June 11, 2013 11:12 am | Leave your thoughts
The team from 08 Direct would like to say a huge thank you to the organisers at The Business Startup Show and everyone who came down to visit us at the Excel last week.
The two-day event was a great success for everyone involved, with 08 Direct managing to spread the word about the benefits that 08 and 03 numbers can bring for businesses within today’s climate.
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June 3, 2013 10:00 am | Leave your thoughts
It’s been busy here in the 08 Direct office over the last couple of weeks as we’ve been putting the finishing touches towards the preparation for our stand and seminar at the Business Start Up Show, which will be held at the end of this week on 6th and 7th June at the Excel in London.
Make sure you come on down to meet the team at stand 788 and to find out how our non-geographic numbers and call management solutions will help you to give your new startup business a helping hand to grow.
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April 16, 2013 8:13 am | Leave your thoughts
Telecoms regulator Ofcom has confirmed that they plan to change the way some non-geographic numbers are charged, making it clearer for consumers to understand call charging rates.
As it stands, the current charging system can be unclear for consumers to know how much it would cost to call various non-geo number ranges, so these changes aim to ‘tackle consumer confusion’. Continue Reading this Post →
March 14, 2013 10:20 am | Leave your thoughts
Small businesses have been choosing to use non-geographic numbers for years as it gives them a nationwide presence. But how, and why, does using a non-geographic number help you gain the trust of your customers?
So you’re a start-up business based in a small town and you believe your location is hindering your business’ growth, because potential customers don’t think your services can be stretched for use outside your immediate area.
Not only can simply having a non-geo number as your main business number build trust, but the additional benefits it brings can aid your business growth as well. Once you’ve decided which number you want, you can then choose where you want to receive your calls to, so that you can guarantee every call made to you will be picked up.
You’ll also gain the benefits of a professional call management package, so every single call your business receives is dealt with in a professional manner. You have many elements to choose from, how you set up your number is up to you. You could simply just opt for a voicemail or you can add call forwarding, call whisper, a welcome message or an IVR.
November 26, 2012 1:49 pm | Leave your thoughts
Businesses out there who already provide an 0800 number for their customers, could be paying too much for the service.
Whether you are paying for a monthly package, or pay a set amount per minute of incoming calls, 08Direct can beat any UK 0800 package. Many businesses already take advantage of the UK’s best rates every day through our website.
We hear from businesses who accept they are paying too much, but the hassle of changing over numbers would be a great deal more. We understand that business owners will have set aside budgets for marketing materials which feature your number, but can remove all concerns and have made the process as easy as possible.
At 08Direct we have recently confirmed brand new porting agreements with all the major suppliers, meaning that you can move over to us without having the change your number.
Our Simple Number Porting Process:
Contact Our Team
Firstly speak to one of our team about your current package, and the services we can offer.
Complete our Porting Form
You will be sent our simple porting form. All this asks for is your company details, your 0800 number and your current provider.
Let Us Do All The Work
Once we receive your completed form, we will contact your current supplier for you and handle the porting process through to completion
Porting your 0800 number to us could not be easier, and can be completed within 2-3 weeks from your initial inquiry.
Image courtesy of Gerard Fritz on Flickr
June 28, 2012 10:09 am | Leave your thoughts
In April this year, Ofcom announced plans to make calling 0800 numbers free from mobiles.
Currently dialling an 0800 is only free from UK landlines, and can cost up to 21p per minute for mobile phone users. With the number of people using their mobile continuing to rise (check out the story in the Telegraph last year), public perception of supposedly ‘free to call’ 0800 numbers is becoming more and more negative.
Consumer watchdogs have said that many mobile callers were already under the impression that calling 0800 numbers were free, and then are hit with the shock charges when their bill arrives.
At the time of the announcement in April 2012, Ed Richards Chief Executive of Ofcom commented: “By making calls to 0800 numbers free from all phones, we will clear up any uncertainty about making calls, especially from mobiles, to the benefit of consumers and service providers alike”
Previously to combat the need for a number that is cheap to call from a mobile, Ofcom introduced the 03 number rang which are charged at a local rate, which means calls are inclusive within mobile minute bundles. To help promote the use of 03 numbers, we have introduced a new site dedicated to them: Visit 03NumberShop.
The current issue with 03 numbers is awareness, in that people either are not aware they exist or are confused by all the different non-geographic numbers available.
By creating a completed free to call 0800 number, would immediately cut out all public confusion and frustration. Though already their are rumours on unrest within the major mobile networks due to the fact of how much call revenue they will loose.
A decision on the proposed changes isn’t expected until early 2013 at the earliest.
March 29, 2012 9:48 am | Leave your thoughts
At 08Direct we specialise in providing a wide range of businesses with complete inbound call solutions. By choosing to work with us you don’t need to worry about credit checks or setup fees, and all new customers will receive our FREE Call Management Package worth £199.
We offer a full range of 08 numbers, including 0844, 0800 and 0845. Whether you want to divert these numbers to a landline or a mobile, we have the systems in place to ensure all your needs are met.
Choose a free 0844 number and give your business a professional look
By introducing an 0844 number you will instantly give your company a national presence. Your customers benefit from the fact they are charged a fixed rate of 5p per minute, regardless of where they are calling from (providing they are calling from a UK landline).
An 0844 number is ideal for small and new businesses as it gives you a big company image as you can advertise a national number, for a your local business.
Your free 0844 number can be connected instantly, and as we don’t do minimum contracts you free to decide how you want your account to progress.
In addition to all the advantages above, by connecting an 0844 number with 08Direct you can start earning extra number from your inbound calls.
Once you have started to receive lots of calls every month, you can earn a rebate from us. This works by us splitting the 5p for every minute between the suscriber and provider, meaning your company earns money from your customers calling you.
By providing your customers with a free to call 0800 number you make your company far more accessible. Research has shown that you can increase business enquiries by up to 175% by providing a free contact service.
At 08Direct we have just changed our 0800 number packages, to make our rates the best in the UK. You can get connected for just £4.99 a month, for this you can receive up to 550 inclusive inbound minutes.
Just like 0844, to connect your 0800 number we don’t require any credit checks, minimum contract, and don’t need to pay any setup fees.
Plus, all new customers will benefit from our FREE Call Management Package which includes a Call Whisper, Fax-to-Email, Welcome Message and Voicemail.
For more details on our packages, and to content your number please Visit Our Numbers Page.
March 24, 2012 10:00 am | Leave your thoughts
At 08Direct
we are experts in providing complete inbound telephony solutions. We don’t do contracts, there are no setup fees and you can be connected within minutes of confirming your number.
We deal with a wide range of business sectors, regardless of their size, but we specialise in giving small businesses that extra professional edge by giving them a nationally recognisable phone number, and giving them the chance to earn extra revenue from recieving calls.
If you select one of our free 0844 numbers, not only will your receive all our free extra features, but you can start earning a rebate on your calls depending on the amount of inbound call minutes you are receiving from customers.
A better option for your company could be a free phone 0800 number. An 0800 is completely free for your customers to call, and has proven to increase sales by up to 175%. Plus, as 08 Direct now provides the best rates in the UK for 0800 numbers you’re in the best hands! Our packages start from just £4.99 a month, this also includes no setup fees, no contracts and can be connected within hours.
Along with your new non geographical number, only with 08Direct can you benefit from our FREE Call Management Package worth £200. This features all the added extras you need to form a complete telephony solution.Included is Voicemail, Call Whisper, Fax to Email, Welcome Message and Auto Attendant.
In addition you will benefit from an experienced personal account manager who is always on hand to answer any questions. They will monitor your account to make sure you are getting the most out of your call package with us.
March 21, 2012 10:41 am | Leave your thoughts
This week we have altered our 0800 number packages, which now make our rates the best in the UK. Check out our 0800 Number Packages for for all the details.
Having an 0800 number opens your business up to potential new customers as you are far more accessible as you have a direct means of contact, at no cost to your customers. All calls are free for them, providing they are calling from a UK landline.
The customer does not get charged for the calls as the company receiving the call takes on all the call costs. This may sound expensive, but through increased sales it quickly becomes well worth the investment. Research has shown that providing a free phone number to your customers can increase sales by a massive 175%!
At 08 Direct you can setup your 0800 number today, from as little as £4.99 a month. There are no setup costs, no contracts and our bronze numbers are free to register.
For your £4.99 monthly cost you can receive up to 550 inbound minutes, and benefit from our Free Call Management Package. No one else in the UK is currently providing these rates at our prices.
If you wish to upgrade your package you can now receive 1,250 inbound minutes for just £9.99 a month. For full details or to add additional services, please contact one of our team.
Once you have ordered your freephone 0800 number from 08Direct you can receiving calls the same day. Order your Freephone 0800 Number Package today.
September 15, 2011 11:06 am | Leave your thoughts
From December landline and broadband customers won't be automatically tied into new contracts
Ofcom has confirmed that rollover contracts, which tie landline and broadband customers into repeated minimum contract periods unless they opt out, will be banned from December this year.
The contracts, also known as Automatically Renewable Contracts (ARCs), roll forward to a new minimum contract period – with penalties for leaving – unless the customer actively opts out of the renewal. The ban will apply to ARCs for landline and broadband services sold to residential and small business customers.
It estimated that about 15 per cent of UK customers who sign up to a broadband and landline provider are tied to Automatically Renewable Contracts (ARCs).
Ofcom said it would require comms providers to eventually shift all residential and small business customers off rollover contracts and over to alternative deals.
“Ofcom’s evidence shows that ARCs raise barriers to effective competition by locking customers into long-term deals with little additional benefit. Our concern about the effect of ARCs and other ‘lock in’ mechanisms led to our decision to ban them in the communications sector,” said the regulator’s chief Ed Richards.
Naturally, providers that currently use ARCs disagree that these contracts are detrimental to either the customer or competition, but Ofcom’s mind is made up and BT has already said that it would no longer be selling ARCs to residential customers now that the ban has been confirmed by Ofcom.
Here a 08Direct, we think this is a good thing. That’s why we’ve never tied customers into lengthy contracts – 30 days notice is all we ever ask, even from day 1 of the service being provided.
What do you think? Are ARCs good for anybody but the provider? Or are you glad to see the back of them?