A guide to finding the best business phone system for small business operations
Elevate your small business communications with a user-friendly phone system that can evolve with your business needs.
With cloud-based phone systems gaining popularity among businesses of all sizes, traditional phone systems are quickly becoming obsolete.Â
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With speed of communication and clarity being top priorities to many small businesses today, VoIP is a great option because research shows that using VoIP phone systems saves an average of 32 minutes daily. VoIP also helps reduce your local call costs by up to 40%, making it perfect for your small enterprise trying to cut back costs but retain the same level of communication and service quality.
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These modern solutions can be great but with the number of options available in the market, navigating a never-ending availability of cloud-based phone systems can take up your time. That’s why having the right guide can help you find the best business phone system for small businesses.
How to find the best business phone system for small business operations?
Research and compare providers
There are many reputable cloud-based phone system providers in the market. You must evaluate the features and pricing plans they offer and read customer reviews. Create a shortlist of potential options that align with your small business needs and budget. Once you’ve narrowed it down, put each of them under the microscope and find the best cloud phone to accommodate your current and future business needs.
Prioritise user-friendly features
For small businesses, having a complex cloud phone system isn’t practical. You must find a solution that can be easily installed and integrated with your existing systems. Look for features that make it easy for your staff to carry out their everyday tasks and improve productivity. If your team is working remotely, look for systems that can be easily implemented without breakdowns in communication.
Analyse cost and ROI
When looking for the best business phone system for small business operations, cost can often be an important deciding factor, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you consider. Weigh the upfront and ongoing expenses against any future ROI. Thinking about long-term savings and productivity gains that cloud-based phone systems are known to offer versus the costs of maintaining traditional analogue phones.
Consider scalability
Like any small business, you may also have aspirations of scaling your business and having a phone system that can scale with you – allowing you to add or remove lines and features as required – is important. Many companies struggle to scale their businesses because they don’t have the right infrastructure but with a cloud phone system, you don’t have to worry about staying connected while your business grows.
Why do small businesses need to consider
cloud-based phones?
Reduced maintenance costs
Providers handle all system maintenance of cloud-based phone systems, updates, and more, freeing up your IT resources for other important tasks.
Improved environmental sustainability
By eliminating on-premise hardware and associated energy consumption, your cloud phone systems are helping you align with eco-friendly practices.
Advanced call analytics
Many cloud phone systems offer detailed call analytics, allowing businesses to gain insights into call patterns, agent performance, and more.
Seamless software and hardware updates
Cloud-based phone systems come with software and hardware updates handled by the provider so that you never have to disrupt your operations.
Improved mobility
If your small business is expanding or switching to remote working, cloud-based phones make sure that you can stay connected from anywhere.
Get the best phone system for your small business with Uniden
A trusted name in telecommunication, Uniden is also Australia’s smartest cloud-based business phone system catering to different industries from healthcare to real estate and legal. Our focus on reliability and innovation gives us the ability to elevate business communication capabilities for businesses of all sizes.
From feature-rich hosted VoIP solutions to scalable cloud-based phone systems, we design our solutions to seamlessly integrate with your business and existing operations to build a future-ready communication ecosystem.
Get cutting-edge cloud-based business phones
with Uniden
Transform your communication landscape with a team of experts.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use my existing desk phones with a cloud-based phone system?
Yes, many cloud-based phone system providers offer compatibility with a wide range of IP phones and desk phones. If you already have compatible IP phones, you may be able to use them with the new cloud-based system, saving you the cost of purchasing new hardware. However, it's essential to check with the provider to ensure your existing phones are compatible and supported.
2. How does call quality compare between cloud-based and traditional phone systems?
Call quality on cloud-based phone systems can be just as good, if not better, than traditional phone systems, provided you have a reliable and high-speed internet connection. Cloud-based systems use VoIP technology, which optimises voice data transmission over the internet.
3. Can I set up a toll-free number with a cloud-based phone system?
Absolutely. Cloud-based phone system providers typically offer a variety of phone number options, including toll-free numbers. These numbers can be easily integrated with your cloud-based system, providing a professional and memorable contact point for your customers.
4. How reliable are cloud-based phone systems?
Cloud-based phone systems are designed with redundancy and failover mechanisms, ensuring high reliability and uptime. Reputable providers offer uptime guarantees and robust disaster recovery plans to minimise the risk of service disruptions.
5. Can I keep my existing phone numbers when switching to a cloud-based system?
Yes, most cloud-based phone system providers offer number porting services, allowing you to transfer your existing business phone numbers to the new system. This ensures a seamless transition without disrupting your existing communication channels with customers and partners.
