With remote working being on the rise, many small businesses have adopted this strategy as a long-term model. But what is the key to running a successful business from home? Quite simply, it’s being able to stay connected with your customers.
A reliable phone system like VoIP provides you with the ability to set up your business office wherever you are. As long as you have a strong internet connection, your virtual phone number will be good to go!
What is a VoIP Phone System?
VoIP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol) is an internet-based telephone service. Rather than transmitting business calls through a traditional landline number, virtual call routing is done via the internet, giving you much more control and mobility.
Small business owners may feel wary about giving out their personal numbers, this is where virtual numbers are perfect. With VoIP, you can make and receive calls through a softphone or mobile app, with your private number hidden.
How Do VoIP Packages Work?
Signing up with a VoIP provider couldn’t be easier. Simply choose the number you like along with the package that suits your business needs. Your perfect package will be based on how many inbound and outbound minutes you need per month.
When you are selecting your new virtual number, you can choose between a variety of numbers include toll free 0800 numbers, easily memorable numbers, and local area code numbers to give your small business a local presence.
Is a Virtual Landline Phone Number Right for Your Business?
You may be wondering if your business is too small to benefit from virtual phone numbers.
In short, no. Although, all small businesses will benefit from virtual phone numbers in different ways.
If you are considering switching over to a VoIP system, you are likely already not getting the service your company needs. A business is never too small to benefit from having a virtual phone system if a traditional landline number is not sufficient. Recent research studies on small businesses have shown that 31% of businesses use a VoIP system. The majority of these have less than 50 employees.
Below we will highlight some of the key benefits of having a business VoIP package and virtual phone number that you can utilize to improve your business:
Mobile Integration – with a VoIP phone system you connect it with a mobile app. You will have the same functionality as the softphone – except you can make and receive calls on the go.
Softphone – this software-based virtual landline phone system mimics a desk phone brilliantly. It is presented by a software interface complete with a dialler and all the call handling features that you would expect – including mute, hold, and transfer.
Versatile – as long as you have an internet connection, you will be able to make and receive calls. Whether you’re at home or on the go, your softphone and mobile app will keep you connected with your clients so that you never miss an important call again.
Advanced Features to Help Productivity
We have already highlighted some of the key benefits of having a business phone number. Here are some of the more advanced features of VoIP phone systems that you may find beneficial to growing your business:
Call Recording
The benefit of this handy feature will be unique to your business. Some businesses use call recording for staff training purposes, to help improve their call quality. However, you may find it beneficial for your business to keep a record of all calls to solve any future disputes.
Multiple Departments
Whether you are a one-man-band or a team of people, you may still benefit from multiple departments. If you run your small business alone, this feature will help you to identify the type of call coming through, so you know how to greet the customer. Alternatively, if you have a team of employees, you can allow certain users to answer particular department calls.
Call Redirects
The call redirects feature allows you to redirect calls to either one user or a ring group. You must have at least one redirect set to allow your calls to go through to the softphone or mobile phone app.
Bespoke Opening Times
Unlike traditional phone lines, you are in control of when your business phone line is open for calls. You can set your opening hours around your schedule as well as having a ‘quick close’ option if you ever need to close your lines with short notice.
Music on Hold
Armed with all the tech you need at your fingertips; you are in control of the experience your customer gets every time they call your business number. Greet your customer with an introduction message that tells them who you are. You can also record your own messages so that while they are waiting in the queue they can hear about any important updates or promotions you may have on offer, in between listening to the music of your choice.
Grow Your Business with a Virtual Phone Number
One of the greatest benefits of VoIP phone systems for businesses is their ability to scale up as your business grows. You can add on additional users and remove them whenever you need to, in minutes, all presenting with the same business phone number.
For example, if you are taking annual leave and intend on having someone else answer all your business calls, you can add a new user and remove them upon your return – it’s that easy!
If you decide to grow your small business and hire more employees to work alongside you, they can either be office-based together or home-based in multiple locations. Wherever your team is, they will be able to present as the same virtual landline number.
Alternatively, you could give each team member their own virtual number to present with. With full control, you decide on who handles the calls. Whether you decide to have all business phone calls routed through to you or call forwarding through a team-first – the choice is yours!
Complete versatility and control with your virtual landline phone number.
With VoIP, your office is wherever you are.
Discover more resources on Starting a Home Based Business.
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