- What Is a Business Phone System?
- Why Do You Need a Business Phone System in Canberra?
- The Top Features You Need in a Business Phone System
- What Is the Average Price for a Business Phone System in Canberra?
- The 5 Best Business Phone Systems in Canberra
- How to Choose a Business Phone Systems in Canberra
- VoIP services in Canberra, and Other Cities in Australia: We’ve got you covered
- From Conversation to Conversion: It’s Time to Make the Right Call
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Get free accessBusiness phone systems in Canberra can revolutionise the small business market. We’re seeing a significant increase in smaller businesses and startups reaping the benefits of full-scale hosted VoIP in Australia’s capital city. But are they choosing the best fit for their business?
What Is a Business Phone System?
With 61% of businesses cutting down their traditional phone lines, plain old telephone systems are struggling to compare.
A cloud-based VoIP solution diminishes the need for clunky desk phones. It allows businesses to set up an entire call centre simply by having a stable internet connection and a softphone.
Why Do You Need a Business Phone System in Canberra?
From 2019 to 2020, Canberra saw almost 4,900 new firms open, but around 4,100 closed in the same year. Although we know numerous economic variables factor into these statistics, we can’t overstate the value of sustainable startup costs.
So how does a phone solution impact business in Australia’s centre of academic, government and business innovation? And why do you need one? Here are our top three reasons.
1. Canberra is a digital commerce hub
Canberra is a leading epicentre for industries like renewable energy, ICT and digital commerce. Phone systems need to match developing tech needs and deliver efficient, productive and profitable results. If your solution isn’t up-to-date with the latest innovations, you’re probably spending more than the system returns on the investment.
2. Canberra understands the power of sustainability
Did you know that Canberra is the world’s most sustainable city and the city has been 100% powered by renewable energy since 2019? Needless to say, the impact of reducing unnecessary and redundant processes is evident and should branch into every aspect of a business too. That means 100% cloud-based phone solutions that don’t require additional infrastructure or hardware.
3. Global reach is paramount for business growth
Canberra’s $2 billion tourism industry offers a plethora of business opportunities and investments. But to fully utilise the rich tourism sector, a business needs to reach a global audience at minimal costs effortlessly. Canberra's ideal business phone solution will increase scalability and global targets with minimal effort and no additional costs.
At Aircall, we can’t emphasise the importance of why you need a cloud-based business phone system enough, so we’d prefer to show you instead.
The Top Features You Need in a Business Phone System
Although most modern telephony solutions have implemented cloud-based services, their features, systems and core benefits still differ. Furthermore, the right business phone system in Canberra depends on the unique objectives of each business.
But there are still a few core features of an ideal Canberra business phone system that should grab your attention. They fall into four main categories:
Standard phone features
These features impact each business call's quality, efficiency and efficacy (inbound and outbound). Standard phone features include call hold, call transfer, call forwarding, call routing, IVR, voicemail and toll-free and international numbers.
Aircall’s phone system features work as an excellent framework for reference.
Collaboration tools
A good business phone system in Canberra understands that the system cannot work without internal collaboration within a business. Collaboration features unify processes and ensure that the system integrates all the business tools you’re already using. Features to look out for include shared contacts, warm transfer, call commenting and assignment and a shared call inbox.
Real-time analytics
Analytics features enable businesses to utilise their team’s best qualities and see where there is room for improvement. Through real-time observations and feedback, sales leaders can coach and train their teams to ensure optimal performance and quality assurance. Analytics features include call centre analytics, call whispering, activity feed and call monitoring software.
An integration ecosystem
Third-party integrations are essential when looking at the overall efficacy of your business phone system in Canberra.
It also increases efficient workflow and productivity and ensures continuity throughout all operations. Integration features include Computer Telephony Integration (CTI), Webhooks & API, Contact Synchronisation, Insight Cards and One-Click Set Up.
But everything comes at a cost (some higher than others).
What Is the Average Price for a Business Phone System in Canberra?
Talk is cheap, but communication is priceless.
When comparing the average price for business phone systems in Canberra, it’s important to place value over price. Although more budget-friendly options seem attractive, compare the price with the intentional features it provides over the sheer volume.
It sounds great in theory, but how much does a VoIP system actually cost?
As a standard, the average cost of basic plans is around $22 to $30 per user per month.
The 5 Best Business Phone Systems in Canberra
In a competitive marketplace, it’s difficult to discern between a good deal and good marketing. Use our comparative guide below to help you choose the ideal phone system for your business.
1. Aircall
Aircall’s cloud-based VoIP business phone system will always be number one in our books. Its customer-centric call centre ensures productivity, efficiency, customer engagement and coaching capabilities. We also include the most comprehensive list of features in our basic package than most alternatives offer.
Features
Aircall’s most distinguishing feature is its proactive approach to call centre communication through real-time analytics. This feature, combined with its power dialer, boosts call volume, increases lead conversion rates and enhances call quality and volume.
Additional features include
Zero hardware
Call bundles
Unlimited calls and texts (international, domestic, internal, inbound and outbound)
99.95% uptime
API developer support and VIP priority hotline
Intentional and proactive coaching tools
One of the largest app ecosystems
The ideal user
We recommend Aircall for businesses focusing on scalability, productivity and streamlined internal processes. Our array of features and integrations makes us a good choice for customer support teams, sales teams or call centres looking for a cloud-based phone system that brings the power of engagement back into conversations.
Integrations
Aircall boasts 100+ integrations. The integrations allow businesses to connect existing tools and software to create a unified view of all internal communication processes in one place. Aircall integration partners include Salesforce, Zendesk, HubSpot and Pipedrive.
Price
Aircall’s flexible pricing includes three plans to choose from. The basic plan starts at $30 and has all the essential features. There are also options to upgrade to the Premium plan or create a customised package to fit specific business needs.
Rating
4.3 / 5 based on 303 reviews [Capterra Aus]
2. Nextiva
Nextiva focuses on establishing a centralised communication tool where businesses can collaborate with their internal team and clients on one platform. But companies should note that Nextiva requires businesses to purchase or use existing VoIP hardware.
Features
Auto attendant
Unlimited domestic calls
Mobile device compatibility
HIPAA-compliant internet fax
Number porting
Voicemail
The ideal user
Its affordability and features make Nextiva a good pick for businesses with growing needs who can’t afford a full-scale VoIP solution. Its unlimited domestic calls feature also attracts companies that don’t need to reach a global audience.
Integrations
Nextiva integrates with third parties, including Google contacts, MS Outlook, Zendesk, Netsuite and Microsoft 365.
Price
If billed annually, starting rates are $23 per user per month.
Rating
4.1 out of 5 based on 195 reviews [Capterra Aus]
3. CloudTalk
CloudTalk’s business phone solution requires minimal setup, and its easy-to-navigate platform draws in mostly mid-size companies who make frequent outbound calls.
Features
Essential phone features (call tagging, smart queuing, call recording and call routing)
Virtual phone numbers in over 140 countries
Unlimited intra-company calls
Provides Voice and text channels (excluding live chat and video calling)
The ideal user
CloudTalk works for small and large businesses alike and offers discounted VoIP services for nonprofit organisations. These organisations need to meet specific requirements to qualify for the discounted rate.
Integrations
CloudTalk offers 35+ integrations. Integrations include popular software programs and eCommerce, CRMs and help desk tools.
Price
Basic plans are billed annually and start at $25 per user per month.
Rating
4.4 out of 5 [Capterra Aus]
4. RingCentral
RingCentral MVP is a unified communications system suitable for larger enterprises seeking video-centric business phone systems in Canberra.
Features
Video conferencing for 100+ participants
Multilevel auto-attendants
Visual voicemail
Call recording
Fax
The ideal user
RingCentral is a reasonable choice for companies who are more video-driven. But many users feel overwhelmed due to its vast list of features. Consider something more straightforward and streamlined if your team isn’t necessarily tech-proficient.
Integrations
Integrations include SalesForce, Microsoft 365 and Zendesk. RingCentral also provides easy CRM integrations.
Price
RingCentral’s basic plan starts at $29.99 per user per month.
Rating
4.2 out of 5 based on 978 reviews [Capterra Aus]
5. Google Voice
Google Voice is an extension of Google Workspace. It’s by far the most basic business phone system in Canberra. But due to its affordability, we believe this to be a good choice for freelancers or solopreneurs who need an accessible introduction to simple VoIP.
Features
Call forwarding
Voicemail to email
Activity reporting (basic)
Unlimited texting
The ability to route calls to multiple devices at the same time
Offers local phone numbers for free
Unlimited calls to the United States from any country
The ideal user
Google Voice is our ideal pick for freelancers on a tight budget who want to upscale their business phone system in Canberra.
Integrations
Google Voice exclusively integrates with Google Workspace. Although this limits scalability, users can enjoy apps such as Google Meet, Drive, Calendar and Gmail.
Price
The most basic plan starts at $10 per user per month.
Rating
4.5 out of 5 based on 286 reviews [Capterra Aus]
How to Choose a Business Phone Systems in Canberra
Although the choices may seem vast, specific guidelines can make a choice easier. Rest assured that you’ve made the right choice by asking the following questions.
1. How would you define a positive return on investment?
What would your business like to get from the right business phone system in Canberra? Consider business goals and whether your choice aligns with them.
This comes down to the personal value you place on specific features.
Would your business like to improve internal processes? Analytics is key.
Are you focused on training better call reps? Coaching tools.
Want to reach a global audience? Unlimited international calls.
Interested in all of the above? Aircall.
2. Will the provider accommodate growing business needs?
Consider what your business may or may not look like in the next few years.
The best business phone systems in Canberra should accommodate the changing needs of a business and its internal processes. Keep an eye out for plans that are customisable and flexible.
3. Does the business phone system create an autonomous workplace?
A genuine autonomous workplace means that employees are confident in their tools to carry out their jobs effectively. From onboarding to dashboard analytics and call features, cloud-based business phone systems encourage workplace autonomy.
This doesn’t mean eliminating internal communication but rather that each employee has the needed support to work with confidence and ease.
VoIP services in Canberra, and Other Cities in Australia: We’ve got you covered
Aircall's VoIP phone system is available in Canberra, and other cities in Australia, including:
From Conversation to Conversion: It’s Time to Make the Right Call
Business phone systems come in various shapes and sizes. Nevertheless, finding the right one to fit the cloud-VoIP-shaped hole in your business doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you’re still on the fence about the right business phone system in Canberra, try out our free trial while you decide.
Alternatively, if you’d like to create a comparison of your own, here’s a detailed guide on how to compare cloud phone systems.