- It costs less than conventional business phone service — often a lot less. No more multiple phone lines or paying extra for features like conference calling. Most VoIP service works on a flat monthly fee, so bills are more predictable.
- It's less complex and easier to maintain. Voice calls run over the same network you already use for email and Web access. One system serves all.
- It offers more advanced features. You can select area codes other than your own for your business number and receive calls or voicemail to your laptop or IP phone while traveling, as if you were at your desk. You won't need a separate cell phone and number. Take your business phone system with you when you travel.
- Business class VoIP offers auto attendant, desk-to-desk calling, message on hold, conference calling and other features.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Shop smart and compare business VoIP service and VoIP providers easily online
As VoIP gains popularity, the field is buzzing with competitive activity, product reviews, shopping guides and help transitioning your business to VoIP service.I recommend: VoipReview is a super site for finding and comparing VoIP services for both home and business, and for learning more about how it works. VoipReview Business helps you find the best business-class VoIP service in your area or industry. Filter details and order service based on price, features, biz-user reviews, ratings and more. Eric Laughlin, CEO and co-founder of VoipReview, has built a highly useful site that includes a business VoIP shopping guide, the business case for VoIP, VoIP for small business and more.
Plug into a serious VoIP provider
VoIP providers include newer companies that specialize in this area, as well as traditional phone companies.I recommend: Vonage, with over a million customers, is a major VoIP provider. The firm has a Small Business Unlimited plan for about $50 per month. AT&T CallVantage phone service for broadband gets high marks for features and call quality. Other VoIP service providers to consider include: VelocityTel, Packet8, Quintum, Net2Phone, Virtuoso Net Solutions and Intelecom Solutions.
Select a total communications solution
You can reduce overall communications costs by combining VoIP and broadband at a single provider.I recommend: Covad offers voice and broadband solutions, including Business VoIP. Get a free comparison of your service to Covad VoIP.
Talk to anyone, anywhere for free
Skype is a program for making free calls over the Internet to anyone who also has Skype.I recommend: Check out Skype for Business, and see the case histories of how some small business owners are putting this service to work.
Line up smart, secure and expandable IP phone systems
Cisco Systems offers a range of VoIP phone systems for small and mid-sized businesses.I recommend: Check out the Cisco IP lineup.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Using the internet for phone calls isn't all roses. Audio quality still isn't perfect, but it is much better than a few years ago when VoIP calls required both people to be at a computer.
- You can make VoIP calls with regular phones or new feature-rich, high-tech IP phones, and many users report no difference in quality.
- Depending on the number of employees you have, you might need additional bandwidth (a T1 line) to handle VoIP if, say, a dozen or more people will be on the phone at the same time.
- Plan ahead if you intend to switch to VoIP. Find out if your current phone number can be switched to VoIP.
- You may want to keep a conventional phone line as a backup, and also to assure you business a listing in the local phone book.
- If power goes out, VoIP service can go down, so consider a power backup.
- The lack of 911 emergency access through VoIP is a concern, although that too is disappearing as VoIP service providers find ways to add this feature.
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