Why do we just use data in our personal lives?

In this week's video I look at why we use data in our personal lives to make informed decisions, but not when marketing our business.

As always I would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave your comments below. 

GoDaddy – thinking global, but acting local

How GoDaddy has effectively used UK local numbers to keep clients happy, whilst maintaining an authentic voice for their brand.

An exceptional use of local telephone numbers was recently brought to my attention at an Engage for Change breakfast seminar given by Melanie Chevalier on global consistency vs. local relevancy.

At first appearance it would seem GoDaddy – an American company and the world’s largest domain name register – has a 24/7 UK support team in Birmingham, Glasgow and London.

Why would you think this? Simply because they have an 0121, 0141 and 0207 number on their contact us page.  

However, when you ring any of the above numbers a charming American accent awaits you as their support team is actually based in Phoenix, Arizona.

By providing not one UK number (an action that would have put them above most US-based companies in terms of customer service levels), but THREE numbers they actually get even “closer to home”. 

This is a fantastic example of how a huge global company has truly thought about its local relevancy by making it free for us Brits to call them (and a whole bunch of other countries for that matter!, whilst maintaining its US identity.   

GO! DADDY!

Have you encountered any companies abroad that provide a similar or even better level of customer service? Or alternatively, have you ever felt a company overseas should have picked up the cost of your call? 

I would love to hear from you: emma@brayfordnumbers.co.uk

How to get more business in London

Here at Brayford Numbers I have a lot of switched on businesses that want to have a presence in the ever-thriving London market.

One of those is The Homemover Specialist, based in Surrey. They purchased a London 0207 number, which we pointed to their existing landline, for their website. This was done to make it really clear that they offer their relocation services to people (and there are a lot of those in London!) coming in and out of the city. I personally think it gives a way more established feel to their company too:

By using an 0207 number on PPC advertising specifically targeting the London area a company also minimises the chance of potential clients questioning your actual whereabouts. I mean, heaven forbid you be from outside of London, right?! 

But in all seriousness, if you want to grab London's attention an 020 number is the way to go. And there are even 3 types to choose from:

• 0207 - central London
• 0208 - greater London
• 0203 - all of London, but has more of a fresh feel (great for tech companies)

Want more business in London? Give Emma a call to discuss our London number ranges. Rental prices start from just £5 + VAT

Tel: 020 7458 4456

http://www.brayfordnumbers.co.uk/local-virtual-phone-number/0207-london-phone-number/

No telephone number on your website?

Looks like you will be losing business then... 

I recently undertook some personal research to see whether having a phone number on your website was necessary anymore. What I found out: having a telephone number is actually quite crucial. 

But what about communication over email or social? Well, it would seem that most customers don't want to be pushed into a channel. They want options. Even if they take the 'e' route or submit an online form, having a telephone number on your site instills an initial sense of trust like no other route of communication can. It's direct and actually allows you to reinforce a relationship. How many of you have waited ages to get a reply from a form submission? And once you get a reply, how personable is it in reality? 

I don't deny that there are major brands out there that don't advertise a contact number don't necessarily alienate their customers. BUT these companies, such as ASOS, have a huge number of staff dedicated to returning complaint emails and tweets instantly. And I mean INSTANTLY. Can your company really deliver that level of service?

Further, what number you have really matters. Many customers feel a sense of warmth if you provide them with a freephone number (or at the very least a UK local number), rather than a premium number which seems to get their back up - especially if they are calling with a problem. Advertising with a mobile lacks gravitas. 

Customers also like to see your number clearly at the top every page or at the very least at the top of the homepage. If you hide the contact us page at the bottom it can seem a little unfriendly.

Think you need a telephone number for your website tout suite? Call me to talk about affordable telephone number options that can point to your existing mobile or landline: 0207 458 4456 

You wouldn't turn up to a job interview in jeans

I mean you could. Some creative industries wouldn't have it any other way. 

However, I would say that 90%+ of interviewers wouldn't be impressed.

Wearing jeans at an interview shows little respect or effort for the person or company that you are standing before. 

Advertising your business with only a mobile number is the equivalent of wearing jeans at an interview. It says:

• I am unprepared
• I have made little effort
• I am not taking this seriously 

Take your business seriously. You have set yourself a challenge, so reward that by presenting the most professional image that you can.

Start by advertising with a landline number. 

How tracking numbers save your business cash

Tracking numbers for some reason are a real hidden secret in business and they shouldn't be as they are guaranteed to save your business money, time and effort in the long run with your marketing. 

This video is only two minutes and I can guarantee if you print any marketing material for your business and apply this rule YOU WILL SAVE MONEY or at the very least spend it more wisely. 

Gamma hits clients with a £20 minimum spend

What do you do when your supplier of Non Geographic numbers introduces a low usage minimum billing charge of £20 to a fixed term contract?

We have recently been contacted by customers of Gamma Telecoms to ask if it is possible to migrate their number(s) to ourselves due to what they believe is an extremely unfair minimum billing charge of £20 which comes into effect May 1^st 2015. The customers have explained that they have entered into a 5 year contract and in order to leave their existing supplier they would have to pay the monthly amount x the amount of months left on the contract which includes the monthly price increase.

Ofcom has addressed this matter and below we have posted a link to their site which we hope will be of help.

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/complain/phone-and-broadband-complaints/contracts/

The key is to contact your current supplier asap so 30 days does not lapse before a response is received by your current supplier.

While Ofcom does not deal with individual complaints you are entitled to log a complaint and if everyone who is affected by this rate increase does, it cannot go unnoticed.

Brayford Numbers in no way encourages consumers to break the terms and conditions of their contract with another supplier we do believe that some changes are just plain unfair.

As a footnote Brayford numbers operates on a 30 day rolling contract, no low usage charges, competitive rates and great customer service, but don’t take our word for it move over and join us and see for yourself. Only pay for what your use!