Is a telephone number needed?

[image Man]

Hi im thinking of removing my phone number from my site as I'm getting too many sales reps taking up my time. Anybody wanting my services can email me or use msn to make the first contact or maybe I can put a form on my contact page.

Would having no telephone number put people off using my services?

[Ian J]

How many enquiries do you currently receive by telephone compared to email as these are the people that you may alienate by removing the number.

I am in a completely different style of business to you as I arrange specialist finance facilities and 95% of the enquiries that I receive are by telephone even though my website gives an email address too.

Oddly enough I have just received an email from someone who has been on my website and would like me to contact him to discuss trade finance. I assume that he couldn't afford the 10p to telephone me

[image Man]

All contacts have been by email first. I only get contacted by phone by sales reps and some take over 15 mins and one will not give up.

[Ian J]

If you feel that the majority of your enquiries will continue to be by email I don't suppose that you will lose anything by deleting the telephone number but a contact form on your website won't go amiss.

I also receive many calls from people trying to sell me something and it can be very annoying if I am out and about and I have to pay for the expensive divert to my mobile whilst they try and sell me something that I don't want.

[MrC]

You could put a 'call back' tick box on your contact form. Where you offer to call them back, at a time convenient to them.

Personally, I nearly always prefer contact by e-mail in the first instance, as long as the reply is prompt. I only go for the phone once I deal with a company, and usually as a result of problems.

You could also practice the phrase "Not today thanks." and hang up.

Have you registered for the TPS ? That should cut down on cold calls from businesses.

[image Man]

thanks guys

[MikeH]

Personally I think that contact details like telephone and address are essential as they provide credibility as well as the important contact info.

If you are getting too many sales calls register here-

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

This should stop nearly all sales calls, it has for us. Firms should check the register before calling you.

Mike.

[sarahpatience]

I'm glad someone brought this up as I recently removed my number from my site as I was getting fed up with the number of calls I was receiving each day, trying to sell me advertising space, websites and the rest. I do find that I still get as many enquiries through email, and if customers want to communicate via the phone, they usually leave a number and ask me to call them when convenient. The TPS service looks interesting, must have a proper look.

Sarah

[justsomeone]

It would be a shame to take your phone number off your site. A phone number reallyadds credibility to a business. People are reassured when they talk to you .

Hang up on the sales reps, don't cut off your customers

Originally Posted by image Man

Hi im thinking of removing my phone number from my site as I'm getting too many sales reps taking up my time. Anybody wanting my services can email me or use msn to make the first contact or maybe I can put a form on my contact page.

Would having no telephone number put people off using my services?

I have a solution for you. Why not have them leave messages that get delivered to your email address or screen calls with a Virtual Switchboard. Its FREE

Just go to www. *smetelecom.com and scroll to the bottom to signup.

Having a telephone number is important as it gives customers a professional impression.