A landline is more than just a local number; it is a symbol of reliability and a way to demonstrate a company’s presence to a local community. According to research by Orange, despite the prevalence of mobile phones, a landline is still the staple tool for nearly half of all SMEs, with 43 percent only advertising a landline as their main business number1. However, the research also revealed that a landline does have its drawbacks and a staggering 80 percent of businesses miss one to five customer calls every day simply because they can’t wait in the office in case the phone rings2. Pocket Landline provides businesses with the best of both worlds, offering them the credibility of a landline with the accessibility and flexibility of a mobile, meaning that businesses no longer have to risk missing out on customer calls.
Enhancements to the Pocket Landline service, which launched in January, include options starting at just £10 per telephone number3, so business customers can be sure they’re getting the best deal. An additional benefit of the service is that Pocket Landline can be routed to a business’ mobile from either their existing landline number or a new one, making it the perfect, hassle free way to stay in contact with customers while on the move.
To enhance the success of Pocket Landline, Orange is also providing expert training to its sales teams to ensure that customers and resellers are fully aware of the benefits on offer, including business generation, improved productivity and easy management. A survey of current Pocket Landline users found that over three quarters (76%) found the set up of the service quite or very easy. In addition, nearly a quarter of Pocket Landline customers (24%) found that after just four months, the service actually increased the number of calls to their business.
The service will continue to include Pocket Landline Many to One and Pocket Landline One to Many for businesses with more than one user. These flexible options allow businesses to have multiple landline numbers routed through to one mobile, or one landline number routed to multiple mobiles.
Equipped with the same, easy-to-use tools as the original service, enhanced Pocket Landline can be managed using a simple web based portal. This free online tool allows customers to create bespoke announcements for incoming calls, monitor patterns regards incoming business calls and change the availability of their number by time of day or date.
Jason Ferries, Elegance Travel said, “As a taxi company, our vehicles are one of the main ways in which we promote the business. Before using Pocket Landline, we simply included the mobile phone number on the back of cars and buses. However, since adding the local landline number to the same vehicles, we have seen a huge increase in the amount of calls we receive. Pocket Landline gives the business increased credibility amongst the local community – we have even received calls from people who live near-by who have noted how they prefer to call a landline rather than a mobile when it comes to business.”
Martin Lyne, SME Marketing Director at Orange said, “A good reputation is a key attribute for any SME and having a landline can help build a business’ credibility in a local community. However, reliability and responsiveness are also vital and often a mobile is the only way to truly be available whenever and wherever a customer needs them. We’ve seen a 62 percent increase in Pocket Landline sales in the last two months, with business customers recognising the benefits of a having a mobile landline. Pocket Landline is more cost effective to use, making sure that businesses never have to miss a call even when they’re away from the office.”