Well over a billion calls are made across the United States every day. As a business owner, you’re probably not surprised by the popularity of phone usage. After all, some of your most important communications likely take place over the phone.
So, which small business phone system are you going to trust with one of your most valuable means of communication? That’s a tough question that requires careful consideration.
Business phone systems are backed by different companies, technologies, and come packed with different features. Keep reading to understand how to weigh all of those variables and choose the best product.
1. Consider Landlines and VOIP
When most people think about getting phone service installed in their businesses, their first instinct is to call big-name service providers like AT&T or Spectrum to get a landline hooked up. That’s not a bad instinct as these companies can facilitate proven phone systems that people have been relying on for decades.
Unbeknownst to many though, there is a new breed of virtual phone system that can net similar reliability with more features and a lower price point; VOIP. VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phones run through internet connections rather than dedicated copper lines.
Diving in-depth into VOIP technology goes beyond the scope of this post but be sure to explore what options exist in the VOIP space before deciding on phone service.
2. Watch Out for Promotional Ticks
Whether you’re interested in traditional landlines or a virtual phone system, you’ll run into a handful of promotional tricks as you shop. Watch out for those as they can set your business up for a rude awakening when your promotional period runs out.
Tricks usually manifest in the way of low up-front rates that can double or even triple a year into your service agreement.
3. Understand What Features You Need
If you just need your business phone system to make calls, your choices will be broad. If you need a system that can log call volumes, conversation lengths, record conversations, and more, you’ll need to be pickier.
VOIP phone systems tend to offer more features than standard landlines since they use software that can easily manage needs like tracking calls and recording.
See which phone systems offer the most feature-rich services and weigh if the price asked for said features is worth the cost.
4. Take Mobility Into Account
In today’s work-from-home environment, team members must be able to take calls away from their desks. Ask your business phone system provider how you can achieve that end with their technology.
Again, most VOIP services allow you to take calls from anywhere through dedicated mobile apps and call forwarding. Landlines may offer call forwarding features as well.
5. Confirm Reliability
Reliability isn’t a given when buying into a small business phone system. With that in mind, make it a point to read service provider reviews carefully so you don’t get locked into an agreement with an unreliable company.
Your future self will thank you for your diligence.
Pick Your Small Business Phone System With Confidence
We hope the advice we’ve shared with you on filtering through small business phone system options has given you the confidence to pick a provider. If you’d like more information on phones or your other business needs, we’ve got you covered.
Check out more of the newest content on our blog to keep fulfilling your need to know!
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