January 26th, 2022 Read Time: 4 minutes
Jessica Farrelly
Jessica is a content writer with more than 8 years of experience covering SaaS and the tech industry. She has worked with both B2B and B2C publications across North America, Europe, and APAC and currently writes about IT Solutions or Electric.
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VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, and it allows users to make calls over an internet connection rather than a telephone network. Switching your office’s communication system to VoIP can not only save your business a lot of money, but it can also provide many features that can’t be found with traditional phone services.
Why is this approach advantageous for your small business? As just some of the benefits, VoIP allows you to:
There are several types of VoIP phone systems for small businesses. In fact, you may be familiar with Google Hangouts or Skype, both of which offer a specific type of VoIP service. But like any type of system or software, the first step is to assess your business’ needs to figure out which type of VoIP service will be best for you.
There are a few types of VoIP phone systems out there, from systems that are completely hosted by a third party, to on-premise VoIP set-ups, to fully virtual VoIP systems. Some basic factors to consider when choosing the best VoIP service for your small business include:
Once you’ve considered your office’s basic needs, you can then review the types of features you’ll want in the VoIP system for your small business, such as:
Once you’ve selected your VoIP service, it’s time to set it up. Here’s a 9-step checklist to follow when setting up your VoIP account, although not all of these may be applicable to your small business.
Depending on what VoIP phone service and features you have, you may want to provide an overview or brief training for your staff. Show them how to make calls and access voicemails. Go over any specific protocols or procedures for respective departments, and provide instructions on how to download or log-in to any required software or plugins.
While many features of a small business VoIP service would be considered advantageous for an SMB, there are also a few challenges to consider and prepare for. VoIP systems require fast and reliable internet connections, so you may want to come up with a backup plan in case your internet connection slows down or disconnects, even for a short period of time. It can also be challenging to self-install, especially if you are trying to upgrade existing hardware or set up an on-premise VoIP system. That’s when finding a VoIP service with reliable and 24/7 customer support comes in handy.