Telephones again

[Ricesnaps]

Rather than hijack DMX's thread....

We currently have an 0845 number. This was initially bought for two reasons:

1. The wife didn't want us to publish our home telephone number
2. 0845 numbers are portable and we were planning to move

However, we are now settled and have just signed up to a new internet provider who will give us an internet phone with incoming number for free.

So here's my ask:

What type of number is a client more likely to call. I know that sounds a little like Will's ask, but I'm not quite after the same thing. We have a choice now, publish the land line, 0845 or mobile. Currently the 0845 and mobile are advertised.

BUT... are clients likely to not call because it's not a normal number, or becaus ethey don't know where you are? Does an 0845 number actually put people off, not because they don't understand what the 0845 number is, but because it's a faceless arealess number. The same could certainly be said of 0800 numbers. Or indeed is the reverse true - or does it become true as you clime up the market. What I mean is, if you are are a local pub or client who wants cheap and cheerful, would you be put off by a seemingly "national" number, but if you were planning a £30,000 wedding or corporate function, would the 0845 / 0800 option make you appear bigger and more professional than a local number would?

[Vectis]

I have the luxury of having a (perceived) defined geography and all my advertising carries the words "The Island's xxx" so it's quite clear to casual observers that I'm not a faceless national company. Not sure whether you constrain yourself to Suffolk or some other geographical area you could describe in one or two words?

As posted in the other thread, my statistical research for y/e 2006/07 shows 52% of new enquiries now coming via the web (up from 44% the previous year) with the balance by phone ratio 9:1 0800 vs other numbers.

[Danno13]

Just use both. I have 0800, 0845 and 01386 numbers.. all go to the same place. I push the local number more though, and have never advertised the 0800 one...saving it for something worthwhile!

[PropellerHeadCase]

Unless you are constrained by how many numbers you can have in your ads wouldn't it make as much sense to push the land-line/cell-phone locally and a free-phone for ads that have national coverage, i.e. on-line? Or maybe just say free-phone outside of [your area] 0800-...?

I publish my cell and 0800 numbers - so mobile callers and landline callers can pick their preference. Oh, and in NZ I know which mobile provider has the most people in the 25-33 age range so I'm with them :D

[Ricesnaps]

All good comments, but what I was driving at was whether you are more likely to get work / clients / booking from an obviously local number or a percieved national one? What difference does it actually make in practice?

[wensleydale]

i really dont think it makes that much difference- sort your arch out before worrying about this...

[Ricesnaps]

i really dont think it makes that much difference- sort your arch out before worrying about this...

lol!

I'm actually quite please with my arch, less a few tweeks each time I use it!

[rob1963]

Personally, I think people may be less likely to call an 0845 number than a normal landline, as most people have no idea what they're paying to call an 0845 number, whereas they DO know that calling a normal landline only costs about 2p a minute.

[Ricesnaps]

Personally, I think people may be less likely to call an 0845 number than a normal landline, as most people have no idea what they're paying to call an 0845 number, whereas they DO know that calling a normal landline only costs about 2p a minute.

Didn't this point just happen somewhere else?

I don't think a huge number of people whould have any interest in the cost of the call. Surely it's about perseption here isn't it. Doesn't an 0845 number give the caller the impression it's not necessarily local?

[rob1963]

Doesn't an 0845 number give the caller the impression it's not necessarily local?

Yes....and not necessarily local conjures up the idea of not necessarily cheap.

When it comes to telephone codes, many people are completely clueless.

I never cease to be amazed by the high number of people who think the London codes are 0207 and 0208.

:shrug:

[Ricesnaps]

I never cease to be amazed by the high number of people who think the London codes are 0207 and 0208.

:shrug:

Am I missing something here - 0207 and 0208 ARE indeed London codes as wil be 0203 soon so I here

[Tonsk]

Personally, I wouldn't call an 0845 number if I wanted the services of someone local.

A couple of reasons why:

1. You don't know if they are local as its 0845 or if they are reputable (you can get an 0845 linked directly to a mobile so what if it's a cowboy company who are gonna take your money and run, with only an untraceable number to locate you) - Where as an 01 or 02 number pretty much HAS to go somewhere so is a little bit more trustworthy although probably not - just an opinion..

2. Looking at recent stats on mobiles v land lines, more and more people only have (or utlize more) a mobile where they receive xxx free minutes so use that (how many of us don't have free mins on the mobile?!) but these don't work on 0845 (or 0800 for that matter) numbers.

These are why I use a landline and mobile number (as well as the website) only.

[CRAZY K]

Am I missing something here - 0207 and 0208 ARE indeed London codes as wil be 0203 soon so I here

Matt. you may remember my views--go local:)

I dont ring any funny numbers---0870 etc on principle---what a rip off--

Say no to 0870 site is good.

I agree people get unsure about 0845 as well---I have my home numbers and people ring from ALL OVER ENGLAND EVERYDAY.

Know why--because most of us are on FREE landline calls to "standard" numbers in the UK and now Europe as well!!!

Which is why I dont like ringing Mobiles---if you were going to mention that:D

Unless you are offering something VERY special it could put people off--

I think Rob means OUTER London--:D

regards
Alan

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Am I missing something here - 0207 and 0208 ARE indeed London codes as wil be 0203 soon so I here

Yes, you are missing something. 0207 and 0208 are NOT the London codes.

London only has one code, which is 020. The following 7 or 8 is the first digit of the actual telephone number...but is nothing to do with the code.

People may say it doesnt matter, but that's not true...

...The rule with landlines is that you don't dial the code if you're calling from the same code. Therefore, if someone's number is 020 8123 4567 and I wrongly thought the code was 0208, I would just dial what I thought to be the actual number: 123 4567 - in which case I wouldn't get through, as I hadn't dialled the 8 - which is the first digit of the actual number.

Hope that clarifies things.

:)

More information is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erroneous_UK_telephone_codes

[Ricesnaps]

Well ****! how lucky am I to be living in the country. No confusion over here on the old Tractors. two cups and a tight bit of string that's the best way

[Jiggles]

hehehe Just to confuse you EVEN more in the Eyemouth area it is 018907 54321 NOT 01890 754321 !!!! :D:D