01 vs 0800 vs 0345: Which Number is Best for Your Business?

Did you know that the number you choose for your business can actually make a huge difference in your long-term success? Well – it’s not the be-all and end-all, but making the right choice in number prefix type really can help you to achieve some significant growth and find the right customers, faster.

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that using a standard mobile number, beginning with 07, isn’t usually good to cling onto if you’re scaling your firm upwards over time. These numbers can come across as unprofessional or that you’re a smaller outfit than you want to be!

Therefore, here at VoIPer, we typically recommend that business owners consider one of three number prefix options. 01s, 0800s, and 0345s – through which you can route calls to your existing line(s).

But, what are the pros and cons of each of these number types? Which type is likely to fit your business’s needs the best? Let’s take a quick look through each and see if we can draw a conclusion.

01 Numbers

01 numbers are geographic, meaning they’re usually tied to specific locations across the UK. You might have a home landline in Sheffield, for example, with an 0114 prefix – as will everyone else in the Sheffield area.

These numbers are charged at local or national rate when people call, making them amongst the most affordable for people to reach when they need help or want to find out more about services.

01 numbers are pretty appealing to businesses, too, because they give off a local appeal – great for smaller firms that, for example, run a local service that delivers around the area, or which specifically serves the community’s interests. An 01 number shows people that you’re rooted in a very specific spot, which is great for some, but not so suitable for others.

One downside to running an 01 number is the fact you might not get as much national or even international custom. Seeing an 01 number will usually convince people that you’re solely focused on local sales, or that you’re a fairly small company.

Thankfully, you don’t have to tie yourself to a geographic location with a floating, cloud-based number from VoIPer – but, if you want to set your sights on growing beyond your city walls, you might want to consider a prefix that’s a little more inclusive.

0800 Numbers

Off the bat – 0800 numbers are most national customers’ favourites. Why? Because they’re free to call!

0800 lines are popular with businesses that really want to push the marketing boat out. Particularly useful for firms that have technical support lines or that are particularly busy, customers can just enter in the number and wait in the queue to see an advisor without running up exorbitant costs. 

That’s the same for some other numbers, too, depending on packages – but 0800s are free from everywhere in the UK.

What’s more, an 0800 number prefix gives off a fantastic, altruistic image. Customers will see that it’s free to call you and be more confident in doing so – happy that you’re willing to save them a bit of money. On top of that, 0800s cover a much broader surface than 01s – you could be based absolutely anywhere in the country.

The major downside to 0800s, if at all, is the cost for you. Unlike 01s and 0345s, you have to pay for all the calls people make to you. That means topping up on minutes whenever you run out.

That said, this can be a small price to pay given it’s a fantastic marketing tool. Think of the new customers you’ll find and the sales you’ll make – 0800s often pay for themselves, but only if you put the work in!

0345 Numbers

Last of all, 0345 numbers really do occupy the best of both worlds. People will have to pay a standard per-minute rate to call them (unless they’re included in their calls plans), but the prefix suggests you’re a big company that can be based anywhere in the UK.

In that regard, 0345s can give callers a lot of confidence. You’ll often see bigger firms such as banks, insurance companies, and national service providers running 0345s. They came into force a few years ago mainly because of the pushback against premium 0845 numbers (which was certainly justified!).

The main drawback to 0345 numbers is that they’re not ideal for companies that have a way to grow, or that still operate largely on local appeal. They can seem impersonal with that in mind – if you have a smaller, more loyal audience to build on, it might be more cost-effective to choose an 01 number instead.

So – What Numbers are Best for Your Business?

Out of 01s, 0800s, and 0345s, there isn’t really a clear winner. As you’ve seen, there are pros and cons for sticking with local prefixes, while there are also definite plus points for numbers that have a broader coverage.

Most importantly, all three options are great for attracting and supporting specific types of customers. That’s why it’s worth thinking carefully about where your business is at in terms of its growth journey – and whether or not you need a prefix with a smaller appeal, a national focus, or one that takes care of the costs of calling for your customers.

There are no right or wrong answers – yes, there’s no clear winner when you look at this problem generally. That’s why we offer all these prefixes and virtual numbers to our customers – meaning you can redirect calls to your mobile or landline to any of the three. 

Whether you’d like to root your firm locally, grow to find national clients, or appeal to people with free calls forever, VoIPer is here to help you build your base.

Take a look at our unique number options and build a package online – and, if you’re unsure of what’s likely to work best for you right now, call our team and let us guide you through your options.

Regardless, it’s time to keep mobile numbers private – and to start thinking about a professional call signature that markets itself in no time.