Voice over Internet Protocol, commonly referred to as VoIP, is a technology method that delivers voice communications over the internet. Business VoIP systems are essentially the modern form of a business phone.
VoIP is Cost Effective
As mentioned, since VoIP technology benefits business because it uses your already-existing internet connection, it’s a more cost-efficient option right off the bat. But switching to VoIP also means…
- Avoid paying for long distance calling, since using local internet connection technically means all calls are local!
- Forget worrying about the cost of upgrades, maintenance, or adding new lines.
- Easily scale your VoIP system depending on your business’s needs, whenever. Instead of purchasing new equipment anytime your business hires or grows, the cloud-based system lets you easily configure new VoIP members using a web or app interface.
- You lower your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The cost of entry (ie. cost of equipment and installation fees) with VoIP systems is much cheaper than with traditional phone lines. In fact, industry research shows that they cut monthly bills by at least half overall.
VoIP is Mobile
Because VoIP can be used on any communication device with an Internet connection, a whole new world opens up for your business. You and your employees are no longer tethered to your office desks or restricted to your premises with a cordless phone. Instead, you can be anywhere and still communicate as if you were in the office.
This mobility is a game-changer, especially for small businesses. If you have employees that work from home, travel, or are in different parts of the country, you can all be in communication with each other from a single phone line.
Even if you and your team are all in the same place, having office phone functionality outside the office can improve both your internal and external communication. For example, instead of trying to reach an employee on their personal mobile phone when they’re out (or leaving a voicemail on their desk phone), you can dial their business line directly, and it will ring to their mobile device. To avoid throwing off the work-life balance, employees can set their devices to DND, turn off notifications, and reply with automated messages about their availability.
VoIP is Scalable
If your business is growing, then it’s logical that you’ll need to add employees. From a communications standpoint, this can be a bit of a hassle. If you’re using a traditional phone system, then you’re going to need a new phone, and that phone has to be equipped with an active line. Depending on your office set up, that could require an expensive visit from a technician who will have to add a line and reconfigure your entire system.
Companies that have VoIP can call their provider and add a line within minutes.
VoIP is Flexible
Office workers used to be tied to their desks all day because of landline phones and technology that wasn’t flexible. Now, technology has made huge strides so that people can work from wherever they want. Business VoIP operates in the same way. You can stay mobile and flexible, opting to work from wherever suits you best, without giving up your phone lines. Stay connected and remain flexible with business phone hosting. If you and your employees are always on the go, VoIP is the best choice for reliable phone services that are as flexible as your company.
VoIP Has More Features
Traditional phone systems can no longer compete with VoIP’s advanced functionality. Not only do landline systems come with fewer features, but those features also come with a hefty price tag. Compare this to VoIP, where most features come standard for one low rate, and companies can add more services at lower prices.
Not all VoIP systems are the same, but the ones designed for businesses usually have the following features available:
- Automated attendants
- Hold music and custom marketing messages
- Menus and directories
- Find me / Follow me
- Voicemail to email transcriptions
- Call forwarding, transferring and recording
- Call analytics
- Automatic call distribution
- Internet faxing
- Text messaging and team chat
- Conference calling
- Video conferencing
Each one of these features has value for a business, whether you have three employees or 300. Perhaps the biggest benefit of VoIP is implementing these features in a way that makes your business more professional. You can seem much larger than you are, and provide your customers and callers with VIP-level customer service.
CHOOSING BUSINESS VOIP
When you choose a VoIP system, you will be investing in your company to grow into the future. Of course, there are VoIP advantages and disadvantages, but we think the pros outweigh any cons. Hosted phones allow for maximum flexibility and scalability while remaining the most affordable choice for business phones. VoIP technology is constantly evolving, and since it is cloud-based, you will always have access to the latest version without any significant changes to your system. Thanks to hosted phones, all you need is a strong internet connection to be able to carry conversations and receive work voicemails from wherever you are, on whatever device is available to you. The benefits of business VoIP are plenty, and it’s one of the best investments you can make for your growing business today.
