When deciding on how to choose a business phone system, there are a number of factors that need to be considered before delving into the options available. There’s a range of business phone systems on the market with differing pros and cons, and which phone system is right for your business will depend on cost, flexibility, features and more. It can feel like a minefield of tech jargon and marketing ploys at first, but it doesn’t need to be.
How to Choose a Business Phone System That Works For You
The first step in how to choose a business phone system that ticks all the boxes for you is knowing what exactly you want from your phone system. Do you want a cloud based service or one hosted onsite? Do you want physical desk phones or are you happy with virtual calls? These are basic but important factors to consider in how to choose a business phone system that works for your unique situation, without incurring unnecessary costs, time and effort.
Virtual Phone Systems – A Great Choice for Small Businesses
Virtual phone systems have excellent capabilities for smaller businesses with employees working from home or routinely out of the office. This type of system transfers calls to mobile or landline numbers when a client dials the main office line number. The caller will not be aware their call has been forwarded to someone working remotely and offers a seamless solution to the problem of missed calls due to employees working offsite.
Calls are connected via mobile and phone networks however so it is important to weigh up the costs involved. This option is one of the best small office phone systems available and good for small or growing businesses, or sole traders who are regularly away from their office phone.
VoIP Phone Systems – Make and Receive Calls Over the Internet
How to choose a business phone system that bypasses the phone network altogether? You’re looking at VoIP. An acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol, these corporate phone systems use the internet connection already in place at your business and offer excellent features such as automated attendants and computer integration. Employees working from home or offsite will be able to make and receive VoIP calls on their mobile phones, essentially providing an in office phone system from anywhere.
As long as you have a stable internet connection, opting for a VoIP phone system can save you heaps of money on your phone bill and all the benefits of a traditional on site phone system. You can opt for a cloud based service or have equipment installed on site.
3CX – The Best of Both Worlds?
3CX phone system providers offer a software based phone system which utilises both the public phone network and VoIP. 3CX can be hosted in the cloud, onsite or by a cloud service operated by 3CX themselves. Calls can be made via a computer, traditional desktop phone or mobile device. Features include video conferencing, conference calls, live chat, SMS, voicemail and much more. 3CX is a great option that would suit businesses large and small. While not the cheapest system around, it does offer the most flexibility.
