Things You Should Know About a Small Business Phone System

If you find that a small business phone system is important for your business then it’s wise to get one. But before you actually buy a small business phone, it is important that you do your own research and explorations. It is better you get yourself accustomed with the small business phone system before you start using one. Though most of the service providers share quite a few common features of a small business phone yet there can be some significant differences as well. So do your research and familiarize yourself before you invest in a small business phone:

Cost Efficient

A virtual small business phone system does not need to be installed with any particular telephone connection. It can, in fact, work with any telephone connection. It also does not need any hardware or software. So it is capable to save considerable amount of dollars for any business. But this is especially important for a small business, start-up or home based business that works in limited financial boundaries. Nevertheless, it saves money for big firms as well and is equally pertinent for all businesses during turbulent economic times.  Moreover, most of the virtual small business phone service providers offer flexible service levels. There’s no contract to be signed and most of the plans include considerable number of free minutes.

Makes You Available All the Time

The auto attendant of a virtual small business phone system completely eliminates the need for an office receptionist. This is an automated receptionist that is capable of receiving any number of calls. You can record the message that the auto attendant will play as soon as a customer calls you. Hiring a professional for recording your auto attendant is not a bad idea. The auto attendant greets your customers and routes him to the right person or department. It works 24 hours a day forwarding and transferring calls to the right person or department. So you are never far from your customers and prospects.

A Few Features

You get all the features and benefits of a traditional phone system in a virtual small business phone system.  You can transfer calls to your employees and colleagues located in the same office or may be across the country. You can also forward calls to your personal cell phone, residential phone or office phone.  If you are unable to answer your customer’s call he/she can leave a message in your voicemail box and you can reply them back at your convenience. Moreover, it allows these voice messages to be read in emails. So you do not lose out any time checking your voicemail box and your email separately.

A Few Extra Features

A virtual small business phone system also offers certain extra features over a traditional phone system. For example, you can send and receive fax online using your small business phone. This is the most modern way of sending and receiving fax without a fax machine and paper. You can also program your phone system in a way that you set days of the week and even hours when you are available on each number and the auto attendant will forward calls accordingly. You can also use a toll free number with this phone system. Toll free numbers are especially known for its success in attracting customers and influencing the sales of a business.

Small Business Phone Service – Pertinent for All Business Types

A small business phone service has been neglected for many years. Telecommunication service providers typically cater to large businesses that have over hundreds or perhaps thousands of employees.  The phone system of these service providers deliver many helpful functionality to  business organizations like call forwarding, call transfer, call routing but their systems are expensive and need quite a good number of human resources for its maintenance.  Small business phone service was first successful among home based businesses, start-ups and small businesses. Yet large organizations were initially hesitant to use this phone system.

For Any Business

Gradually they realized the benefits of using a small business phone service. The benefits of a small business phone need not be limited to a small business only but can have larger implications. Though a big business does not have strict financial commitments, cost cutting is definitely a plus for business of any size and more so during turbulent economic times. A small business phone service gradually gained popularity among both large and small firms.

Cost Saving for All Businesses

A small business phone service does not need to be installed on any particular telephone connection. It can in fact, work on any telephone connection. It also does not need any hardware or software. So it can save a considerable amount of dollars for any business. But this is especially important for small businesses, start-ups or home based business that works in limited financial boundaries. Nevertheless, it saves money for big firms as well and is equally pertinent for all businesses during turbulent economic conditions.

Answer Your Customer’s Call All the Time

The auto attendant of a small business phone service completely eliminates the need of an office receptionist. This is an automated receptionist that is capable to receive and greet any number of calls. You can record the message that your auto attendant will play as soon as a customer calls your office. Hiring a professional for recording your auto attendant is not a bad idea. The auto attendant greets your customers and routes him to the right person or department. It works day and night and so you are sure to answer all your customers all the time.

Expect the Benefits of a Traditional Phone System and More

You can expect all the features and benefits of a traditional phone system in a small business phone service.  You can transfer calls to your employees and colleagues located in the same office or may be across the country. It can also forward your call to your personal cell phone, residential phone or office phone.  If you are unable to answer your customer’s call for any reason your customers can leave a message in your voice mail box and you can reply back at your convenience. Moreover, it allows these voice messages to be read in emails. So you do not lose time checking your voicemail box and your email to answer your customer’s queries. Rather you manage all your communications from one place.

Few Extra Benefits

You can use a toll free number with your small business phone service.  Both large and small organizations can benefit from a toll free number.  A toll-free number boosts the image of any organization and makes you more accessible to your customers.