Having a telecommunication system that fulfills all your communication requirements is a MUST-HAVE tool for any business. VoIP solutions are a perfect way to help achieve that goal by offering solutions that go way beyond (and cost much less) when compared to your local telephone provider.
VoIP service providers range from the one-man army to huge conglomerates. As a business leader, you should be looking for the best VoIP business phone system that matches your particular business’s diverse needs.
Business-grade VoIP solutions are a popular choice among small businesses and startups, especially now that many have to comply with various standards and protocols brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, finding the perfect VoIP system office equipment can be tricky.
To help you find the best VoIP system office equipment and provider, we’ll cover a few points that you need to consider before making a final decision in picking the right VoIP business solution for your business.
Identify what your business needs are and how VoIP solutions can address them. Each VoIP services provider offers different features, services, and products. It is worth spending some time analysing all the different offerings from the VoIP services providers and how they can (or can’t) help you address your business needs.
Begin by asking yourself the following questions:
● What are the different types of calls your business deals with on a day-to-day basis? ● How many outbound and inbound calls does your business make?
● Would a virtual receptionist help alleviate your call extension routing?
● Do you use FAX or SMS to communicate with customers and/or employees?
These are just a few basic questions to ask yourself before evaluating the VoIP solutions available in the market. Once you have a clear view of your requirements, you can move ahead with your search to find the best VoIP solution for your business.
Determine what kind of phone system you require. There are many different types of phone systems available for business today, specifically for VoIP solutions. Starting from Hosted PBX, Cloud-based VoIP, and Unified Communication to Communication Platform as a Service (CPaas), you have a lot of options available. While some of the providers offer all four types of VoIP solutions, some are providing only select VoIP services or products. Therefore, it’s worth identifying the specific type of phone system you require, in order to narrow your search towards the best-fit VoIP solution.
Think hard about the VoIP features you need. Caller ID, call forwarding, call hold, custom greetings, etc. are among the most basic features that almost all VoIP providers offer.However, there are other VoIP service providers who offer more advanced features like auto-attendant, messaging, call screening, call transaction, custom vanity numbers, and more. While some features will come by default, others will be charged extra by the providers. Be sure to begin your search knowing the features that you will need the most. You can make a list of MUST-HAVE and NICE-TO-HAVE features. This will help greatly in simplifying your search.
Consider your BUDGET. How much do you want to spend on your VoIP business solution? Fortunately due to the number of VoIP providers available to you, you’ll find more choices and competitive pricing when compared to a landline phone service. You can easily find various plans that fit your budget. Starting from $20 per user to $200 per user (depending on scale and features), there are many companies and options to choose from. Make sure you consider all your technical needs and cross-check all your competitive options. This will help greatly in planning the budget of your VoIP business solution, as well as refining your search down to your best VoIP provider.
Don’t forget about SECURITY! Strong security features are crucial and most important for any business communication system. Depending on your business, not all VoIP solutions will meet your security standards. Therefore, you need to consider and choose from VoIP business solution providers that offer end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, along with a higher uptime guarantee.
Last but not least: CUSTOMER SUPPORT. It’s often assumed that VoIP solutions are “trouble-free”, but this is not always the case. You can face some challenges while employing any new VoIP business solution, either during integration, early adoption, or even during routine day-to-day operations. As businesses depend heavily on their communication systems, it’s crucial that a provider offers 24×7 support. You will also find that some providers offer various levels of support based on your needs and budget. In the end, the quality of overall support you receive will depend on the VoIP service provider and the type of communication package you’ve selected. Make sure you know what level of support your business may need, then find the right VoIP company that will give it to you at a price that fits within your budget.
With an educated search, you may still find it difficult to choose the right VoIP business solution for your business. If you would like help in discussing your business’s communication requirements and choosing a VoIP service provider, Claritytel has a team of VoIP experts to make your choice easier.
Contact Us Today to Learn More.