Should I or shouldn't I...

[Rob Holmes]

In the past with Matrixx we have opted for the following ...

A postal forwarding address, an 0871 phone number and then I've just given my direct line out to people that want it.

I've been toying with the idea on what to do

I actually work from a studio office at the bottom of my garden - all the mod-cons and great as I'm out of the house and in a quiet environment.

I guess I'm asking the following..

If you were a potential customer what contact details would make you most confident about buying our hosting services?

1. London address and 0871 number
2. Tunbridge Wells address and 0871 number
3. Tunbridge Wells address and my direct line
4. London address and London number

Thanks in anticipation for your help,

Rob

[bwglaw]

Rob

I have voted your home/local number. The reason we left Fastbucks and set up our own dedicated server was because of the costly 0870 number. We used to have an 0870 number and have scrapped it since.

I think it very much depends on who your clients are. However, many people know that a server can be anywhere in the world.

Perhaps you could consider a more local office / forwarding address?

[Rachael]

i've voted for option 3 although I'd feel quite confident about option2 as well.

You business is all about communication so in my opinion it shouldn't matter where you are :)

[Rob Holmes]

I think it very much depends on who your clients are. However, many people know that a server can be anywhere in the world.

Hmm - I was thinking it's more for potential clients - once clients get to know me they usually get my direct line. I do have extensions going to other people who work for Matrixx so I'd have to invest a bit in some sort of system but I've never been afraid to do that (no quotes yet thanks)

I guess I'm wondering if a more personal geographical look would increase sales.

Rob

[thekitchendesigner]

i also think option 3. i've been asking myself the same sort of question, as i was going to get an 0871/0870 number - but decided against it.

[clairemackaness]

I will always prefer a local company who are honest about their location in both address and number. Anything else looks as if you are trying to make yourself better than you are or are hiding something in my opinion.

[Coding Monkey]

For myself, London address, as that is most certainly going to be the best location for a hosting solution in the country. It also establishes a sense of professionalism with you, as I'd automatically think that you have plenty of money to be London based (regardless of where it is, as I wouldn't have a clue)

I wouldn't show a different number than a London one if your address was said to be there, as alarms would start ringing, but 0871 or a London number would be fine.

[Trident]

Hey

To be honest I dont really think it matters id ring any number with confidence, although if your calling a local number rather than a non-geo number then it does feel slighty more personal, as you know your going through to the right branch but if you use a non geo number you could be speaking to anyone anywhere!

Hope that helps Dan

[Rob Holmes]

I will always prefer a local company who are honest about their location in both address and number. Anything else looks as if you are trying to make yourself better than you are or are hiding something in my opinion.

Yea there are a combination of reasons why I decided to go the route I did..

Firstly, I was in rented offices and was unsure how long I was going to be in there (in the end it was nearly 2 years). Then we purchased a new house which had a big enough garden for me to have a studio built at the bottom of it and so I worked from inside the house while the studio was being built then moved into the studio just under a year ago.

All this time I didn't have to change phone number or address as they were the 0871 which redirects anywhere and the London forwarding addie.

I chose the London address over a local PO box for image purposes. I think people feel more reassured with a physical mailing address - PO Boxes are too anonymous for a web host.

Plus I have the added bonus of an office space in London as and when I need it.

But we're 'settled' now and it's time for a re-look at how we present ourselves and are perceived by potential customers and see if theres a better way of doing things.

Rob

[bwglaw]

Fastbucks are not in London Tom, but they appear to be making millions.

A London address may give an impression that it is expensive! Someone asked me for a web design quotation and because we are in London they thought we would be more expensive!

People's perception of London is expensive.

[Coding Monkey]

I'd say London makes me think established

[Jayne]

I am put off with London numbers and addresses. I prefer the more friendly out of London firm. I don't like London, it's scary and my personal views only, that people who use London addresses are covering up something. It's just how I feel, most businesses in London are probably great, it's just me who get an uncomfortable feeling about London. :D

Jayne :D

[bwglaw]

I'd say London makes me think established

I agree on that point entirely.

[bwglaw]

Rob, set up a 01924 or 01977 number for Jayne ;)

[Richard Conyard]

I didn't know you were in t/wells - where abouts?

[Jayne]

lol Jonathan,

I've been to London a couple of times and it scared me both times, they weren't friendly like up here and rushing about everywhere. Didn't like it at all.

Jayne :D

[bwglaw]

Bless the Yorkshire lass ;)

When I get back to the UK I will move to Derby and I am very reluctant to relocate our offices in Twickenham so will keep it as our Head Office and another in Derby (for our other company) - the office in Twickenham does show we are established, and we are actually established ;)

[Jayne]

Come up to Yorkshire Jonathan, it's cheaper to buy property up here too :D

In fact all move to Yorkshire, then I can network :lol:

Jayne

[Rob Holmes]

Great, another half useful thread now totally off topic.

Any more on-topic contributions or votes would be greatly appreciated :)

Thanks,

Rob

[Jayne]

Sorry Rob, please delete my posts :D

I do think you look more trustworthy as a firm using your home town address and phone number.


Jayne

[JustOneUK]

you missed out POBox.. don't you like them?

i would have direct line, say WHERE you are based, and offer a POBox, as long as the tel_number is easilly visible, and you obviously have email and contact forms..that should be enough.

where is your 'whois' registered?

[Richard Conyard]

I would have a london address, t/wells address and an 0871 number

[Rob Holmes]

where is your 'whois' registered?

To the London address

Rob

[JustOneUK]

if it's a real London address.. use that or like I said a POBox. If it's a virtual office, I wouldn't.

phonenumber I would definately go with a standard number. I have an ICSTIS registered premium rated phoneline, 70p/min :) just getting it was a milestone....It has been unplugged for a year LOL

[Rob Holmes]

if it's a real London address.. use that or like I said a POBox. If it's a virtual office, I wouldn't.

It's a real London address with an office if I need it. Else they just forward the post to me at my Tunbridge Wells address.

Still looking for some more opinions!

Rob

[Urban Space]

Always the local number. At least then you know it's Joe Bloggs from around the corner you're talking to and not someone in Outer Mongolia!

Liam

[Rob Holmes]

Always the local number. At least then you know it's Joe Bloggs from around the corner you're talking to and not someone in Outer Mongolia!

Liam

Cheers Liam - I guess it's Joe bloggs in London or Joe bloggs in Tunbridge wells

Rob

[Urban Space]

Yea at least people know who they're dealing with. And if something goes wrong you know you've only got to pop down the road and not sit on the phone for hours listening to that silly robot woman telling you to press 4!

:lol:

Liam

[Mortime Business Software]

I don't know what all these different types of telephone number mean because I've never run a business in the UK before. Can somebody briefly explain?

Dave

[Rob Holmes]

0845 is local rate
0870 and 0871 is 10ppm

Rob

[Mortime Business Software]

0845 is local rate
0870 and 0871 is 10ppm

Rob

I didn't mean that briefly! :) Can you elaborate just a little. What I'de like to know is if there is any difference between those numbers providing a synthesised voice menu, or your voice (direct line).

When I buy my web space, I will want a direct line to a human being, and also *NIX, Apache, Perl, PHP/MySQL, etc.

From your site I guess you offer a *NIX server. How much?!

Dave

[Faith28]

That's a really good question.

I suppose if I'm paying for the hosting then I would want a fixed address that is genuine regardless of location.

Otherwise if it's free :lol: then I don't really care!

[Claire B]

i would feel more confident with either option 3 or 4.

Location wouldn't be an issue, but I would prefer a local number.

But in the end, if i needed your services, i wouldn't be put off by a telephone number.

[Rob Holmes]

I didn't mean that briefly! :) Can you elaborate just a little. What I'de like to know is if there is any difference between those numbers providing a synthesised voice menu, or your voice (direct line).

When I buy my web space, I will want a direct line to a human being, and also *NIX, Apache, Perl, PHP/MySQL, etc.

From your site I guess you offer a *NIX server. How much?!

Dave

lol - sorry - well currently I have 0871 218 0507 we had a professional voice artist do the switchboard - I guess we'd just transfer the mp3 files over to whatever phone system we used - the direct line in my signature just comes straight through to me in Tunbridge Wells - I think options 1 2 and 5 do on the switchboard at the moment.

ALL dedicated server customers and resellers have my direct dial details anyway - and yes we have Linux servers - Centos 4 to be precise :)

They are managed servers starting from £119 a month see: http://www.matrixxhosting.com/dedicated-servers.shtml

Cheers,

Rob

[Mortime Business Software]

They are managed servers starting from £119 a month


Uurgghh...<chokes and sprays mouthful of wine all over the monitor>... :)

C'mon Rob mate, I'm just a poor lil'ol'student guy here! What about all those shiny, happy people on your site who are making it big with the £3.49 or even £14.99 deals?

Concoct me a package for a tenner a month, with Apache/Perl/MySQL, plus your charming voice on demand, and I reckons I can persuade a couple of other bums at the OU to be my partners in crime and start our business soon!

I'm already on my way over to the other side of head office (the spare bedroom) to blow the dust off my Linux box!

I ask this because for the next two or three years, we'll hardly ever use your voice or your server - I pwomise! :)

Dave

[Rob Holmes]

lol typical student drinking wine and pleading poverty in the same breath.

:)

Rob

[Mortime Business Software]

lol typical student drinking wine and pleading poverty in the same breath.

:)

Rob

Ha ha! But err... that's CHEAP wine I would have you know. ;)

Would it help our case if I claimed asylum? :)

No...seriously...tell me what you can do for us.

Dave

[Rob Holmes]

Ha ha! But err... that's CHEAP wine I would have you know. ;)

Would it help our case if I claimed asylum? :)

No...seriously...tell me what you can do for us.

Dave

lol - ok lets chat - my numbers in my signature :)

Rob