What's the difference between a business and a personal mobile deal?

Whether you're a small startup or you've been using your personal number for work for years, you may be wondering: what's the difference between business and personal mobile deals? While some parts of these contracts are the same, there are also some critical differences in each offer.

If you use a personal mobile contract, you are paying for one phone contract for your individual use. As such, it's a far more straightforward transaction and payment process. With no extras needed, the only thing to consider is the costs of calls, texts, and data usage. Simple.

Much like a workplace landline, business mobile phones are usually integral to your business needs. Businesses typically want to opt into a higher level of service and support, whether a dedicated helpline or a business accounts manager. Business mobile deals have features and benefits designed for company use in mind.

You may also find that business mobile deals can be for more than one contract. Under a business account, you can have multiple phone numbers, SIMs and smartphone contracts, whereas a personal mobile deal tends to be just one. For businesses that pay VAT, choosing to have a mobile business deal through their company may also offer more benefit – so that's something to consider.

Why would you need a business mobile deal?

Why not pick the best service for the job? Much like you wouldn't pay personal rates when buying wholesale for your business, you don't want to pay individual rates when it comes to your business phone. Business mobile contracts are specifically tailored for use by companies of all shapes and sizes. A business phone deal tariff offers additional protection, insurance, upgrade frequency and the standard of service needed for the day-to-day running of a business.

With more and more employees and businesses working on the road or from home, mobile accessibility has become more critical than ever before. As such, it's a good idea to pick phone contracts that best suit the scope and needs of your business specifically. Whether you have a handful of staff or a large-scale organisation, having the right business mobile deal can help everything go a little more smoothly.

What kinds of businesses can get business mobiles?

Businesses of all shapes and sizes are the perfect candidate for business mobile deals. Whether you're a self-employed sole trader, you're considered a small to medium-size business (SME), or you're a multinational corporation, there are business mobile deals out there that suit you. We can help you find the best mobile phone contract based on your specific business needs, goals, and requirements.

For small businesses, moving from a personal number to a business one can provide plenty of benefits. Not only does it improve your professionalism in the eyes of your clients, but it also means you can put proper separation between your home and work life. Getting your business phone can also save you money in the long run, especially if you're paying a premium for calls on your current personal contract.

Have specific technology needs for business functionalities? Appropriate mobile phone deals can ensure every team member is connected suitably for any business growing from small to medium. Whether that's GPS on a smartphone or tablets that are SIM-connected, the suitable business phone contract can supply the exact hardware you need to get the job done.

For corporate and multinational businesses, a bespoke package can potentially save a good chunk of money from your budget. While also offering high-level support and accounts services to ensure your business can continue to run smoothly from a communications standpoint. Picking the right network and deal can ensure your staff can do their jobs and keep your mobile costs as low as possible in the process.

What networks offer business mobile deals?

All major networks offer their business mobile deals, while many smaller, more specialised networks also provide their solutions for mobile business contracts. Which network you go with will depend on precisely what you need for your business, as well as the individual costs and offers that each provides.

What are the benefits of finding the right business mobile phone deal?

Why invest in a business mobile phone deal? If you're still not convinced, here are a few of the reasons going with a business contract might be the best choice for you:

• If you are a VAT-registered business, your phone contract will be tax-deductible
• Additional insurance policies for your business' protection
• Access to fast replacements for damaged or faulty phones and tablets
• Pooled usage reduces additional costs incurred by heavy users
• A single monthly bill is far easier to handle than multiple individual contracts
• A dedicated accounts manager means fast and efficient support when you need it

Do you need to switch from an existing business mobile deal?

Already have a mobile business deal in place? Much like personal mobile contracts, it's easy to get comfortable with what you already have. But you might be missing out on far better deals for your money, as well as potentially gaining access to better, more professional services than what you're currently offered.

Some of the signs you should switch from your current network or contract include:

• Expensive mobile contract bills that keep rising
• Continually paying extra for usage beyond your contract
• Having issues with network connectivity
• No affordable option to upgrade phones or tablets
• Juggling multiple plans that businesses could easily condense into one service
• Poor customer support or slow response to replacements

If your current contract is coming to an end, now is the best time to search for the right business mobile deals for your specific needs. Even if your agreement is a ways off its end date, it's worth investigating what early termination fees you would owe – if you can find an outstanding deal, this could more than makeup for that up-front cancellation cost.

How do I know if I'm getting the best value for money?

The best way to know if you're getting tremendous value for money on your mobile business contract is to shop around. Our comparison service is the ideal way to check out what's available on the market right now and understand what current costs look like compared to what you're paying. It's always worth checking out the competition when it comes to mobile phone deals, as intelligent switching can save you plenty of money off your budget over time.

How do I switch contracts for my business?

If you're ready to switch contracts, the first thing you should check is how long is left on your current business mobile deal. If you are nearing the end of your contract, the process of switching to a new network or deal should be quick and easy, with no additional costs.

Once you know whether you can leave your current deal free of charge, your next step should be to use an online comparison site to check out what's out there. We make it easy to search for precisely what you're looking for. With all the best business mobile deals, we're the top choice to research and discover the next best value for your business.

Whether you need dozens of new handsets or you're a sole trader getting a business number for the first time, our business mobile deals are ideally suited to your individual needs and requirements. We list all major networks as well as specialist services to make it easy to switch.

Once you've picked your deal, the next step is completing the switching process. Typically, you can set a specific day to switch over to your new network, allowing for the delivery of any new handsets and ensuring everything is ready on time to minimise disruption. Once that contract is signed, your work is done – and you can reap the rewards of the best business mobile deal for your business.

What's the best way to compare mobile deals?

Comparing online is the ideal way to see what's out there, and we make finding business mobile deals easy. View our wide selection of offers and networks online today to discover the ideal option for your business. We've got the best business mobile deals for you, from SMEs to multinational companies, sole traders to startups. Why not get started today?