Business VoIP Phone Service
Last Updated: By TRUiC Team
Office phone systems are expensive, complicated, and confusing. Heavy telecom expenses can eat up your budget and lead to debt before you know it. With VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone service, you can place a call from anywhere using an internet connection. This not only saves on installation fees, monthly bills, and costly upgrades, but the system is designed so you don't have to worry about any of the technical aspects of owning a phone system. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is VoIP Phone Service?
Business VoIP phone service is an internet-based service that provides the same functionality as a traditional phone service. It allows businesses to use their regular phones, but instead of using a regular phone line, the connection is made over the internet.
Business VoIP phone service can provide some or all of the following features:
- Unlimited nationwide call minutes
- Unlimited conference calling
- Unlimited call forwarding
- Unlimited cell phone calls
What to Look for in a VoIP Phone Service Provider
VoIP phone service providers can vary in cost, quality, and features. Some providers offer features like call forwarding and voicemail, while others don't. Some providers offer a variety of monthly plans and others offer a pay-as-you-go plan. To find the best VoIP phone service provider for you, look for the following:
Call Quality
The call quality is the most important thing to look for in a VoIP business phone service. If the call quality is not clear, customer interactions will suffer and the VoIP business phone service will not be successful.
Voicemail
The Voicemail feature is often overlooked by many people who are looking for a VoIP business phone service. It is important to have the ability to check voicemails on the go.
Customer Service
There’s live chat, email, and phone support available for many VoIP Business providers. Pick a company that offers great customer service that fits your needs. If you’re a tech company, then live chat may be more useful than talking to someone on the phone. For some businesses, an email support ticket may be the best option. Pick the one that works best for your business.
Compatibility with Hardware, Including Smartphones
Not all VoIP business phone service options work well with certain types of hardware. Not all VoIPs work with smartphones. Do some research to determine which works best with the existing phones and hardware you have in place.
Customer Care Hours
Some companies' customer care representatives operate around the clock. Others have limited availability. Make sure you pick a company that keeps the same hours you keep.
Flexible Billing Options
For startups, billing options are important because not all small businesses have cash on hand. Some need flexible payment plans to ensure they build business credit and solid business relationships with the companies they do business with. Check into payment plans so you don’t get mixed up with a company that’s inflexible.
Easy-to-Use Interface
As far as VoIP business services are concerned, some have very user-friendly interfaces while others do not. Make sure you investigate the user interfaces first to decide which is best for your company.
Loaded With Features
There are many additional features besides the most common voicemail features that are present with most business VoIP service providers. Here are some more to keep in mind when selecting the best VoIP service provider for your business.
Loaded Features:
- Local and toll-free number
- Call recording feature
- Free messaging feature
- VoIP fax capability
- Support for multiple phones
- Support for multiple users
- Unlimited number of lines
Bottom Line
When selecting the best business VoIP phone service, it is best to do some research. The worst mistake you can make is selecting a service that has poor call quality. There is nothing more frustrating than dropped calls and not being able to receive or relay a message clearly — it can hurt your business and affect your sanity.
It is best to look into features that your business will really use, avoiding those it won’t. A platform that is simple to use, backed by good customer service, and loaded with useful features makes all the difference when selecting a business VoIP phone service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a business VoIP phone service and still keep my same business phone number?
Yes, you can have a business VoIP phone service and still keep your same business phone number.
Can I use a business VoIP phone service if my internet connection is down?
If your internet connection is lost, you will not be able to make or receive calls until the connection is restored. You will need a backup plan, such as a second internet connection or a dedicated business landline, to ensure that you can make and receive calls if the internet is down.
Do I have to buy special equipment to use business VoIP phone service?
No, you do not need to buy any special equipment to use a business VoIP phone service. Standard phones will work fine. However, some companies may require you to purchase some hardware that configures their business VoIP service. It is best to check with the business VoIP service provider to be sure.