What are 0800 numbers?

Do you have a business in the United Kingdom? Are you looking for a way to make it easier for your customers to reach you? If so, you may want to consider getting an 0800 number.

In this blog post, we'll explain what 0800 numbers are and how they work. We'll discuss the benefits of having an 0800 number for your business and provide you with some tips on how to get an 0800 number for your business.

What is a 0800 number in the UK?

0800 numbers are telephone numbers that are free to call from UK landlines and mobile phones. The number ‘0800’ is followed by six or seven digits. Businesses that use 0800 numbers give customers a free and easy way to contact them.

0800 numbers were introduced in 1985, and since then, they have become one of the most popular non-geographic phone numbers in the UK. Many large organisations and businesses with a national presence such as banks, utility companies, and government departments use 0800 numbers.

What are freephone numbers?

Freephone numbers are phone numbers that are free for the inbound caller (when the caller is in the UK), so it’s another name for 0800 numbers. They are an attractive option for both large and small businesses, and due to the popularity of having freephone numbers, 0808 was later introduced to help keep up with demand.

How does an 0800 number work?

When a customer dials an 0800 number, the call is routed to the business’s private landline or in some cases, a mobile phone number. The business will then be charged for the call by their phone provider, but the customer will not be charged anything for the call. This is why businesses choose to have an 0800 number, as they help cover a customer’s cost of calling.

The benefits of getting an 0800 number for your business

0800 numbers are special telephone numbers in the United Kingdom that have a variety of benefits for businesses. Here are three key benefits of getting one:

Build trust and credibility with potential customers

A number of established businesses have 0800 numbers, so being able to get one for your business can increase its credibility. When potential customers receive an incoming call from your business and notice that it’s an 0800 number, it shows a sense of professionalism. It can also give customers the impression that your business is larger than it may actually be.

Provide customers with a more memorable number

0800 numbers provide customers with a business phone number that’s easy to remember when they need a service like yours. It makes it easier for your customers to contact you from anywhere in the UK, without having pay. This can be a marketing tool as well as it makes potential customers more willing to call you if it doesn’t cost them anything.

Route to any number

The third benefit of having an 0800 number is that the number can be routed to any phone number, whether it’s a landline or mobile. This makes it more convenient for your business, in case you ever need to change your business number. Your customers can still contact you through your 0800 number, they’ll just be routed to a different phone number. From the customer’s end, the routing happens instantly so that it doesn’t affect their calling experience.

How to get an 0800 number for your business

Ready to get an 0800 number for your business? The good news is that the process is relatively straightforward and can be completed online. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Find a service provider

To get started, you’ll typically need to either buy an 0800 number from a network or telecom provider like Ofcom. Or, if you’re using a VoIP phone system like Dialpad, you should be able to select the virtual number that you want to use for your business (including freephone numbers).

Since there are plenty of providers available, you’ll want to research different ones based on their features as well as your needs and budget.

2. Compare pricing

Service providers offer a variety of call packages and different types of pricing for 0800 numbers. Some may specify the number of inclusive minutes you have for each month, others may change an access charge, or other additional fees, so make sure you read your contract carefully.

Dialpad is an AI-powered customer intelligence platform that allows you to make phone calls, send text messages, and have virtual meetings in a single app.

Pricing starts at £12 per month and includes a local number (an 0800 number would cost extra), unlimited calling in the UK, and also advance phone features. This includes call forwarding, simple call routing, call recordings, and even voicemail transcription—without any additional fees:

3. Choose your 0800 number

Once you’ve decided on your service provider and a pricing plan based on your needs, you can choose an available 0800 number with your service provider. After that, you can also set up call forwarding for that number with a few clicks:

If you already have an 0800 number, you can easily port that number to Dialpad and start receiving calls.

Other functionality you get when you go with Dialpad as your 0800 number provider

All your communications channels in one place

As a UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) provider, Dialpad lets you handle all your business communications in one place. Make VoIP calls, send SMS/MMS or instant messages, and do video conferencing—all from the desktop or mobile app, which works across Android, iPhone, Mac, and PC.

That means you can work from anywhere and use Dialpad on your computer or cell phone.

Easy setup

Add a phone line or long-distance number, manage your phone numbers, add new users, and more, right from your online dashboard with just a few clicks.

DIY call routing

Route incoming calls to your 0800 number however you like. With Dialpad, you can set up and make changes to your call routing in minutes on your own—no IT help needed!

Even the most basic £12 plan comes with a multi-level auto attendant and you can even check to see how frequently your call routing menu options are being used, and continuously optimise that experience for your callers.

Call forwarding

Never miss a phone call again. Dialpad’s call forwarding feature lets you set up a maximum of five call forwarding numbers so you can forward calls to teammates, your mobile phone, or even a landline.

Customisable caller ID

Want to make business calls from your cell phone—without exposing your personal phone number?

When you’re making a phone call or sending a text message with Dialpad’s app, you can choose to display your 0800 number on the caller ID and protect your personal number.

How to decide if you need a 0800 number

There are many factors to consider when deciding if your business needs an 0800 number, such as your budget. The most important thing to keep in mind is whether or not your customers will benefit from the free calls. If your target market is based in the UK, then a freephone number could be a great way to encourage more customers to contact you.

Other benefits of having an 0800 number include the flexibility of non-geographic numbers and the increased professionalism that they can give your business.

An 0800 number can be a valuable asset for any business, large or small. By providing a free way for customers to contact you, and by appearing more professional, an 0800 number can help you to win new business and keep existing customers happy. The process of getting an 0800 number is relatively straightforward, and the benefits are well worth the investment.