What To Look For In a VoIP Service Provider

According to a recent survey by Entrepreneur.com and Radicate Group, over 75% of small businesses are predicted to use VoIP technology by the end of this year.  If your business is one of those contemplating a switch to VoIP service, you’re not alone- many business owners make the switch from traditional phone systems to VoIP after evaluating the cost effectiveness, time savings, and productivity benefits that come with using a business VoIP service.

VoIP: An Introduction
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a type of phone system that uses an internet connection for routing telephone calls.  VoIP calls are the same as traditional or “landline” calls in every other way: VoIP systems also incorporate features like voicemail, 3-way calling, and more that enhance business communications and improve employee productivity.  Many businesses choose hosted VoIP services, a system where routing equipment is housed at the service provider’s location rather than your own office location.  You can also choose to house routing equipment on-site and use an internet connection to route calls.  Whichever method is best for your business, you’ll need a VoIP service provider.  

VoIP Service Plans
There’s a VoIP service plan offering for every type of business.  Smaller businesses, or those that need only one phone line and less than 10 extensions, might be able to get away with using a free business VoIP service that can be downloaded to office computers.  Businesses that need more advanced features, or those with multiple office locations and high call traffic, should probably consider enterprise-based VoIP solutions.  

Here are a few tips for choosing a VoIP service plan:

Compare service options.  Contact different vendors and compare price quotes for the services you need.  A good place to start is a site like voipservice.com, which can match you with vendors that meet your needs.  Most basic calling plans will charge either on a monthly basis or per-user for some enterprise grade phone systems.  Make sure you know which features you’re getting and how much your monthly bill will be.

Compare hardware or connection costs. In addition to the service charges, you should also anticipate any costs dealing with your internet connection or with phone hardware.  Some providers only work with T-1 connections and cannot route calls over the “open” internet- if you’re comparing companies with this requirement, you may need to switch internet service providers or upgrade your connection.  Also consider hardware costs- some vendors require the purchase of VoIP phones or adaptors as part of the system.

Assess your needs. Is your office small, large, or in between?  Do you plan on expanding, hiring more employees, or opening multiple office locations?  Choose a phone system that can grow with your business if you plan on expanding, or consider a more portable option (such as a hosted phone system) if you plan to move offices in the near future.

Ask for local references. Since calls are routed over the internet, geography matters- a lot.  It’s important to ask for local references from any provider you’re considering.  These references can fill you in with accurate information on system uptime, interruptions, and other concerns.