mobile number or landline number?

[col roaming]

Thanks Jacob - it sounds well-priced in any case. I redirect from 1300 to VOIP to Mobile and then (on unanswered) to the VOIP messaging service which ends up as an audio file in my inbox. Its a good system but expensive.

[TSH-SR]

Hi all, a bit late in the forum, but I thought it worth the comment, as a service business with an on the ground geographical area that you cover, there is 1 big reason for a landline - It indicates what area your business is located and operates.

My pet hate is finding a good provider for something I want/need only to be told "oh sorry we don't cover that area", so now I look for the landline number as an identifier.

My trade vehicle used to only have my mobile number on it, on a trip to Brisbane to see a supplier, I received a few phone calls in the traffic from Brisbane locals and had to politely tell the callers that I was from a town 6 hours away, I very rapidly put my landline and town on the ute.

Just a thought, unless you want to take photos all over Australia.

Regards Tony

[ContentWriter]

I too think it depends on the type of business, but also on the type of client you are targeting. I part own one business that in theory could be run from home with a mobile phone number. In reality though, many prospective clients want to sit down and talk and tend to shy away from similar services who supply only a mobile number. I knew this when starting the business as when working for someone else in the industry, I noted that the first question many asked was "Do you actually have an office?" I think it's because of the business type - size suggests security and professional service.

Photography being a creative field, those expectations don't apply. The psychology of it might even be reversed - people might prefer to deal with an individual. If I was looking for a photographer I'd be thinking "local" first and my next concerns would be work samples and availability. I'd probably expect a mobile number. I opted for a landline for my writing business - but that was partly because I have quite lengthy conversations with some prospective clients and many of them would ask for my landline. They're often interstate so face to face contact isn't an option.

[Lizzy C]

Tony, you bring up an interesting point about using the number as an indication of a supplier/services address. I too hate when this information isn't apparent. I mention on my website that I am based in Melbourne but available to travel (As I love to take photos all over Australia!) But I will review this and check that it is obvious and on enough pages eg. I will add it to my "contact us" page.

I don't put any advertising on my car, as I figure it might alert people to the fact that there is camera equipment inside, even though there wouldn't be I wouldn't want anyone to be tempted to check. This is a shame for me I think as obviously it seems like a great advertising tool for you!

Content writer you also bring up some interesting points. It is good to hear that you would almost expect a mobile number for a photographer as the reasons you stated is why I use a mobile number.

Cheers,

Liz