Finding the right tools for your business sometimes can be a daunting task. However, choosing the right phone system doesn’t have to be. Every business needs some type of phone service whether it is for you to contact customers, for customers to contact you or even for communications between employees. The beauty of living in our day and age is that we have all types of communication devices and different ways to contact people such as email, smartphones, virtual apps, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
Types of Phone Services
There are several different types of phone services you can choose from including:
- Landlines: Traditional phone lines without access to high speed internet.
- Virtual phone systems: These are systems that connect employees through a main business line to cell phones and home phones with some good features.
- VoIP: Does not use copper wires and runs through the company’s existing internet services. This system is affordable and has many features.
- Cloud and on-premises systems: Used with cloud-based hosting systems and usually a monthly fee based per use.
Landlines Vs. VoIP
Originally, businesses used telephones that worked on PSTN or the Public Switched Telephone Network which was essentially one line that ran to a third-party operator who would connect you to your party. Later, that was replaced by a touch-tone system. Then in the 1990s, the transceiver was created and with that the ability to use the internet and VoIP.
Why landlines are becoming obsolete in the business world:
- Landlines are quite expensive for businesses
- They are not as flexible as VoIP systems
- Landlines don’t offer as many features
- Fewer people are using them
The Benefits of VoIP
- The cost to use this system is lower than landlines
- They have wide array of features that benefit businesses
- Offers a great amount of flexibility
- It’s easy to install these systems
VoIP was designed to use the internet to make and receive calls. This technology has revolutionized our way of communicating. It allows for video conference calls, emailing, faxing, and many other business technologies. You can run an entire business phone system remotely with VoIP phone system.
Choosing The Best Phone System For Your Business
You don’t need to understand all the technical lingo to find the perfect phone system for your business. When looking for a good operating system you should ask yourself:
- What can I afford to spend on a phone service?
- What phone features do I need most?
- How reliable is the phone system I want?
- What type of support can I get with my business phone service?
- How many phone lines do I need for my business? Will that number grow?
- What is the mobility level of the phone service?
What can I afford to spend on a phone service?
It’s important to know what your budget is when deciding on a phone service for your business. When it comes to affordability, VoIP is the better the choice. The cost of long distance and other features are cheaper with VoIP because this system reduces the signals travel distances. Also, many landlines still have a minute plan on how many call minutes you can use in a month, even for local calls. VoIP has unlimited calling and unlimited long distance. You can also use a hybrid of this system if you have a system in place already.
What phone features do I need most?
There are so many features available for business phones such as SMS texting, emailing, faxing, conference calls, instant messaging, video calling, voicemail, call forwarding, recording calls, last number dial back and more. It’s important for you to recognize what your business needs are and go with a phone service that can meet those particular needs. Keep in mind that VoIP systems offer more features than landlines and other phones systems.
How reliable is the phone system I want?
Reliability is key in the business world. You want a system that will give your business reliable and excellent service. We all hate drop calls, especially when we are talking with our customers or when we are in phone conferences. Also, the quality and clarity of the calls are important. One pro for a landline is that during blackouts you still have a phone, however, VoIP systems are quite reliable and have a better clarity to them.
A reliable phone system will:
- Have fewer dropped calls
- Clear video calls that don’t freeze up
- Voice clarity
- Be accessible in more places
- Offer a great support system
- Have a user-friendly system
What type of support can I get with my business phone service?
Phone issues can arise on any type of system. However, a business phone system should not give you whole a lot of issues. But just in case you do have an issue, it is important to have a reliable support system. Go with a system that has a good history of customer support.
How many phone lines do I need for my business? Will that number grow?
Is your business a one-man operation? Or do you have many people within your business that need phones? When choosing a phone system you need to think about how many lines you need and how easy it will be to add lines as our business grows. This is called scalability. Since VoIP is such an easy installation these days and allows for multiple lines at an affordable rate it is a no brainer when it comes to growing businesses and scalability.
What is the mobility level of the phone service?
Traditional landlines won’t give your business the mobility that is needed in a fast-pace business world. VoIP systems can be used with smartphones and can be taken just about anywhere. So if you are on a business trip or a vacation, you still have access to all the features and lines you would have without being on the job site.
All in all, VoIP phone systems gives companies a solution to long distance calling, affordability and flexibility. The benefits to using VoIP are vast and will have your company running smoothly and efficiently while offering a great support system and all the features you want.