There are several reasons why you might need a home business phone. You might want to work remotely to sidestep rising office costs. Maybe it’s just there if you need to work at home when you can’t make it to the office. Or you could simply need it to make sure you don’t miss important calls outside of business hours.
Whatever the case, there are a number of options available. Unfortunately, some of them – such as using your existing landline – come with clear drawbacks. This post will explore the different home business phone solutions and discuss which is best for you.
Home phone for business
The first option is to use your existing home phone for business. Most houses have a landline installed, given that it’s necessary for the majority of broadband services.
However, this comes with its own problems. For one, you can’t be sure that other people in your house won’t answer the phone. This can be hugely detrimental for your business or charity’s reputation, giving off an unprofessional look.
On top of that, it can be frustrating when you’re using the same phone number for business and personal matters. You may end up rushing to the phone to answer an important enquiry, only to find that it’s your distant aunt calling for a catch-up.
Let’s not forget the possibility of business calls going unanswered because the phone is in use for a personal call.
Home phone number portability: an extra layer of flexibility
Looking to separate professional from personal without the hassle of installing a second home business phone line? Number portability could be just the ticket. It lets you keep your home number but forward calls straight to your mobile or any other device. Basically, it’s an easy way to keep things professional while still using your trusty home setup.
But like all good things, it’s not without its downsides. Important calls could slip through the cracks if you’re away from your phone or hit a dead zone. And for businesses handling a flood of calls – think medical practices or charities running vital helplines – this might not cut it.
Yes, home phone number portability is a cost-effective option. But if you need 24/7 reliability, you might want something a bit more robust to make sure every call gets through, no matter what.
New separate landline
One alternative to using your existing landline is getting a new, second landline installed at your home. The main drawback here is the cost.
First of all, you’ll have to pay well above £100 for the installation alone. That’s paired with the ongoing cost for line rental on your new landline. On top of that, the cost to make calls from a landline can soon stack up, depending on your provider. That’s especially true if you’re making international calls.
Whether you’re using your home phone for business or installing a new landline, you’ll also have to deal with having multiple contact numbers for your business. For those who split work between the office and home, this can cause a few complications for clients or colleagues who will need to try two numbers to get through to you.
The challenge of managing two numbers
Managing more than one phone number? Sounds good in theory but things can get messy fast. Picture a home business phone, a personal landline and a mobile all ringing at the same time. Before you know it, you’re practically a one-person switchboard. And when a client’s call slips through the cracks because they dialled the wrong number? That’s not just annoying. It can be bad for business.
For growth-oriented businesses, smooth, efficient and well-organised communication is crucial. This is where alternatives like VoIP or virtual numbers come in handy. They give you one consistent point of contact and make sure you’re always reachable without the confusion of multiple lines. Instead of chasing different phones, you get a system that works in your favour. No more missed calls or mix-ups. Just simple, user-friendly communication.
Voice over Internet Protocol
If you’re looking for a home business phone without the drawbacks, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the ultimate solution. Working through your internet connection, there’s no need to use your existing landline or have a new one installed.
The cost per call is typically lower than a conventional landline phone, and you can even use the same number as the phone at your office.
Better still, you don’t require a handset. VoIP can be used on your laptop, compatible handheld device or mobile phone so your business can go anywhere throughout the house with you.
Advantages of VoIP for remote work
VoIP isn’t just about cutting costs. Though you’ll likely enjoy savings of up to 30% compared to your current tech spend. The technology equips you with a home business phone system that adapts to your work life, wherever that may be.
Whether you’re dialling into a meeting from your kitchen table or juggling tasks in your home office, VoIP keeps up without missing a beat. With cloud-based services, everything (calls, contacts and even your logs) travels with you. No need for clunky desk phones or being glued to one spot.
For start-ups trying to stay agile or care home administrators needing to coordinate across multiple locations, VoIP makes staying connected a breeze. Your home business phone line moves wherever you do and gives you a level of flexibility traditional landlines can’t touch. Forget being tied down. VoIP puts your entire communication hub right in your pocket.
Home phone solutions for charities
At VS Group, we provide office and home phone solutions for charities across the UK. Complete with an easy-to-use mobile app, our VoIP solutions will make sure you never miss a call while reducing your outgoings for good.
Make the switch to VoIP with VS Group
Switching from a traditional home business phone to VoIP might feel like a big leap, but it’s easier than you think. With a trusted provider like VS Group, the transition can be seamless. Not only will you benefit from improved call quality, but you can manage all your communications from one platform. For businesses, this means fewer headaches and more time to focus on what really matters – delivering top-notch service to your clients.
If you’d like to discuss your requirements in more depth, our team is ready and waiting. Contact us for a no-obligation chat.
