Having the right phone number might not seem like a pivotal issue when it comes to the success or failure of your business but it might just be more important than you might realise.

That’s why it’s a good idea to think seriously about getting an 0800 number. If you’re not convinced, here are nine good arguments that might just change your mind.

MAKING IT EASIER FOR CUSTOMERS TO CONTACT YOU

Possibly the most important reason of all. It’s common sense that a Freephone 0800 landline number costs your customers nothing but it’s not just landlines that that applies to. Many mobile companies now offer free 0800 calls. For dealing with those that don’t, there are several apps that allow Freephone to be used on a mobile. This is a great opportunity; the less money people have to pay, the more likely they are to call and, once they’ve done that, you can get to work on providing the service that will turn new customers into long-term ones.

IT CAN MAKE YOUR BUSINESS SEEM LARGER THAN IT REALLY IS

You know how big or small your business is but your customers don’t have to. If you’re still a fledgling outfit, an 0800 number can disguise it and convince callers that they’re dealing with a large, established outfit. You never know, before too long, they may well be.

MEMORY IS KEY

If people can’t remember your number, they’re going to find it a lot harder to call you. Fortunately, when you sign up for an 0800 number, you can pick the number that most appeals to you. This means you can select one that’s easy to remember and best-suited to being in a jingle.

IT CAN MAKE YOUR BUSINESS SEEM LESS “LOCAL”

It’s a natural instinct for someone to think that using a locally-based business might be the ideal solution to their problem. But what if you’re not local to them? What if you’re on the other side of the country but still perfectly able to deal with them? The beauty of an 0800 number is that it gives no hint as to where you are and, therefore, gives that potential customer no reason to discriminate against you on geographical grounds.

SAVE MONEY ON A RECEPTIONIST

Phones need to be answered and that’s a duty traditionally performed by a receptionist. There’s only one problem. A receptionist costs money and, if you’re still a growing business, you may not be able to afford one. An 0800 number, armed with a virtual call receiving system, is just the answer you need. You can also use a call-funnelling system to let customers name the department they want to get through to, ensuring they are put quickly through to exactly the right person.

OUT-OF-OFFICE WORKING

Not many people like to be tied to the office and there are times when you’ll have to conduct business in other places. Because 0800 numbers can forward calls, they can be diverted to wherever you are at the time, giving you far more flexibility in your working practices.

SIMPLIFY EXPANSION AND RELOCATION

By definition, any successful business will expand, and that may well demand relocation. Traditionally, that would require you to get a new landline number, causing inconvenience to both you and your customers. An 0800 number solves that problem at a stroke. When you move, it moves with you, staying exactly the same as it always was.

TIME MANAGEMENT

One of the great things about an 0800 number is that it means you can receive a breakdown of such information as the amount of time it takes you to handle enquiries and what are the days and the times of day when you receive the most and least calls. This means you can structure your schedule to take account of when you’re most likely to be spending time on the phone.

BETTER ANALYSE YOUR MARKETING CAMPAIGNS

There’s no law that says you only have to have one 0800 number. Because of this, you can use them to study the effectiveness of your marketing. Use one number for each marketing campaign you launch and, that way, you can tell just which campaign is generating the most customer interest, by the number of calls each number is receiving.

You can find out more about calling 0800 numbers from a landline and more by contacting Number Supermarket today. By providing virtual telephone numbers to businesses of all shapes and sizes, they help keep business communications running efficiently. Call today on 0330 332 0400 to talk to a member of the Number Supermarket team.