0845 numbers and 0800 numbers are accepted telephone numbers for UK businesses of all shapes and sizes. Both number ranges enable firms to keep one call number for life and give them the chance to smarten up their call systems with online call management systems, like immediate call re-routing to another phoneline, mobile or even worldwide phone number.
However, there are (many|key} differences between the two number codes that businesses thinking about changing their phone numbers should consider.
What you want to use your number for?
If you are looking for a telephone number to use in your marketing and advertising then 0800 numbers are the clear winner.
0800 numbers are totally without cost for your potential customers to phone from a BT landline, this means that you will receive more sales to the 0800 number that you have promoted. In fact, studies by the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) has found that enquiry rates can be increased by up to 185%.
The RAC has of late heavily promoted its 0800 telephone number for its ‘Beware the chip on the shoulder’ promotion: 0800 999 5000. It advertised this 0800 number on its vans and in its United Kingdom newspaper advertising next to its other marketing activities.
For companies looking for a focal contact number, then an 0845 number could be the ideal solution.
Whereas 0800 numbers vigourously encourage customers to call, 0845 numbers are not without cost to ring so may not have the same impact but 0845 numbers are in reality the UK’s most popular number range. A speedy browse through the Yellow Pages or online will show this.
When they were first introduced, 0845 numbers were seen as ‘local rate’ numbers, though this is not strictly the reason anymore with the success of all in call packages displayed by mobile and landline providers, where 0845 numbers are frequently not incorporated.
Nonetheless, BT has recently made 0845 numbers without cost to call for its 16 million residential landline users, which is fantastic news because the cost barrier to your enquirers has been removed for many users.
How much do you want to pay?
With 0800 numbers, a single initial connection fee is necessary. This cost depends on how easily remembered the number is, although it can be as small as ?25 with some reputable companies. After this first fee, companies then pay a monthly service charge (e.g. ?14.99) and, because 0800 numbers are without cost to phone, the business that owns the number pays for all the incoming calls. E.g. 4.5 pence per minute.
The increase in calls and sales that companies receive backs up this cost to them, although there are number providers that provide free inbound minutes to the numbers (e.g. up to 1000 free minutes).
With 0845 numbers, a connection fee is still required and a monthly service charge and if you are sensible you can search for providers that give you unlimited inbound minutes.
Overall, it is evident that both 0845 numbers and 0800 numbers are great ways to better business communications. Both number ranges provide organisations greater control and versatility over their phone systems and each has its own reward. Rather than viewing 0845 numbers and 0800 numbers as complete opposites, they are in reality different tools for very similar jobs and should be carefully selected to suit your business needs.
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