When a phone number is created it is linked to a rate center.  A rate center is defined as the geographic area used by local exchange carriers to set rate boundaries for billing and for issuing phone numbers.  Phone numbers are unable to leave rate centers.  As companies move from place to place they are unable to have the numbers go with them if they are moving out of the rate center the numbers were issued in.

There is a way to get around this little obstacle.  Converting them to virtual numbers.  Virtual numbers are phone numbers that are permanently pointed to a land another phone number.  Virtual numbers do not produce a dial tone and forward to one that does.  Virtual numbers are not limited to geographic regions. Examples of virtual numbers are market expansion lines or tracking numbers.

If you are a business that is moving and have been told that you can’t port your numbers consider converting them to a tracking number and take with you the numbers that have been established within the community.  Don’t be told no.  Contact ACI Call Tracking at contact@acicalltracking.com and let us help you move your business and keep your lines.

Moving your business is hard enough as it is.

Investors are emerging wiser from the recession and securing success while ensuring a return on their investment. David Lindahl, a renowned property investor advises that successful ownership starts with a solid team. Your management staff should be motivated and held accountable. Mr. Lindahl owns over 7,000 units around the US and has been investing in apartments and homes for more than 14 years. When the self proclaimed “Apartment King” reiterates the importance of a reliable team, landlords across the United States heed the word.

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Recently I’ve been asked about call tracking in England.  While we do have access to toll free numbers and local numbers those are limited to North America.  We can’t get local numbers in Alaska or in Hawaii but can to the other 48 states as well as Canada.  All states including Canada our toll free numbers will work.  An 8xx number bought within the united states will not work in England.  An example of a North America toll free number is 1-866-383-1181 and in comparison a toll free number for London is 44-208099726.  How numbers have been set up and formatted in each country is not based on a uniform system.  Each country we want to be able to provide tracking numbers in requires a lot of red tape to go through in order to have access to their database.  But it is something we want to do and are currently working on.  I wish we can give you an ETA but for now just know it is in our sights.

In the United States alone, more than $150 Billion a year is spent on advertising. The number alone is nothing, but what if $120 Billion of that was knowingly wasted. This $120 Billion drain is not all encompassing, but one Utah business owner admits; “I know that 80% of my advertisements are not working, I just don’t know which 80% it is.”

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“You absolutely can. SEO bloggers publish theories to the contrary, but I’ve never seen a local merchant displeased with using a tracking number in Google Places. Let’s think about the big picture; if a meaningful amount of calls are coming from a particular listing site, you need to know about it.

And it’s not just Google — Yelp, AutoTrader, SuperMedia etc are all asking for a greater percentage of your budget. Some of these are, in fact, worthy of upgrading to the premium package. Know which ones you should be serious about.” Stephen Cravens

Stephen does answer the question but I do need to clarify one hurdle anyone who is going  to be placing a tracking number in their google places.  Google will allow you have a tracking number but they wont’ let you start a business profile and use a tracking number.  Google will not allow you to verify the business if you do.  They check records (phone company) and find the number and a tracking number will not do that for them.  If you try to add a business with a tracking number, Google will not give you the option to verify by phone or email.  You can make it work by starting the business with a phone number you have with a phone company (like your current land line) and THEN change it to a tracking number.

For help getting a call tracking number into your Google Places please call us at 866-383-1181.

As part of their competitive edge, ACI Call Tracking offers no line minimum, no set up fee or long term contract, and pay as you go billing for $20 monthly per line. Not only is ACI able to transfer their client’s existing telephone numbers in three to five days, but allows its client’s to retain ownership of that number. While owning a phone number may seem a simple luxury, it is one not afforded by others in the industry. ACI numbers are yours. You will not be charged any fees for bringing numbers into their system as well as moving numbers out. ACI Call Tracking realizes that you may not need tracking numbers indefinitely but as long as you are in business you will need the numbers.

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Welcome to a new year.  Last year was the first year we have been in business for the entire year.  We have grown and completed so much and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us.  Looking at where we are we find our services being used in 37 of the states and two Providences in Canada.  We have taken many of our clients advice and have launched an entire new user interface.  Traveled the nation attending trade shows and conventions.  We’ve been able to help sponsor events and help a local school raise money for a new play ground.   Last year was a wonderful adventure and creating goal for the future has been fun and challenging.  Our goals as a company is centered around our clients.  What can we do to be better?  How can we increase our customer service?  How can we make our services easier and more accessible?  Many things we are planning for this next year and I look forward to being there helping as much as I can.

As always I would love to hear from any of you who have ideas or comments about what we do.