Do Businesses Still Need a Landline? The Pros & Cons of a Landline Phone

Businesses have been using landline phones for well over 100 years and its usage has been uniform globally. But now that smartphones are easily available and offer more functionality than a landline phone, are they still necessary? This article will explain the advantages and disadvantages of having a fixed-line phone for businesses big and small.

Advantages of Having a Landline Phone for Businesses

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Getting in touch with a client or business has become far simpler by virtue of smartphones, yet many corporations still choose to keep landlines.

Here are four reasons why businesses keep a landline phone.

The Perception of Reliability

A landline number gives the perception of an established and credible company. Having a dedicated number for a business shows inquirers that the firm is legitimate and is trust-worthy.

Company’s which only use mobile phone numbers as a contact can make customers and potential business partners feel uncertain on the credibility of the establishment. Especially in cases of large transactions, people will question “Is this company credible?”

Having a landline number erases this doubt and makes businesses one step closer towards a better reputation. Landline numbers are also beneficial in scenarios that require social trust, such as applying for loans or getting a credit card.

Better work-life Balance 

Once you’re phone number is made public, you run the risk of receiving calls at any hour of the day. The ability to mentally switch off past 5PM is gone and enjoying private life becomes difficult when work related calls are constantly coming in with no filtration.

Landline phones will create the barrier needed between your work and private life.

Reduced Security Threats

Utilising your personal number for a business means listing it on your website and having it visible on Google. Everyone has access to a crucial personal detail of yours and businesses can become vulnerable to scam calls, telemarketers and phishing SMS’.

Furthermore, hackers have the ability to gain access to your banking details through your phone number. Landline phones mitigate this security threat, making it a significant advantage.

Increased Efficiency

Smartphones don’t have the capacity to handle high call volumes. Ultimately, this effects business efficiency and increases the chances of missing important phone calls.

It’s also likely to be distracted when using your smartphone too much, and receiving personal texts or calls is inevitable. Naturally, a landline does not have this issue.

Disadvantages of Having a Landline Phone for Businesses

The cost of setting up your landline is certainly one of the disadvantages. Other than that, the list of downsides are comparably smaller than the advantages.

Remote Work Become Invalid

Landlines become a hindrance when businesses are trying to adapt to new working standards such as remote or hybrid. Companies which only use landline will struggle to foster remote working as employees will always have to be in an office.

The Necessity of Having Call Intercept

All landlines require some form of human call intercept.

Automated answering machines on landlines are commonly expressed as a frustration amongst consumers, and therefore human contact is always preferred.

However, for this to happen, a free staff member needs to attend the phone call and redirect it to the appropriate person after listening to the query. During this, their productivity is reduced and often time’s miscommunication can occur where the wrong person is given the call.

How to Combat the Disadvantages of Landline Phone

Other than simply finding the cheapest option to deter the cost disadvantage, here are two methods to combat the disadvantages of having a landline phone for businesses.

Investing in Technology

Landlines make remote work difficult to execute, but having the right technology can completely negate this downside.

Technology such as Servcorp’s OneFone, allow businesses to take their landline number at any location as long as there is Wi-Fi. Any call which reaches your landline, can be redirected to your smartphone number of choice via the OneFone app. The same applies for making a call, OneFone will ensure your caller ID is the same as your landline, therefore maintaining professionalism and credibility.

Having the right technology is crucial for remote working and OneFone is a great solution.

Communication Solutions

To mitigate the necessity of utilising your own staff for answering calls, there are other solutions you can incorporate. Servcorp’s complete communications solution is more time efficient and is much cheaper than hiring a receptionist.

The average salary for a receptionist in the UK is approximately £24,500, whereas Servcorp can provide this service for £95.20 per month - that saves your business more than £23,000.

Businesses receive:

• A local phone number issued instantly
• A local, bilingual receptionist to answer your calls in a manner you specify
• Access to the OneFone app mentioned above
• 24/7 voicemail to email

Types of Telephone Lines

It’s important to be aware of the options available when searching for a telephone line. Each variant has its own benefits and slight differences in functionality.

Here are a few types of telephone lines.

Cloud PBX 

A Cloud Private Branch Exchange (PBX) is an internet phone system. This incorporate a desk phone being plugged into a router and all calls, along with call related features are handled via a server at the PBX provider’s location.

The benefit of a cloud PBX is that no physical hardware is required at your own office. As a result, you can save space and don’t need to worry in the event of moving into a different office space.

This system is ideal for:

• People working remotely
• Businesses which need to often relocate

VoIP Line

A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is typically a much cheaper system when compared to regular phone lines. These calls are made through the internet, in which an analogue voice signal is converted into a digital signal and then send as data through a broadband line.

This system is ideal for:

• Businesses which frequently need to make calls

ISDN Line

An Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a line that can exchange digital signals. One phone number can be used for two lines, so you can use fax and the Internet while using a landline phone.

This line has a reputation of providing higher quality and faster speeds than you traditional connection.

This system is ideal for:

• If there is no internet connection
• The need to make calls even in natural disasters

Does your business need a landline?

The short answer is, yes.

Every business needs a landline phone to maintain professionalism and credibility. Landlines also avoid the security threat that smartphones present, however having the right technology and solutions in place is essential to keep a business running efficiently.

Communication solutions such as Servcorp’s OneFone are essential, as they seamlessly allow employees to work remotely while using their landline number on their personal phone.