Wirecutter is a well-known American review website that focuses on technology. They review products and services based on whether or not they’re good for business. In a review of the business phone provider Vonage, Wirecutter states:
“Wirecutter tested the services of five different companies and chose Vonage because of how easy it was to set up and use. We rated it number one on our list of top business apps and services for productivity.”
Businesses of all sizes depend on phones to conduct their everyday operations. Whether it’s taking calls from customers or employees, making phone calls to set up meetings or just to chat, or handling basic email communications, having a reliable phone service is vital.
Some businesses use multiple phones for different tasks. One phone might be for business purposes and another might be for family or personal calls. If your business is anything like most others, you’ll want a single phone service provider offering a range of services that you can depend on.
Why Do You Need Business Phones?
Let’s face it, in today’s world, phones are a necessary evil. Without them, we’d have no communication whatsoever!
While we’re fortunate to have excellent communication through our smartphones, text messaging, and reliable data plans, there are still times when a phone call is needed. Maybe you want to confirm a meeting with a client or a colleague. Maybe you need to order some supplies or seek advice from someone. Whatever the case may be, having a phone number that people can easily reach you is crucial. You can’t be available 24/7/365 and expect people to still contact you when they need advice or assistance.
Plus, with advancements in computing and telecommunications, phones have become smaller and more sophisticated, allowing businesses of all sizes to enjoy the conveniences of mobile working. Whether you’ve got a laptop computer or a tablet device, you’ll want a phone that you can take advantage of any opportunities that arise.
How Do You Choose The Right Business Phone Services?
Choosing the right business phone service provider is a bit like buying a used car. You don’t want to rush into making a decision without thoroughly inspecting the item and performing some research. The following are some tips on how to choose the right business phone service provider:
Investigate Reputation
One of the first things you’ll want to do is investigate the company’s reputation. You can do this by looking into consumer reviews of the product or service on websites such as Google Reviews or Better Business Bureaus. If possible, look into what other customers have said about the company as well.
It’s also a good idea to contact the Better Business Bureau or other relevant regulatory bodies in your area. If a company is reputable, they should have no problem giving you the information you need to make an informed decision. And remember: customer service is key! You’ll want to speak to someone who can provide you with helpful guidance and answer any questions that you may have.
Features
Beyond investigating the reputation of the business, you’ll want to focus on the features that the company offers. Consider what is important to you as a businessperson. Perhaps you need a simple phone service that can be used for basic calls and sending texts. Or maybe you’re looking for a more sophisticated service that offers extras such as voicemail and web management tools.
When selecting a business phone service provider, it’s important to consider what features are most important to you. In addition, you’ll want to make sure that the service provider offers the features that you need. For example, many call centers provide a wide range of services but lack the features that make a business phone service attractive for small businesses such as Skype for Business or Cisco Phone.
Cost
Cost is always a major consideration when buying any product or service. However, when choosing a business phone provider, you’ll want to keep cost in mind while still considering what is important to you. When comparing different services, it’s important to think about what features they offer, how much it costs to make calls, and whether or not the costs are included in the plan. In choosing a business phone service provider, costs should not be a concern. As long as you keep your costs down and you choose a service that is easy to use, you’ll be able to focus on growing your business.
Term
One of the things that often get overlooked when choosing a business phone provider is the term. You’ll want to make sure that the phone service provider offers a term that makes sense for you. The length of time you’ll want to commit to should depend on how much you use the phone for. If you need a phone service that you can depend on and don’t plan on going anywhere else, you might want to look into a term-based plan. This would be advisable for those who need the phone for more than a few hours a day. A shorter plan could save you money in the long-run.
Support
Another thing to consider when choosing a business phone service provider is their support. Does the company offer fast, friendly support? Or, do you have to wait for days to speak to someone? You’ll want to choose a service provider that offers good support. It’s also important to consider whether or not the support team can answer your questions or direct you to the proper person or department. For example, if you call Apple (directly) and ask them about the iPhone, you’ll end up talking to a sales representative who doesn’t know much about your particular issue. However, if you contact the Better Business Bureau and provide them with the information they need, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
Pricing
Finally, you’ll want to look into the pricing of the product or service. The pricing should be easy to understand and should match what you are looking for. If you want a basic service that costs $5/mo, it’s important to go through the various fees and see how much you’ll end up paying. Be sure to read the fine print so you don’t get charged extra for something that you didn’t know about. Similarly, it’s important to look at how much you’ll have to pay in the long-run. With a cell phone plan, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not being gouged by a company who is trying to make a quick buck. There are cheaper alternatives out there, but it’s important to do your research and find out what pricing plans exist.
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing a business phone provider. However, as long as you do your research and compare all relevant prices and features, you’ll be able to choose a service that is right for your needs. In choosing a business phone service provider, it’s important to keep in mind that reputation, cost, and support all come into play. While some businesses may choose a hosted voicemail service because of the cost or lack of features, a good reputation can make up for a lot of shortcomings. In the end, you’ll want a service provider that you can trust to stay in business for many years to come.