If you’re thinking of launching your own small business, you’ll soon see that there are some important decisions that you need to make. One of these tasks on your “to-do” list is to purchase your business phone system.

You can learn more here on why your small business needs a business phone and what to look for in this important piece of equipment.

What Do I Want in a Business Phone System?

Your small business phone system is your primary vehicle to communicate with customers and vendors. Features that you should consider to optimize your system include some of the following:

Auto Attendant

This feature replaces your human receptionist and greets a caller with a listing of choices to direct their call. This feature is commonly called a “phone tree.”

The auto attendant gives a caller the ability to reach a particular employee at their desk. It also allows the caller to speak with a department representative.

Automatic Redial 

The automatic redial function allows you to dial the most recent business phone number you previously called. You can do this just by pressing one or two of the numbers in that recent phone number you just dialed.

Call Forwarding and Holding  

Call forwarding allows you to send incoming calls meant for you to another co-worker’s extension inside your office or to your voicemail. The call holding function lets you put callers on hold to wait while you participate in another conversation.

Conference Call Features

Conference call features can connect two or more extensions together to participate on the same line. Sometimes a conference feature system only allows internal callers to connect.

Hold Messaging/Music

Hold messaging/music plays a pre-recorded announcement or music while a caller waits on hold. Pre-recorded messages can include advertising. They can also include directions on how the other caller should prepare for the upcoming discussion.

Paging 

A paging feature lets a speaker talk over the office’s public communication system. You can use this feature to summon another employee in the building or deliver an announcement that all your employees will hear.

Speed Dial 

A speed dial feature can save those commonly used phone numbers you use constantly in your system. You can access speed dial numbers when you press a pre-determined key along with a one or two key digit that you assign to the phone number.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) features allow you to make a phone call on the internet. This new communication system transmits an audio signal over the internet rather than the regular phone

Voice Mail

Voicemail collects any incoming messages left for employees who are unavailable or busy on another line and can’t take the incoming call.

Some systems will allow you to forward a voicemail message to another employee’s voicemail inbox.

What Are Your Next Steps?

Having the best business phone system in place can help keep your small business productive and engaged with your customers. If you’re in the market for a new system, attend an office technology or business trade show to see the latest system formats.

Don’t forget to check out our website for more helpful information. You’ll find that our state-of-the-art equipment can help you retain your clients. We can keep your business growing for many years to come.