Oddly enough, there are always going to be trends in the numbers that businesses set for their call centres. Believe us – we’ve seen them all come and go over the years! For example, the 0845 number boom is firmly back in the 90s now – and there’s a new trend in flexible number setup which business owners are taking advantage of well into the New 20s.
Virtual geographic numbers have been around for a while now, but it’s thanks to the rise of services such as VoIP that it’s gotten easier for businesses to really claim these numbers for their own. But what’s the appeal in setting up a non-geographic number – or, at least, one which makes it appear as though you are based in a different area?
There’s actually a little bit of psychology involved with this! If you’re toying with the idea of setting up a unique number and are unsure where you want or need to base yourself, it’s always a good idea to get in touch with a virtual number provider to help break things down for you. Let’s take a closer look at virtual geographic numbers, and why they might just be the next big asset for your business.
Base Your Business Anywhere
Imagine being able to base your business anywhere in the UK. Many people would choose to set up shop in London, as it’s close to so much international business – while others will likely pick cities such as Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff, and Edinburgh, all scattered across the north of the country.
Basing your business absolutely anywhere through a virtual number means that you don’t actually have to set up an office in that location. This, as you can imagine, makes things hugely flexible when it comes to the daily running of your business. That is, of course, if choosing where you base your company is of huge importance to you!
Instead of having to set up a physical office, you can simply pick a local or regional prefix on a virtual basis. This is immediately going to cut down on the hassle and money you’d normally have to spend on getting set up at the other side of the country. You don’t have to move anywhere – just ask the team at Planet Telecom to set you up a virtual number based on your desired locale, and you will be ready to go within minutes. You can even use a virtual geographical number to overwrite your mobile number, giving you that extra professional edge.
But why are virtual geographic numbers growing so much in the modern age? Why are they suddenly the must-have property for businesses in the New 20s?
Appeal to a Local Customer Base
One of the main reasons why business owners choose a virtual geographic number is for the simple fact that they can start appealing to a local customer base. This means that if you have a service which you’d like to expand to reach customers in, say, Newcastle, you can simply choose a virtual number with the Newcastle area code and make it appear that you are based in the region. This is where the psychology factor comes in!
While you may not have a physical office in Newcastle, you will at least show Newcastle callers and customers that your products and services are ideal for them. This isn’t cheating your customers – it’s simply providing them with a local line and caller prefix that’s likely to appeal to them. It works on a deeper psychological level when you consider that local people are likely to find local numbers more appealing – they are used to calling them throughout their everyday life!
It’s a great way to expand your business if you are looking to extend your remit on a regional basis, not just on a national scale.
Grow Your Business
Another key reason for people investing in virtual geographic numbers lies in the fact that it’s an asset for growing your business. Specifically, it immediately gives prospective clients, partners, and callers the impression that you have an office or service based in a fixed, city location. If you have a city number, then a) you must already be successful, and b) it really shows that you mean business!
One of the most popular picks for virtual geographic numbers and prefixes is, of course, the London 02 code. This is because London is still seen as the business capital of the UK – it’s where hundreds of international businesses have planted their British offices. It’s also where you’ll find scores of businesses and clients who are likely to help you grow your company to the next level.
If you’re physically unable to move your office or operations to London, then it surely makes sense to choose a virtual number with the right prefix, instead!
Get That Professional Look
With more and more people working from home and starting their own businesses up from their own mobile numbers, it’s unsurprising that they are going to want or need to wrap things up in a professional area code. For example, it’s perhaps not too much of a stretch to assume that people will find calling an 02 number in London more appealing than a random mobile number. Unfortunately, it’s simple psychology!
Trading with a basic mobile number is all well and good if you are at the start of your business journey, and if you are running a local tradesman service or the like. However, if you really have your sights set on growing your business to the next level, you’re going to need to make sure that you have the professional call sign to appeal to the right people.
Thankfully, it’s never been easier to set up a virtual geographic number for your business. All you need to do is take a look at the packages available through Planet Telecom and call our team to discuss setting up a plan of action. It’s cost-effective, and it will really get your business appealing to the next level of customers!
