There are many advantages and benefits to be had from having a landline number for your business mobile phone: you can answer more calls (wherever you are), look more professional, reduce your phone bill and work more flexibly.
In fact, the increasing trend for working virtually or on the move, means that having a landline number for your work calls is almost essential these days. The Office for National Statistics estimates more than 1.54 million people now work from home for their main job.
Whilst this may be great for mental health, productivity and employment flexibility, it means that businesses need to be proactive in ensuring they continue to create a positive and professional image. A phone number may only seem like a small part of this, but it’s often the first point of contact potential customers may have with your business and is therefore an important aspect of your organisation’s self-image.
Choosing a business mobile provider
Converting your business mobile so you can use it with a landline number is not complex, but you will need to choose a suitable professional provider. When you do so, there are several factors you should consider:
Cost
Costs are often the first consideration. However, if you find a provider you like, but you’re not sure about their costs, talk to one of their advisors and ask for more information. Don’t forget to ask about billing, whether you will be able to make personal and business calls separately, and call quality.
Extensions
Do you need or want your landline number to be used across different devices and not just one mobile phone? If you do, check that your provider or plan includes this and how many extensions you can have. You should also be able to sync all your devices so that other users can tell whether they need to answer a call or whether someone else is able to deal with it.
Additional features
There are a number of other features which may help create a positive and professional image, while also ensuring that your workforce is efficient and productive. These include features like call scheduling, with an inbuilt calendar other users can update with their availability. This allows the system to automatically notify users when someone is unavailable. You can also set this up so that you’re not disturbed when you’re busy, giving you peace of mind that calls will still be answered.
Other standard free features include messaging services and message recording. Different providers may also provide different types of voicemail services: for example, the option to send you a text notification to let you know you’ve received a message.
Choosing your number
Once you’re ready, you need to choose what sort of landline number you want: e.g. a local number and area code, a national number, an international number or a freephone number. You can have a landline phone number for any UK town or city routed to your mobile phone.
Mobile phone numbers are quite easy to spot when you’re receiving a call, so the type of number you choose may help create that right first impression. Your choice will depend on the nature of your business, your customers and target market, and the type of image you wish to convey.
If you’re a small local business, then a local area code prefix makes a lot of sense. If you’re serving a London client base but work from home outside of the city, you may wish to opt for a central London number prefix such as 0203, 0207 or 0208.
Similarly, some organisations prefer not to have a freephone 0800 prefix, whilst others prefer it as it creates the impression of a large and professional organisation.
The finishing touches
Once you’ve chosen your plan, your number and your provider, it normally doesn’t take more than 24 hours (and often a lot less) to be up, running and ready to go. But don’t forget to make sure everything is set up. Ensure your voice message is professional and provides all the right information for callers to make their first impression or customer experience a positive one.
Keep your old number
If you choose to opt for a landline number for your mobile, you won’t need a new handset or extra lines and your mobile should be able to continue to receive calls on its original number as well as the new one.
In today’s fast paced and virtual business world, flexibility and image are key. Setting up your business mobile with a landline number is quick and easy to do, and can help give you the edge when it comes to being efficient and professional.
Structured Communications are experts in the provision of business communications solutions: whether you’re looking for a fixed line connection or virtual VoIP connection, we’re ready to put our years of industry experience to use, in helping you to find the most appropriate, cost-effective solution for your organisation. Feel free to get in touch, or visit our site for more information
