0333 Telephone Numbers

[Karis]

What are your thoughts on 0333 numbers? I know they're relatively unknown, but we've been offered a rather excellent number and I thought it was worth asking to get some feedback before taking the plunge!

[medusa]

I think that the major issue that most people would have before ringing an 0333 number would be not knowing how much it is likely to cost to call it.

 

Most people are used to 0800 and 0300 being free, 0845 being local rate and 0870 being national rate, but even those are now getting confusing because of the different rates from mobile and landline phones and the varying costs from different suppliers, but in my experience other numbers which are not clearly of a discounted rate (0800, 0300, 0845) are approached with caution by many people.

 

I think if you're going to take the number you'll have to state very clearly what price band it falls into and whether different landline companies are likely to charge different prices for calling the number.

[Karis]

Those were exactly my thoughts. People just don't know and we get very few calls on the 0844 number at the moment, so this could be replacing one bad number with another...

[willj87]

How much is the 0333 number? I was under the impression, from my time working in telecommunications, that all 01, 02 and 03 numbers were the same price?

[Chez2]

Those were exactly my thoughts. People just don't know and we get very few calls on the 0844 number at the moment, so this could be replacing one bad number with another...

 

It often costs more to call 0844 and 0845 numbers from mobiles. I have a business landline and mobile phone package from o2 and get free uk landline calls but this excludes 0844 and 0845 numbers from my mobile. Relatively shiort calls have cost me £3 so I have told my suppliers I will only call their 'ordinary' landline numbers.

[Karis]

It often costs more to call 0844 and 0845 numbers from mobiles. I have a business landline and mobile phone package from o2 and get free uk landline calls but this excludes 0844 and 0845 numbers from my mobile. Relatively shiort calls have cost me £3 so I have told my suppliers I will only call their 'ordinary' landline numbers.

 

Hey. Sorry, when I said 'bad number', I meant that people don't understand how cheap they are to call (all the stigma surrounding non 01 numbers).

 

I have a feeling the 03 numbers are probably a safe bet for 2012.

[medusa]

As a matter of interest, how much IS it to call an 0333 number? I don't think I've ever called one.

[Andy]

I'm pretty sure it's the same cost as an 01/02 number. They were introduced as a non-geographic number which would cost the same as 01/02 to avoid all the confusion surrounding the various 08 numbers... but seem to have actually caused more confusion!

[ismangil]

There is pretty good 'education' going on that calling 03 numbers is the same as calling 01 and 02 numbers, and is included in your mobile minutes, unlike 08 numbers and some non-mobile 07.

 

BBC are now using 03 and so on.

 

Having said that, given the choice I would still get an ordinary local city number, especially if you target a certain area. They're cheap enough as well. I get mine from VoiceHost (no relation or referral commision, I'm just a customer).

[steveroberts]

There is pretty good 'education' going on that calling 03 numbers is the same as calling 01 and 02 numbers, and is included in your mobile minutes, unlike 08 numbers and some non-mobile 07.

 

BBC are now using 03 and so on.

 

Having said that, given the choice I would still get an ordinary local city number, especially if you target a certain area. They're cheap enough as well. I get mine from VoiceHost (no relation or referral commision, I'm just a customer).

 

I agree. Unless you are well known, trusted, national brand, I'd always have a local number related to your local business address. It reassures customers you are not 'fly by night'.