Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right 1300 Number Plan for Your Business
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A 1300 number is a business phone number based in Australia that plays a critical role in facilitating a company’s internal and external communications.
This number, alongside other business numbers like 13 and 1800 numbers, is used by many large firms and organisations for various operational reasons.
With its built-in utility, there’s a large and ever-evolving market of 1300 number providers that offer a wide range of plans, pricing models, and features.
And with this being the case, it can get overwhelming to select the right option for their growing business.
If you’re in that dilemma, then you’re in the right place. This article will delve into seven factors to consider when choosing the right 1300 number plan for your business.
Let’s jump right into it.
What’s The Purpose of a 1300 Number?
Before we delve into factors to consider when picking a 1300 number plan, it’s important to understand what this number type offers in the first place.
Generally, this tool shares similar functions with other competitors, at least in the macro-level. In particular, these are some of the functions and perks of owning a 1300 number.
- Established presence nationwide: A 1300 number allows people from all across the country to contact your firm using a single contact point.
- Pushes a professional image: A 1300 number exudes a sense of professionalism that can pave the way for more customers and business opportunities.
- Flexible call routing: This number type grants users the ability to redirect incoming calls to different channels based on pre-set preferences.
- Tracking dashboard: A 1300 number also comes with a built-in analytics dashboard that provides comprehensive analytics on both agent performance and caller information.
- Scalability: A 1300 number allows multiple callers to call a single number simultaneously, allowing businesses to handle call inquiries at a rapid and smooth scale.
As seen above, a professional 1300 number from Telcoworks is a great tool that can support many business goals, particularly in the communications department.
7 Factors to Consider When Getting a 1300 Number Plan
Assuming you’ve been convinced to hop on board the 1300 number train, here are seven factors to consider before choosing one from the various number providers you can find in Australia.
Customer Service
An important factor to consider before picking a 1300 number plan is the company’s customer service reputation. 1300 number providers often have varying levels of customer service quality, with some being responsive and helpful and others being complacent and unable to be contacted.
As a long-term customer, you should be proactive in picking a 1300 number provider that can meet your expectations reliably. As such, be sure to narrow your options to companies with a dedicated support team that can help you in times of outages or peak business periods.
To determine the quality of the company’s customer service, it’s ideal to look at reviews made by other customers. You can also read the contract and look through potential service guarantees to expect.
By taking the time to parse through the contract and reviews carefully, you can have peace of mind knowing that your 1300 number provider will always have your back.
Pricing Plans
Another key consideration when choosing a 1300 number plan is the price of the plan itself.
Typically, 1300 telco providers offer competitive prices to incentivise new customers to choose their services over the competition. But don’t just take the price at face value; it’s important to look at what you’re getting charged as a whole based on the initial plan, the call volume costs, and additional costs.
It’s not unheard of for some companies to push an attractive base and setup price (say, about $15 to $35 AUD per month) only to charge you with higher hidden fees as you progress along your partnership. Usage charges and activation fees, for instance, are some charges that these companies may add to the bill that can eat up your budget.
As such, it’s important to take a comprehensive look at the pricing plan of the offer before signing any contracts. Don’t just take the cheapest offer, either—the best plan is something that strikes the perfect balance of meeting your business’s needs and falling in line with your current budget.
Number Sequence
Businesses should also consider the number sequence they can lock in when choosing a 1300 number. Some telco providers have an exclusive list of usable numbers that prospecting clients can pick as their own.
Some of these numbers can be arranged in a memorable sequence that can increase your business’s marketability. For instance, a 1300 number for a business specialising in creating flower bouquets can be arranged as 1300-FLOWER to improve brand recall.
When selecting a number, aim for patterns, repeated digits, or words that are easy to say and remember. While premium or “smart numbers” may come at a higher cost, the boost in brand recognition can potentially make them a worthwhile investment.
Call Patterns and Usage
Your business’s call patterns and usage can be a major determining factor in helping you pick the most suitable 1300 number plan.
Some 1300 number plans offer free or discounted minutes if the majority of your calls are from a local area code. On the contrary, other plans may provide a more cost-effective plan if your headquarters sees a high volume of calls from all over the country.
In any case, it’s essential to consider your business’s call patterns when selecting a 1300 pricing plan. The origin and timing of your calls can directly impact the final cost of your bill, so knowing these data points can help ensure that you’re picking the most cost-effective plan for your business.
Call Management Features
When picking a 1300 number plan, it’s important to consider what call management features are included to improve your local business operations.
All 1300 number providers are equipped with a dashboard that tracks caller information and call history. These insights can be used to improve customer service operations, making them essential for businesses and organisations.
Besides that, these numbers may also have features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, time-based routing, and call queuing. Depending on the plan you choose, there could be limitations in terms of features or volume capacity.
Pick a plan that balances affordability and utility for your business, and don’t be afraid to switch it up once the need demands it. Be sure to also vet various providers to ensure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck with your paid plan.
Contract Terms and Flexibility
Before signing up for a 1300 number plan, it’s crucial to read the fine print regarding upgrade and downgrade policies.
Some providers lock you into long-term contracts with a pricy termination fee. Others may offer more flexible month-to-month options, which are typically ideal for growing or highly dynamic businesses.
Flexibility is a key attribute for businesses, especially during their early stages, where cost-cutting is essential for survival.
As this is the case, it’s important to pick a provider with a reasonable contract term that’s easy for your business to bend around. This way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your 1300 number can change with your operations, and not the other way around.
Integration With Existing Systems
Lastly, it’s essential to consider how easy it is for your chosen 1300 number to integrate with your current systems. Tool integration can make processes and functions in the company smoother and more efficient.
Most major 1300 number providers offer compatibility with CRM software, helpdesks, marketing platforms, or call analytics tools. That said, different providers may only offer integration with specific platforms or brands.
To ensure that your tool stack is compatible with your number provider, ask a provider’s agent or browse through the provider’s website to view integration compatibility information. By doing this, you can make the most of your 1300 number and streamline operations along with various adjacent functions in the company.
