Local and 0800 numbers 'both have benefits'

Date: 29/07/2011

Phone numbers are undoubtedly an important aspect of any enterprise. As well as being an easy way for people to get in touch, memorable prefixes also enable members of the public to associate with a particular brand.

However, there are various different options available when it comes to choosing phone numbers and, for many firms, these can fall into two basic categories – national and local.

For those seeking national prefixes, 0800 numbers may be the perfect choice. One of the main benefits of these digits is that they present a UK-wide image for any company.

This might be particularly important when trying to generate business, as it could suggest to potential clients that an organisation is based in the financial district of a large city when, in fact, it is located in a small rural area.

Furthermore, having a national, non-geographic number may present a better image to competitors and enable companies to really establish themselves in the marketplace.

At a time when a significant number of enterprises may be struggling to make ends meet and generate profits as a result of the recession, these phone numbers could be the perfect solution.

Another benefit of 0800 numbers is that they are free to call from landlines. This is bound to be well received by the majority of consumers and may also mean they do not hesitate to get in touch with any queries or orders.

After all, if they do not have to pay for the phone call they may perceive an enterprise as having a good approach to customer service and therefore recommend it to friends and return to make further purchases.

When purchased from Commsready, these prefixes fall into three different categories depending on how memorable they are - standard, gold and platinum.

All of them come with inclusive minutes every month and also allow organisations to take advantage of Commsready's free online call statistics tool.

Furthermore, they can enjoy a one-month free trial of its call management software, which is ideal for companies that want to manage their incoming calls and divert them to alternative numbers.

The call routing solution enables then to redirect queries when the line is busy or there is no answer, thus giving individuals the impression they are being well taken care of.

Plus, if consumers feel as though their enquiry is being dealt with quickly and effectively as a result of this diversion, they may come away with a positive image of the firm's approach to customer service.

However, there are also numerous benefits to choosing local numbers for firms.

While presenting a national image may be important for some, others may find taking a small, regional approach works well and perfectly suits their needs.

While some consumers are bound to be happy dealing with a large organisation, others may like the idea of communicating with a local firm they can relate to and that has a good knowledge of the area.

Although they are not free to contact like 0800 numbers, 01 and 02 alternatives are low-cost from both landlines and mobile phones. This could be well-received by customers who do not want to pay a great deal to get in touch with an enterprise, especially if they are on the go and have no choice but to use their mobile device.

Whichever solution they go for, enterprises may find their new phone numbers enhance their business, especially as they both have so many benefits to meet the exact requirements of any company.