New business - getting an 0845 number

Savvy_Sue

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

Because my existing business is different from the new one, I dont want to answer the phone with 'xxx joinery and construction' (my business now) when it is something entirely different.

I don't know what the new business is called, but if it also starts with xxx, then I'd answer all calls with 'Good morning / afternoon / evening, xxx Services, how may I help?' And then work out which business it is for.

The initial greeting is important, btw, because it gives the caller a chance to home in on what you're saying, so that the first thing they really hear you say will be xxx Services. If you start by saying xxx Services, half of them will say "Is that xxx?" because they didn't catch the first thing you said!

And yes, 0800 numbers are also often chargeable from mobiles.

I've tried Skype and didn't get on with it, but then my hearing's a bit shot and the quality of the calls just was not adequate.

Have you seen this thread and the article it links to?

A final thought, presumably you will need to split your phone costs between the two businesses, from that point of view would another line be easier? We are with Virgin, Telewest as was, and use their Centrex service. It allows us to pick up calls coming in on one extension on any of the others, but you know where the call was directed to so that you can vary your answer.

Lifeisbutadream

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I don't know what the new business is called, but if it also starts with xxx, then I'd answer all calls with 'Good morning / afternoon / evening, xxx Services, how may I help?' And then work out which business it is for.

The initial greeting is important, btw, because it gives the caller a chance to home in on what you're saying, so that the first thing they really hear you say will be xxx Services. If you start by saying xxx Services, half of them will say "Is that xxx?" because they didn't catch the first thing you said!

And yes, 0800 numbers are also often chargeable from mobiles.

I've tried Skype and didn't get on with it, but then my hearing's a bit shot and the quality of the calls just was not adequate.

Have you seen this thread and the article it links to?

A final thought, presumably you will need to split your phone costs between the two businesses, from that point of view would another line be easier? We are with Virgin, Telewest as was, and use their Centrex service. It allows us to pick up calls coming in on one extension on any of the others, but you know where the call was directed to so that you can vary your answer.

The business is a completely different name so I couldnt answer like that

The charges will be split but it is straightforward as we all have mobiles for outgoing calls and just need to sort something for the incoming ones...

I will have a look at the link - thanks..

GentleGiant_2

do not go for an 0845 number. Look instead at 03x numbers.

Perhaps 0333 xxx xxxx

This is a national number and included in any mobile or landline inclusive call pckages and therefore the same rate as 01 and 02 numbers.

0345 replaces 0845 and 0370 replaces 0870 numbers.

Many large and small companies are moving to 03x numbers.

rachelseuss

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

I am in the process of starting a new business and am looking into getting an 0845 number.

Are there any pros and cons to this?

I already run a business from the number that I want to use, so I am hoping that I can set it up so that I can see whether anyone has used the 0845 number so that I can answer it differently.

Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks.

0845 number are very useful if you want your business to be connected to your customers nationwide. Unlike 0800 wherein they are only available within the location. 0845 are connected to any phone number whether mobile, telephone or satellite phone. So when a caller dial your 0845 number it will ring that targeted number as a local rate call. It also offer forwarding internationally or locally.

Horace

I never ring 0845 numbers and I know a lot of companies that also don't

Skype is easy you just download some software off the interweb (free) and then you can buy a licence (I got one for worldwide usage), I use PAYG to ring mobiles and I understand you can get a skype number that looks like a normal phone number. You also need a headset with microphone if using skype on the web as you need to be able to speak and hear the person you are communicating with. I think that you can also get skype mobiles but I am not sure about them.

I have a separate mobile phone for my business and use that but when I want to make a long distance call or am forced to dial an 0845 number then I will use skype.

qw3rt7

This is an old thread bumped by a spam bot, but i started to reply so ill finish.

Skype is a branded version of voip. Just get a generic voip account, its free, can be set up with a regular local (or not!!!) phone number, and you can get regular phones that work with it, rather than a headset on your pc.
I have 4 different numbers set up with the area codes for the towns i am targeting. I know companies that have alot more than this!
Google 'free voip local number 'or variants of, and for the actual phones try 'sip phone' or 'sip handset' if 'voip phone' dosent return what you want.