020 number vs 0845 number for business services

**pmeswani** · 7 February 2010, 08:05

Originally posted by newblood View Post

Would an 020 number deter some people from calling my small business if we were comparing to having an 0845 number ?

Advantages of having an 020 number is that calling from mobiles tends to be cheaper (i.e. it tends to be included in their minutes). 0845 has the advantage of making companies think that you are a national company.

**Maslins** · 7 February 2010, 09:05

IMO always go for a local number (eg 020). Most people don't really understand the difference in call charges between 0845, 0844, 0870 etc, and tend to assume they're expensive to call (which for a lot of people who get free minutes to local numbers they essentially are).

**Olly** · 7 February 2010, 09:10

I haaaaaaaaate 0845 numbers as they're not included in inclusive minutes for mobiles nor the land line contract and cost more when using VOIP too.

BAN 0845!!!

Hope that helps

**RichardCranium** · 7 February 2010, 09:23

I have had an 0845 number for many years. When I took it out it was A Good Thing because it meant the caller only paid local call rates.

Since I move around so much, it also means friends and family no longer need to update their address books with yet another phone number.

It is now seen a A Bad Thing because it costs more on mobiles. I have even had abuse for giving it out ("Making money out of a premium phone line") despite it not being a premium rate phone number.

This belief that all 08xxx numbers are The Evil Work of Satan has gone so far that half of my family and friends no longer use the 0845 number when calling from their landline and insist on knowing the static line number.

So I now give out my number as:

Tel: 0845 123 4567 (Lo-call) / 01234 567 890
Mob: 07777 123 456

So, somewhere along the line, the marketing for 0845 numbers has been overwhelmed by the SayNoTo0870 campaign.

**doodab** · 7 February 2010, 09:50

Originally posted by newblood View Post

Would an 020 number deter some people from calling my small business if we were comparing to having an 0845 number ?

I would say it works the other way around. 0845 => overseas call centre 020 => local business more likely to care

**newblood** · 7 February 2010, 10:13

doodab, If I have people call me from other countries , it surely doesnt matter to them whether it is 020 or 0845 - I mean:

1. they probably don't care or don't know the difference.
2. They are using some cheap international calling thing anyway.
3. For example Skype's UK Subscription service - gives people the option of unlimited calling from skype to 020 lines for something like 3 gbp per month. I don't think it includes calls to 0845.

**Tingles** · 7 February 2010, 10:15

Should be 0800!

Tight g1t!!!

**newblood** · 7 February 2010, 10:16

Originally posted by doodab View Post

I would say it works the other way around. 0845 => overseas call centre 020 => local business more likely to care

oh , i see you mean to forward 0845 to India for example ...

**newblood** · 7 February 2010, 10:19

Originally posted by Tingles View Post

Should be 0800!

Tight g1t!!!

The reasons I am asking about the numbers is I am considering setting some Plan B thingie on the web where people call me and I serve them.

I have been thinking of using Skype In for this which has 020 numbers - I can get this on my Laptop via broadband or for example T-mobile's HSDPA connection. (

On this subject I have been using Skypepfone with Three for a while - crap headeset/mic , crap connection . T-mob's network much much better.

)

There prolly are 0800 and 0845 to my laptop services out there too..

020 number vs 0845 number for business services