0800 Numbers: Why your business needs one

If you run your own business in the UK, keeping in touch with clients and customers is vital. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a sole trader, or a small local firm, having a memorable and accessible phone number ensures people can reach you whenever they need you.

But, have you ever thought about setting up an 0800 number?

It’s likely you’ve seen plenty of larger businesses with 0800 prefixes over the years. But why are they so popular, and how do they benefit you and your customers?

Let’s dive into what 0800 business numbers are all about, why you might need one, and how you can get set up.

What are 0800 business numbers?

0800 business numbers are toll-free lines. That means anyone who calls them won’t pay a penny for the connection or the per-minute rate.

As you can imagine, that’s great news for customers trying to get through on busy lines. No one wants to have to spend ages waiting to speak to someone and run up a hefty bill.

Thankfully, 0800 business number regulations have changed over the years to allow mobile callers to get in touch for free, too. Before 2015, only landline callers could ring 0800s without charge – mobile users had to foot increasingly high call costs.

This caused a lot of confusion and frustration as you can imagine! Given that most of us in the UK have some form of mobile phone, rolling out free 0800s to all devices just made sense.

Who uses 0800 business numbers?

You’ll usually see medium to larger companies using 0800 numbers, but individual traders and smaller businesses are getting into the toll-free game, too. And, why not? With more and more people setting up shop from home, there are no scale restrictions on who can set up these lines.

Why do businesses use 0800 numbers?

There are a few reasons why you’d want to set up a toll-free line for your business. For one thing, it’s a professional call signature. If you run your business through a mobile number, for example, you can set up an 0800 number to redirect to it – meaning your customers only see the professional 0800 line.

0800 freephone numbers are fantastic marketing tools, too. Imagine you run a busy company that’s fielding lots of calls, and you only have limited staff to answer them. Chances are, some of your callers might have to wait on the line for a while.

When they see an 0800 number, your customers will feel more inclined to call and hang on – because they won’t get charged! Premium lines such as 0870s, 118s, 09s, and 084s all turn customers away because they’d have to pay a lot of money if they need to wait in a queue.

Running an 0800 line also shows customers you actually care about their needs. You’re not in it to make a profit from people who call your firm, meaning they’re anticipating calling someone who will have their best interests at heart.

Who pays for 0800 freephone calls?

0800 freephone calls are free for customers to call, but it’s businesses who foot the bill. That essentially means you’ll pay for every minute – at a rate that’s agreed by you and your carrier.

However, it’s reasonably simple for businesses to budget for 0800 calls. Instead of paying per minute ad hoc, you can arrange to pay upfront by topping up. That means you don’t have to worry about losing control of the charges your customers are effectively racking up!

With Voiper, in fact, you pay a small amount each month for a set amount of outgoing and incoming minutes through your 0800 line. You’re paying £12.95 per month for 500 minutes in, and 500 minutes out.

However, do keep in mind that some 0800 numbers might be chargeable extra if you would like a memorable 0800 number reserving for your business.

Should you get an 0800 number for your business?

There are plenty of great reasons to invest in a business 0800 number. For one, it’s a great way to boost sales leads, simply because people will feel more at ease calling a company for free than calling a company at a premium rate. That means you can attach your business number to a marketing campaign and watch the calls come flooding in.

What’s more, you won’t have to worry about moving your line around if you switch location. Your 0800 line is floating and non-geographic. That means you can keep the same number even during transition, meaning there’s no interruption to business and your customers don’t have to worry about having to remember an entirely new number.

It’s also a great way to attract new customers, and to reach out to new clients based across the UK. With local and mobile lines, it can sometimes appear as though you’re appealing only to certain people.

0800 freephone lines are universally available to all and people can call them from home or on the go. You also get the appearance of a company that offers a national service!

What’s more, your 0800 call signature gives you the air of an established firm. If you’re an entrepreneur trying to grow beyond a basic mobile number, you can dress up your line and start building a new client base.

Thankfully, it’s never been easier to start setting up 0800 numbers for business. Voiper’s competitive and user-friendly 0800 number service keeps calls rolling through to a number of your choice and keeps calls free for your customers.

The best news is, an 0800 number does a ton of marketing for you. If you’re running a small to medium business and haven’t yet considered an 0800 line, why not reach out to Voiper and learn more?

Our monthly rates keep you covered for hours of calls – and we’re always on hand if you need our help with any technical issues. It’s time to start growing your customer base – and it starts with an 0800 number!