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What Is The Best Phone System For a Small Business
Your virtual phone system is an essential piece of equipment or software for small business owners. Every day, you're going to use it, and the right one can give you a significant competitive advantage.
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All businesses, after all, necessitate some kind of business communication. Small businesses can do as well as or better than large corporations when it comes to being reachable by customers, suppliers, and employees alike, and this is something that both can do.
Good Phone systems for small business can make this possible. So, how do you know which one is best for you? What are the advantages and disadvantages of different phone systems and providers?
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In this post, we'll talk about what to look for in phone systems for small business (while keeping your budget in mind), where you might be able to make some concessions, and what features you probably shouldn't skimp on.
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What is a Phone Systems or Small Business, Exactly?
Let's start by talking about what Phone systems for small business are. And no, it's not just your cell phone.
Technically, Phone systems for small business are telephony solutions that allow your company to make and receive business calls (at a very basic level). But you'll probably also need something that lets you transfer and forward calls to your own cell phone, for example.
Types of Business Phone System Options Available to You
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If you're like most small businesses, you'll probably choose between two main types: a business VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service that uses softphones or IP phone systems, or a PBX (private branch exchange) system that uses traditional phone lines.
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VoIP phone system: The more complicated and hands-on choice. It uses your internet connection to make phone calls. It's easy to set up and you can pay as you go, so you don't have to spend much (or anything) upfront. Most of these come with apps called "softphones" that can be used on Android or iOS phones (and even other mobile devices like iPads).
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You might also come across Phone systems for small business that says they are "unified communications platforms." This is a newer term, and these kinds of phone systems usually come with other ways for businesses to communicate, like SMS and instant messaging.
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PBX systems: The option that requires more time and money. Usually, you have to buy more hardware up front and pay an IT person to help you make changes like adding users or updating voicemail settings. (Some PBX systems have improved and are better at this, but in general, a PBX system will require more work.
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It's important to keep in mind that a business phone system is about more than just how and what you use to make calls. They are all about connecting your business with clients or customers, partners, remote employees, and anyone who happens to be abroad for the month.
In other words, they are the building blocks of a modern business based on communications.
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