If you are starting a new business, you have to make lots of decisions. One of them is whether you need a business phone service and, if you do, what type would be best for you. Let’s take a look at some key things to be aware of.

Getting A Business Phone Service:

The first thing you have to do is look at your various options. Startup businesses usually use one of three options:

1. Cellular services, whereby you usually only have a single phone line.
2. VoIP (voice over internet protocol), which means you make and receive calls over the internet.
3. Landlines, which is the oldest system of all.

Startups usually go for option 1 or 2, because they are cheaper, but they may not suit your needs perfectly.

For instance, if you have a storefront from which you work out, whether it is in a rental space or a home, then you need a business phone service. This is because you need to make sure that you can communicate properly with your customers and contacts. This means that you may want to be able to separate business and home phones. Plus, you might want your calls to be forwarded to email if you aren’t reachable.

At the same time, if you don’t want to rely on digital services, perhaps because they are a bit hit and miss in your area, then you will need a landline instead. If you rely on being able to communicate with your clients, then a landline is generally the most secure way of doing that. Plus, because there are still some people around who don’t have computers or email addresses, a landline may just be your only option.

Landlines are a lot more stable than VoIP. They will work even if the power goes out, for instance. You also don’t have to worry about a brownout, which can affect online calls. Essentially, when you have a landline, you are guaranteed to never miss a call.

However, if you believe that your business may grow very rapidly, then a landline may not be suitable at all. Adding phone lines can be incredibly expensive and it is often hard to add new numbers or new services. With VoIP options, however, growing or contracting your system is incredibly easy. If, for instance, you have seasonal workers who need to be reachable, then a VoIP is the most affordable solution. Clearly, choosing between a VoIP and a landline business phone service can be quite complex, and it all depends on your personal needs.

That leaves us with the cellular phone service. It is likely to be the cheapest of them all, and you generally get really good deals in terms of unlimited calls and data, just as with a personal phone. One advantage of using cellular phones for business is increased flexibility. Basically, what this means is that even if you are away from the office, you can be contacted. Teleconferencing is also possible, wherever you are. Another important benefit is that most cell phones are now smartphones, which means that much of the capabilities of computers can now be done through them.