Contact requirements for websites

[HelenBuckley]

I was told the other day that it's a legal requirement to have a phone number listed on your website.

Does anyone know if this is true or not? I'd really rather not put my telephone up as I'd prefer clients to email me or use the contact form, but having said that I don't want to get into trouble either.

Helen

 

[Dawg]

There are two sets of requirements:
Websites that are businesses
eCommerce websites

Full info here

 

[HelenBuckley]

From reading that it appears this information is a legal requirement only if it's a business registered at Companies House.

As I'm a sole trader I'm not registering so I think I should be okay with the current level of contact info.

 

[Gavin Harris]

From reading that it appears this information is a legal requirement only if it's a business registered at Companies House.

As I'm a sole trader I'm not registering so I think I should be okay with the current level of contact info.

However, be aware that most potential clients would rather phone you.

I'm rather dubious of any company that isn't prepared to show me a phone number...

 

[RayB]

However, be aware that most potential clients would rather phone you.

I'm rather dubious of any company that isn't prepared to show me a phone number...

I agree 100% with that

 

[PI Guy]

Helen: I wouldn't deal with someone that doesn't show who, what, where they are. Why don't you want them to call you and to know where you are? Is it a security thing?

 

[Astaroth]

There is no requirement for anyone to have a telephone number on their site as far as I am aware. For companies there can be a requirement to have a physical address and whilst it is best practice for sole traders too it is not a legal requirement from what I have read.

 

[HelenBuckley]

I'm rather dubious of any company that isn't prepared to show me a phone number...

One of the reasons I don't want to put my phone number up is that at the moment I'm away from "the office" two days a week during what most people would reckon as business hours.

The phoneline is a home phone and while I have an answering machine I wouldn't want clients thinking they had the wrong place. I know one answer would be to have a second line but I can't afford that right now.

I would be happy to put up my mobile number but would this make you feel any less dubious?

 

[puresilva]

Hi Helen,

You could buy a Skype number which means nobody rings through to your home phone - they're very very cheap. Agree with everyone here - it's a good business move to show a phone number, and also a "who you are" page.

 

[PI Guy]

One of the reasons I don't want to put my phone number up is that at the moment I'm away from "the office" two days a week during what most people would reckon as business hours.

The phoneline is a home phone and while I have an answering machine I wouldn't want clients thinking they had the wrong place. I know one answer would be to have a second line but I can't afford that right now.

I would be happy to put up my mobile number but would this make you feel any less dubious?

why not get an 0800 number that you can divert to a mobile?

 

[Astaroth]

There are plenty of VOIP services that give you a free telelphone number and answer phone... I use slipgate which also emails me to say there is a new voicemail which I can pickup for free if I can connect to the net using my PC with their software on it or alternatively can call an 0870 number (if memory is correct) and collect it over the phone.

 

[HelenBuckley]

Thanks Astaroth, I'll look into that one I think.

 

[Little Nut Tree]

Hi Helen,
Can you not use your home phone number and use BT answering service. You know you can dial into this remotely.

Richard

 

[HelenBuckley]

Looking at Skype's prices, I think I'll go with them.

Thanks for all the advice everyone

Helen

 

[Astaroth]

Have a look at some other VOIP providers - mine is free of charge for 0845 number and voicemail, the only thing I pay for is collecting voicemail from a normal phone line and then that is only the call charge for using a 0870 telephone number

 

[Gavin Harris]

A few years ago, when Plastic Box was still growing, I was running it part time. I invested good money into ensuring the image of the business was right.

I had landline telephone numbers, and a live telephone answering service, which meant that I had a real person answer the phone and take a message. This would be text to me, where I could then phone that person back.

That really helped me - I did start off originally with an answer machine and I know I lost a lot of new business through it. Paying for a live telephone answering service made a huge difference to my business. You can get something like that from here: http://www.freelanceofficeservices.co.uk/telephone.htm

Well worth the investment.

I've been running the business full time for a year now and don't have a requirement for it anymore, but it was great for me when I was part time.

 

[HelenBuckley]

Have a look at some other VOIP providers - mine is free of charge for 0845 number and voicemail, the only thing I pay for is collecting voicemail from a normal phone line and then that is only the call charge for using a 0870 telephone number

Do you have their website? I did a search on Google and couodn't find them.

 

[Astaroth]

That would probably be due to the random L that I put in their name:
http://www.sipgate.co.uk

 

[HelenBuckley]

LOL! Thanks

 

[Dawg]

You could also look at Voipfone, who is on this board and has being great to several others here, inc Dawg.

 

[cjd]

Some info about alternatives here:

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

 

[ianonline]

Helen,

I run a small web design company too and my suggestion is that you get a SkypeIn number. It costs £35 for a year or £10 per quarter. It also includes an answerphone. Only you would be answering any calls as you need to be logged into Skype with your login details. The downside is although it almost always works fine, it's not quite as reliable as a landline.

Personally I've just bought a USB Cordless Skype phone for use when I get a new number. They only cost £30.

If you make a lot of outbound UK calls, then you should consider SkypePro for £8pm.

Ian

 

[JamieChallenger]

I bought the following number from switchnumbers.co.uk 08456 52 50 52 it cost £29.95 and all my calls are diverted to whatever number i ask it to be.

Hope this helps.

Jamie Challenger.
JRL Training Limited.

 

[cjd]

Should have mentioned - there's a special offer for UKBF members here:

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=31829

 

[HelenBuckley]

I'm using a free service right now as my budget is tiny.

I'll probably look at voipfone when I've got a bit more money and my new computer

 

[Lisette]

You can get a free 0845 number and this looks friendlier than an 0870 one which charges the caller more - they divert to a different number so you can divert to your mobile.

 

[astutiumRob]

I was told the other day that it's a legal requirement to have a phone number listed on your website.

Does anyone know if this is true or not?

No it is not true, however most online purchasers will avoid you if they dont see one - if you do not want your home number shown on the site, which I can understand, getting a VOIP/0845/0870 number which redirects to the home when in and voicemail when out or as already suggested a skype-in number woudl work well for you.

 

[cjd]

Anybody selling online should read and understand the Distance Selling Regulations. They're quite straightforward:

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/general/oft698.pdf

You really should provide a number, if you can't it's pretty obvious you're a tiny outfit and I for one wouldn't buy from you. These days it's not hard to do; some VoIP companies (including us) will give you a free UK number to start you off.