Regardless of what type of business you run, it’s highly likely that you need a phone system to manage your daily operations.
Investing in a quality business telephone system is crucial. This is especially true for customer-centric businesses that rely on these tools for support and sales.
The good news is that there are loads of options available. You just need to ensure that you choose a system that ticks the right boxes for your business.
To help you select the right telephone system, here are some of the most important considerations to take into account.
Business Telephone System: X Key Facts
VoIP Vs. Traditional Landline
One of the first, and most important, considerations to make about your business telephone system is choosing between a traditional landline and a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system – which operates over the Internet.
Each type of phone system comes with its pros and cons, so you’ll need to understand your business’s network and telephone requirements before choosing which approach to take.
VoIP phone systems have been rising in popularity over the last few years – and for good reason. They’re a lot easier to connect, they’re more affordable to manage, and they offer a wider range of additional features and flexibility that traditional landlines don’t necessarily offer.
On the other hand, traditional landlines may offer higher call quality and reliability in some cases.
Scalability
Consider the future growth of your company when you choose a business telephone system. This is important as building onto your phone system structure may be a difficult task if your network cabling isn’t set up for it.
Ensure that it can accommodate extra phone lines and extensions. This will save you the trouble (and expense) of replacing the entire phone system as your business expands.
This is another reason why using a cloud-hosted phone system is useful, as you can easily add extra units to it and move the phone system wherever your business goes.
Features And Functionality
In today’s world, there are endless possibilities when it comes to the functionality of the latest business telephone systems – especially online.
Understand all of the possible phone features that you can access. This includes features like call forwarding, auto attendants, conference calling, voicemail features, mobile integrations, call recording, video calling, and more.
Accessing the right features (for your company) can make a big difference to your productivity and customer service – depending on how you use the phone system.
Reliability And Call Quality
Needless to say, you must have a reliable business telephone system. This is critical for smooth business operations as well as for your business’s reputation.
Make sure your telephone system and provider have a solid track record of uptime and call quality. If you use a VoIP phone system, you’ll need to make sure your business has a strong enough internet connection to comfortably handle your call volumes.
Support And Maintenance
24-hour support and maintenance always go a long way. As your business telephone system plays such a crucial role in your day-to-day business operations, you need to make sure you’re well taken care of in the event that something goes wrong.
Look for a vendor that offers reliable customer support and maintenance services. This will minimize any possible downtime in your phone system.
Also, choose a telephone systems provider that employs phone technicians. The supplier will then be able to help assess your business needs and can offer valuable onboarding and system setups.
Integration With Existing Infrastructure
When migrating to a new system, integration possibilities are integral. Ensure to choose a product that integrates seamlessly with any other communication systems your business relies on.
For example, you might use email, CRM, or instant messaging tools. Modern VoIP phone systems can integrate with these tools – which is particularly useful for sales teams. When properly integrated, your phone system can help you work smarter and maximize productivity.
Integration is especially important with mobile devices. As we rely so heavily on mobile phones to conduct business, using a telephone system that connects with mobile devices can be incredibly useful – especially if employees work remotely.
Security
Business telephone systems process a substantial amount of important data. Your phone system must offer robust security measures to keep sensitive business communications safe.
Encryption is particularly useful in keeping your conversations and data safe.
Cost Considerations
Of course, you’ll want to know how much the phone system costs. When contemplating this, there are two main costs to take into account.
First, there’s the installation cost. Understand how much the telephone hardware, setup, and cabling will cost. Then, there are the ongoing costs – like subscription fees, internet, or maintenance expenses. And of course, how much the phone system will cost your business in the long run.
Luckily, there are many types of phone systems available that provide quality service without being too expensive. Always compare options before choosing a telephone system.
User-Friendly Interface
Choose a business telephone system that’s easy to use. This is especially important if a lot of employees will be handling the phones.
Ensure training for the phone system is straightforward (and provided by the supplier), and that any telephone devices and hardware are easy to understand. This is important for making sure that your team uses all of the features the phone system has to offer.
Conclusion
By considering these factors and conducting thorough research, your business can find the right telephone system that aligns with your needs. Once this is in place, you can enjoy seamless and efficient communication, which is vital for any successful business.
At Stellar Communications, we help set up businesses of all sizes with the right phone system for their requirements. Whether it’s a VoIP system or a traditional landline, we can assess your needs and help you find the perfect phone for seamless communications. Get in touch with us to find out more.
