Small business can communicate with the business world in a cost effective way with a 2 line office phone system. Using 2 line business telephones, businesses can be professional and organized.

When deciding on the best 1 line office phone or 2 line integrated phone system it is important to consider many things, to make sure you get the system that meets your needs and is cost efficient for you company. When looking at business phones: 1-2 lines pricing and costs, consider the following:

1. Looking at many phones will help you find the right price range for your business.

2. What are the differences in cost between a 1 line business phone and a 2 line business phone?

3. What functions do you need your phones to have?

Action Steps for Business Phones
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Gather general pricing and costs for 1 and 2 line business phones

As you start your search for the perfect business phones, it is important to get a general feeling for the price of the different lines and the features each phone would have.

I recommend: Best Buy is a great place to start your search. You can browse its business phones by price, brand, corded, cordless, number of lines and you can even check out its phones on sale. Its prices range from less than $25 to over $150. Make sure you check out Staples. Its directory makes it easy to browse its business phones by brand or price. Its prices range from $50 to $180. If you are still not sure what you are looking for, look at BuyerZone. It gives great information on the options available to you when looking at business phones for your office.

Decide between one line business phones and two line business phones

It is important to decide if you will need a one line business phone or a two line business phone. The quality and price will also help you determine what meets your budget.

I recommend: When looking at one line business phones, check out Phone Source. It has a great selection of one line business phones with prices ranging from $20 to $165 depending on the quality and features you are looking for. As you look at a two line business phone, check out SmithGear. It offers a wide range of 2 line business phones ranging from $35 to $280 in price.

Determine the features you want on your 1 line office phone or 2 line office phone

Features can make all the difference in you office phones. Whether it is just you or a small staff that will be using them, it is important to get phones with features that meet your needs.

I recommend: AHERN Communications is a great place to browse business phones based on their features. Its prices range from $20 to $260 depending on a one or two line system. Qwest offers a one line phone system and a two line phone system ranging from $80 to $100. It does a great job of displaying the features of each system making it easy for you to decide what will best meet your needs.

User-friendly 1 and 2 line business telephones provide companies with cost-effective and efficient communication solutions. Designed for small businesses or home office settings, 1 and 2 line office phone systems are reliable and adaptable communication platforms.

Loaded with user-friendly features, 1 and 2 line business phone systems provide multifaceted communication options designed to increase productivity for small businesses. Look for 1 and 2 line business phones with helpful features like hands-free speakerphone capabilities, conferencing, call ID and backlit LCD display.

Before purchasing a 1 or 2 line business telephone, do some research about the phone systems, including:

1. What features do 1 and 2 line business phones offer to meet your current and projected communication needs?

2. What technical support and services do vendors provide to keep your 1 or 2 line integrated phone system operating at peak performance?

3. How much does a 1 or 2 line phone system cost and what providers offer the most competitive prices?

Action Steps
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Evaluate the features that 2 or 1 line business phone systems offer to facilitate communication

Before purchasing a one or two line business phone system, evaluate your company's current size and plans for future growth. Compare the features of several one line business telephones and 2 line business telephones to determine which phone system is right for your business, and consider newer capabilities like VoIP technology, which will provide your business with a substantial savings in phone rates.

I recommend: The AT&T 993 two-line corded speakerphone at Office Depot features message-waiting indicators for both lines, caller ID, full-service speakerphone, 18-number speed dial memory, auto redial and an extra port for a fax or modem. The Polycom Sound Point Pro SE-225 at SmithGear is a two-line desktop conference phone with two microphones, caller ID, 32 Character two-line LCD display, call history directories, three-way conferencing and a data port. The Panasonic KX-TG6700B at 101phones.com is a two-line business phone that is expandable up to eight handsets and features a digital answering system, dual keypad, four-way conferencing and voice enhancer technology.

Research the service options offered by 2 or 1 line office phone providers

Reputable 1 and 2 line business phone suppliers offer a variety of service options, from online assistance to 24-hour technicians. Examine 1 and 2 line office phone support, service and maintenance options to find the program that best meets your business needs.

I recommend: Deal Source Direct offers toll-free phone or email customer service on all phone products. Download quick start guides, access FAQs and troubleshooting tips or contact customer service for 1 or 2 line phone assistance at AT&T. Get technical assistance, operating instructions and how-to guides at Panasonic Corporation.

Compare prices between several business phones: 1-2 lines to get the best price and value

Prices vary between phone suppliers, so compare prices between several 2 and 1 line business phone system providers. Also ask about free shipping to reduce your two or one line business phones expense.

I recommend: For substantial savings on one line business telephones, shop the clearance center at Hello Direct. Buy two line corded and cordless phone systems for reduced prices at AHERN Communications. Phone Source offers a great selection of 1 and 2 line business phone systems, and provides free shipping on orders more than $100.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before buying 2 or 1 line business phones, check out the warranty provided with your purchase. Most new 1 line office phone systems and 2 line office phone systems come with a one-year warranty. However, many used or refurbished phones only offer a 30-day warranty.

Business phones: 1-2 lines advice and ratings can not only help you find the right service for you, but seek out the best options as well. Business phones: 1-2 lines and their features are an integral part of any new small business. Phone service is a necessity, and a business line helps project a professional image. You can sign up for business service at your local telephone company, from a competitor, or even get voice-over-Internet service.

A 2 line business phone provides more flexibility than a 1 line business phone. You can use the second line for an administrative assistant, for a dedicated fax and PC line, or if you have broadband access (like ISDN) in your area, you can use the second line for both a fax service and an Internet service. When researching business phones: 1-2 lines advice and ratings, consider the following:

1. Decide if your needs are better met with a 1 line business phone or a 2 line integrated phone system.

2. Obtain a list of local telephone providers in your area to arrange for one line business telephones or a 2 line phone system.

3. Use Business phones: 1-2 lines advice and ratings to learn about your business phones: 1-2 lines features and options. Then rate their value for yourself.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a listing of 1 line or 2 line business phone providers in your area

When starting a business there are a lot of details, one of which is arranging for phone service. To simplify this task, start by making a list of local providers and evaluate which company you would like to consider for service.

I recommend: If you visit the Yahoo business directory of local business telephone companies, you can add your region to the site's search engine and get a listing of local carriers. Vonage is an example of a company that touts discounted communications services for residence and business customers.

Review any business phones: 1-2 lines advice and ratings alternatives

Of course you want to deal with a reputable company. Now that companies large and small offer telephone service, you will want to see which ones are more conducive to your needs and which have earned superior reputations. This may help you avoid problems before they occur.

I recommend: An emerging service for 1-2 line business customers is voice-over-Internet, or VOIP. A primer on how it works, the savings, the benefits and the drawbacks are listed at the Resource Nation site. Go through the Buyer Zone program for small business phones. The answers you give will yield a list of companies that can serve your account and meet your needs.

Become familiar with business phones: 1-2 lines features

The days of the plain old black phone sitting on a desk are over. Now there are a myriad of features from which you can choose. Use business phones: 1-2 lines advice and ratings to understand and rate those features for your company.

I recommend: At ezphone systems you can find out which features are available for 1-2 line business phones and rate which ones are best for you. Ring Central tells you how to get the most bang for your buck with a 1-2 line business telephone system and rates the value of many features common to those systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A 1 line office phone may be sufficient if you're just getting started and budget is a consideration. A two line business phone may be a more convenient option considering fax needs, Internet and other requirements. Ask colleagues and business partners what services work best for them and compare your list of options.

Your small business has room to grow, but right now you only need one or two phone lines to stay within your budget. With the right equipment, you can make it work and still enjoy the business telephone features that you need. Everything from the telephone networking option you choose to the features you add to your telephone service package can help you efficiently use the one or two lines you have on your business telephone system. As you navigate your options, consider these key terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

VoIP technology

Transmitting business phone calls over the Internet, instead of transferring them over traditional phone line, is what VoIP technology is all about. It's also referred to as Voice Over Internet Protocol, which is VoIP for short.

I recommend: The Federal Communications Commission provides detailed information about how VoIP technology works.

Multi-handset systems

You need only one phone jack to operate a multi-handset system because several different handsets operate off of one central base. Both of your business phone lines can run into the base, and each handset can operate both telephone lines from their respective locations.

I recommend: The AT&T website provides extensive details, including enlarged photographs, of its multi-handset systems.

Answering machine

To ensure you don't miss any business phone calls, you can get an answering machine integrated into your one or two line phone system.

I recommend: The AHERN Communications website details the product features of its 2-Line phone system with an integrated answering machine.

Bluetooth cordless phone

A Bluetooth cordless phone uses Bluetooth technology to link your cell phone and your landline telephone. With or without landline telephone service, you can receive cell phone calls on your landline telephone when you use a Bluetooth cordless phone.

I recommend: The Panasonic details features available on its Bluetooth cordless phone system. Electronics giant Best Buy explains how this technology works.

Call waiting

If you opt for only one line on your business phone system, you can still receive a second phone call when you have call waiting services added to your telephone package. Call waiting allows another caller to 'beep in' if you're on the phone with someone else.

I recommend: Read about the benefits of call waiting and how it works at the wiseGEEK website.

KSU-less telephone systems

When you're setting up your business phone system, and you only need one or two lines, consider using a KSU-less telephone system. This phone networking option allows you to have all of the business features you need in your small business or home office, but it only handles ten telephone lines or less.

I recommend: Resource Nation explains KSU-less telephone systems and why this might be a good option for your small business.