Should Small Businesses Invest in Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
The Internet has truly transformed the business world. E-commerce taking over brick and mortar stores, remote collaborations and digital marketing are just a few ways the Internet has become an integral part of business operations.
Even though there are several channels of communication such as email, instant messaging, chat, and so on, a phone system is an essential channel for small businesses. It ensures faster collaboration between employees and more personal communication with customers. However, an analog phone system is something small businesses are still reluctant to let go of.
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the future (and present) of business phone systems. VoIP is not just a useful asset for large businesses but it can be advantageous for organizations of all sizes. If you’re on the fence about investing in VoIP, look at the ways it can benefit your small business.
- Superior Call Quality
Poor call quality can lead to a frustrating experience. Business phone systems promise call quality not just as good as regular phone calls but better. As long as your company has a business-grade internet connection, VoIP can provide superior service than traditional phones.
- Time-Saving
Setting up phone lines for every employee requires time and also takes up physical space. And as your team grows, you have to spend more time, space, and money on installing additional phone lines. You don’t have to go through all that hassle with a cloud-based phone system. It’s a lot easier to implement.
- Cost-Effective
Cost-saving is a goal that every business is constantly trying to achieve. Apart from being time-consuming, analog phone systems can also be expensive. VoIP allows businesses to make local and international calls at cheaper rates. Many providers offer basic app-to-app calling for free. And by adding a few other features for a reasonable cost, you can benefit from a robust phone system.
Moreover, VoIP handsets are affordable in comparison to analog sets. And you don’t necessarily need a separate handset for VoIP. you can make, receive and transfer calls with a smartphone, laptop or desktop. Virtually, employees can use any smart device that can support the VoIP application.
- Easy Call Transfer
Employees no longer have to ask coworkers to get on a particular phone line when transferring a call. With a cloud-based phone system, employees can easily transfer calls with a push of a button. This facilitates a business to communicate more smoothly and professionally.
- Enhanced Security
Sensitive or private information communicated via phone calls is something you don’t want to fall in the wrong hands. VoIP solutions offer enhanced security. You can be assured that your calls and data are well protected, which most traditional systems can’t promise.
- Auto Assistance
Auto assistance is one of the most useful features offered by VoIP solutions. Instead of employing agents for answering general inquiries, you can set up an automated attendant for your business. This particularly comes in handy during after office hours and holidays.
- Portability
With an analog system, if employees want to make a call, they have to be physically present on their desks. But a cloud-based phone system allows employees to make and receive calls from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This also makes it possible for employees to work from home.
- Additional Features
With traditional phone lines, you can make, receive and maybe transfer calls and that’s it. On the other hand. VoIP gives you an extensive range of features including teleconferencing, presence information, video conferencing, instant messaging, and more. You can tailor your system according to your business needs.
- Flexibility
VoIP solutions can be tailored to an organization’s specific requirements. You can have the liberty to add or remove features as needed. So as your business starts growing or changing, a VoIP is a highly scalable asset that can be customized accordingly.
- Hassle-Free Call Recording
Whether you’re obligated to record customers’ calls for future references or you want to record calls to improve customer service, VoIP offers hassle-free call recording. Organizations can easily record and archive calls.
- Call Review
With a modern PBX, you can easily review call logs and ascertain when you’re receiving the majority of customer calls, how long calls last, and other useful information.
- Build a Professional Brand Image
By effectively receiving calls and quickly transferring them to the right person, you can create a good impression on customers. And seamless customer experience leads to a professional brand image.
Final Words
If your business is struggling to provide satisfactory customer care because of limited phone lines, upgrading to VoIP can help you create better customer experiences. In addition to improving the quality of communication, VoIP solutions are cost-effective and scalable. Are you looking for a business phone system? Check out VoIP solutions to find a suitable system for your small business.
This is a guest post by Dennis Vu. Denis is the CEO and Co-founder of Ringblaze, a virtual business phone system company that helps teams to better serve their customers, anywhere.
