Thanks to its confusing nature, the mobile phone industry can easily mislead people into paying for plans and devices that are too expensive or unsuitable for that individual’s needs. As a business owner, you will need to keep tight control on your budget while still purchasing a mobile that works well to help reach your goals. Here are a few of the most important factors to look out for when buying a phone for your home-based company.
Look Beyond the Advertising
Often a deal will focus on the absolute cheapest rate that they offer simply to grab your attention. Always read the fine print though, as you could end up paying more in the long run. For example, one phone company might promise you off-peak rates of 2 cents a minute if you purchase a particular phone from them. Since you are using this for your company, the majority of calls will be taken in peak times. Thus, it is more important to look at how much these daytime calls will cost you overall instead. Also consider whether you will mostly make calls within the network or to people on other networks, and then factor this into which plans you then decide upon.
Functionality for Corporate Types
You will also have to look at the different phone models out there and work out which one will best suit your commercial needs. If you have used a smartphone before, you know what features you utilise on a regular basis. If not, you should research what is available and then choose which capabilities you would prefer. Since these phones are like miniature computers, they can actually help the home businessman in multiple different ways. From the iPhone 5 to Windows Phone 8, you will need to keep an eye out for numerous different qualities. Some of the most important are listed below:
- Email and instant messenger apps
- Usability of the touchscreen keyboard
- Calendars, diaries and other PA functions
- Accurate, simple GPS and map tools
- Remote wiping apps for added security
Of course, the modern day smartphone is fully customisable when it comes to the installed applications. If you can’t find what you need already on the phone, chances are that you can download and install it on your own.
Hardware Issues
More important than software functionality are any hardware limitations a particular mobile phone may have. As a home businessman, you will want a fast, stable mobile that has enough space for all your important apps, files and documents. This means that you should look at the processing power and internal memory before you actually make a decision. You should also see how easy it is to transfer files between your mobile and computer. After all, this is an important feature for any commercial specialist.
Pre or Post Pay
Once you have decided upon a phone, you will then need to figure out whether to pay for it at the point of purchase or over a period of time later on. Generally, this is included in the mobile plan that you choose. For example, if you settle for a yearly contract, the monthly fees will cover the cost of the phone plus any call or data charges that you eventually accumulate. This can be cheaper initially, but may result in a higher total cost over the course of the year. The alternative is to pay the full amount for the phone at the retailer and then simply opt for a pre-paid plan. Here, you purchase some credit which gives you a certain amount of call or internet time before you need to top up again.