Looking for a Small Business Phone Service Provider?
How to Get Small Business Phone Service for Your Startup
As a startup, you’re working with a limited budget, limited technical skills, and operating your business from your cell phone. This can make managing and growing your business difficult, especially regarding communication. Without a dedicated small business phone service, you risk appearing unprofessional to your customers, missing important calls, and struggling to separate work and personal life. Your business can suffer from missed opportunities, disorganization, and slow growth, making it even harder to compete in the market. Setting up a small business phone service gives you access to a dedicated business line, advanced calling features, and a more professional image.
Ready now? Try Unitel for 30 days and see why we’re the best small business phone service provider for startups.
How to Get Small Business Phone Service for Your Startup
As a startup, you’re working with a limited budget, limited technical skills, and operating your business from your cell phone. This can make managing and growing your business difficult, especially regarding communication. Without a dedicated small business phone service, you risk appearing unprofessional to your customers, missing important calls, and struggling to separate work and personal life. Your business can suffer from missed opportunities, disorganization, and slow growth, making it even harder to compete in the market. Setting up a small business phone service gives you access to a dedicated business line, advanced calling features, and a more professional image.
Ready now? Try Unitel for 30 days and see why we’re the best small business phone service provider for startups.
Questions You Have When Picking a Small Business Phone Service Provider
1. What is a small business phone service?
A small business phone service is a service that provides businesses with a dedicated phone line or system. This can include traditional landlines, but more often now includes Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, which utilize internet connections for calls, or virtual phone systems that work over mobile and landline phones. These services often include features such as call forwarding, voicemail, auto attendants, and more.
Here’s how a small business phone service can solve your problems:
Professional Image: A dedicated business phone service provides a professional phone number, voicemail, call forwarding, and customized greetings, allowing you to project a polished image to clients and customers.
Call Management on the Go: With a business phone service that works seamlessly on your cell phone, you can handle calls from anywhere, ensuring you never miss important business opportunities.
Call Routing and Forwarding: The service can route calls to different team members, departments, or even your personal phone, enabling efficient call distribution and ensuring every call is answered promptly.
Separation of Personal and Business Communications: Having a dedicated business line can keep personal and business calls separate, maintaining work-life balance and professionalism.
Cost-Effective Solutions: Small business phone services offer affordable plans tailored to the needs of startups and solo entrepreneurs, allowing you to access essential features within your limited budget.
2. What should I look for in a small business phone service provider?
You should look for a provider that offers reliability, good customer service, scalability, and features that match your business needs (e.g., call forwarding, conference calls, voicemail to email, etc.). Pricing should be transparent and competitive. The provider should also have a good reputation and positive customer reviews.
3. How much does setting up a small business phone service cost?
The cost can vary widely depending on the type of service (VoIP, traditional landline, etc.), the features included, and the provider. Setup fees can range from free to several hundred dollars. Monthly costs can range from around $10 to $50 per line, or more for premium services.
4. What is the easiest way to get a business phone number?
The easiest way is through a VoIP or virtual phone system provider. These services allow you to choose a new local or toll-free number or port in an existing one.
5. How can I keep business calls separate from personal calls on my cell phone?
You can use a virtual phone system that allows you to have a separate business number but still use your personal phone. The system will differentiate incoming business calls from personal ones.
6. How do I get a second phone number for my cell phone to use for business calls?
Again, a virtual phone system is a good option here. These systems allow you to add a second number to your cell phone.
7. How do I turn my cell phone into a business phone?
A virtual phone system can turn your cell phone into a business phone. You get a separate business number, and the system can route business calls to your cell phone, while allowing you to keep your personal number private.
8. Can I add a business line to my personal cell phone?
This is possible with virtual phone systems or VoIP providers offering mobile apps.
9. What is the difference between a business and a personal phone line?
A business phone line typically has features that personal lines don’t, like extension lines, automated attendants, call transferring, business hours settings, etc. Additionally, having a separate business line can help establish professionalism and keep your personal number private.
10. Should my business pay for my cell phone?
This depends on how often you use your phone for business purposes. If you primarily use it for business, it may be reasonable for the business to cover some or all of the costs. You should discuss this with your accountant, as there could be tax implications.
11. How many phone lines should a small business have?
This depends on the size and needs of your business. At a minimum, you’ll likely want a main line and possibly a separate fax line. You may need additional lines if you have multiple employees who need to make calls simultaneously.
12. Why are business phones so expensive?
Business phones often come with advanced features like call routing, conference calling, call recording, etc., which can drive up the cost. Additionally, the hardware for certain types of phone systems can be expensive.
13. What are the benefits of having a business phone line?
Benefits can include a more professional image, privacy protection for your personal number, advanced calling features, the ability to scale as your business grows, and potentially better call quality and reliability.
14. Why might a business want a business line rather than a mobile phone?
A business line can provide a more professional image, offer advanced features, and allow multiple simultaneous calls. It also separates personal and business communications, benefiting work-life balance and privacy.
