running out of 512 numbers.
Should local businesses have their heads on straight, then the introduction of a new area code opens the gate too wide vanity number domain land grab.
Of course, this only applies to businesses that serve a specific area code or part of town.
For example, if you’re a dentist in the new 737 area code in Austin and own the vanity number 512-DENTIST, why have you not registered and developed 737DENTIST.com as your business’ website?
Think about the value in your messaging becoming sharper, more focused, and clearly more memorable when using matching domain names and phone numbers.
Your business essentially gains the added value in a 2-for-1 special investing and operating your business using vanity number domain names.
Matching domains and phone numbers are not only for local business.
Don’t stop at local businesses using matching domains and phone numbers to build their business.
Some of the biggest and most well-known brands have invested in developing and operating their business’s digital presence using vanity number domain names.
For example, when you need contacts and accessories, you visit 1800Contacts.com or 1800getlens.com.
And everyone knows about the flower behemoth, 1800Flowers.com. But don’t think it’s only for the big guys, 1800florals.com is doing quite well too.
Also, should flowers not do the trick and your marriage not work out the way you expected (God forbid!), then there’s always 1800Divorce.com and 1800Attorney.com.
And for all of you pack rats needing to get rid of junk when you move to Austin (Please, no one else moves), then all you need is 1800GotJunk.com or 1800PackRat.com.
Most of the companies also own hyphenated versions of their non-hyphenated matching domain names.
Those are just a few of the biggest and brightest brands using matching domains and phone numbers to find and serve customers.
In fact, there are quite a few companies using matching domains with 800, 888, 855, 866, and 877 phone numbers.
This list of businesses using matching domains and phone numbers is quite expansive. I’m sure there are way more than the ones I’ve found.
Before you run out to buy matching domains and phone numbers, read this…
Just as there are good matching domains and phone number examples, there are also some bad examples too (as shown below).
- 800-Numbers.net
- 800AgeInfo.com
- 800CharityCars.org
- 800Gambler.org
- 800Hosting.com
- 800MiniStorage.com
- 866OurVote.org
- 866Recover.com
- 877GetHope.org
- 88844Ferry.com
- 888BetsOff.com
- 888BetsOff.org
- 888TrashIt.com
Before you start buying up domains and phone numbers, BE SURE THAT BOTH ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.
I’m sure there are horror stories of businesses buying a domain name or phone number first, then trying to find the match.
It’s best to be sure your selected options are available before you commit to investing big dollars.
And don’t be surprised if you find that someone owns the domain or phone number you desire and lists both for sale.
Much like domains, toll-free numbers, and phone numbers were once the eye of speculation too.
Simply negotiate to the best of your ability to a price you can afford. Pony up the cash and reap the rewards for years to come.
If not, then your competition will. It’s just that simple.
There’s also another thing to be mindful of when buying matching domains and phone numbers.
Personally, I’m of the opinion that it’s a waste of money to purchase matching domains and 800 numbers by using the 1.
If you can’t defensive register the hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions of the domain with the 1, then I wouldn’t dare waste my time with the domain.
By not owning the hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions of the domain, including the 1, you are subject to leaking traffic online, especially if online is the primary method of operating your business.
I also recommend using the .com, although the new domain extensions (gTLDs) do make me raise my eyebrow when speaking regarding matching domains and phone number examples.
With the new gTLDs, you could have a variety of combinations and have the dot placed in or near the middle of your new domain.
For example, you could have the following combinations:
- 1800Injured.Care (Actual website in operation)
- 1800.Clinic
- 1888.Cars
- 1800.Website
- 1888.Attorney
- 1800.Photography
- 1888.Audio
- 1800.Cards
This list could go on for days, but the most important thing to consider and be sure of is that you own the matching vanity too.
Where can I purchase matching domains and phone numbers?
I know you’re chomping at the bite-to-go search for matching domains and phone numbers so I won’t hold you any longer. 🙂
There are quite a few services available. Some are quite old, while others are new kids on the block.
If you’re looking for virtual phone numbers, then I recommend Grasshopper.com, RingCentral.com, and EasyRinger.com.
If you’re looking for expired domain names or hand-register domains, I would certainly look at 1And1.com and GoDaddy.com. Check this page should you buy domains at GoDaddy.
If you are looking to purchase domains or both matching domains and phone numbers, then I recommend reviewing the following services based on search high and low (a few appear a bit aged):
- GetATollFreeDomain.com
- Buy-1-800-DomainNames.com
- MyTollFree800Number.com
- WhatADomain.com
- VanitySource.com
It’s hard to argue that toll-free numbers are not excellent marketing tools when used right.
Long before there were domain names, toll-free numbers, especially vanity numbers, were the domains of choice held in high esteem for doing business with a real business.
Although domain names have taken the place of toll-free numbers, toll-free numbers are revived when businesses choose to use matching domains and phone numbers as their business name or brand.
Coupled with the right matching domain and phone number, your business can become a credible force in the market, no matter if local, national, or global, and provide an easily remembered name for customers to find and do business with you.
It’s quite the challenge to shut the door on competition, yet using matching domains and phone numbers is one way to do just that and more!
As a domain investor and business consultant, Alvin actively participates in daily domain auctions. Outside of auctions, he passionately shares his views, opinions, and vision for how businesses should and should not use domain names to generate greater customer growth and revenue.
