0844 numbers or 0800 numbers? Which should you choose for your business?

When it comes to choosing telephone numbers, UK businesses have a number of options (if you excuse the pun).

Many opt to use 08 numbers and a quick look through a business directory will prove this.

08 numbers (e.g. 0844 numbers and 0800 numbers etc.) are classed as non-geographic telephone numbers because they do not have traditional area codes that make the location of the organisation using them explicit. This has many benefits, for example, businesses that use non-geographic numbers are likely to see an increase in enquiries from outside of the actual location they are based. This is also handy when advertising and promoting the phone number - particularly on websites as it means that the business is not tied to one location only.

Another major advantage of all non-geographic numbers is the fact that call management systems can be easily used alongside them to help businesses smarten up the way they deal with their calls. For example, phone greetings (e.g. "Thanks for calling....." and menu options"press 1 to speak to someone about your bill, press 2 for general enquiries" etc). These features are all controlled online meaning that companies don't have to install any additional hardware or equipment - which makes them a more attractive offering than bulky PBX systems.

Organisations can also handpick a non-geographic telephone number of their choice which is one their callers can remember easily and therefore, more likely to phone.

When it comes to deciding exactly which 08 number to use there should be many things that businesses should consider. Below there is a comparison between just 2 of the different 08 numbers available; 0844 numbers and 0800 numbers.

0844 numbers (0844">http://www.windsor-telecom.co.uk/0844-local-rate-numbers.php) are often used by businesses to help them fund additional services. They are commonly used for technical helplines and after sales support because companies can actually receive a payment for the calls they receive. This payment can be as much as 3 pence per minute with some number providers. Additionally, there's at least one provider that offers 0844 numbers for a small connection fee only and no monthly service charge.  The cost for people to phone an 0844 number is reasonable at 4.25 pence per minute from a BT landline.

For companies wanting to offer their potential customers a free call from a landline, 0800 numbers (0800">http://www.windsor-telecom.co.uk/0800-freephone-numbers.php) are ideal.

0800 numbers are popular for advertising and marketing campaigns as they remove the cost barrier for people to call them. In fact, research by the Institute of Direct Marketing has found that companies that use 0800 numbers can increase their calls by 185%. Organisations running 0800 numbers simply pay a connection fee, small monthly service charge and they pay for the cost of the calls they receive which is around 4p per minute. However, this cost is often ofset by the increase in enquiries and sales they receive. Plus, if you're smart you'll find a number provider that can offer up to 2,500 free inbound minutes.

The cost to call 0800 numbers (0800">http://www.windsor-telecom.co.uk/0800-freephone-numbers.php) from a mobile varies however and for companies wanting to offer their mobile callers a great deal - 03 numbers are perfect... but that's another discussion altogether...