Business phone systems transmit voice over internet (VoIP systems), Business phone services are a type of communication service that allows businesses to make and receive phone calls. This can include features like call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calling. Business phone services can be provided by a landline, VoIP, or mobile phone service provider.
Business phone services have changed radically over the past decade. VoIP services have now replaced the desk covered with a bank of phones.
The result is that employees can use their mobile devices on the go, using nothing more than an app to join with the corporation’s network, whether for chat, conferencing, or even to manage online fax services.
Set up is usually easy and very simple, as it requires little more than signing up to a digital service and then accessing it once paid for. While there may be some small configuration settings that need to be done, this can take only a few minutes. Once completed you now have a full-service phone system that can scale up to as many employees as you need to cover.
Should you have a business phone?
Regardless of whether you own a small or big business, having a business phone number works wonders. It gives your business credibility and works to promote the name and image of your company. It also does not give you a problem when you plan to shift base.
Can I use my personal phone for business?
Yes. When employees must use their personal cell phones for work-related calls, Labor Code section 2802 requires the employer to reimburse them. Longer Answer with Practice Recommendations: An Employer Must Reimburse An Employee For The Employee’s Use Of A Personal Cell Phone For Work-Related Duties.
There are many business phone service providers out there, each one offering different features and plans. It can be tough to decide which one is right for your small business. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a business phone service:
-Cost: How much are you willing to spend on a business phone service? There are providers that offer free plans, but these usually have limited features.
-Calling plans: What kind of calling features do you need? If you make a lot of long-distance calls, you’ll want a plan that offers unlimited calling.
-Scalability: How easily can the phone service be expanded as your business grows? You don’t want to be stuck with a service that can’t keep up with your growth.
-Customer service: How good is the customer service of the provider? You’ll want to be able to reach someone 24/7 in case you have any problems with the service.
Is business VoIP phone service cheaper than a landline phone?
Yes, VoIP business phone systems are cheaper than on-premise landline because it uses your existing internet connection rather than requiring a separate system or hardware. VoIP business phone service also lessen internal IT and support burdens by simplifying the overall workflow.
Typical landline phone providers charge extra for advanced call features like call queuing, call transfer / automatic call forwarding, music on hold, extension dialing, conference bridge, etc.
With business VoIP all the advanced features are included in a flat monthly fee, and you can even save up to 90% on internal calling costs with top providers like Nextiva.
What are the disadvantages of VoIP business phone systems?
VoIP business phone services make phone calls over the internet. The biggest disadvantage is that if you do not have a reliable internet connection, then your customer call quality will not be as good.
Also if your business experiences a power outage, then it likely means that your internet router will also lose power. This can lead to call dropping. We always recommend using a battery backup with your internet router to avoid call quality issues.
These disadvantages can be easily mitigated, and the advantages of VoIP business phone systems simply outweigh any cons.
You get all the advanced call features like call routing, music on hold, conference calls, auto-attendant, interactive voice response (IVR), call queuing, extension dialing, voicemail forwarding, video calling, and a lot of flexibility without the high the high costs of landline phones.