Small Business Phone Service

Yes and no. Some of our plans including VoiceManager allow you to use your existing phone equipment. Please contact Cox Business to find out if your current phone equipment is compatible.

Cox Business VoiceManager is a feature-rich suite of voice services that supports a full array of business needs, without the requirement of capital investment.

Services are fully hosted on our secure network, providing superior security and service without the need to upgrade or change equipment. Plus, this unique platform allows you to manage all your calling features from anywhere, through telephone, web portal, and browser toolbar technologies.

The steps for setting up your small business phone system will vary depending on the type of system you choose.

For small business owners looking to utilize their existing equipment, a Cox Business Phone plan (hosted on our secure network) allows for quick setup without investing in expensive equipment.

Our voice over internet protocol (VoIP) systems are cloud-based and hosted on the secure Cox network. As these systems do not require businesses to provide equipment or infrastructure, our team manages all updates and installations.

As a part of the business telephone service selection process, you can choose your phone numbers. You may wish to use a local number, toll-free number, or both. It’s also possible to maintain your existing phone number if you’d prefer.

Once your service has been selected and phone numbers established, you can set up the system internally for you and your employees.

Record a main message with your business information. Manage all employee extensions and access via the MyAccount Web portal and more. The portal will be your go-to platform and provides an easy-to-use interface to manage a variety of features including out of office recordings, call forwarding, hunt settings, and much more.

A business phone system is designed to provide seamless communication between your employees and your customers. Rather than having individual, single-line phones for each employee, a unified system streamlines internal and external communications.

There are three broad categories for business phone system types: analog, private branch exchange (PBX), and voice over internet protocol (VoIP). Analog systems are landline-based and allow multiple incoming calls to ring on a single phone. The system requires a receptionist to direct calls to specific extensions and does not support intra-office calling. PBX and VoIP systems work similarly but automate many of the processes that must be handled manually on an analog system.

PBX systems receive calls through a buffer—a centralized, electronic receiving area—and then connect callers with their desired extension via an automated process, rather than relying on a human receptionist. Additionally, PBX systems allow intra-office communication; employees can dial an extension to reach their colleagues without having to engage an external line. PBX systems require a physical infrastructure on-site, so there is an upfront investment in building out that system, plus required maintenance and upkeep throughout the life of the phone system.

VoIP systems offer the same benefits as a PBX system, but they are cloud-based and maintained by a phone service provider like Cox Business and eliminate the need for costly installation and upkeep of PBX hardware.

Business phone line costs vary based on the number of lines, phone service type, included features, and selected add-ons. You’ll also want to account for upfront costs, including equipment, installation, construction, inside wiring, taxes, and fees.

To learn more about the VoiceManager plans and additional phone services available in your area, contact our sales team at 1-800-531-8057 or visit https://www.cox.com/business/phone/business-phone.html

The process of obtaining a business phone line depends on your needs.

If you’re looking to utilize your existing phone equipment, a hosted voice solution may be the simplest. It allows you to take advantage of the safety and reliability of your provider’s network, gives you access to modern calling features and tools (including the ability to manage call features online), and spares you from making expensive investments in physical infrastructure.

If you’d prefer not to use your own equipment, a fully-hosted VoIP solution is one possible option. This type of cloud-based system is managed by Cox Business without a significant investment in equipment.

Finally, for those enterprise businesses with a PBX system already in place, trunking services can help you integrate your existing infrastructure with modern, cloud-based tools and features. PBX systems are managed by your internal IT department.

Once you’ve decided which type of service best fits your future needs and existing assets, one of our experienced representatives will assist you in selecting the package that makes the most sense for your business and schedule your installation.

Virtual number service is an optional offering from Cox Business. A virtual business phone number provides you inward calling on a cloud-based number, which can be routed to any of your office phones. You can ring both mobile and landline phones, and you’re able to select how, when, and where each phone rings based on the time of day or the person who is calling.

For business owners wishing to establish a local presence and avoid using a less personalized toll-free number, a virtual business phone number allows you to select a number with a local area code that can ring anywhere.

Businesses use their phones in different ways. The best way to determine which features you’ll need is to walk through the ways you and your team will use the system on a daily basis.

A retail store or restaurant might require one or two phones that will sit at the checkout counter or host stand, with only a handful of lines and features. A B2B company, on the other hand, might need a phone system with an individual extension for each employee, plus more advanced features and call management tools.

Basic features like call holding, caller ID, and call transfer are standard on all VoiceManager Plans and are useful to any modern business. Beyond that, think about the way your team uses their phones as they relate to the needs of your customers. If your sales team spends a lot of time on the road, the ability to transfer a call from a landline to a mobile phone or to access voicemails via email is critical. In this example, a Cox Business plan that includes unified communications may be just what your company needs.

In another scenario, if your business has multiple customer service representatives staffing the same phone number, hunting and series completion can help you manage and distribute those incoming calls to your team.

Consider creating a survey, asking your employees about the features they use most and the ones they wish they had. Getting feedback from your team about the way they use their phones every day can provide you greater insight into the features you should invest in.

Our Cox Business representatives are experts and have worked with most types of business in almost any scenario you can imagine. Whatever your business telephone needs are, our team of experts has the answers.

Cox Business Voice with Webex combines Voice and Video calling, messaging, conferencing and meetings into one unified, secure application, making it perfect for teams of all sizes. This all-in-one solution is tightly integrated with Cox Business Voice Services for a streamlined solution for communication and collaboration needs.

Webex is fully integrated with Cox Business voice solutions. Maintain your Cox Business phone number and receive and make calls from the Webex app. Users can communicate in a multitude of ways, including audio calling, video calling, individual and group messaging, and meetings, whether on a desktop, tablet, or mobile device. Cox Business Voice with Webex also allows businesses to purchase from one supplier, simplifying billing and support.

As your business changes, so will your phone system need.

As you grow, you may want to add additional lines, features, and solutions to serve the employees and customers of your expanding business, better.

Your ability to scale your phone system will depend on your existing infrastructure and system type. Expansion of a cloud-based system like VoiceManager can be easily be accomplished by reaching out to your Cox Business representative and reviewing your current services and future needs. Because services and infrastructure are hosted off-site, cloud-based systems do not require additional investment in your on-site hardware.

Scaling a PBX system, however, requires expansion of existing hardware and software that must be managed by your IT team. In this case, your Cox Business representative will work with you to determine what is needed and the best course of action to ensure your phone system can continue to scale to meet your growing business needs.

Trunking solutions can be a nice middle-ground for companies looking to take advantage of their existing phone equipment and PBX. Trunking solutions integrate cloud-based features with your on-premise infrastructure to provide additional services, and the ability to continue to scale as needed.

To learn whether Cox Business phone services are offered in your area, enter your business address into our verification tool or speak with one of our Cox Business representatives. You can also ask about our business phone plans and pricing.

Our phone systems integrate with your existing equipment and offer enhanced features to help your business provide an exceptional customer experience. Check online or speak with one of our Cox Business representatives to ask about our plans and any special offers currently available.

The best phone system provider for your business depends on the features you need. Cox is a preferred service provider for many small businesses, offering professional support, enhanced features, like unlimited local calling and flexible long-distance plans.