Uncertainty seems to have become part of our lives, as the Covid-19 pandemic has radically altered the way we work and interact with one another. But there’s one essential business service in which uncertainty is absolutely unacceptable. We need reliable, good quality business phone service that includes all the features that matter. Making sense of all the options, though, can be intimidating. Let’s take a look at some of the best business phone services and their unique strengths.
1. Nextiva. For the best all-around business phone system, Nextiva is it. Most phone plans offer similar basic features, so what distinguishes one from the others is always in the details. And Nextiva has ‘em. Nextiva’s phone service has all the same features as most of its competitors – things like call forwarding, call waiting, auto attendant, voicemail. But what really sets it apart are features that used to be only available to big, enterprise-level companies. Nextiva offers genuinely unified communications, which lets even small businesses track, refine, and improve each customer’s journey. Guided by cutting-edge technology like AI and machine learning, Nextiva can help your business automate and deliver the results your clients desire. Powerful data analytics and stellar customer service are also part of the bargain. And the best part? Business plans start at just $19.95.
2. 8x8. If we’ve learned nothing from the Covid pandemic, it’s that we’re globally connected. If you do a lot of international business, you know that those phone calls can add up quickly. 8x8 is one of your best options if you need reliable, high quality international phone service. You may lose a little of Nextiva’s high-end functionality, but you’ll save money. 8x8’s phone plans start as low as $12 per month. Oh – and even though 8x8 doesn’t offer some of the fancy bells and whistles of higher priced plans, it does integrate smoothly with third party apps like Salesforce, Netsuite, and Zendesk, which lets you continue to run platforms you already like and understand.
3. Vonage. No list of business phone services would be complete without mentioning Vonage, one of the most recognizable names in the business. Reliability, both of calls and customer service are Vonage’s biggest assets, along with its affordable basic service. Plans start at just $14.99 per month. There are advanced features – like visual voicemail – that are only available in higher priced plans from Vonage, but for a new small business looking for basic and reliable service, Vonage remains a solid choice.
4. Jive. While Vonage has name recognition, Jive is just as cool as it sounds. The pricing plans may look a little confusing because they’re arranged in tiers based on the number of users. For example, for 1-4 users, the price per user is $29.95, while for more than 50 users, the per-user price drops to $19.99. But what’s most impressive about Jive is that all of their plans include 75+ features, items that would be add-ons for some other business phone providers. Jive is pricier than some other alternatives, but you can’t beat their complement of basic features. International calling is more expensive with Jive than with some other services, so if your business relies heavily on international calling, you may want to seek out a more affordable solution.
5. Bitrix24. My last recommendation is a little outside the box. Bitrix24 is a CRM solution…that is also a free virtual phone system. Yes…free. You can use Bitrix24 for basic phone needs, and you can even rent a local number in more that forty countries (including Israel,) starting at around $6 per month. So using your existing phone and your Bitrix24 CRM solution, you have access to sophisticated features like employee extensions, call routing, and call recording, all at zero cost. Bitrix24 can be a huge asset in terms of integrating communications across multiple platforms, and the built-in CRM functions can help you manage your business.
Sorting through your business phone options may seem like a daunting task, but it’s an important one. As we continue to find new ways to do business – from home, via videoconferencing, and by phone – the ways in which we connect become increasingly important. Choosing the right phone service can be a vital tool in growing your business.
