Education: AA Liberal Studies, Limestone University
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
One form of relief offered to small businesses is the Employee Retention Tax Credit. First introduced in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this tax credit could be claimed by eligible employers on quarterly tax returns. This program was expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2020, making the credit accessible to more employers.
The SBA offers a variety of loan programs that vary according to business needs. Its flagship program is the 7(a) loan program, which offers loans for most general business purposes. However, it also offers special programs such as microloans and disaster loans. Find out more about SBA loans, including who qualifies.
QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software. It has the complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need and supports numerous integrations. Quickbooks Online has a lot to offer in terms of features, accounting, and usability.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one communications solution, 3CX may not be the best choice (instead, consider checking out some of the best business phone systems). With 3CX, you’ll have to source your own equipment (or use one of its apps for softphone options), find a SIP provider, and get your system set up and configured.
As far as business VoIP goes, RingCentral checks all of the boxes for everything you’d want in a phone system. Its loaded with features, offers great security to protect your data, has numerous support options, and can hook you up with the equipment you need for systems of all sizes. To top it off, it’s all available at a competitive price.
Zoom Phone is a cloud-based phone system that integrates voice, chat, video, and collaboration. This VoIP phone system provides secure and reliable communications between team members and customers.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is making it possible for businesses to have more affordable and reliable phone systems. If you’re making the switch, it’s important to know what VoIP equipment and components are necessary to get the high-quality phone service your business needs to make connections.
You can start with our list of the best business VoIP phone systems. Check out reviews and providers’ websites, but don’t be afraid to reach out directly to any companies that pique your interest to find out about features that are popular in your industry. At the same time, remember that sales reps may try to sell you on something you don’t need, so keep your list from earlier in mind.
Before signing up with a new provider, make sure to research your options. Start off by understanding the different types of phone systems. Business VoIP is a popular option that provides reliable, hassle-free service at an affordable cost.
Old phone infrastructure is also becoming obsolete and will likely be completely phased out in the near future. Instead of waiting until you have to change your service, get a head start by exploring your options now. Start with our list of the best VoIP phone systems to find the right service for your business. Good luck!
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is growing in popularity, as more individuals and businesses are seeing its benefits over traditional landline phone service. But unless you’re well-versed in telephony, you probably don’t understand how VoIP works — until now.
In this post, we’ll review three different types of business phone systems: key phone systems, private branch exchanges, and Voice over Internet Protocol. We’ll explain what they are, what businesses they’re best for, and help you get started on the path to finding your best phone system.
Signing up for a business phone number is quick and easy, and if you stick with a basic number, it’s affordable, too. If you’re ready to stop using your personal number, keep reading to learn more about how to sign up for a business phone number.
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
