Mobile number v Landline

[ho_ratio]

Hi

First post.

My business (Design Consultancy) currently operates using two mobile numbers as we operate from a garden studio. I am concerned that prospective customers may be put off making contact with us due to the lack of a landline number.

Does a landline number give a business more credibility? I would really appreciate peoples thoughts before I look into to pocket/virtual landline services.

Thanks

 

[michael12]

I think it does. The majority of companies out there all have their own landline numbers. If you can afford the cost of one I would suggest that you get one.

 

[UKcentric]

Get a landline number then divert it to your mobile. That way you can work anywhere and still receive incoming calls.

I'm not sure people mind receiving calls from businesses from a mobile so much so outgoing calls are maybe not such a problem.

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Get a voip line. For minimal cost why take the risk?

 

[marketingquotes]

Hi There,

Yes I believe it does; a mobile number makes a company look small (like a freelance plumber or window cleaner).

Agreed to go with a VOIP number (0845 is fine) which will cost very little.

Not a big cost, but as they say 'image is everything'.

Regards,

Marketing Quotes Support.

 

[cjd]

Hi

I am concerned that prospective customers may be put off making contact with us due to the lack of a landline number.

You should be because they are put off. Unless you're a plumber or someone that is expected to be out and about, using a mobile number for a business just shouts amateur.

Does a landline number give a business more credibility?

Here's what Ofcom tells us - see point 6

Ofcom research tells us that:
1. Consumers know what 01 & 02 numbers (geographic numbers) are and believe them to be the cheapest number to call
2. 64% of consumers know that 0800 are free to call
3. Consumers think there is little difference in cost of calling 0844, 0845, 0870, 0871
4. Consumers always overestimate how much all types of calls cost.
5. Consumers are less likely to call numbers that they perceive to be more expensive to call and/or are unfamiliar to them.
6. 65%-78% of consumers either won’t call, are unlikely to call, telephone numbers used in adverts - even for products they are interested in - if they use these numbers: 0845 (65%), mobile (70%), 0870 (73%), 0844 (76%), 0871 (78%).
Source: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/numberingreview/research/

If you read no further than this; normally, it’s best to choose an 01 or 02 number for your business. Additionally an 0800 should be considered if you actively need customers to call you or are running advertising campaigns.

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=46850

Luckily is cheap and easy to get a landline number these days. Just £2 per month from us.

 

[ho_ratio]

Thanks for your replies - I feel the same way when having to ring a mobile number so your reactions are not unexpected, its nice to get confirmed though! I will probably go with a 'cloud' geographic number that diverts to our mobiles. Any recommendations for this type of service would be appreciated.

 

[LondonCalling]

i agree. defo worth getting a landline number.
as a few people above have suggested - get a voip line - as you can get one with no contract and all you need is a good head piece to plug into the computer / else get it diverted to your mobile. (but you may have to pay for the diverted calls)

there are also international voip line options which has been great as we do a lot of work with america and it has made a huge difference being able to put a US number on our website for potential clients to call. also all the calls we make to the US are free which is a bonus!

 

[cjd]

Thanks for your replies - I feel the same way when having to ring a mobile number so your reactions are not unexpected, its nice to get confirmed though! I will probably go with a 'cloud' geographic number that diverts to our mobiles. Any recommendations for this type of service would be appreciated.

This ours -

http://www.voipfone.co.uk/Call_Forwarding_And_Divert.php

But you would be better advised to get a hardware phone and answer the call directly - it saves money (no divert cost) and eliminates the delay.

 

[garysumpter]

I signed up with Voipfone last week as I needed to change our phone location and get some other features.

I would HIGHLY recommend them, the website is easy to use, there are loads of features and the person that I have spoken to a couple of times with presales questions was a pleasure to deal with.

Gary

 

[TheMD]

As suggested by other posters, it gives your business a slightly more credible image and for the cost of it, it is definitely worth it. Go VOIP or get a conventional landline and you can always divert to mobile.

 

[theaffiliate]

When I used to do design work I never had a problem with using a mobile, but then again I did have a pretty memorable number which looked professional and not disposable.

Saying that, I wouldn't mind getting a landline number to forward on to mobile (rather not give out home landline number to clients), and my registered company office is a different city so would rather the number matches).

Voipfone - do you offer memorable landline numbers? Couldn't see anything on your website.

 

[cjd]

Voipfone - do you offer memorable landline numbers? Couldn't see anything on your website.

Yes, we do bronze, silver, gold and platinum numbers varying in price from £50-1000). You choose them from the package builder.

I think they're better described as vanity numbers tho.... ;-)

 

[CompactCleaning]

After reading this I am definitely going to be getting myself a Voip number, there cheap and they look proffesional a great combination.

 

[theaffiliate]

Yes, we do bronze, silver, gold and platinum numbers varying in price from £50-1000). You choose them from the package builder.

I think they're better described as vanity numbers tho.... ;-)

Is that after sign up? And after I have signed up is there a login area or something, as I can't see an option to create a password (looks like it's a manually approved account system, but correct me if I'm wrong).

Yep, vanity numbers probably sums it up better as I don't expect anyone to actually remember it ))! However, when seen it most certainly does add an even more professional image.

 

[theaffiliate]

Note to others to have a shop around.

Had a look and so far and AQL.com seems to offer the forwarding for 7p/minute (O2) along with gold numbers for £25.

 

[garysumpter]

Is that after sign up? And after I have signed up is there a login area or something, as I can't see an option to create a password (looks like it's a manually approved account system, but correct me if I'm wrong).

Yep, vanity numbers probably sums it up better as I don't expect anyone to actually remember it ))! However, when seen it most certainly does add an even more professional image.

Signup here - https://www.voipfone.co.uk/signup.php

Login here - https://www.voipfone.co.uk/login.php

Approval etc is automatic.

(no I don't work for voipfone!)

 

[xylen]

Hi

First post.

My business (Design Consultancy) currently operates using two mobile numbers as we operate from a garden studio. I am concerned that prospective customers may be put off making contact with us due to the lack of a landline number.

Does a landline number give a business more credibility? I would really appreciate peoples thoughts before I look into to pocket/virtual landline services.

Thanks

Hi,

Firstly, im in agreement with everyone about the landline number. I believe that its essential in a small business. Secondly, when you divert your virtual landline number from a voip/landline service to your mobiles, its not just £2 per month - you have to take into account the call divert & minimum call charges. If you think that you will recieve more than 100 (diverted) mins on your mobile, this WILL NOT work well for you.

You should also consider a virtual landline number from Orange or Vodafone because you do not have to pay any call divert or forwarding charges. Here is a little stat for you to consider;

Based on 500 mins per month;

Voip = £2 + £50 = £52 x 12 months = £624
Orange = £10 x12 = £120
Cost Difference = £504 per annum

Its not so cheap now is it? All i am saying is that if you think you will recieve less than 100 diverted mins per month, then i believe you should go on VOIP/landline - if its more than 100 mins, then you should look elsewhere.

If you want to talk directly to me and discuss further options, please call me on the below number.

 

[cjd]

Is that after sign up? And after I have signed up is there a login area or something, as I can't see an option to create a password (looks like it's a manually approved account system, but correct me if I'm wrong).
.

The sign up page gives you an account number and password - you bet your life it's automatic, if it wasn't we'd have as many staff as the NHS

Once you have an account you go into the logged in area and have a poke about. It's always worth checking the ordinary numbers for something memorable first - the algorithm used to extract the premium numbers isn't perfect ...

 

[cjd]

Hohum. Right.

You have a design studio and have two phones. I assume you actually need only one phone number for the business? If you are in your studio mostly, I expect that what you actually need is one number and two extensions which ring one or both phones when called.

That would cost you £2 per month for the number and £1 for each extension. You would also need two decent phones at around £80 - there would therefore be no mobile divert cost as you would answer the phones directly.

You would also have included, music on hold, call transfer, voicemail, voicemail to email, 3 way conferencing, full call conferencing, web call me back buttons on your web site and dial directly from your address book - and stacks of other very clever telco stuff. You can add extensions one at a time as you grow (£1 each) and other direct dial numbers (£2).

Maybe you want to add a call queue for when you're busy? (£2) or do the whole 'press one for sales, 2 for Dave and 3 for the p1ssed accounts guy? (£1 each).

Opening and closing times, divert out of hours, divert to any number after x seconds or on busy etc - even divert to bloody mobiles when you need to.

If all you need is two mobiles pretending to be landlines - which will be immediately obvious when anybody dials them because of the 10 second post dialling delay while the clockwork mobile network winds itself up - then Xylen is your man. If you want a proper telephone system that will grow with you, and costs practically nothing, VoIP is the answer.

 

[No Missed Calls]

Hi

First post.

My business (Design Consultancy) currently operates using two mobile numbers as we operate from a garden studio. I am concerned that prospective customers may be put off making contact with us due to the lack of a landline number.

Does a landline number give a business more credibility? I would really appreciate peoples thoughts before I look into to pocket/virtual landline services.

Thanks

Hi

Just another option to consider...

We can provide you with a landline telephone number + live operator call answering.

Pay as you go, £1 per call. See www.NoMissedCalls.co.uk

 

[Call Tracker]

Definitely go with a landline number. If you are a local business go for a geographic number and if national go with an 0844.