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If your company is growing fast, chances are you’ve outgrown your company’s phone system.
A multi-line phone system lets you handle two or more calls simultaneously. It enables employees to place calls on hold, dial internal or external numbers, and return to the line.
Business owners rarely touched traditional phone systems after they installed
them. For the most part, a single device with multiple lines and phone numbers met their business needs.
How does a multi-line phone system work?A multi-line phone system creates an internal telephone network with separate extensions. This functionality lets operators hold incoming calls and see other extensions’ real-time presence. Traditional multi-line phone systemsAnalog multi-line phone systems come in two flavors. Cloud-based multi-line phone systems
Types of multi-line phones (and use cases)Picking out the phones for your company doesn’t have to be a game of chance. There are a few types of phones to use with your multi-line phone system. Having more lines doesn’t always mean better. 2-line phones A two-line phone system is ideal for small
businesses that have a predictable call volume.
You can find two-line VoIP desk phones for approximately $80. The Poly VVX 150 is a great choice for those on a budget. 4-line phones If you find that employees need to place calls on hold,
warm transfer, a four-line phone is a great fit.
Prices for four-line phones start at around $160 per handset. The Poly VVX 250 or Cisco IP Phone 6851 are great picks for a heavy-duty VoIP phone. 6-12-line phones The next tier of multi-line phones
provides better performance than lesser VoIP phones. They have faster chipsets, more memory, and even more customization than standard telephones. At this level, they offer advanced features, such as line presence and softkeys.
Desk phones above five lines are typically above $250. The cost-effective Nextiva X-885 VoIP phone supports 12 lines for only $190. Flexible number of phone linesThe challenge of choosing a phone with a predefined number of available phone lines? You have to understand your business communication needs and anticipate your future requirements. How to set up a multi-line phone systemIf you go down the traditional phone system route, you’ll need the phone company to install every line. You’ll also need to set aside a hefty budget for an on-premise PBX and a technician to set everything up. You’ll need to configure desk phones to interface with your PBX.
Here are the four steps to set up your virtual phone system with multiple lines:
You’ll have a multi-line phone system in less than an hour. VoIP phones from Nextiva come equipped with all your settings, so you need to plug them in. Advanced features in a multi-line phone systemWhat can you do with a multiline phone system? They offer a lot more than multiple telephone extensions. Some features vary between on-premises PBXs and cloud phone systems. 1) Auto attendantAn auto attendant directs incoming calls to the right person or team based on your caller’s keypad input. 2) Call hold and call parkingCall hold lets you pause a call so you can talk with a colleague or answer another call. Call parking is similar, but with the extra benefit of allowing others to retrieve the call that you’ve put
on hold. 3) Call analyticsMeasuring call volumes and associating those with business activity helps you scale your organization. Nextiva’s business-grade
internet phone service displays real-time call data and business analytics. 4) Call forwardingThe call
forwarding feature allows you to transfer calls to any phone number or device. Depending on your provider, you might also route calls to your voicemail, desk phone, or cell phone. 5) Call routingCall
routing is a VoIP feature that directs inbound calls to any person based on any criteria you define. This logic includes the time, caller ID, and auto attendant selections.
6) Business voicemailIf you don’t pick up your call on time, allow your callers to leave a voicemail. This means you won’t lose a potential lead or a chance to delight a customer. Otherwise, they may turn to your competitor. 7) Screen popScreen pop shows real-time info about
callers the moment your phone rings. Nextiva’s Call Pop surfaces data such as customer sentiment and past interactions. This integrates with your CRM takes your customer experience to the next level. 8) Toll-free numbersToll-free business numbers help you gain a national presence. Toll-free numbers feature an 800/888/866 area code that doesn’t
charge landline callers. 9) Audio conferencingUse a conference call to host meetings using your phone or an internet connection. Conference calls are a staple for any modern phone system, but it’s usually an add-on for landline setups. 10) Call recordingRecording phone calls increases accountability and training opportunities with your team. It unearths powerful insights about your prospects and your customer experience. Benefits of a multi-line phone systemDo you still need convincing on the advantages of a multi-line phone system? Here are some perks to consider. Lower costsGoing down the cloud phone system route is the best way to provide multiple phone lines to your team. ReliabilityYour phone system needs to be reliable and secure. On-premises phone systems leave you vulnerable to power or network outages. FlexibilitySuppose you’re hiring remotely, opening new offices, or switching to a hybrid workforce. In that case, you need a phone system that allows employees to work from anywhere. ScalabilityIf your company is growing and you don’t want technology to get in the way, a cloud VoIP system is your best bet. It lets you add phone lines with ease. Even
adding more locations to the same phone system can be done without any technical skill. ConvenienceA multi-line phone system simplifies life for you and your employees. They become more productive and can propel the
company forward. Experience the best business phone systemWhen choosing a business phone system, think about your needs today and a few years from now. What is the ideal way you want to
interact with customers? Your communications platform can make or break your success. Can you have 2 lines on 1 cell phone?The simplest way to get two phone numbers on one phone is by signing up for a VoIP phone service. This allows you to gain access to a VoIP phone number, which you can use to make and receive calls using an app on your mobile phone and computer.
How do I get a second line on my phone?The best option to get a second phone number
OpenPhone is a VoIP phone service that easily adds a work number to your existing mobile phone. To get a second phone number, simply download the OpenPhone app to your phone, then start messaging and placing calls.
What does 2 lines mean on a cell phone?A 2 line phone system, also known as a multi-line phone system, is a separate phone line that can be used for business operations like remote voicemail, faxing, an internet connection, or to offer a second extension for your business. A 2 line phone system is two separate lines that offer two diverse phone numbers.
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