When starting up your own business, there are many different things to take into account: funding, goods, services, suppliers, office / shop space, a website, advertising, staff, technology, accounts and sales...the list is endless. It's no wonder that simple things like telephone numbers can often be overlooked.
Many companies don't realise that telephone numbers can be a really effective marketing tool in terms of generating revenues and increasing customer bases. By using a marketing telephone number, your company could gain more than extra custom.
What are they?
Origninally devised in the US, marketing numbers are special phone numbers that don't pin you to a geographical area but can help gain customers and or extra revenue, and make marketing your company easier.
BT introduced the freephone number into the UK in 1985 and since telecoms deregulation, other operators are also able to offer marketing numbers to businesses.
Most of us recognise and understand the concept of an 0800 number, but the extent of its use, and that of other market numbers, is still nothing like in the US.
However, the UK is the largest freephone market in Europe, so if you haven't considered getting a marketing number for your business, it's time to start now.