VoIP systems can benefit your business in many ways, with a number of important features and functions. I've composed a comparison list and detailed reviews of the 10 best business VoIP providers of 2020 to help you find the best VoIP system for your business needs.
These are the 10 best business VoIP providers I tested and ranked:
1. Best overall, focusing on 10+ users : RingCentral
2. Best for unifying communications: Vonage
3. Best for contract-free: Ooma Office
4. Best for mobile solution:Grasshoper
5. Best for all-in-one solution: Jive
6. Best for businesses up to 10 people: CloudPhone
7. Best for collaboration features: Aircall
8. Best for VoIP made simple: Alliance Phones
9. Best for SMBs: Intermedia
10. Best for budget-conscious businesses: Verizon
The Best Business VoIP Services: Quick Reviews
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$14.99-$39.99
- Best forBusinesses that want lots of features
Vonage was one of the very first VoIP providers, and it has only improved its product offerings over the last 20 years. Offering a fully unified communications platform for businesses of all sizes, Vonage is an excellent solution for any type of connection. Whether your company is looking for a virtual receptionist to make your business sound more professional, a more convenient directory assistance tool, or the ability to connect multiple devices to a single line, Vonage has the tools and the flexibility to let your business run like a pro.
What really makes Vonage stand out is the incredible set of features available on its plans. From privacy to customer service, personalization, and collaboration, Vonage makes every aspect of running your business better. The plans include important features such as caller ID blocking, call screening, spam shield, and do not disturb settings to ensure that you and your team have the utmost control over incoming calls.
What’s more, Vonage allows you to control the call flow as well, providing tools like call hold, call continuity, and call parking. You can even avail yourself of the call recording, call queues, and call waiting that will give your business a professional edge.
Your team will also appreciate how mobile Vonage makes the entire system available for work on the go or from anywhere you want. With call forwarding, you’ll never miss a call no matter where you are. And you’ll always get your mail directly to you with your own private business inbox. Vonage even provides cell phone integration, a sleek mobile app, and Never Miss a Call functionality for the ultimate in mobile VoIP.
Of course, no VoIP service is complete without a solid set of collaboration tools, which is why Vonage offers excellent features like call group, group chat, conference bridges, file sharing, and even video conferencing to help your team function like a real crew.
To make matters even better, Vonage makes pricing affordable and easy to understand. You pay a flat rate for each line per month depending on the plan you've chosen. Vonage has 3 plans: Mobile, Premium, and Advanced, and they range in price from $14.99 to $39.99 depending on the features you want and the number of lines you’re using. Best of all, Vonage offers a 14-day free trial. So, you can test drive the software and see if it’s a good fit for your business.
Vonage runs on your high-speed internet connection, so you never run into lag issues. It also offers a 99.999% uptime reliability, superior voice quality, and 24/7 customer support. You can use point-to-point video calls with the same top quality for business meetings or collaborative staff meetings to connect members from all over the world.
Read Vonage ReviewPros- Fabulous mobile app
- Superior voice quality
- 24/7 customer support in English
Cons- Add on features can get pricey
- You need to add on some basic features
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$24.99-$59.99
- Best forBusinesses with a lot of call traffic
RingCentral is another frequently-heard name among VoIP pursuers. The company provides solid offerings for both small businesses and enterprise level ones, so you can get the features that are important to your business needs.
Small businesses will appreciate how easy it is to set up and use RingCentral. In fact, you can have everything up and running in a matter of minutes. And you’ll have access to 24/7 customer support in case you have any questions along the way. SMBs will also appreciate the deep pocket savings that you’ll get from using RingCentral. You can cut back on phone bills and other communications costs using this all-in-one communications solution.
RingCentral is also well-suited for enterprise businesses, offering a more robust set of features for these larger scale companies. For one thing, RingCentral has excellent administration tools to make managing the front and backend of your operations a cinch. Things like cloud PBX, multi-level IVR, and call monitoring help managers stay on top of multiple tasks at all times. Other tools, such as multi-site management and Cloud Connect, ensure that you can handle your team members from wherever you are. For another, RingCentral allows you to connect with more than 100 third-party applications, so you can use the system seamlessly with all the tools your staff is already using and familiar with.
RingCentral can save you money on global operations, too. With international numbers, international calling, and signature Global Office, you can connect your entire workforce, no matter where in the world they are. RingCentral's pricing is all-inclusive, so you don't have to worry about hidden fees creeping up on you at the end of the month. Even the most basic plans include unlimited phone calls within the US and Canada, toll-free or local numbers, and a number of toll-free minutes per month. Higher tier plans include other goodies like unlimited audio and video meetings, unlimited fax capabilities, and thousands of minutes of toll-free calls per month. With flexible plans, RingCentral ensures that it will grow alongside your company. It even lets you choose the features that are right for your business at any given time.
RingCentral is particularly good at reliability and security. In fact, this service provides a full 7 layers of security. So, your data and connections are always airtight. What’s more, RingCentral uses redundant data centers to ensure that your service is always up and running without a hitch. You will even be able to maintain service during power outages and other loss of power situations.
Read RingCentral ReviewPros- Up to 10 users for cheapest plan
- Generous toll-free minutes per month
- Enormous array of features
Cons- Rates are higher than some competitors
- Customer service is not US-based
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$24-$115
- Best forSmall to mid-sized businesses
8X8 is trusted by some of the biggest businesses around the world, like McDonald's. It caters to industries like high-tech, retail, manufacturing, sales, collections, government, healthcare, and more. So, no matter where your business falls, 8X8 has a unified communications solution to get you up and running with your customers and team members instantly.
8X8's X series provides business VoIP solutions for every situation you could imagine. Need an integrated communications solution? The X2 plan has one-click connection that brings you everything from chat to voice to video meetings, meetings for 100 people at a time, and integrations with most major business applications. Looking for speed and efficiency? The X4 and X6 plans deliver features to help you out. With things like 4,000 minutes per agent, customer engagement analytics, and customizable dashboards, you’ll be maximizing your resources to the hilt.
8X8 also has plans to enhance customer experience, including integrated voice, email, web chat, and social channels, advanced speech and interaction analytics, and predictive outbound campaigns. Managers will love using the 8X8 system because it makes designating and handling call flow so simple. The Switchboard Pro takes care of all calls automatically.
In case you were worried about collaboration tools, 8X8 has plenty to go around. There's built-in team messaging that allows team members to communicate with one another quickly and efficiently. 8X8 also integrates with G Suite, Office 365 Outlook, NetSuite, and Salesforce for further collaboration ease.
And we haven't even gotten to the premium cloud communications features yet. Things like queued and web callback, interactive voice responses, and outbound predictive dialer make your customers’ experience the smoothest it has ever been. In-depth analytics and reporting, and post-call surveys also keep you and your team performing optimally at all times.
8X8 has 4 pricing models to choose from. Each plan offers unlimited calling within a given list of countries around the world. The most basic plan covers 14 different countries and clocks in at $28 per month per user. As you graduate in plans, the pricing goes from $28 to $38 to $60 to $115, and you’ll have access to unlimited calling within 32 and 47 countries around the world, respectively. Plans also come with media storage space, business texting, unlimited internet faxing, and audio and video conferencing.
If you are interested in using 8X8 for more than 100 users, you’ll pay even less per month regardless of which plan you choose. So, you’ll save on local and international calling, and on bulk ordering. 8X8 plans come with both mobile and desktop apps, operator switchboard, and call recording. You’ll also get basic features like voicemail, auto attendant, click to dial, and hold music.
Read 8x8 ReviewPros- Affordable pricing plans
- Lots of features included in plans
- Easy to set up and use
Cons- Customer support is limited
- No open API
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$19.95-$39.90
- Best forInclusive plans for virtual calling
MegaPath is an obvious choice for small business because of its competitive pricing, remote availability, and flexible integrations. But this communications solution company is also well-suited for larger companies with all the right features to make it comprehensive, powerful, and efficient. MegaPath has hosted PBX, unified communications, hosted voice integrations, call center, SIP trunking, and PRI & analog line solutions. So, there’s really something for everyone in this mix.
If you work remotely on a regular basis, the hosted PBX will be your best solution. MegaPath helps you cut costs, provides solid mobile features and collaboration tools to connect team members, and simple self-service management. Of course, if you’re looking for a full-service solution, MegaPath’s unified communications solutions will work well for you. This option provides businesses with a more robust set of features like video and voice conference calls, group messaging, and video calls for that quick question and answer. This is an excellent solution because it's all in one. So, there’s no switching from one platform to the next to get the job done.
MegaPath has 3 plans to choose from. You can get the Business Voice plan, the Premium Business Voice plan, or the Enterprise Voice plan. Plans cost $19.95, $24.95, and $39.90 per month and the features increase in impressiveness as you climb the tiers. You’ll get unlimited nationwide calling for all packages plus more than 50 calling features, visual voicemail, voicemail to email, and voicemail to text transcriptions.
All plans also include call flow features like full call management web portal, call logs, and inbound caller ID. MegaPath makes working from any mobile device or computer with BYOD compatibility, and even the most basic plan has enterprise directory integration. What’s more, all plans provide crystal clear HD voice quality, so you always sound professional when you’re talking to customers. More advanced features come with the upper tiers like desktop sharing, presence, instant messaging, web conferencing, integrated messaging, and mobile to desktop call pull. To top it all off, MegaPath allows you to use the software completely without commitment for 30 days before signing up. With a 30-day, no hassle satisfaction guarantee, you can easily get to know the software, see how it works, and see if it fits your business needs without any financial commitment.
MegaPath provides all customers with US-based service activation and tech support that’s available 24/7 every day of the year. You can even get custom training webinars and professional on-site installation for the fastest, easiest, and most convenient service around.
Read MegaPath ReviewPros- No contracts required
- US-based tech support
- Good collaboration tools
Cons- Have to pay more for some standard features
- Video conferencing not available
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$21.95-$29.95
- Best forAll-in-one solution
Jive is a fun and user-friendly business VoIP option, and this is certainly not your grandma’s VoIP service. With sleek apps, punchy text, and advanced features, Jive makes using a unified communications solution fun, easy, and cool. What’s more, Jive has a whopping 80+ features, and you get all of them for a single monthly rate. That’s a dizzying amount of features, and it means you will have everything you need within one software. No need to switch over constantly to another service for optimal use. Jive’s got it all.
Jive gives you full control over your call flow. You can set up different call rules for when your business is open and closed, so the calls will go to sales or customer support during business hours, and to the auto attendant after hours. Jive also lets you use neat features like simultaneous paging of all agents or specific group paging for a more personalized but still public announcement.
Connect team members using Jive’s conference bridge, good for up to 10 members at once, listen to your business voicemail wherever you are, and use collaboration tools to really stay connected. Want to really get serious about your communications? Use Jive call analytics, call logs, and call monitoring to analyze and go over calls to improve customer experience and tweak staff members’ techniques. Use custom greetings, dial by name directory, and local directory on phone to give a more professional appearance to your business. Handle calls more efficiently using tools like presence monitoring, shared line appearance, and ring groups.
Jive pricing is really simple, and there are no gimmicks. We like that in a company. You’ll pay between $19.95-$29.99 per user per month for 1-99 users. More specifically, you’ll pay $19.95 for 50+ users, $21.95 for 25-49 users, $23.95 for 10-24 users, $25.99 for 5-9 users, and $29.95 for 1-4 users. 100 users or more get special custom pricing, so you can speak to Jive directly about that.
What’s really nice about this pricing structure, aside from its simplicity, is the range of users it gives you. Most VoIP for business solutions clump you into very small or very large user bases. So, if you have something in between, you’re kind of stuck settling for something less than what you need or paying for something much more than what you want. Jive makes it simple to pay for exactly the number of users you have, saving you money and frustration.
Read Jive ReviewPros- Unlimited extensions
- First month free
- Flexible pricing plans
Cons- International calling is pricey
- Limited video conferencing feature
- No. of users3-unlimited
- Pricing$26-$80
- Best forBusinesses looking for mobile solutions
Grasshopper is the business VoIP solution for small businesses everywhere that want to look big. The secret behind this cleverly-named service is simple: you don’t have to BE a big company to appear to be one. You just have to make a big noise (like a grasshopper!). Grasshopper provides small businesses with all the communications tools and features they need to look big and impress their clients while remaining the same cozy size they are currently.
Grasshopper offers 2 types of plans, the Grasshopper plans and the Grasshopper Connect option. The first option is the more traditional VoIP service you are used to and comes in 3 flavors. You can get Solo, Partner, or Small Business plans for this service, and all 3 can be billed monthly or annually.
It’s nice that Grasshopper lets you sign up for a single month contract because it means you aren’t tied into any long-term commitments. Of course, if you sign up for an annual plan, you’ll save more than 10%. Most businesses will decide that the savings are worth the commitment. Grasshopper VoIP plans run $26 per month for a single number with 3 extensions included, $44 a month for 3 numbers and 6 extensions, and $80 a month for 5 numbers. With the last plan, you get unlimited extensions, a huge benefit if you’re hoping to scale your business over the year.
Whichever plan you sign up for, you’ll get some great features including a convenient mobile app that lets you activate and access the system from wherever you are. You’ll also get neat features like the ability to read your voicemail, handy if you are trying to stay on top of a conversation with a client but can't listen to audio at the moment (think on a noisy train or in the middle of a meeting), and business texting. This last one makes texting cheaper, faster, and easier than other methods of communication. Grasshopper plans provide incoming call control, call forwarding, and multiple extensions, so you give a professional appearance even if you're doing work in your PJs from your couch.
Grasshopper Connect, on the other hand, is a more basic VoIP service that gives you some excellent features for a single line. This is the perfect solution for a one-person business running from different places every day. Grasshopper Connect costs just $35 a month, which makes it affordable for any business owner. And the features you get for that money are well worth the investment. Features like a proper business phone number, email integration, hold incoming calls, voicemail, call blocking, business texting, unified inbox, timeline view, and mobile app really help your small business give off the big dog impression you need to impress customers.
Read Grasshopper ReviewPros- Unlimited domestic calling
- 24/7 live support
- Easy setup
Cons- Missing the robust features of larger brands
- Not as attractive if you’re not going mobile
- No. of usersUnlimited
- PricingFrom $35 per month
- Best forMid-sized businesses
This VoIP from the powerhouse wireless provider Verizon comes with some expected benefits courtesy of the company’s infrastructure, including excellent connection via Verizon’s fiber optic internet.
Verizon offers different pricing structures depending on business size and needs. However, all of the VoIP plans include essential services that can help medium-sized businesses and larger. One of the main differences in plans is the amount of lines the business will need. The cheapest plan accommodates 5 lines, and you can upgrade from there.
Verizon offers around 45 VoIP features that cover most if not all of essential needs. This includes a virtual receptionist that deftly handles call routing, providing a professional veneer to small and medium-sized businesses and helping them stay organized and aligned within departments.
Other features in Verizon’s VoIP include simultaneous ring, selective call rejection, “barge-in” call bridges, and outgoing call management planning that allows each user to organize and block call types.
Predictably, Verizon offers a rich customer support experience, with online resources, various support lines, and communication by ticket submission and email. The online help center is also a helpful resource for businesses getting used to the VoIP. Overall, Verizon draws from its established infrastructure to provide a comprehensive VoIP solution with a strong connection, plenty of helpful features, and above-average customer support.
Read Verizon ReviewPros- Leading name in wireless internet
- Fiber optic internet
- Scalable for growing businesses
Cons- Complex pricing structure
- No live chat support
- No. of usersUnlimited
- PricingFrom $19.95
- Best forContract-free service
Ooma is the PCMag VoIP Business Choice award winner for 7 years running. That ought to tell you a bit about what a great service this is. Ooma is a cloud system, which means it's effortless to run, easy to learn, and can be taken anywhere you are. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this system ensures that you are always available for your customers when they call. While Ooma is a great solution for any size business, it is particularly attractive for small businesses because it offers advanced phone features at affordable pricing. Plus, Ooma has simple step-by-step DIY set up instructions and videos. So, you don’t have to wait for tech to get started.
Let’s take a closer look at some of those features. For starters, Ooma offers free unlimited calling to anywhere in the United States, Mexico, or Canada and Puerto Rico. This already translates to major savings for most businesses that frequently spend a fortune on phone bills each month. On top of that, Ooma has competitive, low international rates. You can call Australia for just $0.038 per minute, the United Kingdom for just $0.028 per minute, and China for just $0.025 per minute.
Businesses get free number transfer and one free toll-free number as well as a main line company phone number to work with. In terms of mobility, Ooma can’t be beat. You’ll get the always convenient call forwarding feature that allows you to be ever-present for your customers even when you can’t be in the office. And virtual extensions mean everyone is on their game, even if they’re off duty. Additional features include voicemail audio email attachments for easy access and faster response times and multi-device ring. That last one makes it easy for calls to be answered by someone who is available at the time of the call.
Ooma plans are very affordable. You can get basic services for $19.95/user a month. This includes unlimited calling to the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico and special low rates for several other countries. With Ooma Office, your business can keep up with its international colleagues and clients with the cheapest rates, no matter where they are.
But let's not forget the convenient office features that take Ooma customers to the next level. The virtual receptionist has flexible tools to make sure each call gets to where it has to go quickly and efficiently. Ooma does this with features like multiple settings for on or off hours, dial by name directory, route callers, and custom messages for the different extensions. You can also set up call groups, choose hold music, provide call transferring, and use the call park feature to best service your customers.
Read Ooma Office ReviewPros- Excellent call quality
- Simple & easy setup
- Can keep the same phone number
Cons- Limited customizations
- Some complaints about customer service
- No. of users5
- PricingFrom $18.95
- Best forBudget-conscious businesses
You may have heard of OnSIP before as it is a major communications provider for businesses of every size. And if you haven’t, you probably know a few of its customers like Mozilla, Tumblr, and Disqus, just to name a few of the SMALL businesses that use OnSIP on a daily basis. It is particularly popular among businesses that love it for the handy BYOD (bring your own device) functionality, making the software easy to use with just about any device you could whip out. With a rich set of features, competitive pricing, and flexible payment options, OnSIP is a strong hosted VoIP solution for businesses.
OnSIP has all of the usual VoIP features you’d expect like voicemail, group ring, and personal attendants. Plus, you’ll get more premium features like voicemail to email, third-party softphone integration, and web-hosted PBX. You can also take advantage of the robust admin portal that makes managing and changing things up a cinch.
One of the things that makes OnSIP so popular is how flexible it is to work with. You can use desk phones exclusively if this is the way your business operates. Alternatively, you can use softphones with the OnSIP software if that’s your preference. And OnSIP even has a convenient method for combining both desk phones and softphones, so no matter how you roll, OnSIP has you covered.
Another thing users love about OnSIP is the simplicity. You sign up using Google, Slack, or an email address. Then you can add members as you see fit, organizing them into groups as you go along. You can be connected and making calls within minutes of signing up. It’s just that simple.
OnSIP has a massive unlimited plan for a reasonable $18.95 per person per month. This plan comes with a desk phone or a headset for each user you pay for and all the unlimited features you could ask for. We’re talking unlimited announcements, auto attendant, call parking, call recording, dial by name directories, ring groups, standard calling minutes, and voicemail boxes. You name it, with this plan it’s unlimited. The Unlimited plan also has enhanced hold music, busy lamp field, Polycom phones, and sayso website chatting. Inbound bridges are available for $1.95 plus 0.5 cents per minute as well.
Looking for something more basic? OnSIP offers the Basic Plan at $49.95 per month plus 2.9 cents a minute for the standard calling area. This is a good way to get your average VoIP needs met without signing up for a more extensive calling plan. By the way, OnSIP allows you to try out the software for free with its 30-day free trial offer. This is a generous gesture that not all VoIP providers will make, so take advantage of it and give OnSIP a try.
Read OnSIP ReviewPros- Unwavering reliability
- 30-day free trial
- Lots of integrations
Cons- Have to know (or learn) SIP
- Ala carte style can get expensive
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$24.99-$34.99
- Best forSmall businesses of up to 10 people
CloudPhone is known to be a great business VoIP solution for smaller businesses. Everything from its pricing structure to its features tells us that it is working hard for the little guys in the industry. And it shows. With a CloudPhone unified communications solution, even the smallest businesses can put up a big front, winning the respect and the clients they deserve.
Some of the great features you can get with a CloudPhone account are toll-free numbers, automatic call distribution, and call recording. Businesses will appreciate the Find Me Follow Me feature, which basically has a call ring to each of the designated phone lines one after another until the caller finds you. So, it’ll ring at your office desk first, then your home phone, then your cell until you finally pick up. It’s a very convenient feature that ensures you won’t miss an important business call because you stepped out for a few minutes or had to leave the country for some reason.
CloudPhone plans also come with privacy and call control features like caller ID, call blocking, and auto attendant. You can use the call recording feature to record calls and play them back later to get more details or remind you of important points in the conversation. CloudPhone lets you BYOD, so no matter what type of phone, computer, or mobile device you are using, you can access your VoIP services on it.
CloudPhone has some other impressive business features like business SMS, voicemail to email, and voicemail transcription. This last one will allow you to read your voicemails when listening to audio is out of the question. CloudPhone accounts are fully manageable via the convenient mobile app, a good option if you are away from the office frequently. And despite the fact that this service caters to smaller businesses, CloudPhone offers unlimited users. This tells us that CloudPhone is a fan of scaling up and believes that your business can do it!
CloudPhone has 3 pricing plans to choose from. Get the Basic plan for $24.99 a month for a single number and 2 extensions with one virtual receptionist. Basic also comes with voicemail transcripts, WiFi calling, call transfer, fax, and mobile app. The Professional plan is $34.99 a month and comes with 3 numbers, 6 extensions, and 2 virtual receptionists plus conference calling and business hours. Finally, the Small Business plan is $64.99 for 10 numbers, unlimited extensions, unlimited virtual receptionists, call recording, professionally recorded greetings, and more.
Read CloudPhone ReviewPros- Unlimited minutes and SMS
- Integrates with existing devices
- Lifetime 50% off Small Business plan
Cons- No video conferencing
- International calling isn’t unlimited
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Unleashing the Power of VoIP for Your Business
If you’re running a business in 2019, then chances are, you have already heard of and might even use some form of VoIP or internet phone service through your business phone line. If you’ve ever used Skype or Facebook Messenger—or any kind of internet service to make a call—you’re experiencing the power of Voice Over IP (VoIP).
VoIP systems have become the norm for businesses large and small, as they provide an easy, surefire way to make telecommunications more efficient—and affordable. For small and medium-sized businesses, these savings can make a big difference. The efficiency of a VoIP system can also ease some headaches for companies that may not have the manpower to handle complicated or less streamlined communication needs. Small businesses generally don’t need some of the more sophisticated VoIP features—like video conferencing that can accommodate 100 or more participants—but the flexible pricing, ease of operations, and customer service offered by many VoIP providers can be of real assistance.
Finding the Right VoIP Fit for Your Business
When it comes to integrating VoIP into your business, there are some factors to consider before you choose a provider. The top VoIP providers can help you lower costs, reach more customers, and even enhance your mobility and productivity.
The most important features to look for when searching for a VoIP solution are:
- Ease of operation and setup
- Reliability and customer service
- Features and customizability
- Mobile options
- Video conferencing and screen sharing
Switching to a VoIP system entails some initial costs, which are quickly offset by the savings. VoIP services can also increase the efficiency, convenience, and flexibility of your communications and help you incorporate the business tools of a larger company. Before you choose your VoIP provider, try to determine how easy it will be to adopt the system and operate it, and also if it has any specific features you need.
Benefits of Having a Business VoIP Phone System
The full benefits of having a business phone system will depend on the size and type of business you own. However, loosely speaking, many businesses benefit from:
Lower Costs
Businesses, on average, see costs reduce between 50% - 75% after switching to VoIP, which is a combination of reduced communication expenses and logistical benefits.
Greater Productivity
Investing in internet phone allows a company to let its employees work remotely, which can increase productivity by almost 20%.
More Reliability
Because of QoS (Quality of service) protocols, more common issues like jitter, latency, or delay are all monitored for a satisfactory standard for business practice. A recent study showed that less than 0.5% of survey respondents reported being dissatisfied with VoIP call quality.
Higher Customer Satisfaction Rates
Unsatisfied customers would rather switch services than complain, so customer service needs to be more aware of visitors needs than ever before. Giving your customers more ways to reach your business is simple, with the help of VoIP. This could be helping employees work remotely, increasing office hours, or just offering the customers a number to call when a problem arises.
Types of VoIP Systems
The biggest difference in cost is going to depend on the type of VoIP service you choose for your business. There are 3 main systems available:
Hosted System
Similar to a website hosting plan, this means that the vendor owns the hardware, and your business leases or buys the phones. Maintenance will be handled by the vendor, too. Companies will usually charge a subscription to use the internet business phone system.
Best for: Smaller businesses
On-Premise System
In this scenario, your business owns the hardware, which means you are responsible for any upgrades or maintenance work. This sort of setup can be prohibitive for a smaller business because of the higher initial costs of purchasing the hardware. In addition, the upkeep may require the manpower that a small company doesn't have. On the other hand, these systems can provide better options for customization and a higher level of security.
Best for: Larger businesses
Managed System
With this system, the business still owns the equipment, but the vendor is in charge of set up and maintenance. This is a great “best of both worlds” option, in that it allows the customer to use their own equipment—like with the on-premise system—while still being able to enjoy the assistance provided by a hosted system.
VoIP FAQs
How do I choose the best business VoIP provider?
There are several factors you’ll need to consider when comparing VoIP providers. The best one for you will check off the most boxes, ensuring that it provides the most value for your company. The main factors to consider include:
- Robust features set
- Mobile access and/or app
- Sophisticated call routing management
- Video conferencing
- Collaboration tools
- Third party integrations
- Competitive pricing
- Ease of setup and use
What are the benefits of using a business VoIP?
Business VoIP can help your business save money, handle larger call volumes, and create a more professional impression for your customers. In fact, the list of all of the benefits goes on for miles, but here are a few of the most important gains you'll get from business VoIP:
- Lower costs
- Greater productivity
- More reliability
- Greater customer satisfaction
- Increased flexibility
- More mobility
How can VoIP save you money?
It's a well-known concept that business VoIP saves businesses money; the question is how. Well, the number one answer is, through the reduced phone bill. Since calls are often free (unlimited minutes, etc.) or offered at an incredibly discounted rate per minute, businesses save thousands of dollars on their phone bills alone. Additionally, you can save money with a VoIP by:
- Utilizing remote workers
- Direct inward dialing
- Voicemail-to-email ensures faster response times (and time is money)
- Conference bridges and video conferencing
- Lower maintenance costs
- Free SMS
How can VoIP enhance your business’ efficiency?
As with financial gains, VoIP services offer tremendous boosts to your productivity as well. Here’s how:
Increased productivity with great collaboration tools
Team members can text for free, share files, and swap phone calls from clients. Remote workers can sit in on conference calls, staying up to date and in the loop.
Mobility
Since you can take your business on the go, you can get more work done wherever you are. And you’ll never miss another business call again.
Voicemail
Voicemail on VoIP is the ultimate efficiency. Instead of checking multiple phones and accounts, all of your voicemails come to one location to be checked. Plus, you get an alert whenever a voicemail comes in, so you are on top of things faster. Even voicemail transcripts let you read your voicemails, so you can make the most of those boring hours spent in meetings.
