Local or national number for e-commerce website?

[blades1233]

Hi, I run an e-commerce website that targets the whole of the UK. I am now wanting to add a business number to the site. I have the option to pick a local 01 number or a national 03 number. Wanted to get an idea of what people think will look the most professional and fitting for an e-commerce site. I was thinking a national number, but then I looked at several competitors, and most are local numbers.

 

[fisicx]

Local!

Feels like I’m calling the business not some call centre.

 

[cjd]

If your service is a local one, pick local - 01 or 02. If you're selling a product national then pick an 03.

 

[japancool]

I use a local number for my site. Most of my customers know we're in Leeds anyway, but I have had the occasional customer turning up (at my house, which is also my business address) and asking to pick up their order!

 

[ecommerce84]

We’ve got a local number via @cjd and it’s perfect.

We do dispatch nationally but we are primarily a local business that also does nationwide delivery.

 

[Ozzy]

I'd suggest a local number too.
I personally am sceptical of 03/08 numbers myself, and seeing a 01xxx number makes me feel a little more confident in the business, which is stupid really as I know how easy they are to setup and direct to a call centre anyway.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Where does it fit in with your marketing strategy?

Are you aiming to promote yourself as a big business (be careful!), or as a small business where you deal with real people?

Assuming the latter, I'd go with a local number.

If it's the former, there are a whole load of other considerations.

 

[blades1233]

Great thanks everyone. I'm going local