0800 number

[jaydebruyne]

Just asking for opinions..

Do you think it looks better/more professional (especially if trying to get estate agent contracts) to have a freephone 0800 number than a mobile number?

Personally I think it does but just seeing what you lot think.

I'm gonna be getting my van signed and think it looks better with a freephone number as I think it looks professional.

 

[JWLPlumbing]

Or use yay.com.

I got a number via them, which uses VoIP which is an 0330 number. Use it mainly for customers phoning as looks so much better.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Or use yay.com.

I got a number via them, which uses VoIP which is an 0330 number. Use it mainly for customers phoning as looks so much better.

I've just registered with SwtchboardFREE - has some great features!

 

[Atouchofgas]

I use
https://www.voipfone.co.uk
Cost £2 a month and is a local number also use the free app Softphone so it comes straight to my mobile

 

[jaydebruyne]

I use
https://www.voipfone.co.uk
Cost £2 a month and is a local number also use the free app Softphone so it comes straight to my mobile

Mines £19 a month but with all the features and a freephone number I think it's worth it.

Gotta fake it to make it lol

 

[JCplumb]

When I'm hiring a professional I avoid 0800 numbers.
An area code tells me that the guy actually lives in my area, which is a must for me incase of callbacks, aftercare etc.
I also think that the overheads for a company with an 0800 must be higher and that must inflate the price.
I also avoid companies that try to sound bigger than they are. There's a one man band handyman advertising in my area at the moment, his advert says something like:
Plumbing division.
Electrical division.
Plastering division.
Carpentry division.
Planning division.
- it goes on but you get the idea.
I know a few tradesmen too who are one man bands and their adverts say 'we' and things like 'one of the team'. It's dishonesty from the start in my book and puts me right off.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

how much a month and for what a new number and voicemail

half the people i find dont like leaving voice-mails rather send you a text or ring you back

 

[jaydebruyne]

When I'm hiring a professional I avoid 0800 numbers.
An area code tells me that the guy actually lives in my area, which is a must for me incase of callbacks, aftercare etc.
I also think that the overheads for a company with an 0800 must be higher and that must inflate the price.
I also avoid companies that try to sound bigger than they are. There's a one man band handyman advertising in my area at the moment, his advert says something like:
Plumbing division.
Electrical division.
Plastering division.
Carpentry division.
Planning division.
- it goes on but you get the idea.
I know a few tradesmen too who are one man bands and their adverts say 'we' and things like 'one of the team'. It's dishonesty from the start in my book and puts me right off.

Yeah I hear you. I don't plan on doing things like that in terms of trying to look bigger than I am. But I do want to make myself look professional. Thing is with an area code, I'm stuffed if me and the Mrs move up north. So I figure a freephone number is pretty universal and not area specific so I wouldn't have to mess around with a number change.

 

[jaydebruyne]

how much a month and for what a new number and voicemail

half the people i find dont like leaving voice-mails rather send you a text or ring you back

It's just a divert service to my mobile but I get voicemail, it tells me if I've had a missed call and the number, it also tries my number first and up to 4 other numbers if I'm unavailable or unreachable if no service etc (so I can get the Mrs to answer calls too), when I answer it tells me it's a call from my 0800 number before it connects it so I know to answer it in a certain manner. I can also program the line to only be open at certain times - say between 7am and 10pm so I don't get calls at stupid times, and i can set a separate voice message for out of hours callers.

It's £19 a month with 400 minutes included which I don't see me ever reaching.

 

[leelister6]

Yeah I hear you. I don't plan on doing things like that in terms of trying to look bigger than I am. But I do want to make myself look professional. Thing is with an area code, I'm stuffed if me and the Mrs move up north. So I figure a freephone number is pretty universal and not area specific so I wouldn't have to mess around with a number change.

If you move up North, would you want a London number?! In my experience, most people will phone the mobile as they have inclusive minutes or will text you. Only seems to be elderly customers phone my landline as they still think a mobile call will cost them 2 soveriegns!
An 0800 number is just another expense on top of everything else and something else to set up and manage

 

[mfgs]

I have an 0800 number. When I set up I didn't have a landline number I could use and didn't want just a mobile number as I thought it may put people off. I just divert it to my mobile anyway, but I find a lot of people try that number first and then the mobile second.

 

[jaydebruyne]

I have an 0800 number. When I set up I didn't have a landline number I could use and didn't want just a mobile number as I thought it may put people off. I just divert it to my mobile anyway, but I find a lot of people try that number first and then the mobile second.

So do you put your mobile along side the freephone?

 

[rpm]

So do you put your mobile along side the freephone?

One underneath the other, nicely spaced so easy to read.

 

[jaydebruyne]

One underneath the other, nicely spaced so easy to read.

Really? Not overkill having 2 numbers on the van??

 

[rpm]

Way I see it ....

Companies have 0800 and independents have their mobile numbers on their van. Some people don`t like calling 0800 numbers and some old timers don`t like calling a mobile.

 

[Masood]

Thing is with an area code, I'm stuffed if me and the Mrs move up north. So I figure a freephone number is pretty universal and not area specific so I wouldn't have to mess around with a number change.

That's largely irrelevant Jay. If your worry is keeping the same number so people don't have to learn a new number, you'll no longer be covering the same area so everybody will have to learn a new number for you anyway as a new business in the area.

If your concern is changing your business stationery, you'll have to change address on your letterheads anyway. Only really your business cards that you'd have to bin.

I did a fair amount of research into this when I started out - surveys etc. What I learned was not to underestimate the power of "local". A surprising number of people distrust firms with only a mobile no. They feel that 0800 numbers mean the company is big and faceless. Hotmail/gmail address makes people doubt the firm's solidity and authenticity - anyone can set one up.

People do trust landline numbers with local area codes because until fairly recently you had to show ID, proof of address etc. to get a landline. Most people aren't really up to speed with how easily available virtual landlines and VOIP are. A mate of mine has got something like 12 separate landlines, to cover all the local dialling codes, eg:

020 8521 1234
020 8524 1234
020 8527 1234

The number of people who say "Oh, your just round the corner!" is huge, and it makes him seem more trustworthy. It really is a big thing for people to think that you're very local. It's comforting. These lines all tap into one main line, diverted to his mobile or any other number, and cost about £2 each.

If I were you I'd spend my money on that rather than 0800. Bear in mind also that many younger people nowadays don't have landlines, only mobiles, and not all providers give free calls to 0800 from mobiles, but everyone gives free landline minutes. Add a mobile number for texts and you're golden...

 

[jaydebruyne]

That's largely irrelevant Jay. If your worry is keeping the same number so people don't have to learn a new number, you'll no longer be covering the same area so everybody will have to learn a new number for you anyway as a new business in the area.

If your concern is changing your business stationery, you'll have to change address on your letterheads anyway. Only really your business cards that you'd have to bin.

I did a fair amount of research into this when I started out - surveys etc. What I learned was not to underestimate the power of "local". A surprising number of people distrust firms with only a mobile no. They feel that 0800 numbers mean the company is big and faceless. Hotmail/gmail address makes people doubt the firm's solidity and authenticity - anyone can set one up.

People do trust landline numbers with local area codes because until fairly recently you had to show ID, proof of address etc. to get a landline. Most people aren't really up to speed with how easily available virtual landlines and VOIP are. A mate of mine has got something like 12 separate landlines, to cover all the local dialling codes, eg:

020 8521 1234
020 8524 1234
020 8527 1234

The number of people who say "Oh, your just round the corner!" is huge, and it makes him seem more trustworthy. It really is a big thing for people to think that you're very local. It's comforting. These lines all tap into one main line, diverted to his mobile or any other number, and cost about £2 each.

If I were you I'd spend my money on that rather than 0800. Bear in mind also that many younger people nowadays don't have landlines, only mobiles, and not all providers give free calls to 0800 from mobiles, but everyone gives free landline minutes. Add a mobile number for texts and you're golden...

Totally see your point. I'll look into it. Cheers mate

 

[jaydebruyne]

I've taken everyone's advice and have gone for an 0203 number!

Cheers everyone, much appreciated for the advice