{"id":26007,"date":"2022-12-27T08:53:24","date_gmt":"2022-12-27T13:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolinadigitalphone.com\/?p=26007"},"modified":"2022-12-29T09:43:38","modified_gmt":"2022-12-29T14:43:38","slug":"choosing-a-business-phone-service-provider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carolinadigitalphone.com\/choosing-a-business-phone-service-provider\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Essential Things to Look for in a Business Phone Service Provider"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To help you separate contenders from pretenders when looking for the right business phone service provider, here are five essential things to look for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1: LOCAL Customer Service   <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nothing is going to impact your experience and ROI more than whether or not you will get outstanding LOCAL customer service. Any business phone service provider that does provide this should be completely avoided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During your research and due diligence, go beyond what a business phone service provider says about themselves. Take a look at what their customers say about them<\/a>. Also, make sure that all reviews and testimonials are verified and authentic.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you wish to speak directly with a customer to learn about their experience, the business phone service provider should be delighted to comply with your request. If you get any pushback, then see it as a red flag and walk \u2014 or better yet, run \u2014 away. You will save yourself a great deal of time, stress, and money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2: TRANSPARENT Pricing <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some business phone service providers like to play a game called \u201cLet\u2019s Build a Phone System!\u201d. It goes like this: customers are lured in by what seems like a great price, but then find out later on that they are on the hook (no pun intended!) for all kinds of extra fees.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will completely avoid this pitfall by choosing a business phone service provider that is completely transparent with its pricing.\u00a0 This means that the cost you are quoted is exactly the price you will pay \u2014 and not a penny more. To learn more about this, check out this article<\/a> on 7 digital phone service fees that you should NEVER pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3: World-Class RELIABILITY and SECURITY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It does not matter how \u201cfeature-rich\u201d or \u201cfuture-proofed\u201d a business phone system might be. If it is not reliable and secure, then it is going to be a costly liability.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a business phone service provider that commits to a 99.9% uptime standard, provides 24\/7 security, and whose technology is HIPAA compliant<\/a> (even if you are not in the healthcare field, the fact that your business phone service provider complies with this stringent standard is a good sign). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4: Supports Your HYBRID and REMOTE Workforce<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The pandemic pushed remote work from the sidelines into the mainstream<\/a>, and many companies have decided to adopt remote and\/or hybrid work as permanent. What\u2019s more, even companies that have returned to a 100% in-office model understand that scenarios can arise \u2014 such as inclement weather or family-related issues \u2014 that can force certain employees to temporarily work from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure that you choose a business phone service provider that offers a mobile app, which enables your off-site employees to make\/receive calls from a mobile device, regardless of where they are located. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, when an employee makes calls using the mobile app, then your business\u2019s name\/number must appear on Caller ID, and NOT the employee\u2019s personal name\/number \u2014 even if they are using their personally-owned smartphone. This is critically important for privacy and confidentiality, and it also presents a more professional image. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5: INTEGRATES With Your Current and Future Systems <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your business is not static. It is constantly adjusting and evolving. The last thing you want is for your business phone system to hold you back vs. drive you forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, choose a business phone service provider that makes it easy for you to integrate with current and future systems in your environment (e.g., collaboration tools, CRM<\/a>, web browsers, etc.). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carolina Digital Phone: 5 Out of 5!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carolina Digital Phone<\/a> is proud to deliver ALL of these essential requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n