I have a friend that is starting a business and she has two numbers that she could go with. I won't give the exact name of the business but will instead use the two examples. Businesses that have been successful have always used numbers that spell out something e.g., 1-800-FLOWERS that is easy to remember but in her case it would be a local number. She has a choice of having a number that spells out the complete name with all 10 digits, including the area code so one example of choice would be let's say USAFLOWERS which would spell out the complete company name or the other choice would be simply an area code and then the word FLOWERS after it so to make it visible it would be let's say 213-FLOWERS. She asked me what my opinion was and my response was that since the whole number would spell out the company name I didn't see how this would be harmful and if anything she could spell out the complete number (all ten digits) and also give out the number in numbers and that it would be accepted either way. I like the idea as it shows uniqueness and it's sort of creative. I'm with that idea. However, she talked with her other friend and they said they like the area code and then the word that would spell out the name instead of using the whole company name. She said that she is torn so I told her I would get your opinions on it and see what you think? What do you think works better a number that spells out the complete name (all 10 digits or one that would show an area code and a seven digits for the name)? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated as she wants to make a decision on this soon.
I like the idea of spelling out the name in a phone number, but I also like it being a no brainer- for example, when you say 1-800-FLOWERS, I know that's a number because of the 1-800 part. If you just say USAFLOWERS it feels more like a website, or I'd have to ask "is that a phone number?" So, my vote is 1-800-whatever. Also, make sure it's easy to spell- you if it has a vowel combination, digraph, or even double consonant in it (AE, EA, OU, SH, MM, etc.) you'll get people messing that up because spelling in English can be tricky for people of all ages. Just my two cents. (and I'm a terrible speller)
If it is a local business targeting local customers then having the area code given as numbers would make it a it more apparent. Otherwise it might have the appearance of a national company which might imply less personal customer service. It might also result in calls from outside the area she is hoping to serve. Later if she does expand she can get an 800 number and hopefully just replace the area code and keep the name/number combo, with the 800 giving the appearance of a company serving more dispersed customer base. The example that pops into my head is a pizza delivery. A local shop might prefer a limited delivery area such as within their area code, where a national chain can have an 800 number and deliver almost anywhere. Then again I can't say I have strong feelings one way or the other if someone else sees things differently.
There are experts who maintain that any 800 number is better than the other toll-free codes (888, 877, 866), because a lot of people apparently don't know that the others are toll-free. But be careful what you wish for. For the Edinburgh Business School MBA, we had 800-MBA-0707 . . . and at least 10% of the people dialed 800-MBA-7070. And then there are the 800 services that ring locally depending on where the call comes from. When you dial 800-JUSTICE, the call goes to a subscribing lawyer in the area you're calling from. I remember when Holiday Inn (one of the first to do this) announced its 800-HOLIDAY number, and the Wall Street Journal ran an editorial ridiculing that, saying that no one would ever dial a word. Incidentally, I believe Google Voice still has thousands of word-making phone numbers available free. I thoroughly enjoy, for personal calls, having (Area code) JOHNBEAR.
Odd, because the letters were originally used as part of the prefix. So if you lived in Bensonhurst, your number would start with "2-3." It's why so many fictional numbers in TV and movies were "Klondike 5...." which was prefix 555, which was and remains unused in real life.
Thanks for your replies. After we had much discussion she decided not to go with either option of the numbers she had at present. We both agree that with the existing ones that one sounded to corporate and that it confused others. The other number was ok, but too generic and not specific. We came up with the idea of a 7 word with the area code that would incorporate their name and what the intent was and she wanted to make sure that it was informal. It wound up that we finally agreed on something and this way it isn't so confusing and also gets the intended message across. The issue is trying to come up with something snazzy but not too complicated let's just say it's easier said than done.
