WHY SWITCH TO VOIP?
Hosted business VoIP or a cloud phone system offers high-quality, reliable, and affordable services with an abundance of features and capabilities. They offer high-definition voice technology, data integrations and video conferencing, and so much more.
ADVANTAGES OF VOIP
You might have an existing phone line now, and since it “gets the job done”, adopting a business VoIP is not worth contemplating. Additionally, you believe free VoIP services are enough to enhance communication among your workforce and your clients.
However, to keep up with the advancements in technology, shifting to business VoIP might be the key for your company and workforce to attain more productivity, leads, and gains. Here are eight reasons why you should make the shift from traditional phones to hosted cloud phone systems.
SCALABILITY
Adding new phones to your system as your business grows and expands is a costly affair. It will also require new on-site cabling and hardware. Installing your hosted phone system only requires you to connect to an Ethernet cord and may be automatically registered via an online admin portal that’s accessible from a web browser. While landline phones take days and weeks for the entire system to become up and running, VoIP does not require phone companies or IT reps and may take only under 30 minutes to set-up.
SOUND PROFESSIONAL
Cloud-based systems are now more affordable and readily available to smaller businesses. Work smarter, empower your workforce, and provide better customer service. Compete with larger competitors by utilizing feature-rich VoIP phone systems.
CUSTOM FEATURES AND ADDITIONS
Business VoIP has a ton of features such as call queues, call recording, customized phone numbers, and video conferencing. Managing is much easier and adapts to your changing business communication needs.
HD CALL QUALITY
The VoIP standard for voice quality adapts wideband technology, which transmits audio beyond the narrowband limit of 3.4 kHz to 7 kHz because of the G.722 codec that utilizes greater audio frequency. HD voice is built into most VoIP phones and is supported by many service providers.
FLEXIBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
Because cloud phone systems come with a feature to set up and manage an online admin portal, these do not require a physical location to make and receive calls, access voicemail and take video calls. Your staff can work remotely and still be able to respond to communications as needed.
RELIABILITY
Hosted cloud phone systems save you a lot of hassle in maintaining your communication channels because these have redundant routers, servers, internet connections, and upstream carriers to keep your business phones up at all times.
COST-EFFICIENT
Business VoIP caters to a broad range of industries and is cost-efficient, compared to old phone systems that need more maintenance. These come with inclusive packages such as unlimited usage/minutes with features that may be tailor-made according to your business communication requirements.
WORKFORCE PRODUCTIVITY AND COLLABORATION
VoIP offers webphones or softphones, which give your staff more ways to communicate with one another such as instant messaging or video conferencing. These may be accessible as a desktop app, browser-based app, or mobile app. Boost productivity and enhance collaboration among your workforce.
What VoIP features can help your business grow
When you switch to business VoIP you’ll naturally be equipped with desk phones that feature a wide range of functionalities compared to traditional ones. Phonesforward work with all SIP-based VoIP phones with a wide variety to choose from.
Apart from video calling and impeccable voice quality, there are other features that further enhance communications within your workforce.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SWITCHING TO VOIP
Unlike traditional phones, VoIP only needs an internet connection to work. Simple as it may seem, there are still other factors that need to be considered so your business can maximize the rich features of this technology.
Phones, Phone Lines, and Phone Numbers
If you switch to VoIP, you may still use your analog phones and use adapters to enable functionality. However, you will not be able to enjoy the other rich features of VoIP such as HD voice or video conferencing. With VoIP, you can also use softphones, mobile apps, and so many more.
Although VoIP can bring you endless possibilities, you will still have to determine the number of phone lines needed according to your company's needs. You will have to consider the number of employees, phones, calls that you handle, and phone numbers.
Shifting to VoIP doesn’t mean changing phone numbers. However, it is best to check the phone number availability with a provider before switching.
Internet Bandwith, Speed, and Uptime
Your internet connection is the key to a functioning business VoIP. Your internet speed determines call quality and the number of simultaneous calls you can make and receive as well. Make sure to subscribe to a plan that can support VoIP calls, which require a total of 200 KBPS per two-way call, and video calling, which utilizes up to ten times this amount. It is also important to choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that can manage downtimes quickly and swiftly to avoid disruptions to your business phone lines.
On-site or Hosted Phone Systems
If your company has space and capacity to maintain all the servers needed to establish your VoIP, you can consider getting on-premise PBX. These are particularly great for large businesses. Hosted PBX or a third-party provider, on the other hand, is a good option especially if you’re a small business owner and don’t have a dedicated IT department that can manage your communication channels for you.
Cost Savings
When you decide to discard traditional copper wiring from your landline and shift to VoIP, you’ll see how much cost you’ve saved. To make sure you’re getting the best value for your money, consult a VoIP service provider first. Phonesforward offers our clients a Savings Calculator to give them an overview of their cost savings while maximizing the vast features that only VoIP can bring to enhance business productivity.
Routers
Set up only business-grade routers as these will work well with VoIP to support the traffic of calls.
Setup
Business VoiP is incredibly easy to set up. Whether on-site or hosted, the process does not take more than an hour and does not require heavy wiring and hardware installations.
Are you ready to discard expensive copper wiring and poor audio quality? Reap the benefits of switching to business VoIP. Less in cost and maintenance, but rich in features and functionality!
Phonesforward is committed to bringing you the best of these qualities to put your business ahead of the competition!