As an auto dealer, you already know that VoIP is the industry standard for maintaining business relationships. You may have even experimented with a VoIP phone system a time or two. But if you want to bring your dealership’s phone service into the 21st century, it’s time for an upgrade. While there are many options and more every day, choosing the right auto dealership phone system for your firm can be daunting. Thankfully, by following these quick steps, you can ensure your phone service meets your customers’ expectations while staying within your budget and offering enough features to keep up with competitors in the ever-changing automotive industry.
What’s VoIP?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP means that you can use your internet connection to make phone calls. It’s much cheaper than traditional landline phone systems because you don’t have to pay for extra features like long-distance charges, incoming call features, and voicemail. You also won’t have to worry about leaving your house if the power goes out since everything is hosted on your server, which you can access from any device with an internet connection.
How Does VoIP Work For Car Dealerships?
A dedicated landline may have been essential to your business in the past. But with today’s VoIP solutions, you can be flexible and scalable without paying high monthly fees.
You can easily change your phone numbers and add new extensions with a VoIP service. That’s because it’s cloud-based. Besides, you will not need to install or maintain bulky hardware devices; all you need is an internet connection.
Better yet, you can set up VoIP systems virtually anywhere globally, so it’s ideal for car dealerships that operate in multiple locations with different needs. Further, with VoIP solutions, all employees can use their cell phones or desktops to make calls just as they would at the primary location and at no additional cost.
What To Look For In A VoIP Phone System?
A great phone system should have a few key features, including:
- Call Recording
With this feature, you can record every call and listen to it later when necessary.
- Call Forwarding
This function allows you to forward your calls when needed, for example, when you are on vacation or in case of unforeseen events.
- Forward Calls
Once you forward a call, the person who answers the call can take over the call immediately without waiting for information about who they are talking to or where they are and vice versa.
These are just some basic examples of what makes an excellent phone system. However, providers can always offer you additional features that meet your needs.
The Best Way To Try out A VoIP
You can test your VoIP system by trying it in your car. Try it out at home and in your office if you do not have time for that or are not a car salesman.
Further, if you already have a cell phone, check if there is an app that allows you to connect to other phones through the system. You can also buy special devices, such as a wireless speakerphone or wireless headset, that will enable you to connect to the phone system through your cell phone.
The Right VoIP Phone System For Your Dealership
The best VoIP phone system for your dealership is the one that works for you. The most important thing to consider when choosing a new VoIP phone system is whether it will work with the phones already in use at your dealership. It may be tempting to buy a completely new system, but if there is a way to use some of the existing phones, you should consider doing so.
Select an easy and intuitive system to use among the various options. You want a system that does not require a long training period and can be used immediately by any employee. If possible, choose a plan that offers free training so employees can learn how to use their new phones.
After all, these services cost money every month or even more often than once a month. Therefore, ensure all other services align with what other providers offer before you commit, especially if you are paying for a contract term where the cost is more likely to go up than down.
Overall, these systems can offer your dealership several benefits. Because there are so many different options, you should compare the features of each phone system before making a final decision, but if you have to choose between two systems with identical features but different prices, go with the cheaper one. A few dollars here and there may not seem like much at first glance, but they can add up over time. Even though this article is specifically about choosing the exemplary VoIP service for car dealerships, many of these tips also apply to any other business phone system.
