Choosing a business phone system is one of the most important decisions you will make as a business owner. Whether you’re replacing an older system or setting up new phones for the first time, it’s essential that you make the right choice. Remember, you’ll be relying on this phone system for years to come. Furthermore, it will serve as communication between you and your current and potential customers, as well as communication among your employees. No matter what size your business is, there are certain factors that need to be considered when looking for a business phone system.
Reliability
It’s one thing when you’re on the phone at home with your friend and the call gets dropped. It’s quite another when your business phone system causes a “hang up” on a valued client or potential new client. A lack of reliability with your business phone system quite literally costs you money.
Look for a business phone system that has proven reliability, with as little downtime as possible.
Affordability
For most businesses, the sky is not the limit when paying for business phones. To make a telecom solution work long-term, the cost of the phone system needs to fall within budget constraints.
Be sure to consider initial cost, maintenance and repairs and ongoing support when calculating the true cost of of a business phone system.
Security
Headlines are filled with instances of data breaches and security hacks. These breaches cause a cascade of damages far beyond the surface news. When situations like these arise, companies lose the trust of existing customers, have their reputations tarnished and have a much more challenging time attracting new customers. In addition, data breaches leave companies vulnerable to legal action, in addition to having to pay higher insurance premiums going forward.
When choosing a VoIP telecom solution, as most businesses do, it’s essential to do business with a company that places as high a value on security as you and your customers do. Look for a telecom partner with state-of-the-art security in place so that you can protect your customers’ sensitive information as well as that of your company’s.
Networking Capabilities
These days, your business phone system needs to have network capability. Unfortunately, it’s easy to run into complications if you buy a business phone system that isn’t network compatible. One simple way to avoid this is to invest in a VoIP phone system, from a company that offers 24/7 desk support, a security first approach and much more. VoIP telecom systems leverage voice over internet protocol for a business phone system that is internet-based. Because it’s internet-based, it can be configured to be compatible with your existing network.
Functionality
Sometimes, with business phone systems, you don’t know what you need until you need it. By then you’re kicking yourself for not considering functionality and features when you shopped for the phone system in the first place. Following is a list of functional features to consider when choosing a business phone system for your small, medium or enterprise business:
- teleconferencing
- call blocking
- speed dial
- call conferencing
- call forwarding
- line-specific personalized greetings
- call logging
- distinctive rings
- extensions
- do not disturb
- automated directory
- hands-free
- hold options
- paging
- speakerphone
- transfer
- line ID
- voicemail
- voicemail email integration
- remote extension expansion
This list may not comprise all the available functionality features of business phone system, but it should get you thinking about which features may come in handy for business in the future.
Expandability
Expandability needs to be a concern, too. Consider the future of your company and whether the phone system you are considering can expand as needed. If you anticipate any amount of growth over the next few years, you will need a phone system that can handle additional lines as well as other technologies. Savvy business owners choose a business phone system that is expandable and will be able to grow right along with their business. Your company might only need basic capabilities right now, but as time goes on, you may need advanced calling features and multiple extensions. It’s far better in terms of money and time to be able to add features and equipment gradually than to start from scratch.
Support
The last thing you want is to get a new business phone system and get hung up on as far as ongoing support. No matter which business phone system you choose, eventually you are going to need support. Whether it’s maintaining the system, setting up the telecom network or providing support for employees around proper usage, your business phone system provider should be able to willing to act as your support team.
These are the main considerations that you should bear in mind while looking for a solution to your business’ communication needs.