Want to get your floor tiled? Or your bedroom wallpapered? Perhaps you want to have some other work done around the house? If so, you can look out for a local trader. There’s plenty advertised online, in local leaflets and – if you see van outside a neighbour’s house – you might even grab the number from the side.
Trouble is, we all still have that doubt which niggles at us…
“That guy only has a mobile number, what happens if I have problems with his work?”
This is true, and it’s a perfectly reasonable question. If you don’t have a postal address or an office address, how can you get in touch with the tradesman if there’s problems? A mobile number tends to give people that worry, even though it’s the best way to be in touch for the tradesperson. After all, they’re always on the move, so a mobile phone gives them that ability to answer calls even if they’re half-way up a ladder. However, when your business grows you can’t continue to use just one mobile phone, and you may need to redirect calls to someone else if you’re really busy, so things get a bit more complicated. If you’re self-employed and a “man with a van” it’s fine, but you’ll need to switch numbers as your business grows and people demand a “regular” landline number.
So, there has to be a solution which will keep both parties happy. In Australia it takes the form of a 1300 number, and it’s well-known that 1300 numbers are best for mobile businesses. Elsewhere, there’s other options. They give a consistent point of contact, and these 10-digit 1300 numbers are diverted to either a land line or a mobile number. Here in the UK there’s a similar solution. You can either get a local number and then, using VoIP, switch it to either your mobile or a home office. There’s companies that’ll do this for you and simply redirect via a web control panel that you can easily access. There’s also the chance to get 0330, 0333 or an 0345 number. Like the 1300 numbers, there’s no need for extra equipment – you simply connect the new number to an existing landline or mobile of your choice. .You can change this whenever you want to.
These services usually charge a small monthly amount, but if you’re a local business and want to put a single phone number on your quotes and business cards – definitely check these redirect services. It’ll make your business look more professional and you’ll be able to carry on working in the same way that you always have.