You may have noticed a creeping trend towards companies advertising 03 numbers, rather than a traditional UK number (one that starts with 01 or 02).
This blog article aims to guide you through the differences between these numbers, and help you decide which may be best for your company.
An 03 number is a UK telephone number (beginning with the numbers '03'), which isn't tied to any geographic area. They have been introduced in order to give transparency as to call costs, and to provide callers with an alternative to costly 084 and 087 numbers. 084 and 087 numbers can come with a hefty price per minute charge per call. These numbers are income generating for the company which provides it. If you call a company on a number beginning 084 or 087, you will be charged a per minute cost which gives income to that company or organisation (or their telephone company).
Dialling an 03 number costs no more than a standard land-line call, and is included in mobile providers' standard tariffs. For some time, the telecoms industry has been putting steady pressure on number-holders to move away from 084 and 087 numbers. They have a bad reputation regarding possible costs per call, and callers are rightly wary about calling them. Telecoms companies, and companies which advertise these numbers, are coming under increasing pressure to use an 03 number instead.
An 03 number works in many scenarios, and can be a better option than a standard 'geographic' number (one beginning 01 or 02). It can work well if you don't wish to advertise a specific location, but rather a nation-wide presence. If your company sells to all areas of the country, it may well work to your advantage to advertise a national 0330 number.
The reverse is also true. If you deal mainly with a local market, the familiarity of a local area code could well be reassuring to customers.
So, the conclusion is, work out who you wish your numbers to appeal to. If you wish to create a national presence, not tied to any one area, then an 03 number could be just what you are looking for. If you deal with a predominantly local market, who wish to deal with a local company, then a telephone number with this area code could well be the best option.
Guide to 03 numbers
|
Number |
Purpose |
|
0330, 0333 |
Standard phone number for any purpose. Not linked to a specific geographic area. |
|
0300, 0303 |
For charity or not-for-profit use only. |
|
0343, 0344, 0345, 0370, 0371, 0372 |
For companies to migrate existing 08 equivalent number to. Customers can call a similar number to the one the company has advertised previously but without the associated costs. |
If you wish to discuss any of the above in detail, just get in touch.
If you wish to see the telephone numbers we can offer in your local area, please visit our home page and use our number search function.
See more on Ofcom's regulations regarding 08 numbers.
SureVoIP offers 0330 numbers for free, let us know if you would like to try one out for your business. We offer many telephone numbers from our Ofcom number ranges. Why not ask and see if we can assist you?