Business Phone Number - 087 or 0861 or 011

[alkit]

Hi,

We run an online business delivers country wide (national).

We would therefore like to have a phone number that appeals the most to consumers when they see the number on our site.

We have the following options from our telecom operator:

1) An 011 outgoing and incoming number
2) an 0861 outgoing and 011 incoming (ie- if we call a customer back, our caller ID will show as 011 instead of the 0861 number)
3) 087 outgoing and incoming

So in therms of the CONSUMER'S point of view (and consider that they can even be calling from outside Joburg), what would be the number that they would feel most comfortable with?

Thanks!

 

[panayi]

The one that costs the customer the least to dial. So, definitely not the 0861 one. I would probably think the 011 one.

 

[ChyrillStucker]

Hi,

We run an online business delivers country wide (national).

We would therefore like to have a phone number that appeals the most to consumers when they see the number on our site.

We have the following options from our telecom operator:

1) An 011 outgoing and incoming number
2) an 0861 outgoing and 011 incoming (ie- if we call a customer back, our caller ID will show as 011 instead of the 0861 number)
3) 087 outgoing and incoming

So in therms of the CONSUMER'S point of view (and consider that they can even be calling from outside Joburg), what would be the number that they would feel most comfortable with?

Thanks!

Out of the three mentioned options, as a consumer I feel 011 will be the best choice. You may even consider having a toll free number instead. It creates a good image. To add a cherry to the top, VOIP has made it really feasible to get 800 numbers for business.

 

[Chevron]

The one that costs the customer the least to dial. So, definitely not the 0861 one. I would probably think the 011 one.

Not everyone is in Joburg. he said it's international.

I'd say the 0861 number. Looks professional, as it implies you have so many lines you need call hunting, and it's a sharecall number so costs a local call only anyway.

 

[savage]

Not everyone is in Joburg. he said it's international.

I'd say the 0861 number. Looks professional, as it implies you have so many lines you need call hunting, and it's a sharecall number so costs a local call only anyway.

He said National, not International 0861 is also MaxiCall. You pay long distance rates for that phone call, even if he's right next door to you...

 

[MKFrost]

011 - Your client will pay either local or long distance rates depending on where he/she is located

0861 - Caller pays long distance rates, even if local so not cost effective for client

087 - Is charged at a premium rate and the least cost effective for your client. I will not phone a 087 number

0860 - Your client only pays for a local call, you carry the long distance part if any. So if you are in JHB and a client in CT phones you, you pay for the long distance part while the client pays for the local part only

0800 - Best for your client i.e. toll free, you carry all the cost

 

[Basil959]

Reviving an old thread...

I'm in the same boat as OP, I have an online store which is basically run from my mobile phone...

I would like a number which I can forward to my cell... any recommendations (cost is an issue).

4 years ago basically everyone recommended 0861 numbers...

Any feed back appreciated.

 

[rh1]

I don't phone 087 numbers as I consider it to be spam numbers

 

[Basil959]

I'm with you maybe 0861 is the way to go..

 

[RandomGeek]

Reviving an old thread...

I'm in the same boat as OP, I have an online store which is basically run from my mobile phone...

I would like a number which I can forward to my cell... any recommendations (cost is an issue).

4 years ago basically everyone recommended 0861 numbers...

Any feed back appreciated.

Even the Mobile guys can allocate geographic numbers like 011, 012...for example check out the Vodacom OneNet service. Just remember if you activate call forwarding it costs you for every time you forward a call.

A geo number just makes your business look bigger compared to an 087 or mobile number

 

[Basil959]

I'm still looking for a low cost option to forward calls from a fixed or multiple fixed lines to my mobile number, anyone else have any other options..?