mobile numbers v landlines for Trades

[Matt1959]

Just wondering whether I'm falling behind the times a little!

I've always advocated using a landline as the main number on my website but also mentioning my mobile as well. I must admit whenever I ring a trade nowadays I ring the mobile as I assume the man I want to speak to will answer it rather than a call handler or answer machine.

So more normal to use mobile numbers now or are landlines still important for customer confidence?

 

[cjd]

For small trades - solo plumbers, aerial guys, sparks etc mobile is ok. But if you want to look more than that a landline gives a bit more confidence to new customers.

But these days you can have both, with landline numbers that redirect to your mobile.

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

It can also be done automatically now with the free geodivert app

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

 

[Matt1959]

funny you should reply Colin as I already have a VOIP number through you and have just ported my old landline to you as I've moved away from that STD area. But and its a big but, I find that when diverting a voip number to my mobile, the call quality can be really bad ie a tiny lag on the conversation. I"ve mentioned this to your guys and they tell me its the mobile connection that influences this. Thinking about it, mobile reception in my old area was quite poor whereas in my new area its good so maybe this will sort itself out now. Great service by Voipfone btw - been with them over 5 yrs now....

 

[cjd]

I haven't heard that problem before - the guys are correct to say that it should be the mobile connection that is at fault as, with a divert, the call is not using VoIP at all. But if your mobile connection is normally good it's a puzzle. If you PM me your account number I'll have a look into it for you.

 

[Darryl Wright]

Having a small business myself, I've found that customers want a phone to be answered, so I along with my mobile have a landline with an answering service that text and email any calls that they recieve so I can call them back if required. It works for me. They will be many to find online

 

[Matt1959]

I think it would be safe to say if people want to speak to a tradesperson, they need to ring the mobile number! A landline does though add to the trust aspect...

 

[dmckellar]

i have both my office & personal numbers on my 3 vans

id say 8 times out of 10, companies and individuals alike phone the mobile.

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

Have both landline and mobile numbers. Why not?

 

[Ian J]

For small trades - solo plumbers, aerial guys, sparks etc mobile is ok. But if you want to look more than that a landline gives a bit more confidence to new customers.

But these days you can have both, with landline numbers that redirect to your mobile.

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

It doesn't need to be Voip either as I redirect my Virgin landline to my mobile when I'm out and about

 

[Matt1959]

the VOIP aspect was relevant to me because I moved work premises to another telephone exchange area and wanted to keep the landline that I'd had for 15 yrs. My original question revolved around the fact I would usually want any calls diverted to my mobile and VOIP is 10p per minute which I have to pay thus I was looking for reassurance that customers these days might well ring a mobile first anyway. I've gone for the mobile number with geo voip numbers on the contact page hoping that most people ring the mobile. Clear as mud I bet

 

[Nuno]

The accepted thing that mobiles are OK for Trades rings trues.
When people call a landline they are calling a place, like a B&M shop or office.
When they call a mobile they are calling a person, (not a place), and people don't expect tradesmen to be in one place.
The exception is when people call a tradesman's place to leave a message, ask for a form etc, which is when something like VOIP is a great backup.
Mobile first, VOIP landline second, as backup.

 

[dmckellar]

i think for trade, if they are dealing with private companies, many will see a landline number as a company they can't afford.

B2B is different.

 

[AerialSolutions]

We have 5 local numbers a freephone number and a mobile.
We certainly dont want to miss a call!!
We cant survive without customers so we pander to all communications!

 

[Tom Smart]

Personally I think a landline is best I think that it gives the impression that your call will be taken more seriously, not a trader in a loft for example but that's just me.

I used to just give out the landline and divert when I was out, but as we got bigger my partner came and worked full time answering the calls. Now I would never give my mobile out. As already discussed VOIP could be of interest.

 

[DebbS]

I know tradesmen that had both, landline and mobile. They were never in to answer the landline and I think it is accepted that good tradesmen will be out at work, therefore you can only get them on their mobile.
Doesn't do any harm to have both and divert your landline, so if some people have a reluctance to ring a mobile they can still contact you and hopefully speak to you, rather than leave a message.

 

[CumulusUK]

You will never a get a straight answer. some will swear by landlines and some will say mobile is OK. the truth is that the market place is saturated with trades people, so what makes you different.

We answer telephones for a lot of trades people and this is so they don't miss a call, the fact that someone could call you and if you don't answer move on to the next number.

Its a fact that if you miss a call, you could be missing out on good business. Ofcom state 69% of people won't leave a voicemail too!!

Good Luck
C

 

[rrwshopfitters]

I haven't got a landline and felt my company needed one to add to the profesilism and trust aspect. I pay a small amount per month for a local landline number that is diverted to my mobile. I can log in to see how many calls have been diverted through, the number is small and the mobile seems to get more direct calls. However I believe the landline adds value to my business.