Something isn’t right. You’ve talked to colleagues, friends, and even competitors, and they’re getting a much better deal from their telephony package. You think it might be time for a new business phone system, but you’re not sure. And that’s fine. There’s a lot of that about!
If you’re not getting the service or functionality you need, however, you could be losing ground on your competitors. That’s why taking the time to compare phone systems for business is essential.
I get it. You’ve developed a relationship with your business phone provider. You don’t want to interrupt your daily operations. You’re worried that switching to a new business phone system might annoy your customers or lead to lost sales opportunities.
Unfortunately, a telephony system that isn’t delivering the latest functionality could be costing your business – both in terms of lost sales and reputational damage.
Here are a few tell-tale signs that it’s time to move.
You’ve Asked Around and You’re Paying Too Much for Your System
It’s pretty easy to find out if you’re paying over the odds for your VoIP system. Perform a quick internet search, and you’ll see the price ranges. Of course, it’s also important to compare like-for-like services that offer similar functionality. But if you’re paying too much, it will be immediately apparent.
If you’re not sure, ask your clients, partners, and colleagues. How much are they paying? If there’s a big gap, it may be time to think about choosing a new business phone system.
You’re Receiving Substandard Customer Service
I heard a story recently about a potential new client who had grown annoyed with the level of customer service he was getting from his existing VoIP provider.
It’s important to remember that all phone systems for business will have issues from time to time. Moreover, it’s always good to have a helping hand when you’re trying to implement new features or make changes to your existing system.
When that help isn’t forthcoming, you waste a lot of time trying to rectify issues yourself. But why should you have to? You pay for a service, it’s only right that there should be technical support and troubleshooting expertise available as and when you need it. If the help you need isn’t there, your business will suffer – and so will your customers.
Your Phone System for Business Is Struggling to Scale with Your Business Growth
When you started your business, basic calling features may have been all you needed. But if you don’t have useful VoIP technologies such as call transfer, call forwarding, and extension dialling at your disposal, your operations may struggle to cope with growing demand.
By choosing a new business phone system that can grow with your business, you’ll never have to worry about capacity and functionality issues again. A good system grows as you grow, ensuring you never have to pay for features and technologies you don’t need.
You’re Missing Out On Missing Key VoIP Features
If you’ve ever fully utilised an online business phone system, you’ll know that calling features are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to functionality. Some of the features you’re missing out on could be adversely affecting your customer service levels – and even your ability to generate and convert leads.
For example, if you don’t have the option to create local numbers, you may have trouble persuading some clients that your focus is on local businesses. And if you can’t create local numbers in foreign jurisdictions, you’re asking overseas customers to pay international rates just for the privilege of talking to a member of your team.
Advanced phone systems for business provide you with conferencing capabilities, advanced analytics and reporting, and a range of other useful features. If you don’t have them, you run the risk of offering an inferior service that your competitors will use against you.
You Have Security Concerns
Have you lost vital data recently, or have clients raised concerns about data privacy issues? Has your business been hit by telephone fraud in recent months? Have you suffered serious security breaches because essential security updates or patches were implemented automatically?
With a new business phone system that includes cutting-edge security features as standard, you can enjoy around-the-clock protection from all the main security threats without lifting a finger.
Remember: If you’re spending your time looking for security updates or mitigating security issues, you’re not focusing on your primary responsibilities.
Your Workflow is Affected By Compatibility Issues
Your VoIP system should effortlessly integrate with key business software, such as CRM platforms, collaboration tools, and productivity suites. Smooth integration ensures data flows seamlessly between systems, enabling efficient workflows, improved team collaboration, and better customer relationship management.
If what I just said doesn’t ring any bells, there’s a good chance that your existing business phone system just isn’t up to the job. The more integrated your VoIP platform is, the less time you’ll spend carrying out administrative duties. You’ll be set free to focus on strategic planning and serving the day-to-day needs of your customers.
You’re Experiencing Technical Issues with Insufficient Support
There’s no excuse for anything less than crystal-clear call quality with online business phone systems. If you’re experiencing interference, static, echoing, or delays, you deserve answers from your vendor.
It’s important to remember that the latest VoIP systems rely on a reliable, high-speed broadband connection. Without one, your system could be affected by issues such as dropped calls, latency, and jitter. This is why a lot of VoIP providers are now bundling new business phone systems with high-speed broadband packages.
Other issues you might be experiencing include configuration errors, hardware malfunctions, and power outages. Now, these issues can affect even the best VoIP systems. How your supplier deals with them demonstrates whether or not you’re getting a reliable, value-for-money product.
Don’t Settle for Anything Less Than Perfect Service
If you recognise any of the issues I’ve touched on above, it could well be time for a new business phone system. But that’s alright, as SiPalto is a highly rated VoIP provider in the UK with a long history of delivering for businesses of all types and sizes.
Stop settling for an inferior business phone system. Contact the Sipalto team today, and take the first step towards a more effective, reliable, and scalable voice communication system.