0800 Numbers

[Ursicles]

We need to get a new phone line for the business, and i have been toying with the idea of an 0800 number.

So my question is, have people gone from a normal landline number to an 0800 number, and did it drive call volumes at all?

Our target audience is the elderly, so my thinking is that they are more likely to call a number thats free?

 

[fisicx]

A local number will almost always outperform an 0800 number for local services.

The elderly are more likely to call the mobile number of their carer.

 

[Ursicles]

Had exactly that conversation with my business partner after posting here!

 

[Paul Norman]

0800 numbers were 1990's marketing idea

I suspect they are neutral. I must admit, that I cannot remember ever really checking what category the number is before ringing someone to whom I actually wished to speak.

 

[Liquid11]

Locals may trust you more if you advertise a number from their area.

 

[Ursicles]

Agreed....

Feedback re 0800 numbers seem to suggest it makes you seem cold, and that they would be calling a call centre which put people off.

 

[Kev2017]

We have had an 0800 number for far too many years now. It works so I leave it running. I advertise the landline, the 0800 and the mobile. The 0800 links straight to the landline and I divert them all to the mobile anyway! You can never have too many options. WAYMISH. We use Utilities warehouse

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

I would never answer an 0800 number. I would always google it and they often turn out to be looking for info about that car accident I had sometime....

 

[Kev2017]

I would never answer an 0800 number. I would always google it and they often turn out to be looking for info about that car accident I had sometime....

When I dial out it comes up with my standard landline, the 0800 is just for incoming calls.

 

[Webzsuite.com]

0800 will look like cold-caller.

I would stick with local nice, easy to remember number. You have to know your audience.

 

[Mike_Cartwright]

I'd recommend for you to go for a local number instead of an 0800 number. I feel like the elderly would have a speed dial system on their phone since it would be easier that way than manually dialing a number, therefore, any number would do. As a local, I'd think that a business with a local number would be nearer and be easier to access. People may have the presumption that an 0800 will route them to a call center instead of the business directly, that may cause them to think it would take time to do business with you.