Started Freelancing - Best place to buy 0333 number

IGotRippedOff

Hi,

So I just started my freelancing web development career. I've no clients yet, but hopefully will do

I'm on a pretty low budget here since I am a student. Managed to get a an advertising coupon from Bing and Google, so that'll help.

Question is I don't have a number. I am planning to buy an 0333 number, but I need a decent reliable provider, which can divert calls to mobile. I don't really plan on making many calls so around 1000 minutes a month should be perfect. (even less)

I do have an 02 contract which is unlimited and pay around £30 for that a month, should I use my personal number to save costs, should I even consider buying an 033 number?

Don't really want to be spending more than £100 year on phone/call costs. (PS the 02 contract I took out was a year ago, do regret it, but can't cancel! Expires in October anyway..:))

What do people recommend?

Kind regards

pogofish

I don't think you get paid by 0333 number providers, so why not ask in an appropriate forum like the Phone Forum?

IGotRippedOff

Sorry didn't realize it was in wrong section, if a mod can move it would be helpful thanks.

WeAreGhosts

I have messaged a Board Guide to move this to the Phones and TV section for you.

Cornucopia

Have a good think about what you're trying to achieve. At the cheaper end of the market, there are hundreds of companies with similar packages and services, but they do vary.

The service you are buying at this end of the market is incoming calls only, perhaps with add-ons so that your incoming calls are handled intelligently and in ways that are helpful to your customers.

There's no revenue share on non-premium rate numbers, now, so you will likely be paying per-minute or buying a monthly contract bundle.

Flextel (who I've used for a while) have 0330 numbers starting at £3 to buy, and a Mobile 900 tariff that is £25 per month.

You can still get 0844 & 0845 numbers free to you, but your customers will pay a premium to call you, and you are supposed to clearly indicate those charges wherever your number appears.

Prothet_of_Doom

These days why won't a mobile number "do". Do you think you'll look more professional with an 0333 number ? You won't. You are a freelancer, a one man / one woman band. Your clients will know that, should know that. And you can make a point of it in that they can get you 24/7.
You do not need a PA, a secretary, or someone to handle your calls.

Just make sure you have a decent website, that makes that clear.

I work freelance (in manufacturing strategy) and have both mobile and home landline on my business cards and publicity and website. I bought a quite posh domestic answer phone for the land line and in 7 years I have only had 2 business calls on it. The rest, hundreds, have been to my mobile. Mind you at my current client I can not use my mobile, so My voice mail tells them to email with their phone number and I'll get back to them, and they ignore that and leave a garbled message. GRR.