Effective communication is the lifeblood of any small business.

While email and messaging apps have become indispensable, a reliable small business phone system remains a cornerstone for effective communication with customers, partners, and within the organization. 

To make sure you make an informed decision for your small business communications, we’ll go over the benefits, considerations, and key features to consider for your growing venture.

Benefits of Small Business Phone Systems

Even with email and text-based communications, phone systems are important for small businesses. These are a few of the reasons: 

Exude Professionalism

A dedicated business phone number exudes professionalism, instilling confidence in your customers and partners that they are dealing with a legitimate and established company.

Maintain Reliability

Small business phone systems are engineered for reliability, minimizing downtime and ensuring that you never miss a crucial call from clients or other members of your team.

Enhance Customer Service

Features like call forwarding, voicemail, and automated attendants enable you to provide top-notch customer service, even with a limited staff.

Implement Scalability

As your business grows, your phone system can grow with you. It's essential to choose a system that can adapt to your changing needs.

Considerations for Small Business Phone Systems

Some considerations small businesses need to keep in mind when choosing a phone system include:

Cost Variability

The cost associated with acquiring and maintaining a system can vary depending on the type. More traditional systems require the purchase of hardware, monthly service fees, and regular maintenance and updates. Other, generally internet-based systems tend to be more cost-efficient.

Scalability Capabilities

As businesses grow, scalability becomes crucial, and some phone systems may struggle to accommodate increased call volume and additional lines, leading to potential disruptions in communication.

Finding the Right System

Selecting the right system can be complicated, as there is a vast array of options with varying features and price points. We’ll talk about some of the major features to consider in the next section.

Key Phone System Features to Consider

When selecting a small business phone system, it's crucial to consider your unique requirements. Here are some key features to keep in mind:

VoIP or Traditional?

One of the first decisions you'll need to make is whether to opt for a traditional landline system or a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system. VoIP systems use the internet to transmit voice data, often resulting in cost savings and more flexibility.

How Many Lines?

Determine how many lines you need to accommodate your current team and potential growth.

Voicemail

A reliable voicemail system is indispensable. Look for one that allows for customized greetings and easy message retrieval, ensuring you never miss important messages from customers or partners.

Mobile Accessibility

In today's mobile-centric world, the ability to make and receive business calls on smartphones can be crucial. Some phone systems offer a mobile app or mobile-friendly features.

Scalability

Your business is likely to grow, and your phone system needs to be able to grow with it. Look for a solution that easily accommodates additional lines, extensions, and features as your needs evolve.

Call Management Features

Ensure your phone system comes equipped with essential call management features like call forwarding, call waiting, and call routing. These features help direct incoming calls to the right person or department efficiently.

Auto-Attendant

An automated attendant is a call management feature that can function as a virtual receptionist, greeting callers and guiding them to the appropriate department. This not only enhances your business’s professionalism but also reduces the load on your call center staff.

Integration Capabilities

Consider how well the phone system integrates with your other business tools. Seamless integration with your CRM software, email, and other essential applications can greatly boost efficiency.

PanTerra Streams: A Preferred Small Business Phone System Option

PanTerra Streams is a preferred small business phone system for a variety of businesses. Small businesses like Foster Transformer Company have integrated PanTerra’s software to improve communication and collaboration, boosting productivity and customer service.

For small businesses, it's essential to choose a phone system that aligns with your current needs and can adapt to your evolving demands. PanTerra, with our flexible plans and features, can be that system for your small business. 

Check out our pricing page to learn more: https://www.panterranetworks.com/pricing