Owning a small business is an accomplishment that should make you proud to be standing on your own two feet. On the other hand, owning a small business with horrible phone service is not something to be proud of. With changing times, many customer service and sales business is occurring over the phone. You wouldn’t stop mid-sentence while in the middle of a conversation with a customer, so there’s no reason it should happen over the phone, either. Choosing the best mobile phone company for your business should be taken seriously, and if you’re dropping calls, you may have a bigger problem than you realize. If you’re looking for a phone plan for your small business, keep reading to discover helpful tips to help along the way.
Pay Attention to Your Company’s Habits
Have you ever considered evaluating the amount of time you and your employees spend on the phone? Doing so would allow you to figure out how often you use the phone and for what length of time it’s used. When purchasing a phone plan, you want to make sure you’re as accurate as possible regarding how much service you need. Cost is a factor, so you want to pay attention to whether you need multiple phone lines for making appointments, lines for customer support, or lines for fulfilling service calls. You need more to avoid losing business, and having too much could cost you money you don’t want to spend.
What Type of Phone System Do You Need?
If you’re looking for a new phone company for your small business, you must know what kind of phone system you need. There are several options to choose from, so understanding your needs and wants is vital at this stage of the decision-making process.
VoIP Services
VoIP services allow voice communication to be sent over an internet connection instead of a regular phone line. VoIP services enable small or large companies to operate multi-party calling systems. According to PCMag, VoIP services might be the best option for your small business if you need several lines simultaneously. Since VoIP systems tend to be less expensive and more organized than other options, VoIP services can also be excellent for small businesses.
A Traditional Phone Line
If you only need a few lines or are the only one using the phone, then installing a traditional phone line would be an excellent option for your small business. Check with your phone company to see what kind of offer they can provide you.
Cell Phones
Another great option, depending on your needs, is using cell phones for your small business. Mobile plans can offer great deals on buying multiple phones at a time, so check in with your mobile carrier to see what they can provide to your company.
Is a Personal Phone Line Enough?
We live in an age when personal phones can manage multiple tasks in a person’s life. There are a lot of people who can complete their work through smartphones, so you must ask yourself about your needs. Are you okay with strangers calling your number? If you have no other system for filtering your calls, how will you know if you’re the victim of a prank? As long as you’re getting what you need and want, you should have no issue finding the right phone system for your small business but be mindful of strangers having access to your phone number.
Hotspots
Does your business require you to leave your office frequently throughout the week? If so, consider using a hotspot to provide phone service to your small business. Hot spots allow people to download documents, make calls, and type reports while on the road, allowing them to get their job done wherever they are. The price of a hotspot varies depending on how much service you need, so speak to your service provider about their hotspot options to see if it’s the most affordable choice.
The Plan Matters
Even if this is your first time looking for a phone service for your small business, you must know what you’re getting. Failing to understand what kind of phone system you need could cause you to pay too much for services you don’t necessarily need. Before paying for enough phones for your whole office building, make sure you know what you need and do your research before settling on a plan.
The quality of a phone call could make or break a business deal or make an angry customer even madder. Before you miss out on a big sales call or have a madman on the other end of the phone, check out the quality of the current phone plan for your small business. If you’re dropping calls, hearing static, or don’t have enough lines, use these tips to find affordable phone plans in your local area.