Definition
A tracking number is a telephone number assigned to a single marketing source, such as a campaign, a mailer or a web page, that forwards its calls to a business’s existing line so that calls can be counted by source.
How it works
You publish the tracking number in place of your main number in one place only, for example on a postcard. When someone dials it, the carrier forwards the call to your real line and records that the call happened. Your staff answer as they always do. The count of calls on that number is the count of calls that source produced.
A tracking number does not replace your main number and has no phone of its own. Your listings, sign and business cards keep showing your local number.
Why an insurance agency should care
Agencies spend on search ads, social ads, mailers and directories, then hear about the results by phone. Without separate numbers, all calls look alike. Labeled numbers turn “we got busy in October” into “the mailer produced more calls than the ads.” That helps you decide which source to renew before the next season.
VereTel’s tracking numbers
VereTel’s plans use local tracking numbers, in an area code you choose, bought on its carrier account and each labeled with its source. Each forwards to one line. Calls are logged in the desk with the tracking number and its label. Toll-free numbers on Starter and up are on request: talk to us and we will tell you what is possible. Numbers are not on sale yet. Create a free account and ask to be told when they are. See tracking numbers for details, and tracking number mistakes for what to avoid.
Common questions
Does a tracking number replace my main phone number?
No. A tracking number sits in front of your existing line and forwards calls to it. Your main number stays the same on your listings, sign and cards.
Can one tracking number serve several ads?
Yes. Ads that you want to judge together can share a number. Give a separate number to each source you want to compare on its own.