0333 Phone Number

[Tigris]

Hi guys,

when I started my business 12 months ago I almost went with an 0333 number and a voip service but didn't as I was thinking when I get calls from 0333 they are usually scammers (bad impression on customers)

I ended up handing out my personal mobile phone number and put it on business cards (thought ile just get another mobile number if needed for family/friends).

With being a local service based business I couldn't really buy an area code because the aim is to move 10-15 miles down the road in a year or two so therefore the area code would be different again and confuse potential customers. Also thought a mobile possibly gives a good impression because people know they are calling me direct too.

What do you think to 0333 numbers?

 

[MBE2017]

Personally I wouldn’t use for a small business, but each to their own.

 

[Tigris]

Personally I wouldn’t use for a small business, but each to their own.

Will keep with my mobile for now. If things pickup and go crazy I will get a second sim card for my phone so I can disable the business one during the night.

 

[KM-Tiger]

03 numbers have never really caught on despite being used by the BBC,police forces and some hospitals. They have been around for a good number of years now, so I don't think perception is going to change.

Most recipients are suspicious, so you are probably best to do what you are doing.

 

[Graham Tyers]

You could always present a geographic number when you dial out if you feel the 0333 might make people think they're being called by the taxman or something. Geographic numbers shouldn't be much more than a few pence a month.

We have tried alternating between our 0330 number and our Burton-on-Trent 01283 on the website to see what happens and it makes no difference to our inbound calls whatsoever.

 

[Graham Tyers]

Will keep with my mobile for now. If things pickup and go crazy I will get a second sim card for my phone so I can disable the business one during the night.

You could also ask your Telco to get you a Mobile number to use for your landline.

 

[AlanJ1]

You could always present a geographic number when you dial out if you feel the 0333 might make people think they're being called by the taxman or something. Geographic numbers shouldn't be much more than a few pence a month.

We have tried alternating between our 0330 number and our Burton-on-Trent 01283 on the website to see what happens and it makes no difference to our inbound calls whatsoever.

I would say dialling in makes no difference but think some people are less likely to answer an 0330 number.

 

[Socio South West]

I would say dialling in makes no difference but think some people are less likely to answer an 0330 number.

One of my current assignments is based around an 0330 number, and this is a pretty good summary IMHO

 

[Solve My Problem]

Just get a geographic voip number makes way more sense

 

[pixelshrink]

Free and v cheap geographic numbers available at net-telco.net - highly recommended.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I use several 0333 numbers as well as local.

I believe only using a mobile is spammy and reduces the confidence of some buyers.

 

[MOIC]

If you're a one-man band and are always on the move, a mobile number makes sense. Many people now, prefer supporting small local businesses. Working from an office is probably getting to be passé.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Call diversion on use a service with an app!

 

[IanSuth]

we got a virtual geographic number which fwds to a hunt group of mobiles - was pretty cheap from this lot - https://www.tamartelecommunications.co.uk/

 

[JamesWebbuk]

I use a local number on VOIP and when I moved to another area code I just added another number and have both running.

I use numberpeople.co.uk and they give a free first number and additional for £1pm.

 

[Talay]

I have multiple local and 03xx numbers and spoofed local numbers through our websites and I personally feel a 03xx number is fine if you are national or regional but do not want to be tied to a specific geographic number but I think pretending to be local and them finding out you are not is actually detrimental to business.

A mobile only number is poor show even for a one man band plumber - use divert as you will be in your home office sometimes.

 

[CHUKTC]

As others have suggested get a geographic number (you can get them for any part of UK) point it at your mobile. If you move office or location number stays the same. They are very cheap and unless you have very high call volumes will only cost a few pounds a month - money well spent for a good impresion and stability. Talk talk offer some very competitive packages.