Technology is one of the things that make it possible for so many of us to branch out and start our own home-based businesses. With the personal computer and desktop publishing, fax machines, cell phones and other cutting edge technological advances available at our finger tips, it has become possible for home businesses to compete—even on an international level—with all sorts of more traditional types of businesses. It can be challenging, however, to figure out just how much technology we need, and when it is to make upgrades and additions.
If your business depends on the telephone, you will likely find yourself evaluating whether you have enough phone lines, numbers, and cell phones so that customers and clients can readily access you. If you currently share your phones with your family, things may get further congested. But, how do you know if you need MORE, or if you just need to better manage the phone service you already have?
Many home business owners can get by just fine with a business cell phone, in addition to their home phone service. If you have voice mail on your business phone service so that individuals can leave a message if they don’t reach you, this may be all you need. However, if you are in a sales business where orders come in via phone, you may want to talk to as many people as you possible can and not count on them to leave messages. If your sales calls are more than one phone line can handle, you might consider getting another. Of course, you will also need to evaluate how much you can actually handle. What is your capacity for answering those phones? If you are a one person operation, even if you had three phone lines coming into your business, you couldn’t actually answer all those phones if they are ringing simultaneously, so one or two lines may be all you have capability and capacity for.
If you think you need to make more minimum concessions for your business, most home business owners find that having one phone line for family and one for the home business suits them just fine. But, if your business grows and you feel you need more, shop around to gather information and find the business phone service plan that will best meet your individual needs.
See Also: Do You Need a Database?
Purchasing a Computer for Your Home Business Needs