per user / month
per user / month
per user / month
USERS AND LOCATIONS
Number of users
up to 10
Unlimited
Unlimited
Regional Location
None
Unlimited
Unlimited
Domestic Location
up to 10
Unlimited
Unlimited
International Locations
None
None
Unlimited
PRODUCT FEATURES
Calls between Google Voice numbers included
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Calls to the US from any Google Voice number included
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Calls to Canada from a Canadian or US Google Voice number included
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Calls to most European countries from within Europe included
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SIP Link
check
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Unlimited text messaging in US
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Google Fi Compatible [US only]
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Voicemail transcription
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Google Calendar Integration
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Google Meet Integration
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Mobile apps: Android & IOS
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check
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Web Application
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Support
24/7
24/7
24/7
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
check
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Usage and activity reporting
check
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Call forwarding
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Multi level auto attendant
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Ring Groups
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Desk phone and ATA support
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eDiscovery for calls, voice mails and text messaging records
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Advanced reporting (BigQuery)
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Ad-hoc user call recording
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Automatic
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per user / month
Up to 10 users
Up to 10 Domestic Locations
Calls between Google Voice numbers included
Calls to the US from any Google Voice number included 2
Calls to Canada from a Canadian or US Google Voice number included 2
Calls to most European countries from within Europe included 2
Google Fi Compatible [US only]
Voicemail transcription
Google Calendar Integration
Google Meet Integration
Mobile apps: Android & IOS
Web Application
24/7 Support
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
Usage and activity reporting
Call forwarding
Unlimited number of users
Unlimited Regional Locations
Unlimited Domestic Locations
Unlimited text messaging in US
Multi level auto attendant
Ring Groups
Desk phone and ATA support
eDiscovery for calls, voice mails and text messaging records
Ad-hoc user call recording
Unlimited International Locations 1
Advanced reporting (BigQuery)
Automatic Ad-hoc user call recording
Promotional pricing plans apply to EMEA only. Other regions may vary.
2 Refer to the Voice rate card for a complete list of calling rates for your Voice number.
Learn how VoIP phone emergency features differ from traditional emergency calling service .
Our sales team now uses Google Voice to call and text customers from their smartphones, tablets, and the web. And because it is considerably more affordable to operate than our legacy VoIP systems, we continue to steadily expand our usage of Google Voice.
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Simplify team communication with the top-rated phone system for small businesses. Save hundreds over landlines.
A powerful phone service with voice, SMS, and video conferencing built in. Take calls on the business communication channels you prefer.
Auto attendant.
Direct incoming calls like a pro. Route customer support and sales phone calls reliably to the right team members.
Record business calls on your terms. Cloud-based call recording lets you provide feedback to your team for up to six months.
Talk as much as your small business needs. Enjoy unlimited calls across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico using VoIP phones.
Join HD video meetings from your computer and mobile phone. Screen sharing enhances your business communication in real time.
Skip dialing into your voicemail. Smart voicemail transcripts let you see a caller's voicemail message and reply over SMS.
Our business VoIP phone solution solves inbound call management. Route callers using any criteria your small business needs.
For startups.
Omnichannel digital customer sales & service to connect and engage with customers on the channels they prefer and track social engagement and customer reviews.
Digital features:
Turn prospects and visitors into customers and provide customer service on your website by engaging in real-time through live chat . Start with automated prompts to gather essential information, then seamlessly transition to a live-agent interaction.
Support and sell using social messaging capabilities including Facebook Messenger, Instagram DM, WhatsApp, and more. All messages route to a single inbox so you won’t miss a thing.
Monitor, respond, listen, and publish on the most meaningful social platforms including: Facebook, Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), TikTok, Linkedin, YouTube, and your Google Business profile.
Protect your brand and control your reputation by automatically keeping tabs on key review sites. Set alerts so high-importance comments are handled immediately.
Sell more and support efficiently by routing all conversations to a single inbox. Channels include email, webchat, messengers, SMS, social media and review sites.
Connect and engage with customers on digital, voice, video, and SMS. Never miss an interaction with AI-powered voicemail transcription. Empower all workers with desktop, mobile, and browser-based apps for customer conversations, collaboration, and contact management.
Everything in Digital, plus:
Connect with customers and your team using award-winning, reliable voice conversations within the U.S. and CA*. Get a new number or bring over your existing number for free.
Send and receive SMS text messages from your business phone number using the desktop and mobile app.
Collaborate face-to-face with video meetings . Engage in sidebar chats and record for future reference.
Get on the same page by sharing your screen during a video call or exchanging key files.
Ensure all calls are professionally answered and properly routed using a virtual receptionist recording that directs callers to, for instance, “press one for Sales and two for Service.”
Create amazing customer experiences across all channels including chatbot and an inbound call center. Add Nextiva voice service to your MS Teams and gather insights via advanced reporting.
Everything in Core, plus:
Manage high-volume inbound calls and use voice prompts to route calls to best-fit agents. Queue calls and surface caller history for quick resolution.
Give your business a professional edge by offering a universal, non-local, toll-free number.
Move your business forward with insight gained from data found within your voice analytics.
Ensure a premium voice calling experience by integrating Nextiva’s reliable and clear voice solution into your Microsoft Teams workflow .
Offer 24/7 support and efficiently manage responses to FAQs with web chatbot automation.
For sales & service teams.
Everything a small business needs to run a successful sales & service organization and to operate like a Fortune 500 company — including advanced routing with an interactive voice bot, agent skills-based routing, data dips, and supervisor assist.
Everything in Engage, plus:
Advanced IVR enables customer engagement inside your IVR to quickly and efficiently route customers to the right place, the first time. Enable CRM/CDP integrations to offer high-touch customer experiences.
Route callers to best-fit agents based on demographic, language, affinity, hard skills, etc.
Increase efficiency and collaboration by connecting agents and supervisors in a single interface.
Focus on what metrics matter most with a customizable real-time dashboard for supervisors.
Increase productivity when AI takes call notes for you in real time and creates an automatic summary of the conversation.
Add business phone numbers as you grow your team. Nextiva add-ons offer enhanced productivity and built-in customer support tools.
Manage your small business phone system with confidence. Get Amazing Service® from real pros, not bots. Call, web chat, or submit a ticket 24/7/365.
Free your business from the limits of traditional phone lines.
Our award-winning business phone services work over any internet connection, unlike traditional landlines. Team members can take calls on their mobile phones and desk phones. Easy setup — no IT staff needed.
Connect your VoIP phone system with popular business applications: Microsoft Outlook, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and many more.
The answer is clear: Nextiva provides the best overall value for business owners. We guide you through every aspect of your phone system for your company. Our 99.999% uptime has you covered around the clock. If you ever have a question, our customer support is ready to help you 24/7. Plus, you'll save up to 60% over analog phone service.
Amazing service®.
24/7 support from real people. Browse our help center to learn more about small business VoIP. Or call, chat, or submit a ticket.
We provide outstanding network uptime and security. Eight highly redundant points of presence power our VoIP service.
Worried about choppy audio? Our VoIP phone system provides voice calls in crystal-clear HD quality. It just works.
Choose any local number or toll-free number and download our mobile and desktop apps. Team members place calls right away.
Don’t just take our word for it.
All your business communications solutions in one place — phone, video, chat, contact management, and team collaboration. It doesn't get easier than Nextiva.
How do i set up a business phone system.
Unlike some business phone services, there’s practically no technical setup you have to do to configure Nextiva. Out of the box, it works — and if you have a mobile device or computer (bet you do!), just sign in with your username and password to begin calling.
Business owners choose Nextiva because it’s so easy to use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service:
We've tested everything and hand-picked a catalog of high-quality desk phones and hardware.
Our basic small business VoIP plan starts at $18.95 per month. It has all the features a growing business needs — business text messaging, local and toll-free numbers, voicemail transcription, 99.999% uptime, and more.
Yes, it's easy to transfer phone numbers to Nextiva through a process known as porting. Porting lets you assign your number to a VoIP service provider like Nextiva.
You can transfer any number you use, including:
Nextiva handles everything related to moving your phone numbers over. Our porting team will inform you of the port-in date. From there, you can begin placing and receiving unlimited calls through Nextiva's cloud phone system.
Transferring business phone numbers will take approximately 2–4 weeks, depending on the previous carrier. In the meantime, you can use temporary phone numbers.
Watch this short video to see how to transfer your phone numbers to Nextiva:
The short answer is business phone services are very reliable, so long as you don’t have a power outage.
You might also want to consider other factors like:
Many businesses prefer to use a toll-free phone number instead of a local number to handle inbound phone calls.
Most business phone service providers (Nextiva included) offer different types of phone numbers:
The upside of using a toll-free number is that team members can dial out with a shared caller ID on behalf of the company. Incoming calls go through an auto attendant to ensure they reach live agents.
Yes, we do both! Nextiva lets you buy or rent many top-rated VoIP phones and headsets that work perfectly with your phone system .
We offer many VoIP devices to purchase or lease, including desk phones, cordless phones, conference phones, and analog adapters.
The best part is that we pre-configure the devices so that you can use them instantly.
Yes, you can direct calls to your after-hours answering service with Nextiva. Incoming calls are routed by a third-party answering service that enables people to work from home with its audio conferencing and VoIP solutions.
Nextiva supports employees working remotely and in the office as one of the top unified communications solutions. Here are some essential features included with its business phone system:
When you get a small business phone service, you'll want to know a few things about Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). You should be keen on exactly what your VoIP service includes.
You’ll also want to be mindful of the advantages of cloud phone systems for small businesses and enterprises.
While they may sound similar, a small business phone system and a business phone service are actually two different but related aspects of business communications. All companies, small and large, need phone service to communicate with customers, vendors, suppliers, and employees. A business phone system provides a business phone number and helps you stay connected with all the right people through unified communication functionality.
Small business phone service comes full of benefits to allow your business to grow. Switching to a cloud-based phone service can save up to 60% of your phone bill. Traditional phone service is vulnerable to outages, while a business phone service has considerably better uptimes and is resistant to risks like bad weather. Call quality and security both maintain integrity in the eyes of your customers.
Nextiva delivers a VoIP phone service solution designed to provide small businesses with the tools they need to manage their voice communications. It includes the ability to scale through fully integrated business communications that allows you to plug in tools to improve customer management and employee productivity.
The best time to switch to business VoIP is before you buy on-premises telephone equipment, or get locked into lengthy maintenance agreements. Why? VoIP can save businesses over 60% versus their local telephone provider — and you get all the advanced calling features the pros have.
Nextiva’s award-winning VoIP phone system uses the internet rather than analog landlines, making setup turnkey and allowing users to seamlessly switch between desk phones or mobile devices to communicate with each other and with customers.
Nextiva provides small businesses with the ability to increase productivity by making everything available all in one tool, from business SMS to chat and from video conferencing to customer experience tools . The top business phone service for small businesses includes:
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As a small business owner, you have a lot of responsibilities. You need to manage daily tasks to improve your business and come up with new innovative ideas. But have you ever thought 🤔 about the backbone of your business telecommunication – a reliable phone 📞system?
A good and reliable phone service can be beneficial for talking to customers, your team, and clients. Better phone service can anticipate dropped calls, damaged reputation, poor call quality, decreased productivity, and unreliable connections.
However, with so many options available, choosing the best one can be overwhelming 😵.
So, how do you find the right one?
This blog will help you find the best phone service for your small business. We will discuss the top 🔝 business phone services and their features, pros, cons, pricing, and comparison table to help you better understand.
🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTS!
Table of Contents
Business phone service is a cloud-based communications platform that allows businesses to make and receive telephone calls . These services use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology to make online VoIP calls rather than traditional landlines. It also offers calling features such as music on hold, call recording, automated menus, and extension dialing.
Their advanced features include voice-to-email, mobile apps, call transcription, AI-powered efficiency tools, and integrations with business software like CRM systems. With business phone service, businesses can use their phone service to in-office, hybrid, and remote employees regardless of location.
Any company, either a startup or a large enterprise, can benefit from the flexibility and features of a modern cloud-based business phone system.
Here is the comparison table of the Top 10 business phone services for small businesses.
KrispCall | Unified Callbox, Global Calling, Text Messages, Voicemail to Email | Starts at $15/month |
Vonage | VoIP, virtual receptionist, video meetings | Starts at $19.99/month |
Nextiva | Unlimited calling, team messaging, analytics | Starts at $20/month |
RingCentral | Video conferencing, team messaging, call management | Starts at $19.99/month |
Ooma | VoIP, virtual receptionist, call blocking | Starts at $19.95/month |
8×8 | VoIP, team messaging, analytics | Starts at $12/month |
Grasshopper | VoIP, call forwarding, mobile app | Starts at $26/month |
GoToConnect | VoIP, video conferencing, team messaging | Starts at $19.95/month |
Zoom Phone | VoIP, video conferencing, mobile app | Starts at $10/month |
Dialpad | VoIP, AI-powered call transcription | Starts at $15/month |
🔥 Note: Remember that the above-mentioned prices are subject to change, so they may not reflect the current pricing plan.
When choosing the best phone service for your business, you can consider these important factors:
Here is the list of the top business phone services with their features, pros, cons, and starting pricing per month. And with these phone services, you can enhance your business call productivity as they offer various advanced call-handling features.
KrispCall is a cloud-based telephony platform that offers virtual phone numbers and several advanced VoIP phone features to help small businesses carry out conversations more effectively. It provides a wide range of calling and texting features, such as call recording , call forwarding, and auto-attendants , enabling seamless telephony with mobile and web access.
KrispCall also integrates with popular business tools & CRM systems for better workflow. It is well-suited for startup businesses looking to establish a professional presence and enterprises needing a scalable cloud phone system. Its unique features and ability to work on any device make it one of the best business phone services for businesses of all sizes.
A Unified dashboard to access all features from a single interface. | No Linux App. |
Integrates with CRM system to streamline workflows. | |
Virtual phone numbers from over 100 countries. |
Vonage is a global business communications company that specializes in providing Virtual Communications Services for businesses. It provides HD voice quality, multi-line business communications system, and virtual lines for employees working from home.
Vonage’s phone service currently offers more than 40+ features with a high stability rate. It works with business applications and enables VoIP desk phones, video conferences, and team communication. The Vonage communication system is also cloud-based, improving business efficiency compared to traditional wired telephones.
Cloud-based, user-friendly system. | Issues with SMS integration. |
High-quality call connections. | Complicated billing process. |
Excellent smartphone app. | Limited app integration. |
Nextiva is a business phone services company offering cloud-based VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. It brings voice, video, messaging, and collaboration with others within a single platform. Calling features such as auto-attendant, call forwarding , call recording, and call parking, amongst others, are provided by Nextiva to improve business communications.
Also, Nextiva’s mobile application enables users to call, message, and perform other functions directly from a device connected to the Internet. The platform connects with business applications such as CRM, helpdesk, and other productivity applications . It provides flexible pricing and 24/7 customer support for businesses.
Unlimited domestic calling to the US and Canada. | Some features need to be improved. |
SMS, video calling, and voicemail transcription. | Complicated setup process. |
Allow easy scaling. | Account manager issues have been reported. |
RingCentral is a cloud-based VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) business phone service that is well-known in the phone service market. The platform affords a comprehensive means for real-time voice, video, messaging, and collaboration in one system. It offers more than 50 advanced calling features , such as auto-attendant, call forwarding, and call recording.
RingCentral also offers a mobile app that can work from anywhere with internet access and supports features such as call flip, which lets users switch between phone calls on the app. It also supports ‘integrations’ with popular business application software such as CRM, helpdesk, and productivity tools.
Wide range of advanced calling features. | Limited customization options. |
Robust unified communication platform. | Higher pricing compared to some competitors. |
Voice, video, messaging, and collaboration features. | Mobile app performance issues reported. |
Ooma is a cloud-communications company that offers VoIP phone services for residential customers and small businesses. The major Ooma business phone services are Ooma Telo and Ooma Office. Ooma Telo is the first Ooma device that is connected to the internet router to enable VoIP phone services.
Ooma Office, on the other hand, is a business-oriented phone service that is provided by the company to small to medium business firms. It has over 50 advanced calling features, such as virtual receptionist , call parking, ring groups, integrations, and more, at an affordable pricing plan.
High-quality voice calls with 911 service. | Potential call quality issues. |
Easy setup and use. | Finite customization options. |
With over 50 robust calling features. | Issue on compatibility. |
8×8 is a global provider of IP telephony, video web conferencing communication solutions, and cloud contact centers. Their business phone service is known as 8×8 Virtual Office and comes with a single, all–in–one solution for voice, video, chat, and collaboration. It has facilities such as high-definition voice, call forwarding, voice messaging, and conference calls, which may be of benefit to businesses.
8×8 Virtual Office also provides a mobility solution where the user can make and answer call on any device with the help of the 8×8 mobile application and Call Flip between the devices. It also offers messaging, file sharing, and presence indicators, along with integrations to Microsoft 365 , Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Zendesk.
Robust unified communication platform. | Higher pricing compared to some competitors. |
Advanced contact center capabilities. | Finite customization options. |
Excellent mobility options. | Potential compatibility issues. |
Grasshopper is an Internet-based business phone service provider that creates PBX solutions mainly for small companies and start-up businesses. The company offers local, toll-free, and vanity phone numbers so that users can appear businesslike.
Another notable function that Grasshopper offers is its dedicated auto attendant. It also offers unlimited extensions that are configurable to ring any number, including personal mobile phones, and callers can forward their calls to get through the right extension.
Provides Virtual phone numbers. | Finite advanced features. |
Robust auto attendant. | Call quality issues. |
Mobility and flexibility. | No video conferencing. |
GoToConnect is a cloud-hosted unified communications service (UCaaS) that offers business phone, video conferencing, and collaboration services. The service combines voice, video, messaging, and collaboration and provides features like high-definition voice, call transfer, voice mailbox, and conference calls.
It has features such as team messaging, file sharing, presence, and status and works with familiar business tools like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Zendesk. It also provides omnichannel contact center integrations for voice, email, chat, and social media, as well as IVR, call routing, workforce management , and analytics.
Robust unified communication platform. | Compatibility issues. |
Excellent mobility options. | Limited customization options. |
Advanced contact center capabilities. | Potential learning curve. |
Zoom Phone is one of the best UCaaS platforms that lets users make and receive calls using Zoom Meeting’s features to project a seamless communication channel . Zoom Phone is a cloud-based PBX that offers features similar to those of standard telephone systems, such as call transfer, voicemail, and call history.
Zoom Phone is easy to use and integrates with Zoom Meetings, enabling organizations to maximize its features. It also enables calling from various devices such as desktop, mobile, and conference room phones by making it possible for users to make and receive calls.
Global availability. | Customer support limitations. |
Mobility and flexibility. | Report on compatibility issues. |
Robust feature set. | Finite customization options. |
Dialpa d is a cloud-based unified communications and collaboration platform for businesses that offers phone systems that companies can use. Dialpad is a comprehensive business phone solution that can be hosted from any device, while its core features include call routing, voicemail, and history logs. It has the capability of voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools coupled with call, meetings, and team chat functions.
Dialpad also includes additional features like call queues, auto-attendant, call recording, and business intelligence . It is also interconnected with other business apps, such as Salesforce, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace. Furthermore, it uses AI for real-time call recording, sentiment analytics, and virtual assistants to improve productivity and services.
AI-powered capabilities. | Finite third-party integration. |
Flexibility mobility. | Compatibility issue reported. |
Advanced call routing and analytics. | Potential learning curve. |
Before selecting a business phone service, it is essential to consider several factors to make sure that the service corresponds to the needs of one’s organization.
Here are several key considerations to keep in mind before choosing the right business phone service.
So, considering these factors and checking the quality of phone service offered by phone service providers can aid in choosing the right CRM for your business. Analyzing their features, availability, customer support, integration with third-party, and total cost required is very crucial while selecting a business phone service.
Today, even small businesses can leverage cloud-based unification communications and powerful and feature-rich virtual phone systems. The options for phone services for small businesses have rapidly expanded and the small business can now find products and solutions that meet its needs in terms of communication services.
While choosing the right phone service provider, you must consider aspects like unified communication, mobility, remote working options, compatibility with other tools, stability, security, and affordability. When small businesses do so, they can make a sound decision on which phone system will benefit productivity and customer satisfaction and fit their small business strategies.
How can i set up a business phone system.
To set up a business phone system, you can follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Sign Up and acquire a Business Number
Step 2: Record Your Main Greeting
Step 3: Add Extensions
Step 4: Start Receiving Calls
You can get a business phone line by contacting a telecommunications provider, such as a traditional phone company or a VoIP service, and selecting a plan that meets your business needs, which may include features such as toll-free phone numbers , call forwarding, and conference calling.
Whether or not to buy a business phone depends on your specific business needs, such as the number of employees, call volume, and desired features. However, having a dedicated business phone can help establish a professional image, improve communication, and increase productivity.
A business phone system costs around $15 for a barebone plan , while an enterprise system costs around $35 monthly. However, the actual cost may vary depending on factors such as the number of users, phone models, and features needed. KrispCall offers an essential plan for $12, which is lower compared to others.
Dinesh Silwal is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of KrispCall. For the past few years, he has been advancing and innovating in the cloud telephony industry, using AI to enhance and improve telephony solutions, and driving KrispCall to the forefront of the field.
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4-minute read
Grasshopper
From Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the first telephone to today’s mobile device revolution, phone technology has evolved dramatically. The benefits of these innovations are undoubtedly transforming the way we live and work, but there’s a caveat: It’s also blurring the lines between our personal and professional lives.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, half (50%) of small business owners reported working longer hours in 2022, marking a 20% increase from six years ago . As entrepreneurs often juggle multiple functions — from sales to marketing to customer service — on their personal devices, not having work-life boundaries is quickly taking its toll.
The good news is, there’s a better way: one phone, two numbers. You can turn your personal smartphone into a virtual business phone and messaging system, while keeping your personal phone number separate with a second phone number.
As a small business owner, you often need to get creative by optimizing limited resources and finding more efficient ways to work. But no matter the size of your business, it deserves a dedicated phone number. You can operate small but still sound big.
Here are three reasons to get a dedicated business phone number on your mobile device:
1. Keep your work and personal lives separate .
With a virtual business phone number on your smartphone, you can separate conversations with a client seamlessly from a casual chat with a friend. This makes it easier to keep your professional and personal lives apart, while still using just one device.
2. Look and sound professional .
Besides a dedicated business phone number, you’ll benefit from a robust virtual phone system that alerts you when business is calling so you can put your best voice forward. You also can set up custom greetings to welcome callers and ensure a positive experience that establishes brand credibility.
3. Never miss a business call .
You’ll be able to make and receive business calls and text messages wherever you are, using both desktop and mobile apps. To ensure your clients never hear another busy signal, simply set up your virtual phone system to route calls to different numbers or team members when your line is busy.
If you’re still uncertain about investing in a separate virtual phone system for your business, here’s a breakdown of key features that highlight how it can serve both your business and its clients.
Extensions: Business phone extensions allow you to route callers to the right person or department at the right time — making sure clients are offered the solution they need in less time. And that’s not all. With informational extensions, you also can share useful details when clients call; think “Press 1 for our business hours” and more.
Call forwarding: This feature redirects any incoming call to another phone number or service. You can choose where to transfer your business calls, such as a voicemail, home phone, or a colleague’s smartphone.
Business SMS: Why stop at business phone calls? Now you can conveniently reach customers with text messages as well. Make client interactions more efficient with quick updates and replies using the same recognizable number for both calls and texts.
Our partner Grasshopper makes the process of getting a virtual business phone number affordable and stress-free. They have plans starting at just $14 per month. Grasshopper is also the only business phone provider that allows you to have unlimited users under one plan without additional charges .
To learn more about Grasshopper’s pricing plans, visit their page here .
Grasshopper can help you get started in four simple steps:
1. Pick your number and plan.
Start by choosing one of the following: Toll-free number, Vanity number, Local number.
Alternatively, you may wish to port your current number. Next, pick the plan that suits your business needs best.
2. Download the Grasshopper apps.
The desktop and mobile apps provide 24/7 access to Grasshopper — whether from the office, at home, or on the go.
3. Configure your settings.
Getting set up is a cinch with the step-by-step guidance on your desktop and mobile devices. In addition, their award-winning customer support team is available 24/7.
4. Start using your new number.
You’re ready to start receiving and making business calls (and a whole lot more) on a dedicated number with your personal mobile device.
Ready to get your virtual business phone number up and running? Click here to learn more. Grasshopper also offers a 7-day trial with no credit card or commitment.
Grasshopper is a simple and easy-to-use virtual phone system (calls, texts, custom greetings, extensions, inbound fax, and more) that provides you with a second phone number for your personal phone, so you can keep business and personal calls separate. https://grasshopper.com/
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Published: Aug 1, 2024, 8:04am
Squarespace business vs. personal: at a glance, how squarespace business vs. personal stack up, cost of squarespace business vs. squarespace personal, customer reviews and reputation, top squarespace business and personal alternatives, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).
If you want to create an online presence for your business, Squarespace is one of the best website builders available. Once you’ve narrowed it down to Squarespace, you also have to pick a plan. There are four plans available, including Squarespace Personal and Squarespace Business. In this article, we’ll compare Squarespace Business vs. Personal to determine which will work best for your needs.
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Both Squarespace Business and Squarespace Personal give you access to beautifully designed templates that make setting up your site simple. Once you’ve selected your design, you can also use the drag-and-drop editor to move around elements to give your site a custom feel. All Squarespace websites are also mobile optimized and come with a free custom domain if you sign up for the annual plan.
The main difference between Squarespace Business and Squarespace Personal is e-commerce features. Squarespace Personal doesn’t come with the ability to sell products directly on your site. So, if you’re looking to set up an online store , you can likely rule out this plan right away.
Meanwhile, Squarespace Business comes with entry-level e-commerce features that are great for small-scale shops. For example, it might be a great choice for an artist that wants to sell prints of their work or a musician that wants to sell merchandise.
We also like Squarespace Business for its customization options. With this plan, you can use CSS and JavaScript to make your site even more unique and tailored to your brand identity. This isn’t available on the Personal plan. However, it’s also not necessary unless you want to make your site flashy. If you just want simple landing pages or a portfolio, the Personal plan will work just fine.
$23 per month, paid annually
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With Squarespace Business, you can get your online shop off the ground thanks to fully integrated e-commerce features. You’re able to sell unlimited products and include checkout pages right on your domain for a streamlined user experience (UX). Customers can create their own accounts to access purchase history. Another cool feature is that you can create and sell courses and on-demand videos, all from the Squarespace platform.
To help cement your brand’s identity, Squarespace also gives Business users one free professional email on the Google Workspace Starter plan. Having an email address on your custom domain comes off as far more professional. Squarespace allows you to customize your site further with code block and code injection with CSS and JavaScript.
Learn more: Read our Squarespace review .
$16 per month, paid annually
Squarespace Personal is a great choice for launching your first website. It allows you to browse over 170 templates to find one you like. Once your site is online, you can have up to two contributors managing it. All Personal sites also come with SEO features to increase your visibility in search engines, 30 minutes of video hosting and basic website metrics to help you track website visits, traffic sources and visitor geography.
There are also a few audience management tools you get at this level. For example, you can collect unlimited email subscribers and segment your audience to help your marketing efforts. There’s even the option to use Squarespace Extensions to connect third-party tools to help you manage your site further.
When comparing Squarespace Business vs. Personal plan, you’ll see they stack up fairly well for the basics. But for premium features, such as e-commerce capabilities and advanced website features, the Business plan wins.
Squarespace Business | Squarespace Personal | |
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When comparing Squarespace Business vs. Personal plans, the major difference is e-commerce functionality. The Business plan lets you sell unlimited products with a 3% transaction fee per sale. However, the Personal plan does not have any e-commerce functionality, so it’s not a good choice if you want to sell products from your website.
The Business plan lets you use custom JavaScript and CSS coding on your website. You can do this through code blocks, code injection and the Squarespace Developer Platform. As an example, this might allow you to embed third-party widgets, set up advanced analytics, offer live chat services or simply create a more robust site design. With the Personal plan, you’ll be limited to the template you choose and the drag-and-drop editor.
The Personal plan comes with basic analytics, such as traffic, visitor geography, traffic sources and search keywords. However, when you upgrade to Business, you’ll unlock a wealth of additional sales analytics, such as form and button conversions and abandoned cart statistics.
Certain extensions, such as Mailchimp and Zapier, are only available in the Business plan or higher. These are extremely helpful tools for email marketing and task automation. The Business plan also has advanced features for restaurants, allowing you to integrate OpenTable reservation blocks and use menu blocks to create a searchable menu directly on your site (instead of uploading a PDF).
As you might have guessed, the Business plan is more expensive than the Personal plan. That’s because it has far more features. However, you can save money on either plan when you subscribe annually rather than monthly. Here’s how the costs break down.
Cost per Month (Paying Annually) | Cost per Month (Paying Monthly) | Cost per Year (Paying Annually) | Cost per Year (Paying Monthly) | |
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If you have a small budget for your website, then Squarespace Personal can be much more affordable. It’s nearly $100 cheaper a year when you pay annually and over $130 cheaper if you pay monthly. However, if you plan to use your website to sell items, then you’ll need to pay the extra cost to upgrade to Business. The good news is that your sales profits should quickly make up the $100 difference between the two plans.
Overall, Squarespace reviews for the Business and Personal plans are mixed across the web. For example, the site has 4.4 stars out of 5 on G2. Business plan users praise the ease of putting together a sophisticated website without needing to know any complicated coding. Personal plan users praise the ability to embed videos or files on the site and showcase their blogs or portfolios.
Squarespace reviews are more critical on Trustpilot, where the business only has 1.4 stars. Business plan users complained about how hard it was to cancel their connected Google Workspace plan or get resolutions from support. Personal plan users didn’t like how hard it was to integrate with email clients and the limitations on embedding buttons.
While Squarespace is one of the top website builders available today, there are plenty of Squarespace alternatives . Consider these three competitors if you’re not sure if the Squarespace Business or Personal plans will be right for you.
Drag-and-Drop Editor | Free Trial | Number of E-Commerce Products | Starting Price | |
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When comparing Squarespace Business vs. Personal, consider the needs of your business. If you think you’ll be doing any online sales, the Business plan is the way to go. But if you’re just looking to create a simple website to provide information about your company, the Personal plan is all you need. Additionally, if you’re looking to create a site that goes beyond Squarespace’s predesigned templates, you’ll also want the Business plan.
Squarespace Business is best for:
Squarespace Personal is best for:
Yes, Squarespace lets you upgrade from the Personal to Business plan at any time—and vice versa. This makes it easy to scale upward as your business expands. Upgrades take effect immediately if you don’t change your billing cycle.
Yes, it’s entirely possible to use Squarespace Personal for a business. You can use it to create pages about your offerings, list contact information for your office, collect user emails and more. The only caveat is that you can’t sell products with the Personal plan.
The main difference is the ability to sell products. You can only do that with a Business plan. The Business plan also includes advanced analytics and custom coding capabilities that the Personal plan does not.
Kristy Snyder is a freelance writer and editor with 12 years of experience, currently contributing to the Forbes Advisor Small Business vertical. She uses her experience managing her own successful small business to write articles about software, small business tools, loans, credit cards and online banking. Kristy's work also appears in Newsweek and Fortune, focusing on personal finance.
by Clint Fontanella
| 07.31.24 |
When I worked in customer service, I started on phones. I answered calls for eight hours a day, troubleshooting CRM software for small businesses .
I spoke with every type of customer — new users, loyal customers, and plenty of complainers . I got comfortable answering calls and leveraging my phone skills to create fantastic customer experiences .
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In this post, I’ll share my top phone skills for customer support. I’ll explain why each is important and how you can improve them as a small business owner.
Below are twelve phone skills that are used constantly in customer service. I’ve organized them into three sections, starting with skills used in any phone conversation.
Here are what I call the four “Ps” of phone support: politeness, professionalism, positivity, and preparation.
Politeness is important in any conversation. It shows that you respect others and value their opinions. It can also diffuse a frustrated customer who begins the conversation with a confrontational tone. It’s harder to argue with someone who is nice to you than with someone who is impolite.
How to Improve This Phone Skill:
When you’re on the phone, the customer can only interpret your words and tone of voice. That means how you say something matters as much as what you say.
Pay attention to your tone and maintain an optimistic demeanor. Use phrases like “please” and “thank you,” and ask for permission when you put people on hold. These details go a long way in making you sound competent, confident, and caring about your customers.
Professionalism makes it clear that you know what you’re talking about. If you sound nervous or stumble over words, customers will think you’re less experienced and might not trust you. The more confident and professional you sound, the more it lets others know you’ve dealt with these issues before. That will put their minds at ease and make them more likely to trust your solution.
Smooth out your responses and get comfortable talking with strangers over the phone. Relaxing and leaning on your industry knowledge makes it easier to answer questions and sound credible.
A lot of this comes from experience. However, you can position yourself for success with rehearsed responses. Practice what you’ll say when you pick up the phone and end a call. You can also put a customer on a brief hold if you need a moment to consider your response. It will give you time to plan your next steps to act confidently in front of the customer.
Positivity goes hand in hand with great customer experiences . If you’re negative or don’t sound interested, the customer will have a poor perception of your brand.
That doesn’t mean you have to be insincere. You just have to sound invested in the conversation and optimistic about the outcome. If a roadblock pops up, replace negative phrases like “we can’t do this” with “let’s find an alternative solution.” Choosing the right words can sometimes spin a conversation in a positive direction.
We all have bad days when we’re stressed and don’t want to interact with customers. Unfortunately, our problems aren’t our customers’ problems. We have to find ways to stay positive even if our day isn’t going well.
One way to do that is to take your time between calls and avoid answering the phone if you’re upset. Here’s where a phone system can record voicemails and log them in your CRM . That way, you can take a moment before answering customers to improve your mindset before they speak to you.
One of the most underrated phone skills is preparation. If you can plan what you’ll say and use a prepared intro and closing statement, you’ll set yourself up for success on your next call.
Additionally, you should leverage data in your CRM to help you with each customer. You can see previous interactions, the products and services they purchased, and any feedback on customer satisfaction surveys . Use this information to guide the conversation and make smart decisions based on the customer’s experience with your brand.
Start by working on your opening statement. When you answer the phone, you should sound confident and ready to solve problems.
My go-to was, “Thank you for calling customer support; my name is Clint. Who do I have the pleasure of working with today?” When they answered with their name, I would follow up with, “Nice to meet you, [name]. What are we working on today?” I practiced this repeatedly because I knew how important the phrasing was. It kicked off every call on the right foot when I got it right.
My other recommendation is to have your computer present or use a mobile CRM . This software contains information you can use to help customers, such as notes, purchase history, engagements, and more.
These phone skills apply specifically to customer service calls . They come in handy when solving problems and troubleshooting issues.
Active listening is more than just hearing what someone has to say. It’s focusing on specific details and listening completely, rather than planning your response.
But wait. Didn’t we just talk about the importance of preparation?
Preparation allows us to actively listen to customers. If we prepare with rehearsed statements and contextual information, listening and keeping track of the customer’s story is easy. We can provide a thoughtful response instead of scrambling to come up with something to say.
It sounds cliché, but one of the best ways to improve active listening is to be aware of it. If you find yourself thinking about your response rather than listening, stop. Remind yourself you need to focus on the customer. The more information you can gather from them, the better your conversation will be.
Phones are a popular channel for customer support. However, that doesn’t mean they’re your best channel for customer support.
Sometimes, it’s best to move a conversation to another communication channel – like email, video, or live online chat . These platforms don’t require you to hold a live conversation; they also let you troubleshoot differently than phones.
For instance, I can send documents and screenshots over email, and we can screen share on web chat . These channels let you provide different information to customers so you can solve their problems faster.
The best way to master channel transitions is to explain why they benefit the customer. I would recommend focusing on speed. Everyone wants their solution faster. If you explain how this transition will lead to a speedy resolution, customers will be more willing to switch channels.
Great customer service requires a lot of thinking on your feet. While it’s nice to prepare, you can’t plan for everything, and you have to adapt when things go wrong.
The most common time to improvise is when a customer won’t take no for an answer. You can’t meet their needs, and they won’t be satisfied until they get their request.
In these situations, your best approach is to devise alternative solutions. In customer service, we call them“workarounds” because they’re unique solutions to problems you wouldn’t anticipate. Workarounds are great because they show the customer you’re committed to solving their problem – whether that means bending the rules a little or making special exceptions.
It’s important to have a contingency plan or a series of steps you can take if a call doesn’t go as expected.
For example, the first step I would take is to put the customer on hold. I would ask them if I could gather resources to better support their call. Then, I would take 3-5 minutes to outline a plan. I would brainstorm a few solutions and pick the one I felt would work best.
If that didn’t work, I would move on to the next, and so on. This approach gave me a few chances to solve the customer’s problem before I had to follow up via email.
Time management is another overlooked customer service skill . No one wants to be on the phone for hours and hours. In fact, the average service phone call lasts about three and a half minutes. If your calls take longer, you should have alerts reminding you how long you’ve been on the phone.
Be sure to check the time when you first pick up the phone. Note when the conversation started, and set a timer for 15 minutes.
When 15 minutes is up, look for a good opportunity to ask this:
This approach was very effective for me. It kept customers happy because it showed that I cared about their time.
It also allowed me to come up with solutions independently. I didn’t have to juggle a conversation while troubleshooting a problem. Instead, I could follow up with the customer once I hashed out a well-thought-out and organized solution.
These skills help you take an average phone call and turn it into a great customer experience.
If you possess strong product knowledge, you can avoid a lot of follow-up with customers. The more you know about your business, the easier it will be to answer questions and set expectations. You should know what your products can and can’t do and be familiar with solutions to the most common problems, like refunds, complaints, and requests.
If your business sells a physical product, get a demo and use it as much as possible. Try to put yourself in the customer’s shoes and encounter some of the same roadblocks they face when interacting with your business.
If you’re a service-based company, consider a “ secret shopper ” approach. Call or schedule an appointment with your business as if you were a real customer. Browse your website, review your sales material, and look for ways to request customer support. It will give you a good look into the customer’s experience and perception of your services.
Empathy can be difficult over the phone, especially with complete strangers. Your tone should convey the right message and let customers know you care about their issues. If your tone is flat or sounds harsh, the customer will focus on that.
Empathy is about reading the room — except, in this case, there is no room. You’re reading the customers’ words and tone and deciphering their feelings based on limited information.
Your best bet is to stick with a professional tone and attitude. Being too cheery might come off the wrong way, and being monotone isn’t fun for anyone. Find a happy medium and adjust from there, using other skills, like active listening.
Personalization matters because it shows customers you’re listening and invested in the situation.
Take the customer’s name, for example. If you forget it, you’ll spend the whole call thinking about it rather than working on the problem. And, if you slip up, you might create an awkward moment.
On the other hand, if you use the customer’s name throughout the conversation, they’ll feel more comfortable working with you. It’ll feel less like a customer service call and more like a conversation with a colleague.
When I answered the phone, the first step I took was asking for the customer’s name. I wrote it down in our system and started taking notes immediately.
After that, I recorded everything — the products they used and the last time they contacted our businesses. If I asked about the customer’s day, I wrote that down, too.
It was useful not just for the present call but also for future calls. If I talked to the same customer later on, I could ask them how things have been and continue building rapport . It established trust between me and the customer, creating better experiences along the way.
Clarity refers to your dictation and how concise you are when explaining solutions. Long-winded explanations confuse people – especially when they’re looking for simple solutions.
Remember, most folks don’t live and breathe your business. They need you to simplify things and tell them exactly what they need to know. Start simple and provide additional details as the customer asks for them.
Here’s where I would use a “strategic hold.” Even though I had a solution worked out, I would ask the customer if I could put them on a brief hold. I would tell them, “I’m confident in this solution, but I just want to confirm it before I pass it along to you.”
I would use this time to rehearse what I would say and ensure my explanation was concise. Then, I would talk the customer through my solution. Since I had rehearsed, I could communicate much more clearly, which made for a better conversation. Customers had fewer questions, and they were more likely to trust what I would say.
Small business owners rely on their phones. When you’re constantly on the go, your phone is your lifeline to your business and your primary way of keeping in touch with customers.
Providing excellent phone support starts with these fundamental skills. Practice each, as it will help you create better customer experiences. You’ll improve customer relationships, leading to higher satisfaction, greater loyalty, and repeat sales.
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While uncertainty and inflation have been themes that small businesses have been managing, the increased costs for labor may be thwarting small businesses’ plans for adding personnel and investing in their business. According to 412 small business leaders surveyed in July, just 43% indicate they plan to expand their workforce, the lowest percentage since June 2020. Plans among small businesses to reduce their workforce have held at 8%, while those planning to keep their workforce the same reached 49% in July.
Small businesses are similarly conservative with their plans for fixed investments with just 28% planning to increase investments over the next year, a 17-month low — additionally, 16% plan to decrease fixed investments, which is slightly above the 12-month average.
The fall in investment and workforce expansion plans over the next year led to a decline in the WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index, dropping to a 7-month low in July of 85.9.
Analysis of previous surveys has shown that labor costs have affected almost 60% of small businesses. Many small businesses reported passing on the costs through price increases, while others absorbed the costs, affecting their profitability. As Megan Torrance, CEO of TorranceLearning in Ann Arbor, Michigan shares, “We are passing some of this along to our customers, while also absorbing some of the increased costs.”
Other small businesses focus on driving productivity to offset increased labor costs.
“We’re increasing our capital expenditure on operating efficiencies utilizing robotics and automation,” says Tom Hilaris, CEO of Ergoseal in Carol Stream, Illinois. “We need to do more without increasing our labor force.”
But labor costs are not just wages; benefits are part of that overall expense. Last month’s survey found that across all types of insurance, costs for health insurance rose the most significantly.
Our July survey quantified all increases in various costs, revealing that some of the steepest cost increases have come from insurance, with 42% of small businesses reporting greater than 10% increases in insurance. However, more small companies still report that labor costs have increased compared to last year.
Eric Flowers, President and CEO of Ramsell Corporation in Concord, California, shares that they are “exploring ways to more cost-effectively pay for employee benefits without shifting the burden to employees while maintaining comparable benefit options.”
The July WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index was calculated from a survey of CEOs and other key leaders of small and midsize businesses in the field July 8-15, 2024; the results reflect insights from 412 respondents that represent companies with $1-20 million in annual revenues.
To explore the full July 2024 WSJ/Vistage Small Business dataset, visit our data center or download the infographic .
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The 5 Best Business Cell Phone Plans of 2023. Choosing between business mobile plans and carriers for your small company just got easier: Business.org breaks down the data about the best cell phone plans. Data as of 12/7/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *AutoPay Discount included: -$5/mo. per line.
Verizon: Best overall business cell phone plan. RingCentral: Best for voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) call management. Nextiva: Best for long-distance calling. T-Mobile: Best for unlimited phone plans. Google Voice: Best low-cost plans for solopreneurs. AT&T: Best for mobile security.
The Best 5 Business Cell Phone Plans of 2024. RingCentral: Best VoIP business mobile plan. Verizon Wireless: Best traditional wireless carrier. Google Voice: Best mobile solution for sole ...
T-Mobile is our top choice for business cell phone plans if you have employees who frequently travel internationally. The base plan, Business Unlimited Select, begins at $30 monthly for three ...
Today, its small business and cell phone and data plans feature a simple interactive menu that leads to its familiar offerings of Unlimited Basic and Unlimited Premium for $200 and $300 per month ...
Business cell phone plans work just like any other cell phone plan. You pay a monthly fee in exchange for access to a set number of minutes, texts and data. The best small business cell phone plans come with additional features like unlimited calling or texting to certain numbers and support for international calls.
Select the number of lines to see how your Business Unlimited plan monthly price would change. 5+ lines. Plans available with a month-to-month or device payment agreement. Prices include $5 savings per month per line when you sign up for Auto Pay and paper-free billing.
Plus get unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data with 5GB of hotspot data to share for only $20/mo. With 24 monthly bill credits when you add a line on a qualifying plan. $35 device connection charge due at sale. During congestion, heavy data users (>50GB/mo. for most plans) and customers choosing lower-prioritized plans may notice lower speeds than other ...
Get up to $10,000 when you add 10 lines on our best Unlimited plan. That's $1,000 per line when you bring your own phone or get a new one from us. No trade, no hassle. To unlock this game-changing value, call 855-972-7299 and speak with a Business Expert. Contact us.
Discover the best small business cell phone plans for optimized communication and cost-efficiency. Keep your team connected with reliable coverage, unlimited talk and text, and customizable data options. Explore our tailored solutions designed to elevate your small business's productivity and growth.
1. 2. Great network coverage with international plans and unlimited talk and text. 3. Offers 5G, good coverage, and low prices but the bring-your-own-device option is limited to iPhones only. 4. Offers great customization and integration capabilities, and lots of special business features. 5. $25.00 /line.
With new line, select trade-in & Business Unlimited plan. i. Taxes & fees apply. New line w/device payment purchase agmt & Business Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Pro plan req'd. 0% APR. Up to $829.99 (iPhone 15 128GB) or $799.99 (Galaxy S24 128GB) credit, varying by smartphone trade-in, applied to acct over the term of your agmt (up to 36 mos ...
Explore T-Mobile's business phone plans, including unlimited data, text, and talk. Join us and discover the best wireless business plan to fit your needs. ... For the small fraction of customers using >50GB/mo., primary data usage must be on smartphone. Smartphone usage is prioritized over Mobile Hotspot (tethering) usage, which may result in ...
Easy for users. Built for Google Workspace, Voice has a familiar look and user-friendly feel that fits easily into their workflow. Easier for IT. Make it simple for your IT team to stay on top of their work with Voice, an integral part of the Google Workspace family. Smart for business. Manage costs for your business with three license editions ...
Our guide rates the best business phone systems for small businesses. We also compares prices, plans, and features to help you make a smart buying decision. 360 Reviews
Pick a business phone number; Create usernames and passwords; Test your new business phone lines ; When ready, adjust your incoming call flows, call waiting, voicemail, and international calling rules. We've tested everything and hand-picked a catalog of high-quality desk phones and hardware. Our basic small business VoIP plan starts at $18.95 ...
The best business phone services are KrispCall, Vonage, Nextiva, RingCentral, and Ooma. When choosing the right business phone service for your small business, consider its mobility, features, pros and cons, pricing, and call quality. Small business phone service costs as low as $12 per month to as high as $26 per month.
Looking for the perfect cell phone plan for your small business? Explore our curated list of the best small business cell phone plans, offering cost-effective solutions, reliable coverage, and a range of features to help streamline communication and boost productivity. Find the plan that suits your needs and gives your business a competitive edge today.
As a small business owner, you often need to get creative by optimizing limited resources and finding more efficient ways to work. ... An Affordable Business Phone System From Grasshopper. ... Next, pick the plan that suits your business needs best. 2. Download the Grasshopper apps. The desktop and mobile apps provide 24/7 access to Grasshopper ...
For a limited time, sign up for a Business Internet plan online or by phone at 855-980-1143 and get a $200 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard® with activation. Check availability. Allow 10 weeks. ... customers ineligible for 5G Small Business Internet may be eligible for 4G LTE Small Business Internet or other fixed wireless options.
Overall, Squarespace reviews for the Business and Personal plans are mixed across the web. For example, the site has 4.4 stars out of 5 on G2.
When I worked in customer service, I started on phones. I answered calls for eight hours a day, troubleshooting CRM software for small businesses.. I spoke with every type of customer — new users, loyal customers, and plenty of complainers.I got comfortable answering calls and leveraging my phone skills to create fantastic customer experiences.
Tucker, GA — The city of Tucker will host the Small Business Resource Expo from 1:30-4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, at Tucker's City Hall Annex on First Avenue. This is the second year of the event and the city has expanded the offerings to help local businesses thrive and grow, according to a press release.
Get Business Internet for $40 per month with any voice line. Plus, for a limited time, sign up online or call us at 855-995-5309 to get $200 back via Virtual Prepaid Mastercard® with activation. Allow 10 weeks. * indicates a required field.
While uncertainty and inflation have been themes that small businesses have been managing, the increased costs for labor may be thwarting small businesses' plans for adding personnel and investing in their business. According to 412 small business leaders surveyed in July, just 43% indicate they plan to expand their workforce, the lowest ...
Insurers have begun calculating the financial damage caused by last week's devastating CrowdStrike software glitch that crashed computers, canceled flights and disrupted hospitals all around the ...