0800 and 0845 numbers are only for big business
Not any more. Non-geographic numbers are now available and affordable to anyone. This means even the smallest outfit can have a national presence. 0800 numbers also provide a simple, effective way to track your incoming calls.
Cheap call charges always come with a catch
In the past, certain numbers were often exempt from cheap call charges, which negated any real savings. But with increased competition, there are now lots of inclusive cheap call packages out there, which can save you a lot of money, including calls to mobile and international numbers.
There's no such thing as a single supplier
Running a small business, it's easy to get snowed under in administration. But now it's possible to combine your line rental, calls, broadband, mobile and web costs from one single supplier, saving you valuable time.
Flexibility comes at a price
Hopefully, your small business is going to grow. So it's useful to have a telecoms package that can adapt and grow with you. With the right provider, it's now possible to add telephone and online services as and when you need, without incurring extra charges.
with increased competition, there are now lots of inclusive cheap call packages out there
The faster the network, the more expensive it is
In the early days, you had to pay for speed. However, new networks are now able to handle more capacity and operate faster. With the right provider, this should not cost you any extra.
Priority business networks aren't really necessary
Now more and more people are doing more online, more of the time. This means that networks can become overloaded and slow down. So, if you rely on your network connection for day-to-day operations (such as email and transactions) it's a good idea to get a business-specific priority service - especially as some providers can offer this for free.
I don't have time to sort out my telecoms
As a small business, your time is tight. But reassessing your telecoms and broadband provision can make a real difference to your bottom line, especially with suppliers offering new packages. It's also worth looking for a supplier who can protect your business from online threats, so there's one less thing to worry about.
Online payment is only for larger businesses
Not any more. New technology means that e-commerce is simple to set up and manage. Not only does it make things easier for your customers, it takes pressure off your telesales team.
If I build a website, customers won't find it
There are now countless websites, in every sector, clamouring for attention. This can make your site difficult for customers to find. But some telecoms service providers can now help you to rank higher in search engines, and drive traffic to your site.
Blogging is just for geeks
Blogging has moved on. It's now one of the most effective ways to connect with your customers, and it's a lot easier than you think. Some of the better service providers can now help your business blog, as part of their online packages.
To find out more about how telecoms and broadband packages can help your small business, visit www.opal.co.uk [1] or call 0800 996 1309.