Choosing a Business Telephone Number

0845 or 0870?normally a connection fee, annual service charge
0333 or 0800?and pence per minute charge on theinbound calls
0871 or 0844?received.
These are just some of the options available to0808 numbers offer exactly the same benefits of
businesses that require new telephone numbers.0800 numbers – the only difference is the
Each individual number range has its own differentprefix.
merits (which are discussed below), although they0333 numbers ( are often dubbed
all have one thing in common: They are all‘caller-friendly’ numbers. This is because
non-geographic numbers.they cost the same to call as a standard landline
“Non-geographic” means that the numbers01 or 02 number – even from a mobile phone.
do not have traditional area codes, starting 01 andThis is important when you consider that in 2007,
02. This can be particularly useful for businesses40% of all calls made in the UK were from mobile
that want to appeal to customers that arephones (source: Ofcom 2008). 0333 numbers are
located outside of the company’s area andalso included in the free minute’s allocations of
many regional, national and online businessesmobile and landline providers, which means that
takeadvantage of this fact. They also offercalls to these numbers are often free.
companies much more privacy if they are aThe cost for businesses to run 0333 numbers
home-based operation.varies, although there is normally a connection
Non-geographic numbers simply ‘sit’ onfee, annual service charge and pence per minute
top of existing landline numbers, which continue tocharge on the inbound calls received. Although
receive calls so there is no disruption to business.telecommunications company, Windsor Telecom
Many organisations opt for non-geographicgives its customers 10,000 free inbound minutes
numbers over landlines because they:per month.
- Allow them to smarten up the way they deal03 Blog ( is the only blog on the web dedicated to
withtheir calls by using intelligent call management03 numbers - with ongoing and up-to-date 03
features. Popular systems include: online callnews and regular updates on the organisations
statistics, call divert, call queuing and caller menus.that are now using the numbers.
These systems can all be controlled online or over0844 numbers are different to 0845 numbers, in
the phone, without the need for costly, bulky andthat the cost to call them is fixed at all times.
space consuming equipment.From a standard BT landline, calls to an 0844
- Enable companies to choose numbers whichnumber will cost 4.25p perminute. 0844 numbers
reflect the nature of their business and thereforealso offer businesses the opportunity to make
make them more memorable to their customers.money on their calls, in what is known as
For example, a company that manufacturers‘revenue sharing.’ The cost for
fireworks could opt for 08000 321 321 (mimickingbusinesses to run 0844 numbersvaries, although
the countdown to the launch of a rocket).there is normally a connection fee and annual
- Can move with the business if it relocates. Thisservice charge.
means that a company can have a single number0870 numbers have been the subject of a great
or set of numbers for life and they will not havedeal of bad press and this is largely because of
to reprint stationery and business cards etc. whenthe cost to call them. The UK communications
they change premises.regulator, Ofcom, is currently in the process of
But which non-geographic numbers are best formaking major changes to 0870 numbers which
businesses to use?will mean that the cost to dial thesenumbers will
Well, each number range has its benefits and thebe reduced and any communications provider that
answer to this question depends on how thewants to charge more for the call will have to
number will be utilised and for what purpose.inform customers on all advertising and
0845 numbers are the UK’s most popularpromotional material thatdisplays their numbers. 
non-geographic number and therefore have a highThe cost for businesses to run 0870 numbers
public awareness.varies, although there is normally a connection fee
When 0845 numbers were first introduced theand annual service charge.
cost to call them was the same as a local rate0871 numbers are the most expensive
call. However, with the increased popularity ofnon-geographic number for customers to call and
mobile phones and the varying tariffs that mobilecommunications watchdog, Ofcom has
phone networks offer, there is now a variety ofrecommended that all 0871 numbers be regulated
call costs associated with them. From a standardby
BT landline, calls to an 0845 number currently costPhonePay Plus, the premium rate services
3.36p per minute (daytime) and 0.85p per minutesupervisory body.
(evening and weekends). The cost for businessesThis looks set to happen by the end of 2008. The
to run 0845 numbers varies, although there iscost to dial these numbers must be displayed on
normally a connection fee and annual serviceall advertising and promotional material of
charge.businesses that use them. The cost for
0800 numbers ( are powerful marketing tools.companies to run 0871 numbers varies, although
They are totally free for customers to dial fromthere is normally a connection fee and annual
a landline, as the business that runs the numberservice charge.
pays for the cost of the call. This displays toSo, as this article demonstrates, the difference
customers that the company values their custom.between each non-geographic number is much
In fact, research by the Institute of Directmore than just a few digits. Each number range
Marketing has revealed that businesses that useserves a specific purpose and it’s up to
0800 numbers can increase their response ratesevery individual business to decide which objective
by 185%.it wants to satisfy before deciding upon
Although 0800 numbers are free to call fromthenumber to opt for.
landlines, mobile phone companies charge theirHopefully this summary offers a good starting
customers to call them. The cost for businessespoint to that decision.
to run 0800 numbers varies, although there is