How Small Businesses Can Harness Social Media

Small businesses make up an enormous portion of the American economy, and in many ways, they represent the portion of the economy that is best situated to take advantage of social media. After all, many small businesses rely on close, personal relationships with their clients to sustain and grow their business. These relationships can be extended if the small businesses make proper use of social media. However, a recent survey found that fully 88 percent of businesses don’t believe they are making the best use of social media.


The problem often times is that these companies wade into the social media waters without a clear idea of how they should approach social channels, or which social channels are best for their needs. As a result, they end up using Google Plus, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tumblr, and doing none of them particularly well. The goal with social media should not be simply having a presence in all of the different channels that are available. Instead, it should be having an effect presence in one or two channels, and then perhaps expanding to others once the first channels have been mastered.


An important part of mastering social media is re-framing the way companies view it. Rather than looking at social media simply as another tool for broadcasting to consumers, companies should view it also as a means of gleaning information from their established customers and potential clients. Companies, especially small ones that stand to benefit from close relationships with a few clients, should use social media to learn about what’s happening with their clients, and then keep in touch based on those happenings. For instance, a small note from a business when a client’s birthday comes up on Facebook can make a big impression. Too many businesses miss out on such opportunities to talk to their customers.


The best part about a limited approach to social media is that it saves time. When a business spends time spreading itself thin across a range of social media, typically that’s just time wasted that could be better spent on other projects. By limiting their focus to just one or two social media channels, businesses will cut time lost to other channels, and encourage themselves to take full advantage of whichever channels they do choose to engage in. And whatever approach they choose, small businesses should always remember that the goal of social media is to strengthen their relationships and ties to customers.


When those customers start calling, you’d better make sure your phone system is ready to take on the new influx of calls! Have you looked into a Hosted PBX or SIP Trunking lately?

SIP Trunking as a Strategic Advantage

Many businesses considering deploying a SIP trunking solution have concerns regarding voice clarity and quality. Luckily, this does not have to be a concern if Quality of Service (QoS) is adequately adhered to. Some examples of proper QoS measures include: correct link provisioning, and prioritizing voice over data traffic. Speaking solely in terms of reliability, however, SIP trunks rank far superior than their conventional PSTN counterparts due partly to the fact that a multitude of fail over solutions can quickly be implemented.

In recent years, the small to midsized business market flocked to VoIP in record-breaking numbers; however, a large number of those businesses are utilizing VoIP for the sole purpose of communications on the corporate local area network. Meaning that VoIP is only being utilized as a medium of facilitating internal calling, but, all calls made outside of the local network are done over the PSTN gateway. While these businesses have executed the potential for solid returns, they have not yet realized the full potential of SIP based communications.

In a SIP trunking scenario, the potential for substantial returns on investment (ROI) is apparent given the ability for SIP trunking to further enhance the already advantageous benefits of VoIP by extending its reach beyond the LAN. It is only when communications are extended outside of the corporate LAN that businesses can begin to fully understand the potentials for IP communications.



SIP trunking delivers many advantages:

a.) The removal of expensive subscriptions like Basic Rate Interfaces and Primary Rate Interfaces.

b.) The freedom to forgo the costly investment in PSTN gateways

c.) The flexibility to grow as needed, at relatively low cost

d.) The resource-saving ability to optimize bandwidth by delivering both voice and data across the same connection



SIP trunking providers are able to offer benefits to the business consumer that the telephone company simply cannot. Although some telephony providers deliver no-charge PRI subscriptions for businesses meeting a minimum monthly calling level, deals like this often end up being a major hindrance. Experienced SIP providers have perfected their delivery method and therefore can offer more competitive pricing and service structure than the local phone company.

The cost effectiveness of a true SIP solution is realized by replacing an existing PSTN gateway / PRI installation with a SIP trunk or edge device. When deployed correctly, return on investment (ROI) should be realized in a matter of months. In most scenarios, the costs associated with deploying a SIP capable edge device is less than that of installing a new PSTN gateway – making it a wiser and more cost effective investment.

For more information on SIP Trunking please feel free to visit our website.

Determining your Office Telephone System Needs

Many types of phone systems are available for business usage. Whether you have a small office environment or a large company, selecting the right office telephone system can help you stay ahead of your competitors. Spending some time in understanding your business requirements can help you opt for the right system that will help you increase your productivity and profitability. It is worth thinking about the features that would benefit your business, before contacting phone system vendors and dealers.

It is advisable to start off with an assessment of your business needs. You need to determine how many lines and extensions you need right now how many would be required in future. Failing to plan for your future growth can cost you more in future. Switching from one phone system to another to accommodate the needs of growing business is not only expensive, but is highly time consuming as well. If your business is expected grow over time, you need to choose an office telephone system that is easily scalable. Hosted PBX and VoIP phone systems are the best options that can help you meet your growing business needs with minimum effort and costs.

You need to determine the features and services your business will need, before investing in an office telephone system. Effective incoming call management, call holding, call recording, call forwarding, call parking and call waiting are some of the essential features of growing businesses. Direct inward dialing and speed dialing are the best features for efficient outgoing call management. Voice mailbox, monitoring features, reporting facilities, user directions, and password protected security and conference facilities are some other essential features to look for in a phone system, as they help you handle your business communication requirements in an effective manner. It also helps to build a good impression in the minds of your customers and clients. Apart from these essential features, some phone systems offer advanced features like call queuing, call flipping, automated call waiting and Fine- Me. Optional features can surely give you an extra edge. However, it is advisable to assess whether your business actually needs all these features, so that you can avoid incurring unnecessary expenditure.

It is also important to check whether the office telephone system vendor you want to use is a reliable one. You need to look for their customer service policies and find out whether they set up the phone system in your office and train you and your staff with the telephone system. You also need to make sure that the vendor will offer ongoing support, so that all problems are resolved quickly and effectively. If the vendor or dealer offers a demo of the phone system, you can make use of that opportunity to check whether it offers all the features that are required in your business.

You can spend some time in comparing quotes from various vendors, before spending your money on a particular office telephone system. Though the cost of the phone system is not the sole determining factor, you should try to find out a vendor who offers the best phone system that suits your needs and budget.

For more information on our Office telephone Systems features and support, please visit BroadConnect Telecom today.

Breakdown on the Tppes of Business Phone Systems

All E businesses, irrespective of their sizes, need such phone systems that can increase and improve their dealing services with customers. These systems can assist a business to maintain proper communication with their customers with the help of various amazing communication services. Planning and installation are the two most critical parts of any phone system. If you are looking for a phone system for business, then you will definitely require a professional expert; who can help you get the best cabling plan and install the system in your office in a way that can make the entire communication process simpler for you as well as your clients. When searching for the ideal phone system, you will come across various types of phone systems that operate on internet protocol networks. These phone systems not only help you to connect with clients but also with your workers.

If you are running a business, you’re probably aware of the fact that a phone system can make or break your business. Owning the right phone system is extremely important. Selecting the right phone system can make the difference between facing problems to satisfy end users and having a successful business. Before choosing a phone system for your business, there are various things that have to be taken into consideration. A business owner needs a phone system that is future-oriented, scalable and flexible. While choosing a phone system, it is best to select wisely. The final decision would critically depend on the company size and the number of phone lines needed.

There are basically three main types of phone systems that are available in the market. These three kinds of phone systems are KSU-less mobile phone, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Private branch exchange system (PBX). The very first type of phone system is KSU, which stands for Key System Unit. This type of phone system can support up to ten telephone line extensions. However, it is not permanently wired into the company phone line and can be moved to different places. This type of phone system is normally ideal for small scale businesses. This phone system for business is extremely cost effective too, with its prices ranging from $130 to $225 for each telephone unit. Most of the business owners choose this phone system since it is very reasonable and cheap. Individual users are required to personally buy, fix, plan and maintain this type of phone system themselves.

Another type of phone system for business available in the market is VoIP (voice over internet protocol). It is one of the fastest phone systems currently available. Also known as Packet Switched Connection, VoIP helps to transfer voice, faxes and various other types of information. This technology can be used by large, medium and small scale businesses since it is very convenient and affordable.

Finally, there is the PBX phone system. The full form of PBX is private branch exchange system. If you want better services and functionality, supporting a minimum of forty phone line extensions, then it is the best idea to choose this phone system for business. This system can be easily placed on a desktop and uses advanced technology features. Most of the PBX systems are totally programmable and normally costs $800 - $1000 for each user. They are ideally suited for any company size. For more information on the various business telephone systems, please visit our website.

What is SIP Trunking and how SIP can help you

Many organizations are looking to SIP trunking as the most cost-effective and flexible way to transition to IP-based services. A SIP (session initiation protocol) trunk is probably the next biggest evolution in the telecommunications industry to date. It saves money and simplifies your telecom infrastructure. Simplicity in today’s fast-paced and complex world is what most business owners strive for when looking to streamline their business.



A SIP trunk easily blends the connection for both data and voice into a single line. SIP trunking is used in conjunction with an IP-PBX (Private Branch Exchange) to replace traditional PRI or analog circuits. SIP is quickly becoming the standard technology that businesses use to make and receive their everyday telephone calls. The growing popularity of SIP trunks can be directly attributed to the cost savings, increased reliability, added features and flexibility that they encourage.



SIP trunking benefits are endless. Cost savings is probably the most important because it drastically reduces your overhead operational expenses. BroadConnect’s SIP Trunks help you take advantage of cost-free communications across multiple locations as well. The increase in the efficiency and flexibility of your business operations is also an added benefit. The administration of our Internet Telephony services is managed through a simple web-based system. You get to save money and increase your company’s productivity.



You also receive regular telephone features with SIP trunking such as call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding and conference calling. You also gain many new features that are just not possible with a standard phone line like directory listings, toll free numbers and more; the possibilities are endless.



BroadConnect is an industry leading telecom solutions provider that empowers businesses to succeed by ensuring they have access to the most advanced and state-of-the-art communication services in the marketplace today. We are committed to adhering to the highest ethical standards. It is our belief that our growth depends upon teamwork and the motivated spirit of the company. Our success as a company is directly related to our customers. We’ll therefore do whatever it takes to keep you happy and satisfied.



Our consumers are our most valuable assets and we are committed to rewarding you with unparalleled service and the most advanced solutions available. We pledge to be honest, sincere and transparent in our dealings with our customers, vendors and employees. It is our goal to exceed your expectations and deliver you the highest degree of personalized service and innovative communications solutions. Our focus is on your success and helping you achieve the goals you have in place for your business.



We understand these decisions can be difficult ones to make. A big change to newer technology can be daunting. We’re here to make it as seamless as possible for you and your business. It is time for you to let us handle the maintenance of technology while you focus on the higher value goals for your company. Feel free to contact us today or visit our website for more information. Let us show you how we can make SIP Trunking will work for you.

A Great Option for Businesses, SIP Trunking

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone is the optimal choice for organizations that are in the market for a flexible and cost effective way to change over to IP based telephony solutions. SIP trunking by large, has to be one of the most important progressions in telecommunications since it’s inception. SIP helps you revel in the benefits of VoIP, while relieving you from the hassles and high cost of replacing your current phone system. You can use SIP trunking with traditional PBX systems by simply introducing an Integrated Access Device to connect SIP trunks seamlessly with your legacy PBX system. SIP trunking device functions as a converter amid a traditional phone system and internet connection, so it can transmit voice traffic over the data network.

The cost related benefits available by SIP phone make it a perfect choice among countless small businesses. It minimizes or eliminates the cost of purchasing expensive hardware media gateways. It also releases you from the cost of sustaining hardware gateways. Hence, you need not house a technical team in your office or hire professionals from outside. You just require a broadband connection and SIP phone adapter and to use this phone. A SIP trunking device helps reduce administrative and overhead expenses involved in handling the media gateways. It decreases recurring costs for circuits dedicated to data and voice separately. The rental charges for SIP trunks are much lower than the traditional phone line rental charges. This helps you save hundreds of dollars every month.

SIP Phone provides the most flexible and fastest way to alter your traditional phone lines to IP based solutions. It helps meet your precise business requirements by allowing you to choose voice channels. Using SIP phones help you save a great deal of money in long distance and international calls. It also frees up your valuable resources for other important business functions by reducing telecommunication overhead costs. The IP network has more fault tolerant capacity than fixed line systems. This enables you get faster and more efficient recovery, in case any disaster occurs. SIP trunk enhances your call quality, helping you to get a good image among your clients and customers.

SIP phone is a fantastic route for small businesses that have plans to grow in future. It is very easy to develop your business communications without disturbing your business continuity. You can add extra voice channels or port your existing numbers effortlessly and quickly. You can also port your fax numbers over to SIP and send all your faxes to any email address you wish. Hence, you don’t need to keep a big bulky fax machine in your office anymore. With SIP trunking, creating a virtual presence for your business is a straightforward task. SIP trunking allows you to handle the services through a simple web based management system. This helps increase the effectiveness of your business operations.

For more information on SIP Trunking, feel free to call us at 1-877-228-6616 or visit us online at http://www.broadconnect.ca/ip-telephone/sip-trunking/