To 0800 Or Not

[TheFincher]

I own a business, we do a lot of work throughout the UK and currently we have a local number which obviously has the area code of our HQ. I've been thinking about switching to an 0800 number but not entirely sure if it's the right thing to do. Some people think it comes across as a bit "cheap" whilst others think it promotes being a "national company" more.

Interested to hear your thoughts

[muttleymacclad]

I'd keep your local number.
An 0800 comes across as anonymous, your local number gives you a sense of identity and a physical presence, and makes it a bit more personable i think.

[DJ OD]

I agree with the above. If you want good number ask BT for a premium number.

But a local geo number adds confidence.


DJ OD

[Goldberg]

0800 numbers are not free on most mobile networks.

I know this is a business and it shouldn't matter etc.. What a lot of people are doing now however is buying London numbers. 0203, 0207, 0208 - makes the business more fashionable because of the London number.

[evilsatan]

Depends on the type of work you do, if locality is an issue then geo numbers are better but 0800 does add a sense of size and people like free calls from landlines (there are apps on mobiles to call using your minutes package). Do you want the personal, local feel or corporate?

[BigBird]

0800 numbers are not free on most mobile networks.

After June 2015 they will be on all networks. (">

[blaggard]

I always research the location of an online Company and since most of my landline calls are prepaid I pay little attention. If a company gives no address or just a 'paper' office address I avoid them, much more important than telephone numbers.

[Over Carl]

Why not have both?

That way the tight arses can enjoy their free call while the paranoid fuckers can be happy they know the location of where you have registered a landline.

[TheFincher]

Thanks for the feedback

I think we'll stick with the local number for now as it gives more feeling of caring somehow, the 0800 feels like it's detached and more suited to insurance companies

[CzarJunkie]

If it's going on a website, do both. But use media queries to display the Geo number to mobile devices and 0800 number to desktop and tablets. Customers love the free number when they're at home and the Geo number if they are on mobile.

I'd also take your demographic into account. An older audience more than likely still have a landline and therefore an 0800 always make sense, whereas some younger customers may only have mobile.