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Free 0845 Number For Home Business

Is there a reliable free 0845 service that does'n't have any charges and pay you for incoming calls . We are a small home business and are looking at a 0845 number for our soon to be launched website.:confused:

Comments

  • bbb_uk
    bbb_uk Posts: 2,108 Forumite
    Remember that 0845 costs more than a local rate number and isn't included in any free mins so you will effectively be costing your customers more money to call you.

    There has been a lot of publicity about 0844, 0845, 0870 and 0871 numbers. In fact, a BBC video mentioned that 0845 is earning some gov depts money.

    Therefore, you may find that the use of such numbers may have a negative impact on your business.

    If you're using a BT line you can go for BT Call Sign which for £1.75 a month gives you another geographical number which will be redirected to your landline. When calls on your new CallSign number ring, it apparently sounds different on your landline phone so you will know if its a personal call or business call.

    You may also want, at first, consider a freephone number from Call08.com. For nearly £6 per month you would get free incoming calls upto 500mins and any further incoming calls are only charged at 2p/min thereafter. This option really depends on how many incoming calls (in mins) you expect to get in a month.

    From around Jan/Feb 2007, there will also be a new 03x number range available which will cost the same as a normal geographical call and be included in any inclusive calling plans your customers may have (effectively free for some of your customers). The 03x number will have the same benefits as an 0845/0870 number, etc and you will be able to keep it for the life of your business even if you move house, or your company gets that big you decide to open your own premises.
  • mobilegossip
    mobilegossip Posts: 1,163 Forumite
    Whilst not a fan of 0845 myself here is a FREE of all costs supplier.

    http://customers.aceinternet.co.uk/telco/


    You might find this recent thread helpful.
    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=3120188#post3120188
  • Thanks for your tips on 0845 numbers, I thought there would be more niche operators offering a totally free service. We are a homebased business but need a 0845 number to promote our business UK wide via our website under construction, we a reliable service provider.

    Any further ideas or suggestions would be most helpful:confused:
  • I have just got orange broadband and withtheir modem you get a free 0845 number with free call at evenings and weekends?? HTH
    Lightbulb moment 10-06-06
    Total debt £36,996.70 June 2006
    Total debt approx £33,000 Oct 2006
    Jan 07....to be worked out but may have gone up GULP:confused: :mad: :eek:
    DFD March 2011
    DFW Nerd 111

    19 jan 23 feb 5 weeks:( - grocery challenge £250
  • hurrah
    hurrah Posts: 1,373 Forumite
    money4me wrote:
    Thanks for your tips on 0845 numbers, I thought there would be more niche operators offering a totally free service. We are a homebased business but need a 0845 number to promote our business UK wide via our website under construction, we a reliable service provider.

    Any further ideas or suggestions would be most helpful:confused:

    Avoid them customers dont like them,because they usually cost more to ring then a normal number,they are not included in free call packages,and they are expensive from mobiles.
  • BexTech
    BexTech Posts: 4,772 Forumite
    money4me wrote:
    Thanks for your tips on 0845 numbers, I thought there would be more niche operators offering a totally free service. We are a homebased business but need a 0845 number to promote our business UK wide via our website under construction, we a reliable service provider.

    Any further ideas or suggestions would be most helpful:confused:


    Even if you are UK wide, listing an 0845 will not make customers want to call, customers want to see an 01 or 02 number, they couldn't care which area the number is in, as long as it isn't a rip-off 0845 or 0870 type number. People are more likely to call you if you use a standard 01 or 02 number, a 0845 number doesn't make you look like a UK wide company, only a rip-off company.
    It's PAC not PAC Code, it's MAC not MAC Code, it's PIN not PIN Number, it's ATM not ATM Machine, it's LCD not LCD Display, it's DVD not DVD disc... It's no one not noone, It's a lot not alot, It's got not gotten... Panini is the plural of panino - there is no S!!
    (OK my English isn't great, the sciences, maths & IT are my strong points!)
  • deanos
    deanos Posts: 11,241 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Uniform Washer
    BexTech wrote:
    People are more likely to call you if you use a standard 01 or 02 number, a 0845 number doesn't make you look like a UK wide company, only a rip-off company.

    Very true .
  • BexTech wrote:
    People are more likely to call you if you use a standard 01 or 02 number, a 0845 number doesn't make you look like a UK wide company, only a rip-off company.

    I agree - you can make money from 0845 and 0870 numbers, but you take the risk of being seen in a bad light by some potential customers. The 0800 deal mentioned by bbb.uk could be a better option depending on the usage.
    Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught - Sir Winston Churchill
  • acezing
    acezing Posts: 59 Forumite
    I agree - you can make money from 0845 and 0870 numbers, but you take the risk of being seen in a bad light by some potential customers. The 0800 deal mentioned by bbb.uk could be a better option depending on the usage.

    Here Here.

    Another good cheap supplier of 0800 i can recommend is
    http://www.telecomsworldplc.co.uk/0800-numbers.asp
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