1800 Smartnumbers (Phone Word Number) Information

Smart numbers are 1800 numbers, 1300 numbers and that spell words (e.g. 1800 PIZZAS). These numbers are also known as phone word numbers or word numbers.

All phone numbers in Australia are owned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which is an Australian Government department. The government auctions phone numbers that spell words (Smartnumbers), so virtually every 1300 number, 1800 number and 13 number that spells a word has been earmarked for future sale or has already been sold at auction by ACMA.

If you can get one for minimal cost directly via the ACMA Smart Numbers website; then grab it. That way you'll have full control over it and your ongoing costs with us be the same as normal 1300 numbers and 1800 numbers.

However, if a phone word company already has the number that you want, you need to consider it VERY CAREFULLY!

Things You Should Know When Enquiring About Phone Word Numbers

When you call some 1800 number or 1300 number companies, or use their websites, to see whether a particular phone number is available, they will record your request. If the number is available, they will often purchase it themselves and then attempt to lease it to you at a higher cost than our normal monthly fees.

Unfortunately, this practice is all too common.

Your advertised phone number is the lifeline of your business. That means that if you do business with that provider, your business will be forever at their mercy.

If you want one of their numbers, you will have to lease it from them. The number never belongs to you. You will need to continue to pay a monthly fee to use the number.

You will usually be required to sign a 1-3 year contract with price rises each year. At the end of the contract period, you will need to re-negotiate. If you don't agree to the new terms or you have a falling out with that provider, they could lease your (previous) number to one of your competitors.

We GUARANTEE that we will show you how to get the Smartnumber you want if it is available.

You will then have full control over it:

• No lease payments
• No inflated monthy fees
• No lock-in contracts
• Your number is carried by the telco of your choice.

Naturally we hope you use our services to act as the carrier for your number! And we can carry it for you on a normally priced monthly plan.

Is your First Choice already in use? Be creative!

Many of the best generic 1300 and 1800 phone words have already been taken (e.g. 1800 CARHIRE).

However, if you're creative and spend some time at it, you can generally create a variation or something more unique and relative to your business (e.g. 1800 4 CAR HIRE, 1800 2 HIRE A CAR, 1800 RENTCARS).

Do you really need a Smartnumber or Phone Word?

That depends on several things:

• what size is your business?
• what are your future business plans (expansion etc.)?
• how important is branding?
• how much are you prepared to pay for one?
• how much difference do you think a smartnumber will make compared to a good numeric 1300 number or 1800 number?
• will it provide a substantially better return on investment (ROI)?

After you win your Smartnumber, what next?

After you win the auction and receive the documents from ACMA, you simply open an account with us, provide us with your Smartnumber information, and you'll have your new Smart Number operating (usually) within 7 working days.

Other good 1800 numbers and 1300 numbers

If you decide that a phone word is not for you, we always have a selection of good numeric numbers available that contain patterns and repeated digits (to make them easy to remember). We hand-pick them from the ACMA number pool, so they're better than you can get directly from the pool. They can be ordered and activated quickly.

Even the smallest business should have a good 1800 number or 1300 number. They're inexpensive and it doesn't take many new customers or referrals before the number starts to pay for itself!

How to get your own SmartNumber

After you go to the Smart Numbers website

1. Go to the Smart Numbers web site at www.smartnumbers.com.au
2. Search to see whether the number you want is available.
3. If it is available and you want to buy it at auction (minimum bid is $250),
   • Register (cost is approx $50).
   • Apply for the 1800 number you want.
   • Nominate your number to be added to a future auction.
   • You will be asked to nominate a carrier from the list. This is only required for registration purposes. You are not locked in to the carrier and this does not mean that your number is automatically connected via that carrier.
   • Check the auction lists to make sure your number has been added
   • Read the Smart Number Auction Rules
   • Make sure you are available to monitor your auction on the day
4. Once you've successfully acquired your number, you can have it carried by us by downloading and completing the relevant sections on our Account Application.

Good Luck!