Step by step
- Choose a number: standard, or a memorable pattern for advertising
- Pick where calls should ring: mobiles, a landline, a VoIP system or an answering service
- Set opening hours, voicemail and what happens to calls you miss
- Go live, then add the number to your website, Google Business Profile and adverts
What it costs
You pay a monthly fee for the number plus an inbound rate for each minute of calls, because callers pay nothing. Calls from mobiles usually cost the business more per minute than calls from landlines. Ask any provider for both rates and whether a bundle of inbound minutes is included.
0800 or 0808?
They are identical for callers. 0808 has more memorable patterns left because 0800 has been in use for longer.
Keeping it if you switch
0800 numbers can be ported between providers, so you are not tied to one supplier. Keep the number in your company name and keep copies of bills as proof of ownership.