The last few years have been dominated by a focus on “essential” things, such as essential workers, essential services, and essential sectors. Businesses have had to consider this when it comes to their phone systems. Let’s start by looking at the different options available for business phone service.
What Features Should I Consider When Choosing a Business Phone System?
There are several features to consider when shopping for advanced business phone systems. Look for a business phone service provider that offers an intuitive user experience, reliable and secure calling options, and integrates with the other tools used by your staff. Consider if the entire business phone system can be customized to fit your company’s specific needs and budget. Will you get unlimited calling? Look for a system that offers features such as call forwarding, voicemail, caller ID, and audio conferencing. Finally, make sure the system you choose is compatible with your existing infrastructure. Does the provider offer virtual phones, a cell phone/mobile app, or other features essential to remote employees?
Knowing that you have selected a phone system that is a good fit for both your current needs and future growth is an important first step. From there, it’s essential to set up a comprehensive training program for all users. Ensure that everyone who uses the system is comfortable with its features and able to take full advantage of its capabilities.
Differences Between Phone Services for Large and Small Businesses
While cloud-based phone providers like Google Voice have been around for a while, they aren’t always the best choice for smaller companies. Small businesses should also look into local service providers for their phone systems. Local service is a must for small business owners looking to maximize the value of their phone system and ensure that it works reliably. Local service can provide an extra layer of protection against potential problems with the system or its users.
Typically, Local service providers offer setup and maintenance, as well as 24/7 customer support. This is particularly beneficial if you are looking for customized solutions or if you have multiple users in different locations needing help. Local service providers often offer competitive pricing compared to national providers and can provide additional discounts for customers who sign up for long-term contracts.
Read Reviews
When choosing a local provider for your business phone system, research their services and customer reviews before making a decision. Make sure they have experience working with similar technologies used by your company and that they are willing to customize solutions according to your specific needs. Look into their availability and response times in case of any technical issues or questions you may have regarding the system or its use. Finally, make sure you understand all of the fees associated with the contract so there are no surprises down the road.
VoIP Levels the Playing Field
Before the introduction of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and cloud-based phone systems, large businesses were usually the only ones able to finance the cost of onsite equipment required to have a comprehensive telephone system with advanced features such as multi-level auto attendants, extension dialing, and call queues.
VoIP business phone systems have revolutionized the playing field – and cloud hosting takes it to a whole new level! Goodbye expensive entry costs! Now small businesses can have access to top-notch systems – just like the big guys! Now smaller companies can get unlimited calling, apps for mobile phones, and more by using their internet connection in place of landline phone systems.
Dependable Service is Essential
For any small business, dependable service is essential to its success. This is especially true when it comes to phone systems. Having a reliable local service provider makes all the difference in how well your business runs.
Local providers can deliver better customer service and technical support than those who are out-of-state or overseas. A local phone system provider can also provide more customized services tailored specifically for your business, such as setting up specific features on your phone system and helping you troubleshoot issues related to it.
As important as features, flexibility, and cost, local service is a must for small businesses seeking a reliable phone system. Not only can it provide better customer service and technical support, but it can also offer customized solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of your business.
5 reasons why local service is an absolute MUST for your small business phone system:
Local Service = More Responsive
If you experience a problem with your small business phone system, then waiting days for technicians to show up is not an option. You need the issue resolved RIGHT NOW (actually “yesterday” is even better!).
With local service, you can be assured that your issue will be treated as a top priority. This means trained technicians will be on-site within hours, or by the next business day. What’s more, some problems can be solved remotely, which speeds things up even more.
Local Service = No Hassle Installation
If you deal with a national vendor, then they will likely offer you remote installation. They will describe this as a benefit to YOU, but in truth, it is a benefit to THEM because it means they do not have to pay technicians to go on-site or provide user training.
What’s more, installing a small business phone system is not a “plug and play” or “turnkey” process! Telecommunications expertise is required to ensure that everything is configured properly, compatible with your infrastructure, and tested thoroughly. Errors and oversights will lead to disruptions and downtime — if not immediately, then certainly in the weeks or months to come.
If you wisely choose a reputable local vendor, then you do not have to worry about this costly and stressful scenario. This is because their experts will handle every aspect of the installation. Instead of worrying about PoE, LNP, VLAN (and the list of acronyms goes on!), you can focus on serving your customers, managing your team, and running your business!
Local Service = More Accountability
A vendor that provides local service lives and works in your area. As such, if you have an issue that is not resolved to your satisfaction, then you can show up at their office.
Ideally, you will never feel that it is necessary to do that, because all of your problems will be solved, and all of your questions will be answered. But you will always have the confidence of knowing that you COULD meet them in person if you feel it is necessary. And guess what? Your vendor knows this as well!
Compare this to a national vendor that is headquartered hundreds or thousands of miles away. They know they can give you the run-around or drop the ball (several times) on service, and there is zero chance that you will show up at their door demanding answers.
Local Service = Understanding the Area’s Business Landscape
A vendor that provides local service understands the unique dynamics of the area’s business landscape and uses this knowledge and experience to help you make the right decisions for your small business phone system.
For example, let’s say that your business is located in an area that has a lot of environmental noise from outside construction and traffic. A local vendor will know about this problem and recommend phones such as the new Yealink T58W Pro, which uses the latest technology to cancel out all background noise.
Conversely, a national vendor will most likely try and sell you phones that generate the most profit. They won’t know, or care, about your day-to-day reality. To them, you are just a number instead of a unique small business.
Local Service = Supporting Your Community
Just like your small business, a vendor that provides local service is supporting the community in a variety of ways. That support comes in the form of paying local taxes to provide quality long-term jobs for your neighbors and driving local economic growth. To make an even bigger impact with your hard-earned dollars, you can choose a vendor that supports local charities.
The Bottom Line
At Carolina Digital Phone, we are proud to offer the industry’s BEST LOCAL SERVICE. Here are just a few hundred five-star reviews that we have earned over the years:
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- “The support of this company is amazing. One of my routers went down in my rack of equipment. The crew came back onsite and they worked with me after hours to get my equipment back online. Carolina Digital takes pride in what they do and also its customers! I highly recommend this company. 5 STARS :)”
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- We love our VoIP phone system from Carolina Digital Phone. The product works as it should and the features are fantastic and easy to use. Also, tech support is top-notch. I can’t say enough good things about the staff and how quickly they are able to resolve any issues we have had while getting everything up and running. 5-star company!
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- “I have had many phone services over my 30+ years in practice. This is by far the best service that I have ever had. The customer service is amazing. I cannot recommend Carolina Digital Phone enough!”
Contact Carolina Digital Phone now and learn more about our legendary local service, and our extremely affordable all-in-one VoIP cloud-based phone system. Call us at (336) 544-4400.