Digital phone line

5 signs you're ready for a new small business phone system

Posted
on
June 9, 2022

The UK’s legacy landline phone network is set to be switched off completely in 2025. Many small businesses have already begun migrating their communications to fully digital solutions to ensure they’re well prepared once the analogue public switched telephone network (PSTN) is turned off. 

If you’re not sure whether or not you need a new small business phone system, there are a number of telltale signs that will give it away. 

1. You’re spending too much to maintain your on-site system

If you’re worried about the ongoing costs of your landline phone system, it’s time to switch to a more cost-effective digital solution. 

On-premise systems require you to pay for hardware and maintenance costs. They’re also challenging and costly to scale, which means they’re not the best solution for small growing businesses. 

You can make substantial savings with a digitally hosted or cloud VoIP phone system. There’s no hardware to maintain and you can easily add numbers and phones without having to install new lines or call in a technician. 

What’s more, the provider you choose should offer straightforward pricing so you don’t have to worry about unexpected costs each month. With no hidden installation and maintenance fees, you can better manage your communications finances.

2. You’re paying too much for phone numbers

With a landline phone, you have to pay for each phone number you use. You’ll also likely incur high international calling rates. Whether you work alone or with a small team, virtual phone numbers are much more cost-effective. 

Along with cost savings, there are many reasons to use virtual phone numbers for your small business. These numbers are easy to set up when you switch to a VoIP phone system and provide access to a range of calling features to enhance your business communications internally and externally. 

3. Your employees are working remotely

Flexible work policies have been increasingly popular since working remotely was compulsory during the pandemic. Both employers and employees have realised the benefits of fully remote or hybrid work for a better work/life balance. 

Traditional phone systems aren’t made for the hybrid workforce. Their fixed infrastructure means that employees need to be in the office to use their business phones unless you configure a call forwarding solution that sends calls to their personal phones - which isn’t ideal either. 

If your employees are working remotely, even just a few days a week, it’s a clear sign you need a cloud telephony solution that allows them to work from home or on the go using a desktop or mobile app. 

4. You would benefit from more phone features

If you feel like your business communications are lacking, it’s likely you’re not leveraging VoIP phone features that can enhance your professionalism and the experience you offer your customers. 

VoIP phones provide small businesses with a range of enterprise-grade features such as call forwarding, call recordings, call queues, voicemail-to-email, custom greetings and much more. 

5. You want to integrate your business communications

Businesses rely on a range of tools and applications to carry out day-to-day tasks. Often, this can lead to communication and collaboration silos, resulting in miscommunications and lost productivity. 

VoIP phone systems allow you to integrate your business phone with other essential tools like messaging, video conferencing and customer relationship management (CRM) apps for a more holistic approach to communications.  

Is it time for a new small business phone system?

For modern businesses, implementing a digital system will be necessary once the UK’s landline phone network is turned off. But there are plenty of reasons to make the switch before that.

As a small business, a flexible virtual phone system such as bOnline provides you with all the features and functionality you need to stay connected and save on costs with enhanced business communications.

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