Your small business’ phone system is a vital tool, as it allows you to reach and interact with your customers. With that in mind, it’s important to keep your phone system up to date to ensure it is meeting your company’s evolving needs. If you’re currently thinking of updating your small business’ phone system, there are a lot of criteria you need to consider to select the right one for you. You might be weighing the pros and cons of VoIP vs analog systems and debating which is suitable for your budget. Below are four considerations you should keep in mind when updating your small business’ phone system.

1. Cost

As a small business owner, you need to ensure your money is working for you. As a result, it’s essential to examine the costs associated with VoIP and analog systems to determine which will fit into your budget. One of the key benefits of VoIP phone systems is that they are relatively inexpensive to operate, particularly in comparison to traditional landlines. While analog systems feature high setup fees, maintenance costs, and call pricing schemes, VoIP boasts far lower fees and maintenance costs. This is largely because VoIP operates through an Internet connection and any maintenance is therefore the responsibility of the provider.

2. Accessibility

Another important consideration when choosing which phone system to use is accessibility. Cloud-based VoIP phone lines operate through an Internet connection and provide you with the ability to make phone calls from anywhere. This remote accessibility is a major added bonus for small business owners because they can remain productive from anywhere at any time.

With that being said, analog phone systems don’t require an Internet connection to function, and may be more accessible to businesses who don’t have a reliable Internet connection. If your business operates in a remote location, for instance, a reliable Internet connection may be harder to come by.

In this case, an analog phone system may be the better option for you.

3. Desired Features

If you’re looking for an extremely basic phone system that simply makes and receives calls and houses a voicemail system, then an analog system will meet those needs. However, if you’re seeking a system that is more feature-rich, you may want to consider a VoIP phone system. These systems offer features that can facilitate your small business’ day-to-day operations and improve efficiency rates, such as call transferring, call screening, auto attendant, and voicemail to text functions.

Additionally, VoIP systems are more compatible and flexible with softphones, which are programs installed on a computer or other type of smart device like a tablet or smartphone. This compatibility with softphones provides added flexibility for remote work operations.

Clearly, there are numerous factors to consider when choosing which phone system you want your small business to use. Perhaps the three most important criteria are associated costs, accessibility, and desired features. By carefully examining these three elements, you will ultimately facilitate the process of selecting the right phone system for your small business. In doing so, you will maintain clear and timely communication with your most important stakeholders – your customers.