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IVR Phone System: What It Is + 4 Steps To Set It Up

Handling phone calls without a system can feel overwhelming. You’ve probably dealt with calls piling up, customers getting frustrated because they can’t reach the right person, or important messages slipping through the cracks. It’s stressful — for you, your team, and your customers. That’s where an IVR phone system can help. It gives you a simple way to manage incoming calls, guide callers to the right person, and even answer common questions without involving your team. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what an IVR phone system is and how you can set one up in just five easy steps. What is IVR? IVR, or interactive voice response, is an automated phone system that helps businesses manage incoming calls. When you call a company and hear a menu with options like “Press 1 for sales” or “Press 2 for support,” that’s IVR in action. It’s designed to answer common …

10 Reasons Why Vanity Numbers Are Worth Your Money

People don’t want to feel like just a number. For years, businesses have found creative ways to make phone numbers more memorable. In the 1960s, a Boston carpet cleaning company did just that. While the Marvelettes sang about Beechwood 4-5789, Adams & Swett Rug Cleaning asked Boston residents one simple question: “How many cookies did Andrew eat?” The answer … was their phone number. Andrew 8-8000, or Andrew ate 8,000. Although exchange names are long gone, Adams & Swett still posts the jingle to their site, proof positive that their marketing not only worked but that it’s still working some 50 years later. Andrew 8-8000 is an example of a vanity number, a memorable phone number designed to stick in people’s minds. And while it worked so well with Adams & Swett, would it be worth it for your business? What does a vanity number actually offer? In this article, …

How Long Does it Take to Transfer My Number to a New Provider?

You would think that transferring your phone number to a new carrier would be instantaneous, but due to the nature of the telecom infrastructure, it does take a little time. Moving your number from one carrier to another is called porting. There are a few steps involved, and it usually takes 7-10 days to complete, but this can vary based on how fast your current provider handles the process. In this article, we’ll talk not just about answering the question but also informing you about the possible reasons that can delay your porting process. Read on to learn more! How Long Does it Take to Transfer My Number to a New Provider? The time it takes to transfer your number depends on who you’re switching to and what type of service you have. Most transfers take about 2 to 10 days. In some rare cases, it could take up to …

RingCentral vs OpenPhone: Which One Offers More Value?

Trying to pick between RingCentral and OpenPhone? It’s not always easy to know which virtual phone system gives you more for your money. Both have useful features, but they’re designed for different kinds of businesses. Don’t worry — we’ll keep things simple. In this article, we’ll walk you through their features, pricing, and what people like (or don’t like) about each one. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which one might be the better fit for you, and you might even find a better alternative than these two. Let’s start! What is RingCentral? Source: ringcentral.com RingCentral is a phone system that lets businesses handle calls, messages, and video meetings all in one app. It’s designed to be simple, so you don’t have to juggle multiple tools to stay connected. RingCentral lets you make and receive calls using your phone, computer, or desk phone from any location. It …

Grasshopper Alternatives: Top Picks if You’re Ready for a Change

Thinking about moving on from Grasshopper? You’re not the only one. While Grasshopper can be a decent choice for small businesses with basic phone system needs, it doesn’t always meet the demands of growing teams or those who need more advanced features. Whatever your reason, the good news is there are plenty of solid business phone system alternatives that can give you better value, improved features, and stronger support. In this article, we’ll introduce to you our top picks for a grasshopper alternative. Read on to learn more! What is Grasshopper and Why Consider an Alternative? Grasshopper is a virtual phone service designed for businesses. It allows users to add a business phone number to their personal phone, creating a simple way to manage business calls without needing a separate device. With Grasshopper, businesses can choose from local, toll-free, or vanity numbers. Their top-tier plan offers up to four VoIP …

Employee Benefits 101: Business Owners Guide

Most entrepreneurs start out just relying on themselves and their own labor. However, at some point you’ll obviously need to hire some employees. Besides guaranteeing their salaries, you will also need to put together an employee benefits package for people that you work with. Expanding your team means hopefully relieving some of the workload on you, but navigating what your employees require in terms of benefits can be challenging for business owners used to operating just on their own or with family members. This quick guide can help you figure out what to offer potential employees and how to navigate this possibly overwhelming sphere. Why Benefits Are Important Offering employee benefits as a business owner is important for a few different reasons. It’s the Law When you work for yourself or get family members to work for you, you can count on them to work for you no matter the …

Aircall vs Dialpad: Features, Price, and Which One to Choose

Trying to decide between Aircall and Dialpad? Both are popular phone systems that help businesses handle calls, messages, and meetings. But which one’s better for your team? The truth is they each have their strengths. Some businesses may prefer Aircall’s call center tools, while others might like Dialpad’s AI-powered features. In this guide, we’ll break down what each one offers, how much they cost, and their pros and cons to see what they can offer your business. Perhaps you can even find a better business phone system than these two while reading. Let’s dive in! What is Aircall? Source: aircall.io Aircall is a phone system that works on any device, making it easy for businesses to stay connected. Since it doesn’t require hardware, users can start making calls in just a few minutes. Aircall connects with over 50 apps, including CRM tools, helpdesk platforms, and eCommerce software. This makes it …

RingCentral vs Grasshopper: Which One Is Good For You?

Choosing a phone system can really affect how well your business manages calls, messages, and customer communication. Whether you have a small startup or a growing team, having the right system helps keep things running smoothly. In this guide, we’ll look at RingCentral and Grasshopper. Each one has its own features, prices, and benefits. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which one might be a good fit for your business or if there’s an even better option out there. What is RingCentral? Source: ringcentral.com RingCentral is a phone system that helps you manage your business calls, messages, and video meetings — all in one app. It’s designed to keep things simple so you can focus on your work without juggling multiple tools. With RingCentral, you can make and take calls from your phone, computer, or desk phone, no matter where you are. It’s packed with helpful features …

Call Recording Software for Business: Is It Worth It?

Call recording software is becoming more common for businesses. You might be wondering if it’s worth the investment. After all, you’re probably always looking for ways to improve customer service, protect your business, and get better insights from your calls. In this guide, we’ll talk about what call recording software is, why you might want to use it, and how it can help your business. By the end, you’ll have a better idea if this kind of software makes sense for you. Let’s start! What Is Call Recording Software for Business? Call recording software is a tool that records phone conversations between employees, customers, or other parties. Businesses often use it to review customer interactions, improve staff training, or meet legal requirements. How Does Call Recording Software Work? Call recording software captures conversations through various methods: VoIP-based recording – Records calls directly from internet phone systems. Hardware-based recording – Uses …

7 Best Business Phone Systems in 2025

Choosing the right business phone system can make a big difference in how you connect with your team and customers. Whether you’re running a small business or managing a growing company, having a reliable phone system helps things run smoothly. In this guide, we’ll break down the 7 best business phone systems for 2025. We’ll keep it simple, focusing on what really matters — from useful features that improve your daily calls to their pros and cons. No tech jargon, just clear information to help you pick the best fit for your business. Why Should I Get a Business Phone System? Thinking about getting a business phone system but not sure if it’s worth it? Here’s why it can be a game-changer for your business: Professional Image Customers expect businesses to have a dedicated phone system. It makes your company look more organized and trustworthy, which helps build stronger connections …

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