subject: 1300 Numbers: Things To Know Before You Get One [print this page] 1300 Numbers: Things To Know Before You Get One
1300 numbers are now a common service that businesses choose to use. It can make your business appear large and reputable.
If you are considering using one for your business, below are the answers to some common questions:
How much does it cost?
Inevitably one of the first questions asked about this type of service is cost. The cost to host this type of number varies depending on the different types of features that suppliers include in the service.
Monthly fees will typically range from $0 to $35 with extra costs for additional features. Many suppliers offer free 15 minutes on local calls when the termination point is a landline.
You will find that it is not as expensive as you think especially if you consider it to be a marketing and business tool rather than "just a number".
What can it do for your business?
1300 numbers have many capabilities. It has several routing options such as state based and time of day routing which help you divide call traffic and ensure that all your leads are captured.
Monitoring your call traffic with call reporting is another ability that this type of service provides.
You can use the reports to measure the success of your marketing campaigns, keep an eye on the level of activity in your call centre and even check the origin of where your customers are calling from.
Toll free services can also accept inbound SMS messages. This means that you can reach more potential new clients who prefer to text you rather than call.
Have you ever had a conflicting story where the customer says one thing and your consultant says another? The call recording function means that you can listen to and verify a previous call.
It is also useful for training and monitoring your staff, therefore improving customer service and helping to retain your customers.
1300 or 1800?
That depends entirely on your business requirements. If you only have local customers then you can take advantage of the free minutes on 1300 numbers. 1800 numbers are often used for sales or donations lines as they entice the customer to call the free number.
Utilising the capabilities of 1300 numbers can increase the effectiveness of your business.
