There has been lots of discussion in the final quarter of 2010 about the role that 0800 numbers will play in the future given that many mobile phone users can be deterred from using them.
The topic is well covered in an Ezine article written by UK based Gold 0800 Numbers entitled 0800 Numbers - Are Their Days Numbered.
It's also worth looking here:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=629984
Wednesday 8 December 2010
0800 Number Horror Stories
Everyone likes a good horror story, unless, of course, the story is about you...
Melanie Roswell Brown from Bolton, Greater Manchesterhas had a nightmare of her own to deal with after a telephone company routed an 0800 number complaint line to her home in error.
For almost 8 weeks Melanie received around 70 complaints a day. The calls came at all times of the day and were made by customers of Talk Talk.
As if that weren't bad enough Melanie was offered just £50 compensation for almost two months of hassle.
Melanie rejected the offer and the matter is now with Otelo - the telecommunication ombudsman.
Melanie Roswell Brown from Bolton, Greater Manchesterhas had a nightmare of her own to deal with after a telephone company routed an 0800 number complaint line to her home in error.
For almost 8 weeks Melanie received around 70 complaints a day. The calls came at all times of the day and were made by customers of Talk Talk.
As if that weren't bad enough Melanie was offered just £50 compensation for almost two months of hassle.
Melanie rejected the offer and the matter is now with Otelo - the telecommunication ombudsman.
Saturday 27 November 2010
Tracking with 0800
After gaining an 0800 number and promoting it, you could then always consider purchasing more to assign to different adverts and then track which ones generate the most customer call backs to determine the most successful adverts. On doing this, you would then save money on the poorer performing ads and focus on the ones that bring in the most business.
There are some good explanations here: http://www.dbs-uk.co.uk/telecoms/monitoring.html and here http://www.yodel.co.nz/services/phone/
There are some good explanations here: http://www.dbs-uk.co.uk/telecoms/monitoring.html and here http://www.yodel.co.nz/services/phone/
Monday 22 November 2010
Making the most of your 0800 number
You'll make the most of your 0800 number service if you advertise it well. It all depends on what you are selling or seeking to promote. Ask yourself questions like who is your target market, what market does it belong to and what is your competition? These will help you identify the most important points to focus on when advertising and marketing your business phone number.
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Choosing an 0800 Number
Latest market research gives a good degree of assurance for those UK companies who are considering purchasing an 0800 number:
Research by the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) shows that the provision of an 0800 number to a firm can increase response rates by some 185%
Henley Centre Telebusiness Survey claims that customers who see an 0800 freephone number feel that a company "wants their business".
Teleculture 2000 say that 63% of consumers prefer doing business with UK businesses that offer an 0800 freephone number.
Recommended providers include dbs telecoms and BC
Research by the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) shows that the provision of an 0800 number to a firm can increase response rates by some 185%
Henley Centre Telebusiness Survey claims that customers who see an 0800 freephone number feel that a company "wants their business".
Teleculture 2000 say that 63% of consumers prefer doing business with UK businesses that offer an 0800 freephone number.
Recommended providers include dbs telecoms and BC
Friday 3 September 2010
0800 Call Whisper Feedback
The post about Call Whisper for 0800 numbers on 3rd September created some useful feedback.
The short pre-recorded message is only heard by the person that answers the 0800 number call.
The caller doesn't hear the pre-recorded message.
While the message is being played the 0800 number caller hears the normal ringing tone.
The short pre-recorded message is only heard by the person that answers the 0800 number call.
The caller doesn't hear the pre-recorded message.
While the message is being played the 0800 number caller hears the normal ringing tone.
0800 Number Display
Question:
If I purchase an 0800 number and point it to my mobile phone will the 0800 number show on my screen when someone uses my 0800 number to call me?
Answer
In a word, No.
The actual landline number or mobile number of the person that rang your 0800 number will display on your mobile phone.
This is better for you really as if you can't take the call you will be able to ring it back. If you just saw your 0800 number displayed it wouldn't be as helpful.
What might prove useful is a service like DBS's call whisper which gives you a short pre-recorded message when your 0800 number is being used. Click here for more information on the call whisper service for 0800 numbers.
If I purchase an 0800 number and point it to my mobile phone will the 0800 number show on my screen when someone uses my 0800 number to call me?
Answer
In a word, No.
The actual landline number or mobile number of the person that rang your 0800 number will display on your mobile phone.
This is better for you really as if you can't take the call you will be able to ring it back. If you just saw your 0800 number displayed it wouldn't be as helpful.
What might prove useful is a service like DBS's call whisper which gives you a short pre-recorded message when your 0800 number is being used. Click here for more information on the call whisper service for 0800 numbers.
Wednesday 4 August 2010
BT's 0800 Number Charges
There is still a misunderstanding of BT's stance on calling 0800 numbers from a BT Mobile Phone.
To clarify, BT has scrapped all charges for its customers who call 0800 phone numbers in May 2009 after pressure from consumer groups
BT have called on other mobile phone operators to suit.
This would benefit mobile phone users to the tune of £50 million a year.
For many years BT's mobile phone customers were irritated by having to pay exorbitantly high rates when dialling (ironically) free 0800 numbers.
0800 number resellers such as Gold 0800 Numbers were delighted with BT's decision. A spokesperson for the company said "We applaud BT's decision to end these punitive call charges and hope other operators will take BT's lead."
To clarify, BT has scrapped all charges for its customers who call 0800 phone numbers in May 2009 after pressure from consumer groups
BT have called on other mobile phone operators to suit.
This would benefit mobile phone users to the tune of £50 million a year.
For many years BT's mobile phone customers were irritated by having to pay exorbitantly high rates when dialling (ironically) free 0800 numbers.
0800 number resellers such as Gold 0800 Numbers were delighted with BT's decision. A spokesperson for the company said "We applaud BT's decision to end these punitive call charges and hope other operators will take BT's lead."
Thursday 8 July 2010
0800 VOIP
For one quite simple product the 0800 number industry has a very wide range of call charges.
0800 numbers have a pence per minute charge although most providers have a per second billing facility which means you only pay for what you use.
A search on the first page Google for "0800 numbers" shows companies that charge between 1.5p and 6p per minute for incoming 0800 number calls.
Why such a massive difference? At the bottom end of the price range you will find that 0800 number are routed by VOIP which means "Voice Over Internet Protocol".
The VOIP 0800 number is sent to an IP phone or can be routed to an IP PBX.
0800 numbers have a pence per minute charge although most providers have a per second billing facility which means you only pay for what you use.
A search on the first page Google for "0800 numbers" shows companies that charge between 1.5p and 6p per minute for incoming 0800 number calls.
Why such a massive difference? At the bottom end of the price range you will find that 0800 number are routed by VOIP which means "Voice Over Internet Protocol".
The VOIP 0800 number is sent to an IP phone or can be routed to an IP PBX.
0800 Fax to Email Services
Not a lot of people know this, but...
There is a more eco friendly way to send and receive faxes. Rather than waste power, ink and of course tons of paper savvy businesses in Britain are having their faxes sent staight to their PC.
This service is called Fax To Email. You simply obtain an 0800 Fax to Email number from a well known UK 0800 number reseller and instead of pointing it to a landline or mobile you direct it to an email address.
This means you can delete junk faxes without having to print them off first. It also makes storing faxesa breeze as you simply save your faxes to relevant folders on your PC.
There is a more eco friendly way to send and receive faxes. Rather than waste power, ink and of course tons of paper savvy businesses in Britain are having their faxes sent staight to their PC.
This service is called Fax To Email. You simply obtain an 0800 Fax to Email number from a well known UK 0800 number reseller and instead of pointing it to a landline or mobile you direct it to an email address.
This means you can delete junk faxes without having to print them off first. It also makes storing faxesa breeze as you simply save your faxes to relevant folders on your PC.
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