Why are memorable telephone numbers so valuable?

Date: 28/10/2011

In this day and age, everyone always seems to be in a rush. Whether they are running to catch the train or the tube to work, hurrying to meetings or jostling each other out of the way to get their hands on the latest releases in the world of technology and electronics, lives are lived at a very fast pace.

Gone are the days when letters took days to send and people would take leisurely train journeys up and down the country when they wanted to go on holiday.

Of course, communication has also evolved and social networking sites, email and instant messaging - be it via the internet or using technology such as BlackBerry Messenger on a smartphone - mean it is easier and quicker than ever for people to get in touch with each other.

However, this does not mean the more traditional forms of telecoms and contact are dying out and picking up the phone to get in touch with a business or organisation still has just as much of a place in modern society.

Even if they have FAQ sections on their website or an online form consumers can use to place an order, companies are bound to still utilise non-geographic phone numbers to provide people with an alternative way of getting in touch.

There are many prefixes to choose from, each of which has specific qualities and can benefit companies in different ways depending on their individual needs. While some could be better suited to small organisations with a local reach, others are better for national corporations that wish to attract as many clients from up and down the UK as possible.

However, one characteristic that the majority of non-geographical numbers have that should be of use to enterprises is that they are memorable.

These are likely to be especially useful for the busy individuals who are constantly rushing around and want easy-to-remember, catchy prefixes they can recall quickly and easily without having to go searching through phone books while on the move.

This may help to drive business for companies, as it could give them an edge over their competitors and ensure they are first to mind whenever consumers want a particular product or service.

Memorable phone numbers also promote brand recognition, as they help people to differentiate between different enterprises and build up relationships. In particular, 0800 numbers may be well suited for this purpose, as they are free for consumers to contact from landlines.

As a result, they are likely to feel as though the enterprise is committed to customer service and meeting the needs of its clients by reducing the cost of making a phone call, especially if it is for an issue that may take a while to resolve.

Alternatively, companies might like to purchase 0844 or 0845 numbers, as these are not expensive for individuals to contact when they are using their landline. In addition, 0845 digits are revenue share numbers, which means businesses get the added bonus of generating some extra cash every time they receive an enquiry.

So, it seems there are many reasons why memorable phone numbers can be a vital part of an organisation's strategy, not least because they enable busy Brits to get in touch quickly and conveniently whenever they like. Plus, depending on the prefixes chosen, they could boost customer service and provide extra money for firms.