What Is The Best Phone System for Small Businesses in 2021?

So, you’re in the market for a new phone system for your business… With many different providers, handsets, features, and plans available to choose from, knowing where to start and what to choose can be a bit of a minefield. Throw the BT Switch Off into the mix and suddenly there are so many different requirements to consider when choosing a new system in 2021. Thankfully, we understand this and want to make these decisions a little bit easier for you. With that in mind, this post is going to be a jargon-free guide to the best phone system for small businesses in 2021. Let’s get started, shall we?

Don’t forget about the BT Switch Off:

Before we start, just in case you’ve not heard about the BT Switch Off, let us quickly outline the key points for you. Essentially, by 2025 BT will no longer be using or maintaining their PSTN or ISDN lines, these are the old copper lines used in traditional landline setups. 

Why are they switching them off? Well, they’re outdated and are costly to maintain and repair. This means that any business with a telephone system that relies on these lines will need to swap to another. 

So, when choosing a new telephone system in 2021, it’s important to remember that it’s best to avoid anything that uses PSTN or ISDN lines as they’ll be useless in the not too distant future. The switch off has already started in Salisbury and is due to be completed nationally in 4 years’ time. 

A Change of Business Needs in 2021

The Coronavirus Pandemic has shaken up a lot of businesses’ needs and operations and dramatically changed the working world. Three things that have proven more important than ever are: 

– Flexibility – Can your business’ systems adapt to very sudden changes?

– Remote Working – Are you equipped to accommodate a workforce at home?

– Business Continuity – Should the worst happen, have you got a backup plan?

Whilst remote working and flexibility might once have been an after-thought, in 2021 they’re things to be heavily considered. Choosing a phone system that allows you to change as the world changes, is crucial. 

What Features Are Important For Your Business?

The best phone system for your business in 2021 will depend heavily on the features that you want to utilise. A few of our most popular ones include:

– Missed Call Logging – Get back to callers that don’t leave a message. 

– Call Recording – Listen back at any time to help handle queries or train staff.

– Computer Telephony Integration – Link your business phone and your CRM.

– On-Hold Marketing – Automatically promote your business on calls.

– Cordless Phones – Make and receive calls from anywhere in your building. 

Like the sound of any of these features? They’re all available on Yo Telecom phone systems.  

The Different Types of Phone Systems

Here at Yo Telecom, we typically sell two main types of phone systems:

– VoIP

VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. A VoIP system converts your voice into a digital signal and transmits it over the internet. It is hosted in the cloud rather than physically on your premises. These systems are often referred to as Hosted Systems.

– Hybrid 

A hybrid system combines a digital (relies on digital or analogue lines) and an internet phone system and is located on your premises. Having both types of line provides greater reliability than just one or the other.

The Best Phone System For Small Businesses in 2021

A Hybrid Phone System is by far the best choice for small businesses in 2021. They have the most features available, and as previously mentioned, are the most reliable solution. This is due to their hybrid nature. If the internet goes down (which often can’t be avoided), you’re not without a phone. 

They are also BT Switch Off ready, meaning when the PSTN and ISDN lines are switched off in your area, you will not be impacted at all. Your telephony will work the same as it did before, and you won’t need to worry about forking out again for a new system.

All of the features we mentioned earlier in this post are available on our hybrid systems. This includes Missed Call Logging and Computer Telephony Integration. We also offer a range of remote working solutions allowing you to operate your business phone system from anywhere. Our remote working telephony solutions operate in the exact same way as your physical phone handsets, allowing you to transfer calls to other handsets, record calls, as well as log any calls you might have missed. Not only this, but your welcome messages and auto-attendant will still play for your callers, even though their calls are being directed to your mobile phone or desktop. 

Getting Started With Yo Telecom

Just like every business is unique, each of our telecoms packages are unique. We understand that each business has its own communication needs and hence one-size-fits-all packages don’t best serve our customers. 

Because of this, we tailor-make each of our packages with both your business’ needs and budget in mind, to ensure that you get exactly what you need from your system, without needing to pay for features you won’t need. Decide you want something extra in the future? No problem, our team can build it into your package for you. 

Interested in hearing more about our Yo Telecom Hybrid Phone Systems? Just drop your details in the form below and a member of the team will be in touch with you shortly!