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PHONE NUMBER PLEASE?

by highhopes
29 replies
I have noticed all too often no telephone numbers with online marketers.
I have a telephone number on my dating site, the partners I do the deals with answer the calls and do the admin.

For reasons of trust i think it is good practice to be able to communicate like any other business.
i know affiliate marketing and other models less important maybe?
what do you think?
Do you have a direct tel line in your business?
#number #phone
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    I didn't until a few months ago. I now have a number... and no, you can't have it :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    We do everything to raise credibility and confidence - phone number included, thats for sure. One problem for many people could be they still live with their mom/dad and they don't want to give out their home number?
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    • Profile picture of the author latestnewsheadline
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso View Post

      We do everything to raise credibility and confidence - phone number included, thats for sure. One problem for many people could be they still live with their mom/dad and they don't want to give out their home number?
      The mobile phones are already invented. I don't see where is the problem.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by latestnewsheadline View Post

        The mobile phones are already invented. I don't see where is the problem.
        It doesn't make you at all suspicious when a business's only phone number is a mobile? For me, it depends on the business. I can (just about!) understand it for a self-employed plumber who's out working all day ... :confused:
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        • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
          I prefer to be up-front and have my contact details
          on my site - including my telephone number.

          I've been giving my prospects and customers my real
          contact details for over 10 years now without any
          issues.

          That said, I can understand why some people don't
          want to give out their phone number to all and sundry.

          And remember, a phone is just one method of contact.

          As long as you provide a genuine way that people can
          contact you if they have any questions or need support
          then that will do (e.g. a support desk, e-mail, etc).

          Dedicated to mutual success,

          Shaun
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      • Profile picture of the author stevenfabian
        Originally Posted by latestnewsheadline View Post

        The mobile phones are already invented. I don't see where is the problem.
        Exactly! Also, registering an online line is as simple as it gets. That shouldn't be a problem, but I think you know that well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Martyn Wilson
    I have just started a thread about proving money making claims. I suppose for those marketers who have nothing to hide, a telephone number would certainly gain trust.
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Ayres
      Originally Posted by Martyn Wilson View Post

      I have just started a thread about proving money making claims. I suppose for those marketers who have nothing to hide, a telephone number would certainly gain trust.
      I have nothing to hide but i also have a full time job and a family so chose not to include my number, plus as i am in UK i dont want phone calls at all times of day and night.

      I have a dedicated support desk and answer all emails within 24 hours, plus give skype support so dont really think it looks suspicious if i dont offer a phone number as well
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  • Profile picture of the author JimDucharme
    The path today a consumer may take to your conversion point is like a game of frogger - you can't possibly predict the route the frog will take to avoid the obstacles and make it to your conversion point safe and sound. That being the case, giving people the choice to use whichever channel or combination of channels they prefer is a very positive and powerful message.

    Regards,
    jim
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  • Profile picture of the author Charanjit
    Simple way around this is, get a virtual number (land line i.e in the uk I use 0121) have it diverted to an old mobile, when you do not want to work just switch it off, cost of this is very low, second have a building address (do not have your home address on their) ask a friend ask the local shop who cares as long as it gets listed on google maps it sets you apart, if you really want to be up their get a virtual space (think regent still do them), this makes ranking geographically easier i.e if I wanted instant number 1 for Birmingham airport taxis I would put a google place their.
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  • Profile picture of the author WarriorDiscount
    i think skype is better
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Reed
    The highest converting "communication" I have ever used is a "click to call" system.

    Click to call gives you the ability to offer a phone number without offering a phone number. And even if you offer a toll free number, I guarantee that you'll see more "action takers" from click to call than you will from live chat or calls.

    This also gives you the "buffer" you need to be able to offer phone service without being trapped in an office all day or use the "I'm not a real business & using my cell phone" technique that everyone can see straight through.

    Since these folks are the ones most likely to convert into customers, you're also focusing your time on the best return on the buck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Miranda
    I have noticed a certain percentage of clients prefer voice communication but most prefer email or live chat. One thing I don't like about voice calls is there is no history of communication. Of course you could record calls but that is not legal in all places.
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    • Profile picture of the author highhopes
      The consensus here is that a phone number gives the customer or prospective customer a safe feeling when considering a purchase, someone will be there at the end of a telephone line that can be contacted in a hurry. Unlike email a day or two and maybe you may get an answer.
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Miranda
        Originally Posted by highhopes View Post

        The consensus here is that a phone number gives the customer or prospective customer a safe feeling when considering a purchase, someone will be there at the end of a telephone line that can be contacted in a hurry. Unlike email a day or two and maybe you may get an answer.
        I guess this could be true but sometimes all they would get is voicemail with a callback later. Our live chat is by far the fastest way to get in touch with us . Emails are responded to 90% of the time in less than 1 hour.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
    I put my phone number on my websites and on my emails.

    I get calls from potential clients and land them after we speak on the phone.

    I don't have a landline, just a cell phone. Many people here in the US don't have landlines anymore. I don't see the need for one.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tony Marriott
      I think any business would benefit from additional openess and a "land line" has always been considered some kind of proof of a "real business" simply because it needs to have a registered address for you to be able to get one (in most countries).

      But what about IM specifically?
      Selling the dream of working from cafe, beach or hotel!

      Doesn't a fixed phone number just say

      "Hey I'm stuck in the office like the rest of you?"

      In fact shouldn't we be suspicious of anyone who even answers an email that does not have

      "Sent From My iPhone" on the bottom
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Tony Marriott View Post

        Doesn't a fixed phone number just say

        "Hey I'm stuck in the office like the rest of you?"
        It honestly doesn't, to me.

        Call me old-fashioned, but to me it says "I may be running my business from the beach, but I maintain a professional, businesslike appearance anyway: I have an address at which I can be contacted and a proper, land-line phone-number where someone, during business hours, will reliably answer a call and at least take a message."

        Originally Posted by Tony Marriott View Post

        In fact shouldn't we be suspicious of anyone who even answers an email that does not have

        "Sent From My iPhone" on the bottom
        To me, that depends on the circumstances. But I really do think, in principle, that that's less than ideal; yes.

        It matters more to me, though, whether the email comes from firstname.surname (at) theirdomain.com or from yahoo.com or hotmail.com, both of which look pretty unprofessional to me and do perhaps (slightly) reduce the chances of my doing business with them. But that's just me.
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        • Profile picture of the author highhopes
          Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

          It honestly doesn't, to me.

          Call me old-fashioned, but to me it says "I may be running my business from the beach, but I maintain a professional, businesslike appearance anyway: I have an address at which I can be contacted and a proper, land-line phone-number where someone, during business hours, will reliably answer a call and at least take a message."



          To me, that depends on the circumstances. But I really do think, in principle, that that's less than ideal; yes.

          It matters more to me, though, whether the email comes from firstname.surname (at) theirdomain.com or from yahoo.com or hotmail.com, both of which look pretty unprofessional to me and do perhaps (slightly) reduce the chances of my doing business with them. But that's just me.
          good sound advice there.
          speak as we find and certainly, I have more confidence especially in the early days buying something online when there was a land line telephone on the site.

          That i think is what the purchaser is looking for. there has been too many reports of rip off merchants and scams for people not to ignore.
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          • Profile picture of the author AlisonM
            As a consumer I have more confidence in a website that gives a phone number (even if I cannot find an address).

            Now the boot is on the other foot, as I am creating a new website to attract offline clients. My initial thought - as I still have a day job, and don't get a mobile signal at home, - was to just put a contact form on the website, with no number.

            But the more I have looked into this, I have decided to use a virtual asistant telephone answering service, and get a new phone number just for this. The benefits will far outweigh the disadvantages, the rates are extremely competitive, and you only pay when people phone.

            I still feel that most people will complete a transaction online without the need to phone, but having a phone number does give reassurance that people are not dealing with a dodgy site in an unspecified country.

            Regards
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  • Profile picture of the author HelpingYouBeAnExpert
    We give an 800 number to our customers, but less then 1 in 10 call most like to use email or online support at least that has been my observation. I have been thinking about adding a live chat but haven't done that yet.
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  • Profile picture of the author erichammer
    Personally, I use a Google Voice phone number which is customized for my site. This way, it can take a message for me or find me elsewhere. In all the time I've had my personal finance site up though, I've gotten just one phone call on that number.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben Gordon
    I have 1-800 numbers on my high end offers. I generally don't give out 1-800 numbers for every product because it's a hassle having somebody outsource it, get familiar to the product or service and be knowledgeable. However, it does build trust and I would recommend you use it for any high scale business. You just need to create two levels of support: the first level being people who are outsourced and answer questions via a knowledge base and the second level being one person who is actually familiar with the product and can answer complex questions.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dadelius
    @Alexa I've been using a cell phone as my only phone for 14 years now and have never regretted it either in my business or personal life. If anything I'm much more reachable than those who are land locked and limited to business hours.
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  • Profile picture of the author funkynassau
    Yes we have an 800# plus a local number and there is an answering machine in case we are not here. I think it gives credibility to us. I am suspicious of sites with no phone #.
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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    I think a major reason why a lot of people dont have a number is that they are at a day job all day.

    Plus, a big draw to IM is that you can essentially hide behind the internet. A phone number opens yourself up to the world
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    They can shoot me an email if they want to contact me. I'm not going to publish my phone number on the Internet for any assmonkey to give me a call.
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  • Profile picture of the author JE Publishing
    I think that displaying your telephone number is a good thing because communication is a very important thing within business. Being able to talk to someone by a telephone would create trust and a lot more understanding.
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  • Profile picture of the author socialbookmark
    There rare many better ways for contacting business owners and customers than getting phone numbers from them. Usually people don't like to give their personal information to others and for example using skype, Yahoo messenger and other like services is better and more useful according to my experience.
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