What is Branded Calling?

Everyone wants customers to answer their calls. Yet many businesses don’t realize unanswered calls often come down to one thing: failing to properly brand the phone call. 

In the past, companies relied on caller ID, or CNAM, to identify outbound calls correctly. But CNAM databases aren’t managed by businesses directly, and they often contain outdated or inaccurate information. Instead of showing up as “Good Bank,” you might appear as “Goof Bank” or “Gd BNK.” Those errors can damage customer trust and cost your business opportunities.

Fortunately, there’s a better solution: INFORM® Branded Calling. 

Why Customers Don’t Answer Unknown Calls 

People rarely answer calls from numbers they don’t recognize, and you know that frustration firsthand as a business owner.  

In fact, 87% of people admit they ignore calls from unknown numbers, even when they’re waiting for the call and want the information. Why? Because to them, an unrecognized number looks like a scam. 

This is what we call the unanswered call dilemma: customers want your call, but if they can’t tell it’s you, they won’t answer. And because your call shows up as an unbranded number in their call history, they won’t call you back either.  

The solution? Branded Calling. It builds trust and delivers confidence in every call you make. 

How Branded Calling Changes the Game 

Branded Calling works differently than traditional Caller ID. Caller ID limits your display to 15 characters, often showing incorrect or outdated information. “Dan’s Incredible Arrangements,” for example, might appear as “Dan’s Incredible.”  

To make matters worse, many mobile users don’t subscribe to Caller ID services, so your calls might appear as nothing but a number or worse, a scam tag. 

You’re in Control with Branded Calling 

With INFORM, you can standardize your branding across multiple networks and devices. It allows you to display your brand name, call reason, and even your logo with up to 32 characters on most U.S. networks and devices. 

Imagine calling a patient from “Dr. Smith’s Office” and letting them know right on their screen that you’re calling to confirm an appointment. Or picture a bank reaching out to a customer with a message like “ABC Bank New Card Offer” and your brand displayed. Now the customer knows exactly who’s calling and why and they can trust it. 

Branded Calling FAQs 

Q: Who can use Branded Calling? 

Branded calling can benefit businesses of any size that make outbound calls. This includes retailers, banks, car companies, call centers, and concierge services. If your business contacts customers, we help ensure those calls are answered while strengthening your brand reputation.  

Q: How many devices does First Orion cover? 

There are nearly 400 million phones in the U.S., including both iPhones and Androids. INFORM Branded Calling reaches customers on any connected in the U.S. and Canada. Our branded calling solutions work across every major U.S. carrier, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T.  

Q: Is Branded Calling easy to activate? 

Yes! With INFORM® Branded Calling, there’s no complicated integration or special software needed. Since it’s carrier-based, your branded calls reach iPhone and Android users across all major U.S. networks and over 22 million customers in Canada. Need something more custom? We also offer an API for businesses that want to automate.  

Q: What’s the difference between INFORM Branded Calling and caller ID? 

Traditional caller ID is outdated and inconsistent. It relies on a patchwork of databases, and often customers don’t even see it. INFORM enables you to control how your business shows up with caller ID. You can even customize calls by department, such as sales, service, or delivery.  

Q: How do I register my business number? 

It’s easier than you think. Start by registering your number through the First Orion customer portal. Our free business number registration makes it simple! We guide you through the process to ensure your business is verified and your calls are not mislabeled. Register your number(s).  

Q: What networks does First Orion serve? 

All the big ones: T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and more. With First Orion, you don’t have to worry about how your calls appear across different carriers. We’ve got it covered for both U.S. and Canadian subscribers with Rogers and Bell carriers. 

Get Started with Branded Communication  

Branded communication can lift your answer rates, increase conversions, and create better customer brand loyalty. Interested? Learn more today.