Local or toll-free numbers for law firms

What a toll-free number is

Toll-free numbers start with one of seven codes in place of an area code: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833. Calls to them are free to the caller from a landline, and the business that holds the number pays for them. The codes are not interchangeable: the same seven digits after a different toll-free code reach a different business.

Source: FCC: what is a toll-free number and how does it work?

What a local number says

A local number carries an area code that callers know. For a practice that serves one city or region, that area code says the firm is nearby, which matters to clients choosing a lawyer they can meet in person. Bail bond offices, criminal defense lawyers and family law firms in particular are chosen for being close.

With most mobile plans including nationwide calling, the caller's cost matters less than it did when toll-free numbers became common. What the area code says about the firm matters more.

Search listings

Google asks businesses to use a local phone number instead of a central call center helpline number whenever possible on their Business Profile. A local word number can be the number on the firm's listing, its website and its ads, which keeps every place a client finds the firm consistent.

Word numbers in local search and directories

Source: Google Business Profile Help: guidelines for representing your business on Google

Which suits your firm

A firm that advertises nationally, or takes cases from many states, may want a toll-free number for its national campaigns. A firm whose clients come from one area is usually better served by a local number with a word that names its work. The numbers listed on this site are local numbers, searchable by state and area code.

Legal word numbers by state