12/10/2017
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 13/1300/1800 NUMBERS AND WHAT CAN THESE NUMBERS DO FOR MY BUSINESS?
Fonebox are one of Australia’s largest inbound/outbound number and 24/7/365 contact centre providers.
Every day, our prospective clients ask questions like: -
• What can a 1300 number do for my business?
• What’s the difference between a 13 and 1300 number?
Let’s look at 13 ###X numbers first: -
Many business owners are not aware that 13 ###X numbers (less than 10 digits) are considered Premium numbers and carry a Government Levy each month. While the amount of the levy can fluctuate slightly on a bi-annual basis this charge is currently around $545 per month, irrespective of when the number may be activated. This Levy is not subject to GST.
What can be frustrating is some Telco’s simply add their monthly charge onto the fee and document the entire amount as the Government Levy so it’s important to understand which cost is applied by the Telco, over and above the Government Levy.
While many corporations and large companies may favour the premium numbers; many small to medium businesses consider a 1300 ### ### or 1800 ### ### (minimum 10 digits) to be more cost effective as the monthly Government Levy doesn’t apply to these numbers?
For this article; we won’t be dealing with generic numbers vs. phone-word numbers here. We’ll address that topic in future write-ups. Here, we want to point out the benefits of virtual inbound numbers in general.
So, what can a Fonebox 13/1300/1800 number do for your business?
1. You can start with having one number for your entire business or franchise with full visibility over calls, call types and analytics to every ‘shop-front’.
2. You can keep the same number for the life of your business, regardless of your location. Your customers will always be able to reach you on the number they have always used. Never lose business or miss an opportunity because a customer cannot find your new number.
3. Add a vital tool to market your services and build your business.
4. Build the geographical coverage of your business with minimal extra costs.
5. Give your customers the impression you are not just a local business.
6. Encourage customers to call with "local-call-numbers" that they can call from any Australian landline for the cost of a local or free call.
7. Answer calls using a fixed phone or a mobile in Australia or overseas.
8. Give your business a professional image.
9. Increase enquiries, with studies show that customers are far more likely to call a 1300 number than a mobile or local number.
10. Use free detailed call reports to track response to your advertising campaigns, marketing and website development.
11. Save money with our range of low monthly plans. Having a 1300 or 1800 number is a cost-effective option and probably a lot cheaper than you think.
12. Use our online reporting platform to see the full picture of calls to your 13/1300/1800 number including the origin and time of each call.
13. Get the edge over your competitors.
What to look out for. Be wary of: -
1. Telco’s that lease ‘Phone-Word’ the number rights (ROU) to you. This may result in number rights charges being applicable after you port the number to another host provider. Or you may need to buy the rights from the current owner at that time. Some of our new clients describe this situation as ‘number entrapment’. At Fonebox; our client will maintain the rights to the number. We can’t emphasize the importance of this enough. At times, we suggest that your ‘Phone-Word’ choices be ‘held close to your chest’ until you’re convinced that you will enjoy the rights to the number directly.
2. Telco’s that charge a margin on top of the Government Right of Use Fee. Fonebox will not apply margins to the ‘Phone-Word’ Government ROU fees when we are purchasing number rights on behalf of our clients. Talk to us about the options available.
3. Telco introductory plans that charge a higher rate at the end of an introductory term. As always, we suggest you double check any offer with us for a fully detailed comparison of what costs to expect. Fonebox only offer individual pricing which ensures you pay only for the services that you use.
4. Some Telco plan call rates are charged in minimum 30 or 60 second blocks as opposed to a per second basis. In other words, if you have callers hanging up after 5 seconds or a series of short calls on an average of 30 seconds, some plans will toll a minimum 60 seconds for each call. This can add up for those with larger call volumes. Our 13/1300/1800 host charges are calculated on a per second basis, being the actual call length/total time used.
5. Plans that impose a cost for urgent or after-hours routing changes. These numbers and systems need to be flexible and need to change with the demands of your business. Fonebox grant you the ability to enhance, amend service/system set up on an ongoing basis without cost.
6. Insist on reporting that you can customize to your requirements. We offer a state of the art, on-line reporting platform which includes call statistics, analytics and reporting. Updated daily. One of the many advantages with our platform is being able to determine caller locations, even for mobile callers. Please ask us for a free demonstration version of the platform.
7. Any restrictions on increasing your plan and/or services. Fonebox clients enjoy the ability to increase service and/or call provisions without a break or renegotiation costs being applied.
8. Telco’s that don’t offer 24/7 Customer Service Support.
9. Telco’s that provide phone answering services off-shore. Such services may be cheaper, potentially to the detriment of the service and your business. The Fonebox contact centre is located right here in our Brisbane Head Office.
We can help with a new number, or porting (moving) your existing 13/1300/1800 number to Fonebox. Or any other related enquiry.
Call 1800 FONEBOX today to find out more.
