0845 numbers and 0800 numbers are popular telephone numbers for UK organisations of all proportions. The two number ranges enable firms to keep one call number for life and give them the chance to tidy up their call systems with online call management systems, like instant call re-routing to another landline, mobile or even worldwide phone number.
However, there are (many|key} differences between the two number ranges that businesses thinking about changing their telephone numbers should consider.
What you want to use your number for?
If you are searching for a telephone number to use in your marketing and advertising then 0800 numbers are the sure winner.
0800 numbers are totally free for your prospective customers to phone from a BT landline, meaning that you will get more sales to the 0800 number that you have promoted. In fact, studies by the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) has seen that response rates can build by up to 185%.
The RAC has of late heavily marketed its 0800 telephone number for its ‘Beware the chip on the shoulder’ promotion: 0800 999 5000. It promoted this 0800 number on its vans and in its United Kingdom newspaper advertising alongside its other marketing campaigns.
For businesses searching for a focal contact number, then an 0845 number could be the perfect solution.
Whereas 0800 numbers vigourously promote enquirers to call, 0845 numbers are not free to call so may not have an equal impact but 0845 numbers are in reality the United Kingdom’s most used number range. A speedy look through the Yellow Pages or online will show this.
When they were first introduced, 0845 numbers were seen as ‘local rate’ numbers, though this is not completely the case anymore with the success of all in call packages displayed by mobile and landline providers, where 0845 numbers are frequently not included.
However, BT has recently made 0845 numbers free to call for its 16 million residential landline users, which is superb news because the cost barrier to your enquirers has been removed for many users.
How much do you want to pay?
With 0800 numbers, a single initial connection fee is necessary. This charge depends on how memorable the number is, although it can be as little as £25 with some reputable companies. After this first fee, businesses then pay a monthly service charge (e.g. £14.99) and, because 0800 numbers are without cost to call, the company that owns the number pays for all the incoming calls. E.g. 4.5 pence per minute.
The increase in calls and sales that companies receive justifies this cost to them, although there are number providers that provide free inbound minutes to the numbers (e.g. up to 1000 free minutes).
With 0845 numbers, a connection fee is still needed and a monthly service charge and if you are sensible you can seek out providers that give you unlimited inbound minutes.
In all, it is evident that both 0845 numbers and 0800 numbers are brilliant ways to improve business communications. Both call ranges provide organisations greater control and versatility over their call systems and each has its own reward. Rather than viewing 0845 numbers and 0800 numbers as complete opposites, they are in reality different tools for very similar jobs and should be carefully chosen to suit your business needs.
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