Office Phone System Buying Guide

If you are a small business owner, you probably know how expensive office phone systems can be. From the installation to the equipment itself, a system replete with various features may cost thousands of dollars. So before you plunk down your hard-earned money, here’s what you need to know to find a system right for your communication needs.

1.    Ask other small businesses about their experience. If possible, talk to other small business owners about their experience choosing an office phone system and whether or not they are happy with their choice. This can help you get a feel for pricing, vendors, and service.

2.    Prioritize your features. Make a list of features you can’t go without and research systems that offer such features.

3.    Demo prospective systems. Similar to test driving a car, demo all the systems you are considering prior to making a purchase. Certain aspects – think speakerphone quality or how easy it is to access voicemail – can’t be evaluated properly without actually using the system.

4.    Look for scalability. Consider an office phone system that allows you to easily and without hefty extra costs expand and add extra extensions.

5.    Order extra wiring. In a similar vein, ordering extra wiring when you’ve chosen a system may cost a little more initially but will keep costs down when it comes time to add more extensions.

6.    Purchase at the end of the quarter. The cost of office phone systems tends to drop at the end of the quarter when salespeople are trying to meet their target quota.

7.    Consider a VoIP system. With a rich array of features and available packages, VoIP has become a popular choice among small business owners. VoIP – or Voice over Internet Protocol – allows users to make and receive phone calls using an Internet connection. It’s often a more affordable and convenient alternative to other types of office phone systems, such as PBX.