Ian W started this topic @ 12:10 on 12/03/2006
Hi,
What contact details would you put on a website for a part time business? I would like to put a phone number on the site, but would like people to call at certain times - would that be acceptable?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Ian
RE: Contact details for part time business
FreeLocal | 12/03/2006 12:15 PM
Ian . . . I have seen a recent posting on Start Ups Forum offering free 0845 and 0870 numbers where you can take a message and send it to your email.
* Voicemail to email
Would this help
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Working with our Communities . . . .
RE: Contact details for part time business
creacom | 12/03/2006 03:56 PM
I wouldnt put any restrictions on when people can call and have a very good messaging service that informs you when you have a had a call and when someone has left a message for you.
Jacqui
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www.creacomdesign.com
Graphic Design • Web Design • Print
RE: Contact details for part time business
Ian W | 12/03/2006 05:27 PM
Thanks for the replies. Those sound like good ideas.
I don't want to restrict how customers contact me, or seem unprofessional, but I still work full time hours and wouldn't be there to answer calls all the time.
Any other thoughts?
Ian
RE: RE: Contact details for part time business
eWO | 12/03/2006 05:46 PM
this is where the www.localbusinessmarketing.co.uk could be useful.
You get an 0800 with a real person on the other end taking your call, then texting you the message.
Feel free to use my affiliate link (localbusinessmarketing.co.uk/?aff=F001)
RE: RE: Contact details for part time business
Ian W | 13/03/2006 06:50 PM
Thanks for the suggestions.
I assumed I would lose business, but just wanted to act as professionally as possible.
I guess an answering service would be best to start off with, so I will give this some more thought.
Ian
RE: RE: Contact details for part time business
seanpearman | 15/03/2006 11:45 AM
There is a company called virtual office, you tell them everything about your comany and they act as employees. Answer the phone, open mail, resolve customer issues ets and it is all on "pay as you go" or "pay as you use" pricing.
goodluck
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Sean
cheap">href="http://www.cheapsoftwareonline.co.uk">cheap software
RE: RE: Contact details for part time business
Ian W | 15/03/2006 10:44 PM
That sounds like a great solution, Sean. I like the idea of a pay as you go arrangement. Thanks!
RE: RE: Contact details for part time business
Kalnet4u | 16/03/2006 07:40 AM
Hi Ian
Here's a few call answering companies to take a look at:
www.alldaypa.com Pay as you go available.
www.officeresponse.com
www.virtualreceptionist.co.uk
I believe all of the above will supply a free 0870 or 0845 number with the service however if you publish the number on your letterheads etc you are stuck with their service. All the above will also tell you the local landline number as well on request. You can then get your own 0800 number etc. diverted to the call answering service when you're not available using a timed based routing.
The 0800 number could try your landline number during the hours when you want to take the calls and if you are busy the call can be diverted to the call answerring company (this would keep your costs down as you would answer as many calls yourself). During the hours that you don't want to answer the calls the timed routing could be setup to divert the call straight to the call answering company without even trying your landline.
We can provide the phone number, timed routing, voicemail to email etc. feel free to give me a call on 0800 019 0870 if you would like any further help with this.
Jamie
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Jamie
www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk">href="http://www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk">www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk
RE: Contact details for part time business
seanpearman | 16/03/2006 09:43 AM
Jamie,
I am pretty sure that the phone answering company cant keep you tired into a contract because of the phone number. "most" of these companies realise that they may lose potential business because of this issue. They normally offer a free number for a 12 month contract PAYG. After the 12 months the number can be purchased approx £30. And its yours.
About the timed routing, I use telewest for my phone line but if i'm not in the office between 9-5 would it be possible to have the call diverted to my mobile based on the time of day? I dont wants loads of call to my mobile whilst I'm out in the evening.
Thanks
Sean
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Sean
cheap">href="http://www.cheapsoftwareonline.co.uk">cheap software
RE: RE: Contact details for part time business
Kalnet4u | 16/03/2006 12:06 PM
Hi Sean
We've had customers comment on this very issue about not being able to take a number with them or have it re-routed away from a call centre. I'm not saying that the above three companies do that but it is something to check on before signing up to a call answering service if you intend to publish the 08 number they give to you. Other users simply divert their landline to the 0845 number for example and don't publish the 08 number. This method incurs a diversion fee though from your landline provider.
As for the timed routing question you asked, we can setup a 08 number, 0800, 0845 etc. to use timed routing plans to a combination of landline, mobile and voicemail to email. It doesn't matter who the landline provider is. We can divert calls to number beginning 01, 02 and mobile 07 numbers.
If you wanted to know can it be setup on your existing telewest landline with timed routing you would need to speak with Telewest/NTL about that.
Feel free to give me a call on 0800 019 0870 for any further help.
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Jamie
www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk">href="http://www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk">www.TamarTelecommunications.co.uk
