ITFS vs. UIFN: Which is more business-worthy?

ITFS and UIFN both provide huge benefits for businesses looking to take operations on an international scale, however they are different and it's important to know how.

Both ITFS and UIFN Add Value to Your Business

Providing the most appropriate type of business phone number to your customers is imperative. It can help drive in prospects or drive them away—presenting a big risk for your business. However, if the question you are juggling with is whether an ITFS (international toll free service number) or UIFN (universal international freephone number) would work better, then you are at least on the right track. Understanding the value of such a number—a number allowing your prospective customers to reach you anywhere in the world at no cost to them—is the first step. Now on to the tricky part—how do you know which of these phone numbers would serve your business better, not to mention more effectively?

Before that question can be answered, let’s address the differences between an ITFS and UIFN’s.

How ITFS and UIFN Comapre

ITFS—International toll free service numbers operate in the same manner as the US toll free. Calls made by customers are at no cost to them, instead the business pays. Additionally, ITFS numbers in one country can be forwarded to another, conveniently placing your business in the running with the other, local businesses.

UIFN—Universal international freephone numbers work like a “toll free number” but one number is available for multiple countries. UIFN’s are great when you are doing business in many countries and want to get the most out of your advertising dollars to market your business under one number for most effectiveness. So I bet you are thinking, why wouldn’t this be the logical answer every time? Here is why. Be aware that UIFNs are not available for every country, and furthermore, in those they are available, the corresponding prefixes are required before the number. In addition, each UIFN requires a registration fee, which can be avoided when choosing an ITFS (or multiple, applicable ITFS numbers).

Both forms of numbers will benefit your business and make customers abroad more comfortable in approaching your company versus another. With the minor variations, it is important to realize, still, that each serve with a different purpose.