One of the first things that you have to ask yourself is what your purpose is for getting the service. This way, you will know what features you will get and use regularly. For instance, if you have a routine of calling someone outside the local calling zone, then it is best to search about long distance and international calling service providers and plans that will give you a flat long distance charge for your monthly rate. This way, you will be able to save lot in future charges. Plus, you do not have to worry about your bill while on the phone with a loved one.
Also, get the features which are useful. For example, a lot of people look for caller ID, voicemail, and call waiting because it is truly helpful to then. If you will use them often, find a cheap bundle that includes all of them.
A selling point for a lot of home phone service providers nowadays is customizability of plans. That means you can easily customize your plans according to your needs.
Find one that offers this so that you are not forced into getting services you do not need, or miss out on those that you do just because those are in the rigid plan. Customized packages are a good way to have all the bases covered.
Lastly, compare packages and rates. Here, make sure you compare apples with apples. Be comprehensive. Find a package that will cover all your needs, then see if the rates are reasonable. Afterwards, try to find the least expensive cost for the service.
Remember, some packages are cheap but they do not have what you are looking for. On the other hand, some are too expensive but they contain more than what you need. So strike a balance between your needs and budget.
And before you seal the deal, take time to compare home phone providers, the service they offer, their packages, rates, and reputation.