Deciding on the right phone solution for your business can be a struggle if you don’t have the right information. Learn what your options are right here.
Deciding on the right outbound calling solution for your business can be a daunting task without the right information. But if you're in the outbound sales business, you might be wondering which phone service is the best fit for your needs.
In the past, fixed landline solutions were the go-to option due to their reliability and standard packages. However, with the growth of mobile and digital technologies over the years, the telecom market has become more competitive, offering cheaper and more flexible options with additional features.
One trend that stands out is the decline of fixed landlines globally, with more businesses and individuals opting for mobile and internet-based solutions. As a result, businesses are looking for phone services that offer flexibility, reliability, and scalability to keep up with the dynamic industry demands.
Traditionally, fixed landline solutions have been the go-to option offering a standard package, contract subscription, and unrivaled reliability.
Over the past two decades, we’ve experienced the growth and evolution of mobile and digital technologies.
We’re used to watching the telecom market go cheaper, more flexible, and additional features + business offering options.
We’ve seen integrating software for automated dialing, performance monitoring, training recording, and data collection included… but how can you figure out which is the best?
The most important considerations when choosing hardware and software communication tools:
The results of choosing a better phone solution (landline or mobile) are:
It helps first to take a brief look at what has been happening in the telecommunications industry. Fixed landlines across the globe have and continue to experience a decline in popularity.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) reports that global active fixed-line phone use has fallen from 10.9 billion to 900 million users between 2014 and 2019.
Landline Phones Are A Dying Breed - Statista
If we take the United States, user numbers have dropped from 128 million to 106 million.
From 297 million to 260 million between 2014 - 2019 and emerging markets, the same trend in Europe is also less favorable to installing fixed landlines. Global usage of fixed landlines is expected to continue falling through to 2030 and eventually become obsolete.
Businesses have experienced the same decline, with some companies ignoring landline set-up altogether. Businesses have become more strategic when it comes to their communications and adapting to communication trends.
Technology. With landline telecommunications declining, telecommunications companies switched to the growing market demand for mobile and wireless options. Why?
Businesses and peoples’ needs and preferences have driven the demand to have more flexibility and availability 24/7/365 and have shifted behavior away from fixed landlines towards mobile and internet-based technologies.
Communication today is faster, and demands for rapid access to information have shifted to a swifter and more widely accessible solution.
The telecoms industry adapted to that knowledge, continuously developing, bringing optimized speed and increased capacity demand for a faster-paced business world. Technology advanced when wireless communication was released; we’ve seen the change from 3G, 4G, and now to 5G.
We are already entering the age of 5th generation (5G) wireless technology. Somewhat controversial, but 5G brings lightning-speed communication to people, homes, and businesses across most countries.
However, landlines, how rely on copper wire cables to be installed into buildings and across cities for them to be used; this is costly in construction and maintenance.
Service providers would then have to recoup those costs with high prices and locked businesses and people into lengthy inflexible contracts with complex T&Cs. Clearly, a turn-off factor for many.
Wireless technology and the ability to be mobile using satellites and signal transmitters were developed to replace that heavy cable usage.
Using satellites and transmitters, communication was available across any area the signal would reach. With these technology opportunities, businesses have evolved accordingly.
Take electronic appliance manufacturers as an example, who have begun adapting to include more integrated features into office spaces and home appliances with smart technology integration for wireless connectivity.
From that, we now see the decline of desk phones and bulky cable demanding office accessories. And your business might need the same outlook; to be adaptable.
Phones are now with people everywhere they go providing constant communication opportunities. People are always reachable and are no longer confined to waiting by a fixed landline to receive information.
So how can you leverage that for your outbound sales? Where do you go from here? Let’s take a look at what the telecommunications industry offers as possible solutions.
Landlines and connections are still available in private addresses and businesses and may offer an undervalued lead generation segment. So, what are some of the pros and cons of a landline solution for my business?
Mobiles give precisely that, mobility. Businesses need to be able to respond quickly and be more active in the world outside the office. A wireless device gives the freedom of movement away from the desk or fixed location, both for the sales team and your clients.
The cell allows for more flexibility in sales functions, with location no longer a barrier to operation.
Sales personnel can be both active in the field and still available for calls with a cell. Mobile gives freedom of working from home, which, as we’ve seen from the Covid-19 pandemic, can offer more flexibility to continue working even in uncertain situations.
Call recording for your business can help dispute resolution, employee training, and customer quality assurance. Compliance with local regulations and legal systems is a priority to consider when setting up automated call recording using a mobile device.
VoIP software offers an advanced solution for recording a mobile call.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the newest growing technology in the telecoms field. This is a call service technology run through sending voice data using IP networks via your internet provider.
VoIP allows voice and data to be carried out without the need for a desk phone. All you need is an internet connection, a laptop, and you’re good to go. You have all the benefits of calling landlines without the restriction of needing a landline connection or cell.
This technology is rapidly growing and replacing traditional communications in businesses and homes.
Adversus is one provider of VoIP technology, offering advanced features with its online software solution.
VoIP can be used with just an internet connection and a desktop or laptop with a speaker-microphone. VoIP is best used in office settings with a headset to provide better sound quality, voice clarity, and employee health benefits compared to desk phones.
VoIP can be used with smart mobile phone handsets; all you need is an app of choice and a stable Wi-Fi connection. To use VoIP with an existing landline, you need an adapter to be installed to divert the call.
VoIP is gaining popularity with homeworkers, freelancers, working professionals outside serviced offices, and businesses needing personnel in multiple locations.
Fundraisers, telemarketers and appointment schedulers, PAs & Executives also benefit from integrated VoIP services in their wider business.
Among the available options, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology has emerged as a game-changer. It provides real-time data and reporting, flexible call methods, legal compliance, lead management, and task automation, all without the need for bulky equipment or lengthy contracts. VoIP services are gaining popularity among various professionals, including homeworkers, freelancers, and businesses with personnel in multiple locations.
So, if you're considering a phone solution for your outbound sales department, VoIP is an excellent choice. It offers the freedom and flexibility of mobile communication, along with the benefits of advanced features and data-driven reporting. Embracing VoIP will enable your sales team to reach out to leads more efficiently, improve call quality, and boost overall performance.
In conclusion, don't hesitate to cut the cord on your traditional landline and embrace the future of communication networks with VoIP. With its advanced capabilities and seamless integration, VoIP is paving the way for effective and efficient outbound sales communication.
Setting up or renewing your company’s in-house telecommunications systems isn’t sexy… it’s not fun. But it’s a significant cornerstone of how business is done.
If you're just getting started in the call center business, be sure to check out our full guide with all you need to know about call center software.
So... will you cut the cord on your business landline and be one to embrace the future communication networks?