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These are just some of the options available to businesses that require new telephone numbers. Each individual number range has its own different merits (which are discussed below), although they all have one thing in common: They are all non-geographic numbers. "Non-geographic" means that the numbers do not have traditional area codes, starting 01 and 02. This can be particularly useful for businesses that want to appeal to customers that are located outside of the company's area and many regional, national and online businesses take advantage of this fact. They also offer companies much more privacy if they are a home-based operation. Non-geographic numbers simply 'sit' on top of existing landline numbers, which continue to receive calls so there is no disruption to business. Many organisations opt for non-geographic numbers over landlines because they: - Allow them to smarten up the way they deal with their calls by using intelligent call management features. Popular systems include: online call statistics, call divert, call queuing and caller menus. These systems can all be controlled online or over the phone, without the need for costly, bulky and space consuming equipment. - Enable companies to choose numbers which reflect the nature of their business and therefore make them more memorable to their customers. For example, a company that manufacturers fireworks could opt for 08000 321 321 (mimicking the countdown to the launch of a rocket). - Can move with the business if it relocates. This means that a company can have a single number or set of numbers for life and they will not have to reprint stationery and business cards etc. when they change premises. But which non-geographic numbers are best for businesses to use? Well, each number range has its benefits and the answer to this question depends on how the number will be utilised and for what purpose. 0845 numbers are the UK's most popular non-geographic number and therefore have a high public awareness. When 0845 numbers were first introduced the cost to call them was the same as a local rate call. However, with the increased popularity of mobile phones and the varying tariffs that mobile phone networks offer, there is now a variety of call costs associated with them. From a standard BT landline, calls to an 0845 number currently cost 3.36p per minute (daytime) and 0.85p per minute (evening and weekends). The cost for businesses to run 0845 numbers varies, although there is normally a connection fee and annual service charge. 0800 numbers are powerful marketing tools. They are totally free for customers to dial from a landline, as the business that runs the number pays for the cost of the call. This displays to customers that the company values their custom. In fact, research by the Institute of Direct Marketing has revealed that businesses that use 0800 numbers can increase their response rates by 185%. Although 0800 numbers are free to call from landlines, mobile phone companies charge their customers to call them. The cost for businesses to run 0800 numbers varies, although there is normally a connection fee, annual service charge and pence per minute charge on the inbound calls received. 0808 numbers offer exactly the same benefits of 0800 numbers - the only difference is the prefix. 0333 numbers are often dubbed 'caller-friendly' numbers. This is because they cost the same to call as a standard landline 01 or 02 number - even from a mobile phone. This is important when you consider that in 2007, 40% of all calls made in the UK were from mobile phones (source: Ofcom 2008). 0333 numbers are also included in the free minute's allocations of mobile and landline providers, which means that calls to these numbers are often free. The cost for businesses to run 0333 numbers varies, although there is normally a connection fee, annual service charge and pence per minute charge on the inbound calls received. Although telecommunications company, Windsor Telecom gives its customers 10,000 free inbound minutes per month. 03 Blog is the only blog on the web dedicated to 03 numbers - with ongoing and up-to-date 03 news and regular updates on the organisations that are now using the numbers. 0844 numbers are different to 0845 numbers, in that the cost to call them is fixed at all times. From a standard BT landline, calls to an 0844 number will cost 4.25p per minute. 0844 numbers also offer businesses the opportunity to make money on their calls, in what is known as 'revenue sharing.' The cost for businesses to run 0844 numbers varies, although there is normally a connection fee and annual service charge. 0870 numbers have been the subject of a great deal of bad press and this is largely because of the cost to call them. The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, is currently in the process of making major changes to 0870 numbers which will mean that the cost to dial these numbers will be reduced and any communications provider that wants to charge more for the call will have to inform customers on all advertising and promotional material that displays their numbers. The cost for businesses to run 0870 numbers varies, although there is normally a connection fee and annual service charge. 0871 numbers are the most expensive non-geographic number for customers to call and communications watchdog, Ofcom has recommended that all 0871 numbers be regulated by PhonePay Plus, the premium rate services supervisory body. This looks set to happen by the end of 2008. The cost to dial these numbers must be displayed on all advertising and promotional material of businesses that use them. The cost for companies to run 0871 numbers varies, although there is normally a connection fee and annual service charge. So, as this article demonstrates, the difference between each non-geographic number is much more than just a few digits. Each number range serves a specific purpose and it's up to every individual business to decide which objective it wants to satisfy before deciding upon the number to opt for.
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