So you’re looking for a new phone system for your bar? Maybe because you’re facing one of these problems with your current phone system:
- Your current phone set-up is out of date and no longer fit for purpose.
- You feel that frequent engaged tones may be leading to lost bookings and a loss in revenue.
- You want to monitor and improve the way your staff handle enquiries.
If so, Yo Telecom are here to help you successfully overcome these challenges and more! In this article, we’ll outline the differences between the phone systems that are available.
What is the Best Phone System for Bars?
There are three main types of phone system available:
- Digital phone system
- Internet phone system (VOIP – Voice Over Internet Protocol)
- Hybrid phone system
Digital Phone Systems for Bars
A digital phone system is a physical phone system that will be based in your bar. It is a small box that is usually mounted on a wall or placed in a cabinet. It connects to your phone lines and all the handsets you have in your building. Digital phone systems tend to be quite reliable as they run off of fixed phone lines. However, this also means that it’s not the most future proof type of system.
Internet (VOIP) Phone Systems for Bars
An internet or VOIP phone system is a virtual phone system, so it will not be located in your bar. Instead, it will be located in a data centre somewhere in the world and your calls will be routed in and out via the internet. This helps to save money on call charges. But it also means that if your internet cuts out, or is too slow at times, you won’t be able to make calls at all.
Hybrid Phone Systems for Bars?
The hybrid phone system is a mixture of a digital phone system and an internet (VOIP) phone system. It will be located in your bar and offers you flexibility with your choice of cordless and fixed handsets. The main benefit of a hybrid phone system is its reliability. If one type of line fails for you, it can automatically route calls in and out from a backup line. Hybrid phone systems don’t really have any disadvantages – they really are the best of both worlds.
The Hybrid Phone System is the Best Phone System for Bars
As well as being the most reliable phone system you can buy, hybrid phone systems also offer a range of other useful features for bars. You can find these listed below:
+ Day and Night Voicemail Service
Having this feature will allow you to tailor your voicemail message to what time of day it is. For example, for the times you are closed: ‘Thank you for calling [your bar name]. We are currently closed. Our opening hours are [insert opening hours]. Please leave us a message and we will call you back when we are open.’
This gives your customers peace of mind as they know why their call isn’t being answered and what times they can contact you. Making them more likely to call back.
+ Voicemail to Email
Never miss a voicemail message again! If you own a bar, it’s likely you won’t be open during the day and then it’s a mad rush when you open in the evening. Leaving you little time to check your messages.
What happens when a customer phones in at lunchtime and leaves a message enquiring about booking the bar for her birthday, but you’re not open at this time. It’s likely by the time you check this message it will be too late and she’ll have called another bar she found on Google. With the Yo Telecom hybrid phone system, you will receive an email of the message directly to your mobile whenever a customer leaves a voicemail. Allowing you to return the customers call as soon as possible.
+ Call Recording
Monitor and improve the way your staff interact with your customers with call recording. If a caller has a bad experience on the phone with you, it can be damaging to your reputation. Call Recording will allow you to listen to any call that has been made or received to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your staff to help them improve their communication.
This feature also comes in handy if you ever need to listen to information that is given to you over the phone. For example, if someone books your bar for a party and makes special requests, you can listen back to the call to make sure you got all the details.
+ Call Logging
Never let an unanswered call turn into a missed opportunity, bad impression or an upset client again. You may miss a few calls here and there while you’re closed or busy helping customers. Call Logging works like the call log on your mobile phone. Alerting you as soon as you receive a missed call so that you can WOW your customers by calling them back.
+ Whole Building Cordless Phone Coverage
Make and receive calls from anywhere in your bar. Whether you’re in a storeroom, front of house or back office, you’ll have perfect signal to make sure you can respond to your customers. This saves you time having to run from place to place trying to answer phones. You and your staff can carry a cordless, while getting on with your usual tasks, with confidence that you can always take a call. This helps to save time and improves the flexibility of where you can answers calls from.
+ On Hold Marketing/Music
Often you will have to put your callers on hold while you deal with their request or try to answer their questions. Fill those awkward silences by playing marketing messages while your customers are on hold. This is a perfect time to advertise any events or any special deals you have on – no one can say no to 2-4-1 cocktails. Alternatively, we will find the perfect piece of music to entertain your callers while they wait on the line.
3 Step Plan to Increase the Success of your Bar
1. Book a Demo
Book in for a free demo of our phone systems by calling us on 02382 146115.
2. Sign up for the Option That Suits the Needs of Your Bar
One of our specialist consultants will come to your bar to discuss all of your options until we have found the perfect solution for you!
3. Let us Take Care of a Hassle Free Installation and Training
Your delivery and installation date will be booked on a day that suits you. We’ll take care of the whole switch over and will train you to make the most of all of the features on your new phone system.
