Which Business VoIP Phone Systems Are Best?

Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP phone systems, send phone calls over internet connections. These business VoIP phone systems are now considered the preferred service for many organizations.

VoIP solutions are usually less expensive and more flexible than traditional landlines, providing support for calls through desktop apps, smartphones, and traditional desk phones. Also, plenty of companies provide great deals that combine VoIP with other services, such as digital fax and video conferencing.

If you aren’t sure if a VoIP phone system is right for you, keep reading. Here you can learn about these systems, what they offer, and how they benefit your business.

What Are Business VoIP Phone Systems?

The modern business VoIP system usually refers to a phone system that delivers calls to employees through their IP data network.

Until the 1980s, all phone calls were made using the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) through switches and copper wiring. However, when VoIP was introduced, phone calls were made through the same IP data networks that are used by computers, tablets, and smartphones for email, web browsing, and more.

Today, VoIP phone services don’t require too much when it comes to hardware, and there are quite a few service providers available to choose from. This helps to ensure you have the reliability and features your organization requires to operate seamlessly.

Related: How to Find the Best PBX for Your Business

Is VoIP Good for Small Businesses?

Trying to figure out if business VoIP phone systems are suitable for your small business depends on the network needs and quality. You want to ensure the provider has sufficient upload bandwidth for the number of phone calls that will be running concurrently.

Also, you must consider if there is enough bandwidth to handle other network traffic and if the router or firewall can prioritize VoIP traffic over traditional internet traffic.

If the network can support this, then VoIP is a smart option for most businesses.

Deciding that VoIP is the right solution for your business means you gain access to several features and benefits, such as:

Call Quality

Modern VoIP systems utilize advanced, high-definition codes that have helped improve voice quality and made modern VoIP networks sound better than comparable landlines.

Minimal Equipment Requirements

The cloud has made VoIP a smarter, more viable option for small businesses, along with improved sound quality. Instead of having to run unique wiring and installing all types of special equipment, you can opt for cloud-hosted VoIP phone solutions that don’t require the purchase of other equipment or the need for an on-site IT team for installation and ongoing maintenance.

With cloud VoIP systems, all you need is a broadband internet connection to activate them. This helps to reduce the total amount of capital expenditure required and makes it easier to deploy.

Easy to Use

Once implemented, many business owners discover that business VoIP phone systems help eliminate the complicated tech support that most landlines require.

If landlines go down, diagnosing and fixing the problems is never fast or easy, leaving employees frustrated. However, VoIP is extremely user-friendly, and with the right network, there are no significant issues that impact your ability to communicate with your customers.

Scalability

With cloud-based solutions, it is simple to add phone lines if new team members are hired. When your business grows, adding more lines to a traditional phone system can be costly and time-consuming. However, this is not the case with VoIP. It takes just a few minutes to increase phone lines, and once the phone arrives, you can plug it in and begin using it right away.

Related: PBX and SIP: Learn the Basics

What to Look for in a VoIP Service Provider

As you can see from the information above, moving from the traditional PBX hardware your business has used for years to a VoIP phone system offers several benefits. Improved functionality, easier management, and cost savings are the most common reasons that your business may decide to transition to a cloud-based system.

While this is true, it is still necessary to evaluate all the VoIP providers to find the one that best suits your business’s current and future needs. Some of the most important factors to consider include:

Features and Cost

For some businesses, the possibility of saving money on phone costs is a huge source of motivation to use a VoIP phone system (sometimes the biggest one). Compared to more traditional telephone hardware, business VoIP phone systems can help reduce costs significantly.

While this is true, you still need to consider the included features carefully. Some providers may charge more for features that are included as standard service by other service providers.

Mobile Apps

Modern VoIP phone systems are particularly beneficial if your business has remote workers. When considering different providers, be sure you compare options in an apples-to-apples style.

Forwarding calls to mobile devices is considered a standard feature. While this is true, you should find out if the company provides an app that allows users to access advanced voicemail, faxes, and business SMS? If you want more than just basic call forwarding, be sure to choose a VoIP provider that is invested in providing a complete, feature-rich experience for mobile users.

Third-Party Integrations

It’s important to figure out how well a VoIP provider will work with the other services you currently use. If you can’t integrate third-party services, you may spend excessive time migrating or re-creating business data already contained somewhere else. Be sure the business VoIP phone system provider offers integrations for the other services you already have in place.

VoIP – Is It the Right Choice for Your Business?

Now you know more about VoIP, what it is, how it works, and what it offers, you can decide if it is something you want to implement for your business. Taking time to review the information above and finding the right service provider will give you the solutions you want and need for your business.

Be sure to consider your business needs to determine if VoIP is a smart solution. If it is, then move forward with the service provider you have chosen to ensure your business reaps the benefits of this modern telephony solution. SIP.US can help you find out whether VoIP is the right option for your company!