Is an 800 Number A Good Idea For Your Business?

If you are a new company that is just starting out, you are probably already thinking about the best ways to interact with your customers and how to give them the care that they need. One of the best ways that new businesses can communicate with their customers and prospective customers is through an 0800 number, where customers can call you toll free. If you are interested in this valuable resource, there are a few things to consider to see if it is right for you.

First, think about whether you can handle the volume of the calls. Studies show that when a company posts their 0800 number, whether it is online or in a paper advertisement, you'll find that the calls increase, but their quality decreases. While you will be handling calls from people who have a strong interest in who you are and what you do, you'll also find that the amount of calls that don't do anything for your business will increase as well. The question to ask yourself is whether you have the manpower to keep up. While some businesses have a dedicated call center, others are staffed more sparsely. Especially if you are just getting started, you'll feel the pinch and you need to think about whether the people answering the phones will be able to cope with the volume of calls.

What is your demographic like, and are they able to comfortably call you if you simply have a normal line? With a toll free offer like an 0800 number, more people will be able to call, but keep in mind that there is a good chance that most people would call anyway.

Think of how the use of an 0800 number affects your customer's service as well as your own. Remember that while an 0800 number is comparatively inexpensive to set up, there are some fees included in with the maintenance and the reality of running it, in money, if you are hiring other people to man the phones, in time if you are answering them yourself.

Another thing that you need to keep in mind is whether an 0800 number will really mix well with your business. How many customers do you expect to contact you? Is the business you pull in from having an 0800 number comparable to the amount of money that you would spend on the line itself. What methods have you been using up until now? Some people prefer to use the internet to interact with their customers, but the important thing to remember is that although the internet is a powerful tool, it is not nearly as pervasive as you might think. An 0800 number can help you saturate your demographic with your information.

Essentially, it is important to think about what 0800 means to you, in terms of payoffs and investment. At the end of the day, it is a resource like any other, and you'll find that with a little bit of thought, pre-planning and budgeting, you'll be able to find out if it is right for you.

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