0800 Freephone Numbers

Why an 0800 number helps your business

An 0800 number tells callers one thing straight away: this call is free. Since July 2015, calls to 0800 numbers have been free from UK landlines and mobiles, so nobody has to think twice about the cost of ringing you. That makes it easier for customers to pick up the phone to ask a question, place an order or get help.

0800 is the longest-established and best-known freephone range in the UK, and callers recognise it instantly. It is also non-geographic, so it presents your business as a national organisation rather than a local one. Whether you take sales enquiries from across the country or run a customer support line, an 0800 number removes the cost barrier for the people calling you.

About 0800 numbers

0800 numbers are non-geographic, which means they are not linked to any town or city. Most are written 0800 xxx xxxx. Since July 2015, calls to 0800 numbers have been free from UK landlines and mobiles, and the business receiving the calls pays for them instead. Before that change, many mobile networks charged callers to ring freephone numbers, which is why some people still remember them as costly from a mobile.

Freephone numbers usually cannot be called from outside the UK. If you have customers overseas, it is worth also publishing a geographic number, such as a London 020 number, for international callers.

Who uses 0800 numbers

Sales and order lines

Retailers, installers and service companies put an 0800 number on their website and adverts so that new customers can call to buy, book or ask for a quote without paying for the call.

Customer support and helplines

A free support line shows customers you are happy to hear from them. Charities and advice services also use 0800 numbers so that people can call for help without worrying about their phone bill.

National advertising

Businesses running campaigns in print, on radio or online often give each campaign its own 0800 number. Call statistics then show which adverts are making the phone ring.

How your 0800 number works

Calls to your 0800 number are diverted to any UK landline, any UK mobile or Alphatalk's cloud phone system, so callers reach the right team wherever they are. You can change the destination at any time in myAlphaTalk, our customer portal. Time-of-day routing sends calls to your office during opening hours and to voicemail or an out-of-hours mobile after that, and voicemail messages can be emailed to you. Call statistics show how many calls your line receives and when. Every number costs £4.99 a month and includes 1,000 free UK minutes, so inbound calls are covered up to that allowance. If you expect a high volume of calls, our UK team can talk you through the options.