Thinking of getting an 0800/0845 number...

[mindblend]

Having read a couple of threads here, and having spoken to a few contacts, I am thinking of getting a phone number for one of my businesses to try and increase sales.

Does anybody have any experience of whether they actually do help with customer response to ads, and do you guys have any recommendations as for who to go with?

Thanks.

[mindblend]

Also, which is better, 0800 or 0845? c

Thanks.

[Rob Holmes]

Hi Mindblend - you could try http://www.quicktele.com/ for the number - it's owned by Ozzy who runs UKBF and although I've never used this part of his service by all accounts it's good!

Rob

[chris1317]

I would recomend Quicktele also, I was set up and using my number within 5mins.

Chris.

[Stephen]

I think one of the best things about these non-geographic numbers is their flexibility - if you changed locations, you can simply repoint them at your new number, plus you can do other funky things like redirecting on busy, geographic routing etc which you might want to do later.

However, I have found that there's been some bad publicity about 0845 and 0870 since we took ours. People do seem to have a perception that we make money out of receiving calls (which we don't, as we don't put enough traffic over them).

One of the problems is that, as I understand it, such non-geographic calls don't come into people's call allowances on their mobile, or free local call packages that they may have with their line provider.

So conversely, some people might actually be more reluctant call you!

One possible solution (not sure whether guys here provide it) is a geographic number (say 020 7...) that isn't a physical line provided by BT, rather a circuit that can redirect to your 'real' number.

All that said, an 0800 number seems to be fairly well accepted as being free (not sure about from mobiles, think Orange is free, not sure about other providers).

But, they do cost.

I'd suggest the final decision is probably down to cost - you'd have to bear a reasonable cost for recieving calls via an 0800 number, the benefit of which may well depend upon who you're selling to. Home users and very small businesses may be more sensitive to potential costs of the 'phone call than a medium sized or larger business (where at least the person making the call doesn't care about the call cost!).

Hope this helps.
Steve

[SmallBizSoftware]

read

http://www.smallbizsoftware.co.uk/0870%20Numbers.htm

0845 and 0870 do get bad press, 0800 Freephone numbers are more attractive to customers but cost you more.

Ozzy, do u sell through affiliates? If so, I'd love a link from my site.

Graham

[Ozzy]

No need to repeat the above, 0800 numbers do look more attractive as a "sales line" than 0870 numbers. The problem with a service industry like mine is that people call the 0800 number for anything not just "sales". This is part and parcel to be expected as callers will want someone else to pay for the call, even if they want to ask a lot of questions but dont intend on placing an order!

I have an "Order Line" on an 0800 number and a "Support Line" on an 0870 number, and the split of calls is around 70/30 with more calling the 0800 number.

Yes I can provide 0800 numbers but they are not instantly available on my website as they are not free. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll email a list of available numbers. Payment is available by direct debit only (now that the bank has approved me for direct debit facilities!!).

Affiliate schemes on the phone number side ... not something I have thought about really. I'm happy to consider it but am afraid will have to add it to the list of things to review :(

[fastfences]

All that said, an 0800 number seems to be fairly well accepted as being free . . .

But, they do cost.

Steve

Hi Mind,

I use an 0800 number and have found it successful - with reservations. I operate in the Midlands where 'being a local' is reasonably important. The 0800 is great for professionalism etc, but it does deny you that 'local' identity. I now advertise the 0800 in tandem with my 'local' number.
Won't worry you London guys, I guess.

As far as cost, I don't consider it dear. Mine costs £11.73 per month (VAT included) and that includes 400 mins. of calls. I have never exceeded the 400 mins., but then I've never lent the phone to my wife!

With respect to the suppliers on this Forum, just watch the 'trap' of being roped in for 'Gold', 'Silver' numbers etc. Cheers, Nigel

[mindblend]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. That's a fair bit of reading for me! Will check out the sites above aswell as a few others people have recommended me.

Nigel (Fastfences) Where did you get your 400mins deal from?

Cheers

[fastfences]

Hi Mind,
Can't say, 'cause the phone guys on here will go crook at me. Nuh, free enterprse innit:

Maximus Communications: http://www.maximus-uk.co.uk/index.php
I'm spewing though; just noticed there's 600 mins now included!!

Cheers, Nigel

[PeteH]

Hi Mindbend,

I am a distributor for the Utility Warehouse Discount Club. We typically aim to save people money on all their household business, including telephone, gas, electric, and mobile phones. However, we also offer 0800 numbers. These have no minimum contract and cost just 50p per week in line rental. More details can be found at www.ukutility.co.uk.

However, the Utility Warehouse have now launched a business tariff offering all types of NGNs including an improved deal on 0800 numbers. There are bandings depending on usage. If you are a light user and select usage band 1, you will get charged 4.5p peak and 3.6p off peak (min charge 5p per call). There is a £2 rental charge which is waived if you hit your 100 minute target. If therefore if you only use 100 minutes, you will only be charged £4.50. In addition, the Utility Warehouse can save you money on your office phone, mobiles and internet access costs. Please contact me at peteh@uwclub.net if you want any further information.

Pete

[InfoOfficer]

Working in a company that offers such services, I would say the following;

Obviously people are more inclined to call an 0800 number as its a Free Phone number, so If you want a higher percentage of people to call, definitely go for an 0800 number.

0845/0870 numbers are more complicated as you have some people that will not call the numbers as they feel it will cost too much, where others will call as it works out cheaper (depending on their location). Really depends on where your potential client base is.

Your best bet is to get a local number and either a 0800/0845/0870, so you give people the choice.

The perception that you are looking out for everyone (and that's not to say that you aren’t) is a good thing.

[billcutter]

If you want to know what your prospective customers think of 0845/0870 have a look at
www.saynoto0870.com

I have found that non geographical numbers obtained through www.olympicnumbers.co.uk are reasonably priced.

[visagephoto]

I may be relocating in the near future, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to take my existing (NTL) number with me.

I was considering a virtual (call forwarding) number, which I assume an 0845 number is, and maybe switching over just now by integrating it into my B/Cards, L/Heads, website etc. and pointing it to my new number when I move.

I had looked at freephone No's in the past but they were an expensive option. However I now see 0800 numbers quoted here at £11.95 per month with an inclusive call allowance of up to 400 minutes.

If I was to purchase the above option, would I still have to pay the cost of incoming calls on top of the £11.95 or does the call allowance cover the cost of the first 400mins of incoming calls.

[onthedottyping]

Hi

We work with a company who can answer calls for companies - they are very professional and recently I referred a client of ours who has a franchise company and they deal with a large volume of his calls once he places adverts in newspapers etc. He has been more than happy with their service. If you wish I can refer them to you and get them to give you a call. No obligation, they will give you all the details and you can see if they will be able to assist you or not.

[billcutter]

However I now see 0800 numbers quoted here at £11.95 per month with an inclusive call allowance of up to 400 minutes.

Once you have exceeded the number of minutes allocated eg 400.you start paying at the advertised rate on any minutes over 400 plus the £11.95.But why pay £11.95 i have already mentioned www.olympicnumbers.co.uk who are cheaperat £4.95 a month with 500 inclusive minutes.

Another good supplier is www.call08.com £4.95 a month,700 inclusive minutes,just 2p a min after inclusive minutes used up.Its a cracking deal.

[visagephoto]

Billcutter

Purchased an 0800 number today from www.olympicnumbers.co.uk. A freephone number with a 500 minute monthly call allowance for only £5.85 inc.vat per month, and up & running within 1/2 hour. Thanks for the link.

p.s. I tried www.call08.com, no contact number. just an email address, all the emails I sent to them failed to be delivered and were returned advising that the address doesn't exist.

Thanks again

[sparklyscotty]

Hi Folks,
Thought I would hi-jack this thread to avoid dupliate posts saying the same thing.
I have just switched the primary focus of my business from B2C to B2B.
My contact # is currently a mobile.
Show of hands... should I get an 0870 number to make me seem more professional?
-Angel-

[babybiz]

no idea, I got my number as a gimick for my business as it has the alpha equivilant in the middle is GIFTS hence easy to remember and relevant (not that DH ever does lol). I don't think these days at 0870 or 0845 does neccessarily make you seem more professional though, I confess although I use one when I see one that isn't on a very good looking website/business stationery ad etc then I actually avoid it and pick someone else.

[fastfences]

Hi Angel.

I think any of the 0845/0870/0800 would be better than a mobile. Some people (and businesses) do not see a business headed by a mobile number as 'credible'. There are many tales of 'fly by nighters' running scams from mobiles.

The other alternative is to use BT's service of 'call divert' and divert your calls from your home phone to your mobile. Your caller pays only the cost to your landlaine and you pay the charge to your mobile. i do this with diverting my 0800 number to my mobile and find it very effective, both costwise and resource wise.
Cheers, Nigel

[billcutter]

Hi Folks,
Thought I would hi-jack this thread to avoid dupliate posts saying the same thing.
I have just switched the primary focus of my business from B2C to B2B.
My contact # is currently a mobile.
Show of hands... should I get an 0870 number to make me seem more professional?
-Angel-

Angel.

I personally would not use 0870 have a look at the site www.saynoto0870.com to see the publics dislike of having to call these numbers at approx 8p a minute peak.If you have to go along this route 0845 is a better bet.Will you be terminating your calls on a landline if so why not just publish that number.

www.olympicnumbers.co.uk mentioned earlier provide free 0845/0870 numbers if you do go along this route.

[billcutter]

The other alternative is to use BT's service of 'call divert' and divert your calls from your home phone to your mobile. Your caller pays only the cost to your landlaine and you pay the charge to your mobile. i do this with diverting my 0800 number to my mobile and find it very effective, both costwise and resource wise.
Cheers, Nigel

Nigel.

You may or may not be aware of the fact that if you nominate your mobile as friends and family or best friend you get a discount off the diverted call rate. Also if you get BT Callmobile you get another 25% off the diverted call rate.BT Callmobile is free for 3 months at the moment. See http://www.bt.com/callmobile/

[fastfences]

Hi Billcutter,
Thanks so much for that. I was not aware, though I had heard of the friends and family numbers etc, but as I don't make many 'outgoing' calls, never considered it further.

My rental is through BT, but my calls are through Talk Talk. I shall check my docs and see if they have similar.

This highlights the worth of this forum: this could save me heaps, as I have approx 5 to 10 calls per day diverted through my office to my mobile.

Thanks again Billcutter, cheers, Nigel