For a business to thrive communication between clients, business owners and employees is key. Businesses are constantly on the lookout for communication systems that can offer them the features they need to boost communication and consequently improve their services to customers.
Phone systems provide these businesses with audio call and text messaging features at either a fixed price or based on quotation. Phone systems were previously considered expensive based on the equipment and special hardware, but they are now being adopted as a major communication system for businesses of different sizes.
The next paragraphs will be a guide through the features that make a good phone business, and the different phone systems that are suitable for small businesses. The phone systems that are discussed in this guide work as mobile or desktop apps and they allow users to make calls using internet connection.
Table of Contents
What to look out for in a phone system
Remote Access
Whichever phone system you choose for your business, check the remote options that are available. It is preferable to use voice over internet protocol which allows calls to be made over the internet instead of a phone line. This means that the business employees will be able to make calls as far as they have access to the internet and can sign in to the phone system. Some systems use mobile and desktop apps to facilitate this process.
Good audio and video connection
Look out for the quality of audio and video connection offered by the system. Poor connection often translates to poor communication, which is bad for any business. Ensure that the video is high definition and also check for the number and frequency of dropped calls. The audio should be loud and clear without any connection issues. Also, look out for the number of participants that are allowed on a call, and see if it will work for your business considering the number of employees that will be using the phone system.
Responsive customer support
Customer support should be available to save the day when unforeseen occurrences happen. The phone system you choose to adopt should have a responsive customer support team that is always ready to help. So check the availability and responsiveness of their customer support and also look out for reviews on customer support, that is where you will get the information you need. Take note of how this customer support can be contacted either by phone call, email, or via an online contact form.
SMS and MMS features
While calls are great means of communication, texting is likewise very effective. It is a good way to keep in touch with coworkers, employees, and clients by sending messages. You want a phone system that can offer Short message and Multimedia message services. Short message service allows sending of text while Multimedia message service, like the name suggests, allows sharing of media files like photos or videos. Both message services are very important to foster effective communication amongst people in the business. It is easier and faster to relay information in different formats.
Best phone system for businesses in Melbourne
Nexgen
First on the list is this Australian-owned phone systems company which has features that make it perfect for small businesses. The system works on a strong network providing a fast and stable connection for calls and messages. One feature that is most loved by users is the responsive customer service that it offers, which ensures that complaints are attended to as soon as possible. The limitation of the system, however, is that the rate is not public so it is difficult to have prior knowledge of the overall cost of adopting this phone system.
RingCentral
RingCentral is not only suitable for small businesses but also medium and large-scale business enterprises. This phone system offers a standard and efficient network and a unified communication solution with great features such as caller ID, conferencing tool, and phone number extensions. It also allows scheduling of calls and integrating your system with G Suite, Dropbox, and Microsoft. They offer four paid plans with different levels of functionality. The customer service is impressive, although you may need a little help to set up this phone system.
Ring4
Ring4 is an online business phone system designed to provide an affordable and easy-to-use solution for small businesses. With Ring4, businesses can make and receive calls, texts, and video conferences in the cloud using their existing devices without the need for extra SIM cards, data plans, or landlines. It allows businesses to record custom voicemail greetings, share business contact lists with team members, and record business calls with automatic transcription. With a 30-second setup, businesses can easily port their existing numbers for free and get started with Ring4’s mobile and web app available on multiple platforms. Ring4 offers a reliable and cost-effective option for businesses looking for a modern business phone system.
Ooma
This is the best option if what you want is a phone system that will work on a low budget. Ooma has features that are just ideal for small businesses. It offers remote extension dialing, a virtual receptionist and several other features that can support remote communication between employees and customers, and to top it off, there is a 30-day free trial for new users. The setup process for Ooma is relatively easy and fast. The service is reliable, and it is easy to update hours, coupled with the simple texting features.
Comsource
This is another efficient phone system that is highly rated by businesses. Comsource has a strong network that provides helpful communication options. Their team of account managers is dedicated to assisting customers. This makes it ideal for small businesses that are new to phone systems. However, like Nexgen, Comsource’s pricing also works on quotation.
8×8
Another famous phone system that is great for businesses. 8×8 system is characterised by easy setup, excellent onboarding system, and an opportunity to easily upgrade anytime you want; this makes the phone system ideal for small businesses that are looking to expand in the future. It is a great communication system that allows video meetings, instant messaging, and chat features. There is also the screen sharing feature, auto attendants, and unlimited international calls. One more interesting thing, users can easily transfer calls from one device to another. The limitation here is that the pricing is a little above that of an average phone system, and it is difficult to archive chats or to even copy and paste into and out of a chat.
When choosing a phone system for your business, ensure you conduct extensive research on the system to know if it is suitable for your business needs and if it will help your business, because these are the major reasons for adopting these phone systems in the first place. Some Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems allow users to add unified communications features like video conference, team chat, and voicemail-to-email.