Photo by Luke Southern
Your business may be thriving in both the real and the online world – but are your communications keeping up?
For local businesses, having a modern, robust phone system is quickly becoming a must-have for success. You may be scaling your operations, managing a growing team, or simply aiming to provide exceptional customer service – either way, the right phone system can be your secret weapon.
But what exactly is a phone system? How do you choose the right one for your business? And most importantly, how can it transform the way you work? Let’s break it all down.
What is Phone System?
At its core, a phone system is designed to handle your business’s telecommunications needs. Unlike the basic landline phone sitting on your desk at home, these systems can manage large volumes of calls, route customers to the correct department, and offer advanced features like voicemail, conferencing, and call analytics.
There are two main types of phone systems businesses typically choose from: on-premise systems and hosted VoIP systems. Both come with their own unique benefits.
On-Premise Phone Systems
An on-premise phone system is just what it sounds like – a phone system physically housed within your business. These premise based systems are considered VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone systems, too. Most premised based systems have the capabilities to operate as a hybrid system, meaning they can take traditional phone lines or SIP trunks, which is essentially what hosted systems run on. All the hardware and software you need to operate the system, from servers to internal phone lines, are located right there on-site.
Think of it as the traditional approach to business telephony. Your company owns and manages everything, including the hardware. While this gives you complete control, it also means you’ll have to handle setup, maintenance, and upgrades yourself.
On-premise systems can be great for businesses that want a reliable, tried-and-true solution, but they aren’t without limitations, especially as many modern entrepreneurs are increasingly leaning toward more flexible options.
Hosted VoIP Phone Systems
Enter the hosted, VoIP phone system. Also referred to as cloud phone systems, these systems use the internet to make and receive calls. Unlike an on-premise system, all the technical infrastructure is hosted and maintained by a third-party provider.
Here’s the beauty of a VoIP system for small businesses: It’s incredibly flexible. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the office, working from home, or on the go – you can stay connected with your team and your customers. All you need is an internet connection!
Another obvious benefit? No clunky hardware to maintain on-site. Your service provider takes care of any updates, maintenance, and technical issues so that you can focus on growing your business.
Photo by JJ Ying
Key Features of Phone Systems
Whether you go for an on-premise or hosted solution, phone systems offer powerful features that can level-up the way your business operates. Here are three standout tools:
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- Auto-Attendant: An auto-attendant is like having a digital receptionist that greets customers and provides them with a menu of options. Need sales? Press 1. Technical support? Press 2. It’s efficient, professional, and takes care of your customers without the wait.
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- Call Forwarding: With call forwarding, you can redirect calls from your office phone to your cell phone or even your home line. This way, you’ll never miss a call, even if you’re in between meetings or out of the office for the day.
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- Conference Calls: High-quality conference calls help you connect with clients, team members, and partners. No matter if it’s a quick catchup or a major strategy meeting, reliable sound quality guarantees you’ll always be heard loud and clear.
How a Phone System Can Help Your Business
Why invest in a phone system? Simply put – it can transform your business. Here are just a few of the key benefits you’ll see with the right system in place.
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- Improved Customer Service: A reliable communication system ensures your customers never feel ignored. Features like auto-attendants and quick call routing mean calls are handled swiftly and professionally.
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- Scalability: Growing your business? No problem! Modern phone systems make it easy to add more lines or upgrade your services without worrying about installing new hardware.
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- Flexibility: You can customize your setup with the aforementioned features like voicemail-to-email, call recording, or specific department call routing. You can also choose from a range of phones and accessories that’ll fit your needs.
Get Connected Today
At Smart Link Solutions, we’re in the business of making things easier for your business. Whether you’re interested in a state-of-the-art VoIP system, traditional on-premise equipment, or full-service broadband support, we’re here to help. With over 30 years of excellence, our team delivers exceptional results for businesses of all sizes.
For more information, call (866) 757 – 5100 or visit Smart Link Solutions today!
Photo by Parrish Freeman