Different types of virtual telephone number & how to choose a virtual telephone number to suit your business
If you’re considering taking a virtual phone number you probably already have some idea of what you need. You may even have an idea of why you need one.
But are you aware of all of the different types of virtual numbers there are?
For a full overview of virtual telephone numbers and why you should have one read our article: Benefits of virtual telephone numbers but for now, consider the differing types of virtual telephone number and how they can represent your business.
The good news is that there are many types of virtual numbers to choose from for a variety of businesses and budgets. Here are some examples:
Local geographic numbers
Otherwise known as 01 and 02 numbers, or local phone numbers, associated with a specific area, town or city within the UK.
Local numbers are trusted by the caller and are charged at a local rate so they are not costly for your customers to call. Most local numbers will be included in mobile minute packages and landline packages and can be ‘free’ to call for most.
084 phone numbers
084 numbers are well known. If you have an 084 number (0843, 0844 and 0845) it will cost your customer to call you and this can be quite expensive depending on their phone company.
Companies such as SwitchboardFREE offer completely free 084 numbers to businesses who want to divert their calls to a landline.
0203 London numbers
0203 London numbers were introduced in 2004 to expand on the 0207 number types and cover the whole London area. Choosing an 0203 virtual telephone number gives your company a London presence without the expense of running a London office.
A great value number for any business and local rate charges for your customers to call (included in mobile minutes too!)
0207 central London numbers
0207 London numbers have traditionally been associated with the Central London area.
Rarely available and highly prestigious, having an 0207 number will make it appear as though you operate from an established central London location.
Possibly the most prestigious number type available and local rate charges for your customer to call (included in mobile minutes).
0333 numbers
Many organisations use 0333 numbers as an alternative to more expensive 08 numbers. Calls cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02) and are included in inclusive minutes in the same way.
0800 freephone numbers
Calls made to 0800 numbers from both landline and mobile phones are completely free, making them ideal to be used in all kinds of advertising.
0800 freephone numbers have a proven track record to improve the number of sales calls you get and should have no additional surcharges when called from a mobile phone.
Premium Apple watch strap supplier Straptastic use 0800 numbers to give their customers the added benefit of not having to pay if they run into any issues while making an order. Since they started using an 0800 number they have started to see an uplift in sales.
Why not take some time and compare our numbers and prices.
What next?
Some virtual telephone number providers offer packages if you need more than one number – multi number or city number packages for example.
Our advice would be to suggest you take some time to consider what you need from a virtual telephone number. Where is your business based; what image do you want to portray and where do you want your number to be?
However, it’s not just about your needs, it has to be about what you think your customers might need too. Will they pay for the call? Would they prefer to call a trusted local number?
These are your starting points and, once you have an idea of a budget you should be able to pin down a virtual phone number to fulfil your requirements.
Need more information?
Discover how SwitchboardFREE works, or check out our definitive guide to virtual telephone numbers to learn more.