What Are Local Phone Numbers For UK Businesses?

Local business telephone numbers are referred to as such because they begin with the local area dialling code. For example, 0121 is the local area code for Birmingham while 0191 covers the area that includes Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham. Whether you are calling from overseas, from a landline in the UK or from a mobile phone, the local area code needs to be included. There are two types of local phone numbers that British businesses can have. They either begin with 01 or 02.

To be clear, local area codes starting with 01 cover the majority of the UK – only Northern Ireland has a different system. So, if you operate in Bristol but your headquarters are in Swindon, for instance, you might want an 0117 number for your business to use rather than 01793. After all, having the correct local area code for the place you do business in sends a signal to clients that you are locally based. In this example, it would give them the sense that the call will be answered in Bristol. The same goes for any other 01 number you could think of, such as 01542 for Lancaster or 0114 for Sheffield.

Other than Northern Ireland which has all of its area codes starting with 02, only a few major UK cities have phone numbers that do not start with 01. The biggest is London. As such, obtaining an 02 number for your business can be a good idea if you want to make it seem as though it is located in the capital. Other than London, local area codes starting with 02 include Cardiff, Southampton, Coventry and Portsmouth. Choosing an 01 or an 02 number is possible no matter where your business is located

How to Set Up a Local Business Phone Number Regardless of Your Location

With a virtual 01 or 02 number, callers who dial it will be redirected immediately to whichever number you decide upon. They won’t even realise the call is being handled in a location outside of the local area code they have dialled. If you like, you can have calls terminate on your mobile phone or go through to another business number you use. With a FREE 30-day trial on offer, all you have to do is to complete the application form and we will help you choose the call plan that will suit your business best.

Why Obtain Virtual 01 and 02 Local Telephone Numbers?

Virtual 01 and 02 business numbers subtly root a firm in a local area. They send out a message that says where you are. What’s more, they can sometimes be cheaper for people in that locality to call depending on the caller’s plan. Even people using mobile phones will often not be concerned about calling a local area code phone number because the call will usually be covered within their call plan. Even better, certain 01 and 02 numbers have a great deal of kudos associated with them, something that will reflect well on your business.