You know the differences between 085 numbers, 088 numbers, 0800 numbers, and 0900 numbers. But which one is most suitable for your business or organization? In this support article, we help you make the right choice from these numbers.

Which number best suits your business or organization depends on several factors. Let’s go through them one by one so that you can determine which phone number fits your needs within minutes.

Local vs. National Image

Is your target audience located in a specific city or, in the case of multiple locations, in several cities? If your company’s focus is strongly local, or if you want to create a local impression from a centralized location, you can easily register local phone numbers in the Dutch cities of your choice with Belfabriek.

On the other hand, if you want to appeal to a national audience, it is wiser to choose a phone number with a national image. Such a non-geographic number comes in four “flavors,” which we briefly summarize below:

0800 numbers are free for callers because the number holder pays the call costs. 0900 numbers are paid numbers that allow the number holder to generate revenue. 085 numbers charge callers a local rate. 088 numbers also charge a local rate but are registered in a block of 100, 1,000, or even 10,000 numbers.

The Purpose of the Calls

You have a phone number to be called, but what is the purpose of the incoming calls? If the telephone service you provide is the actual product, then a 0900 number is the logical choice, allowing you to be paid for your time. However, if you expect many of the calls to convert into sales, an 0800 number is a way to maximize your revenue.

If your primary goal is to be reachable to answer questions from existing customers, an 085 number or a series of 088 numbers would suit your purpose well. And referring back to the factor above: if you mainly want to be reachable for a local audience, a geographic phone number is the best choice.