Ditch the desk phones: Why you should use softphones for business instead

Desk phones are from an era when business used to be conducted through landlines and the postal service. The world has dramatically changed. It’s time to finally say goodbye to desk phones, their antiquated hardware and excessive bills and welcome softphones for business.

When businesses don’t even need a physical office, there’s no reason for anyone to hold onto landlines. As you discover the advantages of business softphones, you’ll discover several reasons to ditch those desk phones. But first, let’s understand exactly what a softphone is.

What is a softphone?

Desk phones work over public switched telephone networks (PSTN) made of copper wires. Apart from the phone, you will also need to install the lines to be connected to these networks. A softphone on the other hand uses the internet to make and receive calls. That’s why it’s also called VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol.

Unlike a desk phone, you don’t need to get a device, wait for the phone’s installation and pay for additional hardware. To get softphones for business, all you need to do is download the app. Just like your email or any other cloud-based software, you’ll be able to access the app from any device connected to the internet.

Common features of softphones

Unlike desk phones, softphones for business come with several added features beyond calling and texting. With a simple user interface, you would get many of these facilities from top-notch softphone providers:

• Shared phone numbers

• Address book

• Call routing

• Voicemail-to-text

• SMS

• Call recording

• Call transfers

• Call waiting

• Hold music

• Auto-attendant

• Analytics

• Audio conferencing

The advantages of softphones versus desk phones

Softphones for business are becoming popular because, when compared to desk phones, they offer unmatched benefits to their users.

They are mobile

The biggest advantage of using softphones for business is that you won’t be limited to your desk anymore. You can use the app as long as there is an internet connection. This flexibility makes them the perfect solution for remote and hybrid work. Now your business can run 24/7.

They are affordable

With desk phones, you have to pay for the device, installation and maintenance. To get a softphone number, all you need is the app and a device connected to the internet. The monthly fees for softphones are also substantially lower.

They give you a second line

By downloading the app, you get a second phone line for work. This protects your primary mobile phone number and will encourage you to share the number with customers. It will also improve your employees’ work-life balance.

They have enhanced features

You can get several tools to optimise your business communication. From call routing to auto-attendant to voicemail to email transcription, these are features you wouldn’t find on the standard desk phones.

They centralise your communication

The app’s interface will show you the number of calls you get and your business’s response to them. With these analytics, it will be easy to improve your lead generation and customer service.

They save space

When you start using softphones for business, you can get rid of those clunky desk phones and their wires that take up a lot of space. Your office wouldn’t need a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) either.

Can your business benefit from switching to softphones?

As remote and hybrid work gets normalised, softphones can provide several benefits to businesses. Irrespective of the category you operate in, you’ll be able to save costs, streamline your business communication and improve productivity using softphones for business. These are just some of the businesses that can benefit from switching to softphones:

• Real estate

• Property management

• Remodelling services

• IT and IT-related services

• Interior design

• Construction

• Pest removal

• Plumbing

• Gardening services

• Electrical repairs

• Travel

• Accounting

• Web development

• Content creation

• Photography

• Wedding planning

• Credit recovery

Chalkboard: Your business on the move

Chalkboard is a second-line phone app built for businesses on the move. Whether you’re at home, in the office or travelling, Chalkboard will ensure that you and your team stay connected. Designed for remote and hybrid teams, the app gives you several smart features:

• Since it’s a second line for work, you don’t have to buy a device or hardware.

• This exceptionally affordable service comes with an easy-to-use interface.

• You can easily route incoming calls to remotely placed team members.

• Using its chat feature, your business can engage in conversational marketing.

• Forget about missed calls because Chalkboard lets you set up auto-reply for those.

Download Chalkboard. What you’ll get is an advanced digital phone plus an automated marketing solution. 📲