Local or national number for e-commerce website?

james568a

Hi, I run an e-commerce website that targets the whole of the UK. I am now wanting to add a business number to the site. I have the option to pick a local 01 number or a national 03 number. Wanted to get an idea of what people think will look the most professional and fitting for an e-commerce site. I was thinking a national number, but then I looked at several competitors, and most are local numbers.

didibibim

Choosing the right phone number can definitely impact the professional image of your e-commerce site. Since you're targeting the whole UK, a national 03 number might align well with your business model as it emphasizes your presence across the country. Although many competitors use local numbers, a national number could help you stand out as a more inclusive option for customers regardless of their location. Just a thought!

Best of luck with your decision!

DullGreyGuy

james568a said:

Hi, I run an e-commerce website that targets the whole of the UK. I am now wanting to add a business number to the site. I have the option to pick a local 01 number or a national 03 number. Wanted to get an idea of what people think will look the most professional and fitting for an e-commerce site. I was thinking a national number, but then I looked at several competitors, and most are local numbers.

Who's your target market?

01 in principle will give you an approximate location which some may like and others dislike; naturally if you are buying a VOIP solution the 01 doesn't have to be anywhere close to where you actually are. 

03 won't reveal your location, do wonder if some may not know what an 03 number is and may not call it fear of it being a premium number.

If you're targeting the younger generation then maybe something like WhatsApp would work better. 

Bookworm105

I second the assumption that 03 could be a premium rate so I'd have avoided it until I just now checked that on many phone plans it actually isn't !

personally speaking I always make sure I know the physical address of who I'm buying from on the internet, so 01 or 03 is no big thing to me. I am much more interested in have they complied with the legal requirement to show a UK physical address on the website (and if it is just a PO Box number then I would not use that business (unless it was a major national name)

movedto03

Call charge worries can be alleviated by stating the tariff principle next to the number - something along the lines of:

Calls to 03 numbers are inclusive in allowances on landlines and mobiles, or otherwise charged at "geographic rate" - the same as 01 and 02 geographic numbers.

Ofcom does not require or specify any specific wording for declaring call charges for ordinary 01, 02 or 03 calls, and only requires a call charge declaration for premium rate 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers.

Avoid quoting any specific per minute rates for ordinary 01, 02 or 03 calls as these days most callers have inclusive call allowances and pay no "rate" - and whatever rate you would have quoted will be out of date within a few months.