The first personal point of contact between a business and a potential customer usually happens through a phone. So, it’s incredibly important that you provide a professional and positive service whenever someone calls. For small businesses, personal phones are enough. However, if you want your business to satisfy your existing and potential customers, you need to have a dedicated telephone system.
When it comes to telephone systems for businesses, the list of options goes on and on. There are telephone systems that are designed for businesses which employ hundreds or even thousands of employees and multiple locations. Deciding which business phone service Charlotte to go for can be confusing at times, but it’s important to make the right choice for the sake of your business.
To help you evaluate your options and choose which is the best one for your business, here’s a quick look at what to consider in business telephone systems.
-
Cost
Telephone systems vary greatly, depending on their costs. You can easily choose a system that fits within your budget and your business. Simply looking at the upfront costs of a business phone solution will not cut it though. You must also make sure that long-term maintenance costs and the monthly fees are well within your reach so that you can get the most out of your investment.
-
Features
Telephone systems also come with many advanced calling features, but it’s important that you look at those that align with how your business works. If you’re fielding a lot of customer calls, you may want to opt for a system that comes with a virtual receptionist to help you cope with the huge number of calls you’re getting every day. If you have field teams that are working in office-based teams, then you should opt for a telephone system that has a screen sharing option. Regardless of which telephone system you choose, you need to ensure that it comes with all the features that you need for your business.
-
Equipment
Aside from features, you also need to ensure that the telephone system you’re going to choose comes fully-equipped. Ask yourself: Do you need a telephone system that only uses desk phones? Do you want your business to go fully mobile or a mixture of both? If you’re only using desk phones now, do you have plans to try mobile in the future? It’s important that the system you’re going to choose addresses your immediate needs and still provide some room for innovations in the future.
Aside from making sure that the equipment that comes with the telephone system is right for your business now and in the future, you’ll also want a solution that can easily grow with you as your business grows.
-
Easy To Use & Manage
If you’re just a small business with very little amount of IT resources and expertise, you’ll want to choose a business telephone system that is easy for you to maintain and manage. It’s also important that the solution you choose comes with technical support from its provider in the event that you run into some issues with it.
Types Of Business Telephone Systems
-
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
The VoIP is the same as a virtual phone system only that it comes with many advanced features and is less expensive than landlines. It also allows you to use mobile and desk phones. The VoIP is probably the best option for small businesses because of its scalability and flexibility.
-
Landline
If you’re looking for a straightforward telephone system for your business that allows you to make and receive calls without any additional training, a landline is a good choice for you. Landlines are ideal for small businesses with limited budgets. However, landlines don’t really offer that much when it comes to flexibility. You’ll have to be by the phone at all times to answer calls as these are connected by wires.
-
Virtual Phone System
A virtual phone system is a type of phone system that is located in the cloud. Your provider will host your telephone system on the cloud. All your calls will be done through the Internet, which means you don’t need to get any additional networking equipment. You can answer calls on your desk phone, home phone, or mobile device as long as you have access to the Internet.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing a business telephone system, keep in mind that each one differs. There are many options available for you with just as many qualities and capabilities. You need to choose a telephone system that will help you to advance your business goals.