Why You Shouldn’t Set Up a PBX Phone System (Do This Instead)
The professionalism and efficiency provided by a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) phone system for small business communications can’t be denied. However, inbound numbers offer the same level of connectivity, all without the need to pay extra for privatisation.
So, rather than set up traditional PBX systems for your business, consider choosing a 1300, 1800 or virtual local number instead.
Why you don’t need a PBX system with inbound numbers
The major benefit provided by a PBX business phone system is its ability to create a private yet wide-reaching internal communication network.
Businesses can create multiple lines through a PBX system to connect customers and staff with specific extensions, such as sales or customer support. This network is maintained internally and provides free calls between users.
However, an inbound number from a trusted telecommunications provider can offer the same benefits and more:
| Inbound Numbers (1300/1800) | PBX System | |
|---|---|---|
| Connection Point | Nationwide connectivity with landlines and mobile phones alike to make and receive calls | Choose from traditional phone lines or an internet connection to make nationwide calls, with calls between system users being free |
| Product Type | Numbers that are inclusive of all required business phone system software and call features, without the need for hardware | A private telephone network for a business that can come in analogue or cloud-based formats |
| Set Up Efficiency | Once you have chosen a number and phone plan, you can begin making and receiving calls from any connected device right away | Dependent on the type of PBX system installed, but it often requires more time and resources to initially set up |
| Cost | Upfront costs specified in a monthly phone plan, with no hidden fees or additional hardware to purchase | Monthly costs are dependent on the type of PBX system chosen, the amount of installation work required, and any additional purchases of physical handsets or company phones |
| Advantages | - Customers are the ones to initiate contact, providing more reliable leads to businesses - Phone numbers can be used to create a professional and memorable public image - Easier to build rapport and relationships with customers, generating loyalty - Separates business and personal communications, providing security and privacy - Reliable, nationwide customer accessibility | - Businesses can easily add and remove phone system users for scalability and cost-efficiency - Unified communication channels across phone lines, instant messaging, video conferencing, email, and more - Free internal calling between users - Simplified maintenance for reduced costs and stress |
| Disadvantages | - Call costs differ between number types, with businesses sometimes having to take on more of the responsibility - Some providers may not include necessary call features, requiring additional costs - More business and higher call rates may incur more fees, depending on the phone plan and number type | - Additional purchase and ongoing costs are needed for a business phone number, since it may not be included with the system - Businesses are typically responsible for system maintenance, requiring an IT expert - Higher upfront costs, especially with the need for hardware - Typically designed for on-site offices, making remote access for employees in transit sometimes difficult |
What is a PBX Phone System?
A Private Branch Exchange (PBX) phone system is a telecommunications network that’s privatised within an organisation. This means users can use various communication channels both internally and externally.
These channels may include:
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems
- Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) systems
- Other cloud-based networks, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) PBX system
- Traditional phone systems that use analogue hardware
For businesses with multiple store locations or internal departments, the free call feature between users is often appealing.
Types of PBX Phone Systems
When you’re looking into small business PBX phone systems, there are several types to choose from. We’ve provided a summary of the main types below for you to conveniently compare each option. Then, you can make a more informed decision on whether PBX solutions are suitable for your business.
Traditional
Also known as an on-premises PBX, this system type is similar to other traditional small-business designs. There’s physical wiring and lines to install on-site, with office phone handsets regularly used to make and receive phone calls.
Cloud
Cloud-hosted PBX systems require no physical landlines or wiring to establish business communications. Instead, everything about the system’s operations is hosted in the cloud. Without any hardware, the phone system is instead maintained within a server that’s accessed via an internet connection.
Hybrid
Traditional small business PBX hardware is combined with elements of cloud software to create a hybrid phone system. Typically, this means analogue handset hardware is combined with internet protocol connectivity to provide more flexibility and durability.
It’s thought of as a ‘best of both worlds’ approach, but may cost more than the other options due to its more customised approach.
Designing a Reliable Phone System with Inbound Numbers
If you aren’t interested in a small business phone system based around PBX, you may be wondering what other options are there? Fortunately, you can remove the privatisation and need for additional installation steps with inbound numbers.
Scalable Phone Plans
With inbound numbers, your provider guarantees the opportunity to select a phone plan that scales with you. For small or online businesses with a limited budget and no need for complex call transfers, this means more flexibility in designing your communication network.
Call Routing for Every Situation
Inbound number plans often come with feature-rich benefits, including various routing options for incoming calls. Optimise customer experience and internal operations with one feature, allowing staff to route calls based on time, location, service needs, and more.
With after-hour routing and voicemail recordings, you can prevent any missed calls from slipping under the radar. That way, no business opportunities are missed, and customers remain loyal.
Appealing Customer Call Costs
Depending on the inbound number type your business uses, customers are charged either local call rates or none at all. Such rates are applied nationwide, meaning that customers won’t have to worry about hidden fees or high call cost rates.
When calling a business is minimal in cost and maximum in convenience, it makes starting a transaction more appealing.
Build a Professional Image
Businesses with 1300, 1800 or virtual phone numbers display a professional image to the public. These numbers are synonymous with authentic operations, meaning that potential customers find you more trustworthy. Such trust can be used to build a loyal relationship and a new source of revenue.
Improve Customer Experiences
When an inbound phone number system provides a cost-effective, reliable, and customisable communication point, customers’ experiences can be improved. When finding answers or connecting with knowledgeable staff members is easy, incoming calls are more likely to transform into recurring customers.
Why Use Teleca as Your Inbound Number System Provider
Rather than a conventional small business PBX phone system, consider allying with Teleca’s inbound number services. We supply a similar unified communications system for incoming calls, all without the need for extensive installation services.
If you’re looking for the right phone system for your small business, consider Teleca as your number provider for the following reasons:
Phone Plans Made to Scale
Here at Teleca, we know that the best phone system for one business isn’t the same for another. That’s why we offer phone plans that are made to scale with your business’s growth.
Select from 1300 or 1800 number plans designed for small businesses looking for cost-effective solutions that encourage operational growth. Alternatively, we also provide high call volume plans for 1300 and 1800 numbers to minimise costs will streamline customer interactions.
Connect with Customers Nation-Wide
Inbound numbers can connect with customers across Australia at no additional cost. Whether it’s a mobile device or landline calls, we can connect you immediately with crisp audio call quality.
There’s no need to limit your business to local customers when you can expand to nationwide services.
No Need for Hardware Add-Ons
Everything you need to set up and activate business communications is available with an inbound number. There’s no need to spend more money and time setting up physical hardware.
Teleca makes the entire process stress-free and simple by taking care of the hard work for you. Once you select your new number and phone plan, we can have any number of landlines and mobile devices ready to answer calls within 5 minutes.
Upfront Costs with No Interest
Transparency is key to building trust. That’s why Teleca has no hidden fees or interest rates attached to our inbound numbers.
All phone plan costs are upfront in detailing and paid on a monthly basis. There’s also no additional cost for processes such as setting up your number, transferring an existing one to your plan, or cancelling future services.
Dedicated Customer Support
The support team at Teleca is dedicated to ensuring your business’s success. That’s why we have multiple communication channels open to ensure we receive any questions or concerns you may have.
Send us an email, file an enquiry, or make a quick call, and one of our telecommunications experts will answer you. We believe in providing efficient solutions, which is why we also have various guides and educational articles available on our website to help you.
Wealth of Inbound Number Call Features
All of our business numbers come with a diverse range of call features, all without any additional cost. Keep track of customer engagement, busy time periods, missed calls and more with these features:
- Call tracking
- Caller ID
- Incoming call alerts
- Multiple routing options
- Simple interactive voice response (IVR)
- Customisable business announcements
- Voicemail to Email
- And many more
Provide the best customer experience and more efficient internal operations with these call features.
Create a Tailored Phone System by Choosing Inbound Numbers
Get started on setting up your new business communications by choosing a more unique phone system. With no bulky phone hardware or time-consuming installation services like PBX systems, take your pick of the following inbound numbers:
1800 Numbers
Entice new customers to engage with your business through toll-free 1800 numbers. When customers aren’t charged any fees for making a call, they are more likely to reach out with concerns and inquiries. Collect important data for future planning and make easy conversions with a single number.
1300 Numbers
With the professional image supplied by this number type and the ability to spell out your own phonewords, 1300 numbers are a reliable marketing tool. While customers do have to pay local call rates, they will trust in the professionalism publicly displayed by your number.
Virtual Numbers
The area code attached to virtual local numbers is a signifier of trustworthiness and availability to local consumers. When they know you’re a part of their community and have services available in the area, people are more likely to convert to your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my existing PBX system to an inbound number system?
You absolutely can! Transitioning from a clunky PBX setup to a streamlined inbound number system is a breeze. You can easily port your existing advertised business numbers over to a 1300 or 1800 number plan. We handle all the heavy lifting during the transfer process, ensuring you don’t experience any downtime. It’s a smart move to simplify your comms and ditch those expensive hardware maintenance costs.
What are the best practices for managing inbound calls?
To get the most out of your inbound calls, it’s all about setting up smart call routing. Make sure you route calls based on your team’s business hours, location, or specific skill sets. Using features like interactive voice response (IVR) helps direct callers to the right person straight away. Don’t forget to set up a professional voicemail-to-email service so you never miss a lead when things get busy.
What specific features should I look for in an inbound number service?
When shopping around, look for an inbound number service that offers robust call routing, caller ID, and detailed call tracking. You’ll also want handy features like voicemail-to-email and interactive voice response (IVR) included as standard. The best providers won’t charge you extra for these essentials. Having these tools at your fingertips makes managing your daily business communications incredibly smooth and professional.
How can I integrate inbound numbers with my existing communication tools?
Integrating your new 1300 or 1800 number is super straightforward. Because inbound numbers are hosted in the cloud, they easily route calls directly to your existing mobile phones, landlines, or VoIP softphones. You don’t need to buy any new hardware or complex software. Just set up your routing preferences through our portal, and your inbound calls will flow seamlessly into your team’s current daily workflow.
What are the long-term savings of switching from a PBX to an inbound number system?
Ditching your PBX system saves you a heap of money in the long run. You’ll completely eliminate the need for expensive hardware upgrades, ongoing IT maintenance, and physical line rentals. Inbound numbers operate on simple, transparent monthly plans that scale with your business. Without those sneaky hidden fees or surprise repair bills, you can redirect those savings straight back into growing your business.
Can you provide case studies of businesses that successfully transitioned from PBX to inbound numbers?
We’ve helped countless Aussie businesses make the switch from outdated PBX hardware to flexible inbound numbers. While we keep our clients’ specific data private, businesses typically report massive drops in their monthly phone bills and much happier remote teams. If you’d like to hear some real-world examples of how businesses in your specific industry have benefited, just reach out to our friendly team for a chat!
What customer support options are available if I choose Teleca for my inbound numbers?
We pride ourselves on offering top-notch support whenever you need a hand. You can easily reach our dedicated telecommunications experts via phone, email, or by submitting an online enquiry. We also provide a massive library of online tutorials, guides, and articles to help you out. Whether it’s a quick question or help setting up complex routing, our team is always ready to assist.
Effortlessly Manage Your Business Communications with One Business Number
There’s no need to spend unnecessary time, money and effort to piece together a reliable PBX phone system for staff and customers alike. Effortlessly access everything you need to set up and manage business communications with one single phone number.
With Teleca’s 1300, 1800 or virtual local numbers, you can begin receiving phone calls within minutes. Simply contact us or apply for your desired business number today, then get started on growing your customer base.
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