does having a 1300/1800 number lead to more business

[King]

does having a 1300/1800 number lead to more business?

Has anyone kept records to see if there is a true ROI?

Interested in hearing 'case studies'

[Savvymum]

Hi King,


I think 1300/1800 numbers are a good thing!In regards to ROI trying to monitor success of someone else's success may lead you up the garden path.
These numbers are good as they can provide a smoke screen for your business especially if you are working from home or just starting out they give the consumer a feeling that they are dealing with a reputable company/business.BUT it will all depend on how successfully you promote the number and incorporate it into your overall marketing strategy!


Goodluck

SavvyMum

[King]

Thanks for your response.
But I am just after simple experiences from before/after implementation.

[Ahava_Dead_Sea]

I got a 1800 phone number for my home-based online business.
I sell skin-care products.

I wanted a dedicated "work" phone number... but it would have been nearly as expensive to get another phone line installed in my home.
I pay $26 a month for the 1800 # & .16c for the calls (which I diverted to my mobile phone).

I think it's the best thing I have done for various reasons:

1. I'm sure my sales have increased as a result of this (although I don't test & measure).
2. It gives a peceived look that my business is much bigger then it really is (I've had people ask if I have work available in my 'warehouse')
3. It gives customers a definate air of confidence that they are not dealing with a dodgy backyard/home based business.

99% of the people that phone my 1800# are doing so to place an order.
These orders may have been lost if they were forced to order online.
It also gives me the opportunity to upsell to the customers when they phone me & it builds repore with them.

My entire bill... rental & phone calls... is around $50 each month. Most of my calls are only a few minutes long.

Not sure what business you are in.... but I don't regret it at all.

[King]

Excellent report, thanks. Yes it is interesting that a 1800/1300 number can infer size.

[vstacy]

What's the difference between a 1300 and 1800 number?

Is one "the cost of a local call" (1300) and the other (1800) costs you (freecall) ? Also, I'm guessing it costs extra for people with mobile phones that call these phone lines ?

Whilst I don't think this is suited to me right now as I prefer the clients to visit my website and email me over phone calls (as I'm not always able to answer my phone due to doing dog walking, in a meet n greet, etc) .... yet I can see the advantage of having one.

To me it does infer size. I would only take one on once I had workers (and thus someone dedicated to answering the phone).

[DanR]

Once we moved into a real office and out of home we got the 1800 number. It's great for your marketing material, gives you a much better professional image, hides your location (we are in Perth but are a National company) and it's fantastic for your branding.

Our flyers, business cards, print media ads look so much better with the 1800 number... I would recommend it to anyone.

[vstacy]

My next question (sorry to threadjack) is ... would having this sort of number be only relevant to those businesses who will have multiple locations?

What if your business was one specific locality? If so, would you prefer a landline or 1800/1300 number for a local company that only deals with local customers ?

[DanR]

The 1300/1800 is also used for branding.... 1800 YOUR BUSINESS is easier to remember as well than (02) 9282 7272.

[onlineiq]

I use a 1300 number which is, after a few rings, diverts to my mobile. It completely frees me up, so if I am walking the dogs, I can still take the call.

I think people prefer this to calling a mobile, and I feel it makes you more 'respectable' than just a mobile number.

The service I use only costs $5 per month, which includes the cost of the calls made to me, so I really did not have any reason NOT to use it.