1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Operations / Technology

Business Telephone System
A Guide To Help You Buy

By , About.com Guide

Your primary means of communication with customers and vendors will occur over the telephone. For a home or small startup business (i.e. less than five people) a basic one or two line telephone service will meet your needs. In addition, you will need an answering machine or voicemail service provided by your telephone service carrier or a business class telephone system.

For larger organizations, a business class telephone system will provide you with the additional phone lines and features that a larger business requires. Before you buy the first telephone system that that “slickest” salesperson wants to sell you, you need to educate yourself on what options are available and how this system will integrate with the rest of your business. Not doing your homework in this area can become a very expensive undertaking.

Servicing your customers after-hours is just as important (if not more important) as servicing them during regular business hours. If your customers or clients will need to contact your or your employees after hours, you may want to consider contracting with an answering service. This will give your incoming callers the ability to talk with a real person. The answering service employee will then make the decision to contact you immediately or take a message for you.

Ready to Buy?

How to Buy a Business Class Telephone System
Explore Operations / Technology
About.com Special Features

10 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Credit

Easy steps to take control of your credit card debt. More >

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

  1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Operations / Technology
  4. Starting an Office
  5. Essential Office Equipment
  6. Business Telephone System>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.