Why Vanity Phone Numbers Matter to Canadian Businesses

For call-driven businesses, the appearance of their phone numbers plays a crucial role in their success. It’s one thing when a caller forgets the call soon after it ends and quite another when your brand name sticks in their memory for the long haul.

Consider 1-800-INSURANCE instead of 1-800-467872623, for instance. You don’t need to be a marketing expert to understand that displaying your business name or concept before a call gives you a clear advantage in starting the conversation.

That’s why so many companies opt for vanity phone numbers over generic ones. They help build trust and awareness from the initial contact, which sets a good tone throughout the conversation and makes it more likely that the person will convert. Even if a caller doesn’t convert, they’re more likely to remember the brand weeks or even months later.

Keep reading to discover all the essential information about vanity phone numbers.

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What Are Vanity Phone Numbers?

A vanity phone number typically spells out a word or phrase related to the business name or concept. For instance, the 844-PHONEXA number links customers to our company even before the conversation begins—an excellent tactic for boosting brand visibility and recognition.

Similarly, prospects who’ve seen your ad but didn’t call right away may become more receptive after multiple touchpoints. Over time, repeated exposure to your pay-per-call ads might prompt them to explore what they’ve been missing.

Simply put, vanity phone numbers increase your brand’s visibility and make it more memorable.

“When phone calls convert 30% faster, spend 28% more, and the retention rate is 28% higher, you don’t need to generate as many as you would web leads. A lot of people are used to generating hundreds of thousands of web leads, but you can’t consider phone calls as equal. Calls are more valuable, and therefore, you don’t need to generate as many. So businesses are leaving money on the table if they’re just neglecting them altogether.”— David Pickard, CEO at Phonexa

How Do Vanity Phone Numbers Work?

Technically, vanity phone numbers function just like standard ones. To place a call, you dial the letters of the company’s name—such as PHONEXA—using the corresponding keypad numbers.

To call 844-PHONEXA, you would dial 844-7466392, where the numbers 7466392 represent:

• P=7
• H=4
• O=6
• N=6
• E=3
• X=9
• A=2

One important note: if 844-PHONEXA is already in use, it means similar variations like 844-QHONEXA, 844-RHONEXA, or 844-PHONEXC cannot be registered either, as the base number is already taken.

Types of Vanity Phone Numbers

Firstly, it’s important to note that vanity phone numbers aren’t limited to letters alone. While 1-800-FLOWERS, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, and 1-800-CONTACTS are well-known examples, vanity numbers can also be numeric patterns like 1-888-888-8888.

Alphanumeric Vanity Phone Numbers

Alphanumeric numbers remain the most common type because letters on phone keypads are simple to input and recall. Additionally, these numbers can serve as effective calls-to-action, like 1-800-GOT-JUNK.

That said, alphanumeric numbers might not be as intuitive in certain countries, especially if the country doesn’t follow the ITU E.161 standard. For example, nations using Cyrillic, Arabic, Hebrew, or Chinese scripts may have different keypads or lack letter-to-number mappings altogether.

Standard Phone Keypad Layout

2	ABC
3	DEF
4	GHI
5	JKL
6	MNO
7	PQRS
8	TUV
9	WXYZ

Numeric Vanity Phone Numbers

Numeric vanity numbers are repetitive or patterned digits that don’t always have anything to do with the company, unless numbers are part of your brand identification. For example, 1-888-888-8888 is easy to remember.

Numeric vanity numbers can cost even more than alphanumeric ones due to the scarcity of catchy patterns. Nevertheless, they can be valuable investments for click-to-call or mobile-first campaigns, especially in high-ticket niches like finance or insurance.

Hybrid Vanity Phone Numbers

Hybrid vanity numbers, such as 1-888-2-HIRE-US, combine letters and digits. They tend to be more affordable, easier to acquire, and serve as effective branding tools when used imaginatively.

Examples of effective hybrid vanity numbers include:

• 1-800-4-MY-TAXES
• 1-800-4-PIZZA
• 2-HIRE-ME

Hybrid vanity numbers are much more affordable than fully alphanumeric ones, which can range from thousands to millions of dollars. For instance, the New York City number 212-222-2222 sold for $7.5 million.

Comparison: Alphanumeric, Numeric, and Hybrid Phone Numbers

	Alphanumeric	Numeric	Hybrid
Branding Potential	Very high	Moderate	High
Memorability	Very high	High	High
Ease of Use Globally	May confuse some users	Very easy to use	Easy to Use
Cost	Expensive	Expensive	Moderate
Use Cases	Branding, ad campaigns, hotlines	Branding, hotlines, tech support	Branding, ad campaigns, hotlines, tech support

Toll-Free Vanity Phone Numbers

Toll-free numbers, such as 844-PHONEXA, include a national prefix before the branded segment and are free for callers. In the U.S., there are seven toll-free prefixes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.

Unlike local phone numbers, toll-free numbers aren’t linked to any specific area code, offering nationwide reach and aligning seamlessly with the vanity word or phrase. The primary drawback is their limited local presence.

Note: Toll-free vanity numbers are not automatically international. If calls are made from abroad, charges may apply. Every country has its own toll-free prefixes—for instance, in the UK, these are 0800 and 0808—that allow free calls nationwide. However, international callers may incur long-distance fees depending on their carrier and the country of origin.

Book a free demo to learn what phone numbers you need to generate and convert more calls.

Local Vanity Phone Numbers

Local vanity phone numbers are numbers that incorporate area codes connected to particular regions—such as 512-PLUMBER—which makes them perfect for marketing campaigns that are focused on a specific state. They are also considerably less expensive than toll-free numbers, with prices ranging from a few dozen dollars to several thousand dollars.

Although a local area code can increase trust and the vanity portion maintains marketing appeal, local numbers are usually not free to call. Unlike U.S. toll-free numbers, which are free for domestic callers, local numbers may incur charges.

That said, because most U.S. mobile plans offer unlimited nationwide calling, most customers won’t face fees. Exceptions include calls from landlines lacking long-distance service (e.g., dialling from 310 to a 212 vanity number), limited prepaid plans, roaming calls, and international calls.

	Toll-Free Vanity Numbers	Local Vanity Numbers
Branding Potential	National-level	Local-level
Memorability	Very High	Very High
Ease of Use Globally	Works across the United States and Canada	Works across the state; may incur fees for calls outside the state
Cost	High	Moderate
Use Cases	National campaigns	Local campaigns

International Toll-Free Vanity Numbers

For international toll-free campaigns, it’s necessary to have a unique toll-free vanity number for every country where you operate, taking into account the following factors:

• Country keypad layout: While many countries use a design similar to the U.S., vanity numbers are often impractical for countries with non-Latin scripts, such as Japan and China.
• Number length regulations: Standards for number length vary between countries; you might need to use six digits instead of seven. For instance, 1-800-FLOWERS in the U.S. becomes 0800-FLOWER in the U.K.

The main drawback of international calling campaigns is the need to pay for several numbers across different countries, so it’s important to ensure your profits cover these expenses.

Below is an example of how a toll-free vanity phone number can be adapted for international use:

	Toll-Free Prefix	Full Numbers	Spelled Number
USA	1-800	1-800-FLOWERS	1-800-784-25633
UK	0800	0800-FLOWERS	0800-784-25633
Canada	1-800	1-800-FLOWERS	1-800-784-25633
Australia	1800	1800-FLOWERS	1800-784-25633
Germany	0800	0800-FLOWERS	0800-784-25633

Alternatively, you may opt for a Universal International Freephone Number (UIFN), an 18-digit code that always begins with the international freephone prefix +800 and is valid in roughly 60 countries. UIFNs help simplify branding by maintaining consistency across different markets.

The primary limitation of UIFNs is the requirement to have exactly eight digits following the +800 prefix. This might force you to add a digit or a letter to your main vanity word to comply. For instance, rather than +800-FLOWERS, you might need to use +800-FLOWERED.

Similarly, there are two issues related to the “+” symbol, which is part of UIFN numbers:

• Firstly, many users feel uneasy or unfamiliar with dialling the “+” symbol on keypads.
• Secondly, most callers do not understand the meaning of “+” and thus may fail to substitute it with their country’s international dialling code when using landlines or desk phones that lack automatic “+” conversion (mobile devices typically handle this conversion automatically, unlike older telephones or PBX systems).

For example, when dialling +800-12345678 from the U.S., the “+” converts automatically to 011, so the actual number dialled is 011-800-12345678. In older phone systems, you may need to enter 011 manually.

Book a demo to learn how to get a toll-free vanity phone number with Phonexa.

How to Obtain Toll-Free Vanity Phone Numbers for Your Business

Vanity numbers are very limited, so the first thing you should do is to check if the word or phrase you want is still available in the markets you are going to target. For businesses operating globally, the task becomes more complicated, as they must ensure that the brand is not only consistent but also that it has the same availability in every country where they operate.

• Important: Toll-free vanity numbers in the United States cannot be purchased outright; they can only be leased. These numbers are owned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and assigned to Responsible Organizations (RespOrgs), authorized companies managing toll-free numbers via the SMS/800 TFN Registry, the official database for toll-free numbers in the U.S. and Canada.

RespOrgs exclusively manage toll-free numbers, holding sole rights to access the toll-free database in the U.S. and Canada, including functions such as reservation, assignment, and transfer of numbers.

For instance, if you decide to transfer your toll-free number between phone service providers — whether for lower costs, enhanced features, improved business phone systems, or consolidating several numbers into one platform, such as Phonexa — this process should be done via a RespOrg.

RespOrgs function similarly to domain registrars: they reserve toll-free numbers for businesses, manage call routing, handle number transfers and porting, and maintain number records. To qualify as a RespOrg, a company must be certified by Somos, the organization responsible for administering the SMS/800 system in the United States and Canada. All trustworthy toll-free number providers are either RespOrgs themselves or collaborate with one.

Conclusion: When purchasing a toll-free vanity number, you acquire the rights to use that number as long as the monthly fee is paid and the number remains active. If you discontinue using the toll-free number, it will be released back into the pool for others to claim.

Toll-Free Vanity Numbers

Managed By	Regulated By	Phone Number Database
RespOrgs	FCC in the United States and CRTC in Canada	SMS/800 TFN Registry

How to Obtain Local Vanity Phone Numbers for Your Business

Local vanity numbers are not overseen by RespOrgs, which means you can directly buy or rent them from phone number providers or brokers. Once you own the number, you can retain it indefinitely, even if you change your phone carrier.

Because local vanity numbers lack a centralized database, each provider manages its own set of numbers. To prevent duplicates across providers, local numbers in the United States and Canada are regulated by a national system known as the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).

If you’re interested in acquiring a local vanity number, you’ll need to search through individual providers (traditional or VoIP) or work with a broker who has access to several providers. Once the number is yours and activated—activation is necessary if purchased through a broker—you can port it to your chosen provider, set up call routing and tracking, and update your marketing materials accordingly.

Local Vanity Numbers

Managed By	Regulated By	Phone Number Database
Local carriers, Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), or VoIP providers	FCC in the United States	Local Number Portability (LNP) database

However, as a Phonexa user, you don’t need to take extra steps to secure the best vanity phone numbers for your business since you receive them automatically when using Call Logic, our proprietary call distribution and analytics platform.

Book a demo to learn how you can get a toll-free vanity phone number as part of Phonexa’s Call Logic and Cloud PBX.

How to Verify the Availability of Toll-Free and Local Numbers

To verify the availability of toll-free phone numbers, including vanity options, you can utilize this official search tool. It will display statuses such as available, reserved, assigned, or unavailable. Alternatively, you may check your provider’s inventory if that option is supported.

For checking local phone number availability, many VoIP providers offer search tools that let you filter numbers by area code, city, prefix, or specific patterns. After finding a suitable number, you can reserve it directly via their dashboard.

Acquire Vanity Toll-Free Phone Numbers through Phonexa

Phonexa’s vanity phone numbers undoubtedly help make your brand more memorable and trustworthy. Additionally, if you aim to stand out in the local market with enhanced call forwarding control, our local phone numbers are an excellent option for achieving this goal.

In other words, you can obtain:

• The top toll-free vanity numbers with an 800 prefix for nationwide marketing campaigns
• Premium local vanity numbers tailored for local marketing campaigns

Consumers tend to favour local brands, so using a local number can increase your call volume and conversion rates. Additionally, you can offer toll-free numbers for callers from other states or around the world, providing a convenient option.

Phonexa Phone Number Management Fees

	Lite Suite	Premium Suite	Enterprise Suite
800 toll-free, imported	CA$3.50	CA$3.50	CA$3.50
Non-800 toll-free, imported	CA$2.00	CA$2.00	CA$2.00
800 toll-free, leased	CA$3.50	CA$3.50	CA$3.50
888 toll-free, leased	CA$2.00	CA$2.00	CA$2.00
877 toll-free, leased	CA$2.00	CA$2.00	CA$2.00
866 toll-free, leased	CA$2.00	CA$2.00	CA$2.00
855 toll-free, leased	CA$2.00	CA$2.00	CA$2.00
844 toll-free, leased	CA$2.00	CA$2.00	CA$2.00
833 toll-free, leased	CA$2.00	CA$2.00	CA$2.00
Local, leased	CA$2.00	CA$2.00	CA$2.00

Get your toll-free phone numbers from Phonexa today.

Increase Call Generation & Conversion Rates with Phonexa

Vanity phone numbers can be tracked just like regular ones. With a robust call tracking platform like Call Logic, you can obtain toll-free vanity numbers, track the origin of inbound calls, identify the keywords or phrases that prompted the call, analyze caller behaviour before, during, and after the call, and determine strategies to enhance sales performance.

“Having all in one place allows you to give your decision makers and your media buying team the right data – what’s happening and what stuff that’s working they should do more of. That’s the performance marketing logic. But it’s surprising how many systems just don’t allow you to do all of that quickly – spotting issues as you go.”— David Pickard, CEO at Phonexa

Phonexa helps you maximize both inbound and outbound calls while integrating your call campaigns with web leads and other marketing initiatives. Whether you’re managing affiliate, social media, referral, SMS, or text campaigns, you can unify them into one seamless performance marketing ecosystem using Phonexa’s eight software solutions.

Here’s how Phonexa can boost your performance marketing:

 

Get Phonexa’s all-in-one performance marketing software suite at a single price:

 

Build your plan now, or take a product tour to see Phonexa’s call management software in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I obtain a vanity phone number?

The process varies depending on whether you’re acquiring a toll-free or local vanity number. Toll-free vanity numbers can be obtained through companies like Phonexa. Book a demo to learn how to get a toll-free vanity phone number with Phonexa.

What is the cost of vanity toll-free phone numbers?

Most providers lease phone numbers, with monthly fees ranging from C$10 to C$50, depending on the provider and the presence of a vanity component. 

Are vanity phone numbers available for free?

Getting a vanity toll-free number with a meaningful word combination for free is nearly impossible; however, as a Call Logic user, you can access them at the lowest prices. Phonexa offers affordable vanity toll-free and local numbers to enhance your call campaigns.

Can a vanity phone number be trademarked?

No, vanity phone numbers do not grant exclusive legal rights to the word or phrase, even if they have been used for decades across all marketing platforms. To legally protect the word or phrase represented by the number, you must register a trademark with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and demonstrate commercial use.