VoIP is a hot topic of discussion these days, with people like eBay founder and CEO Robert S. Kiyosaki declaring “The Future of Phone Is VoIP.” To date, the vast majority of business enterprises have not jumped on the bandwagon. But just as the horse and carriage did not ride over the road, some businesses are not ready to make the transition from analog to digital technology. This is why many companies are seeking out VoIP service providers who can handle this transition for them.
There are many things to consider when choosing a VoIP provider.
Among the many things to consider are pricing, features, reliability, customer service, scalability and security. All of these things can make a big difference in the end result and can impact a provider’s ability to serve their customers. A VoIP business phone service provider that offers very cheap plans may be great for many people but not for others. The same goes for a VoIP provider that offers high-end features that may not be needed for many businesses. It is important for prospective customers to take all of these things into consideration before signing up for anything.
In order to get started with any VoIP business services, an individual will need a broadband internet connection. Without this, there can be no calling, which is what VoIP is based upon. A broadband internet connection is typically a necessity for this type of technology to work for a person’s business. Some companies also have operating systems that will need to be installed on a computer, though most VoIP systems will run on an average home computer. If the connection being used does not meet the requirements, then switching over to a different plan or choosing a different VoIP phone system is the next step.
With all of the advances in technology, it is important for individuals to consider a few things before signing up with any VoIP services. First, and most importantly, is security. Security is paramount in the world today. Anybody with a microphone and internet connection can make phone calls. Therefore, it is vitally important to find a reliable and secure company to do business with.
There are several VoIP business services that a person can sign up for.
These services include Vonage, Ringtones, and RingCentral. Vonage is considered the industry leader. This service allows the individual to use their normal phone to send voice and video calls to any location around the world for a flat fee. When using Vonage, one can receive calls anywhere in the world for a flat monthly rate.
Ringtones on the other hand is much more advanced than its predecessor. Ringtones allow multiple phone numbers to be set up and managed at the same time. Individuals can make calls from a landline as well as a cell phone. A unique feature of Ringtones is that they allow business users to make international calls. The last two services are the best ones to consider because they allow the business owner to receive video calls and text messages at reduced rates.
Some of the other VoIP Business Services include Caller ID, call screening, call blocking, call transfer, call routing, and automatic redial. Caller ID allows businesses to customize or set a unique caller id for each phone number. This feature is usually found in larger businesses or corporations. Caller id is one of the most important features because it allows the business owner to manage and view the caller’s profile. Another service, call screening, is important for small businesses. If a business is using an answering machine then the calls coming to that phone could be those potential customers.
Call transferring and redirection services allow businesses to have better productivity by reducing the amount of time that employees spend talking on the phone. Business VoIP also provides these businesses with a cost-effective way of conducting business.
- Since many companies use VoIP for their business communications, providers now offer several different plans and packages for new businesses.
- Some of these plans include unlimited long distance calls, caller ID, video conferencing and conference calling.
- Businesses should look into these services because they can help increase productivity, customer service, sales and profits.