Our Advice

Q) I AM NOT TOO SURE WHICH SORT OF NUMBER TO HAVE.

CAN YOU HELP?

There is no definitive answer to this question for all business as each solution has to be tailor made for each company We can advise you more thoroughly once we have conducted a mini fact find of your business and its requirements. However, when you are contemplating this on your own you may like to consider some of the following:

a) WHO ARE YOUR CALLERS/CUSTOMERS?

If you expect most of your incoming calls to be from members of the public, they do like their free phone numbers (0800 or 0808). For example, when you are looking through the Yellow Pages for a particular service or commodity you will go straight to the adverts which firstly show an 0800 number, as we know it will be a free call. However, if you expect most of your calls to be from other companies an 0845 or 0870 number can work just as well. For corporate calls, often the person making the call is not a Director or Owner and therefore will be for less concerned regarding the cost of the call.

It is also important to establish what sort of numbers your competitors are using. If for instance you have a number of competitors in your local Thompson and Yellow Pages all using freephone numbers then they are obviously working for them. In addition, if you were to advertise in the same place as these competitors using an 0870 number (7.9p Per Minute Peak Time) we would expect the majority of people to call your competitors, as they will prefer a free call. Of course if you are involved in a “niche” market with perhaps only one competitor who is using an ordinary landline number then the sort of telemarketing number you are using will be less relevant.

What really does matter is the business or industry you are operating. If what you have to offer is unique and nobody else is offering it then you don't need to pay for the free call for your customers by offering an 0800 number.

b) 0800/0808/0845 or 0870?

One of your main considerations will be the cost of calls for your customers.

0800/0808 Free

0845 Local Rate 3.9p/2.0p/1.00p. Day/Eve/Weekend

0870 National Rate 7.9p/3.95p/2.00p. Day/Eve/Weekend

Most people will not hesitate to ring an 0800 as the call is free. The cost for calling an 0845 number is based on a standard local rate. However, if you are providing a certain level of expertise such as Mortgage Brokers or a Legal Helpline many companies would take the view that if people are “picking their brains” it is not unreasonable for callers to pay up to 7.9p per minute peak time. There may be a call rebate available for all incoming 0870 calls during peak hours. You need to find out whether you qualify.

c) Are your customers based locally or nationally?

This may also be very important consideration. If you only serve your local are then it may not be a good idea to offer a national rate number for your customers, especially, if the vast majority of them are based on your doorstep.

d) Are you trying to keep your costs down?

If the answer is yes, then we would advise you that an 0800 number may not be the right product for you. You may start incurring call charges which may come as a surprise at the end of the month if you have not kept the calls to a minimum. You may be better of going for an 0845 Number. You will only pay a fixed line rental every month with no call charges which will be easier to budget.

e) Do you need a memorable number?

Once you have decided which type of telemarketing number you require you may well want to consider having a more memorable number i.e. one that your customers are much more likely to remember without checking their mobile or where they wrote the number down. Numbers with more “zeros” or “double digits” and/or with a rhythmic feel to them are far easier to recall.

Which would you remember more easily?

0121-635 4927

OR

0800 007 5000

We have a scale of charges for these numbers grouped into categories of Bonze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

When you purchase a telemarketing number the last thing you want to do is to change the number after a while. Consequently, it makes good business sense to make your telemarketing number as memorable as possible at the point of sale. In all probability you will use your telemarketing number(s) for many years, in fact for the duration of your company. On the other hand if you do not need your number to be anything special or memorable just go for a standard number.

For more detailed and specific advice please call us on 0800 007 6000 and speak to a Customer Services Representative.