How to Choose the Right VoIP System for your Small Business

Nowadays, business phone systems are not only used for making and receiving calls, but they have also now combined messaging, conferencing, and mobility options for businesses and their employees which have allowed a more unified communications experience.

The introduction of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and cloud-hosted options has given businesses a variety of options in selecting their phone system. Modern phone systems have also allowed companies the option of choosing various providers, which can offer virtual, landline, VoIP, on-premise, and cloud-hosted systems. However, having so many providers to choose from can make it difficult for businesses to figure out which solution is best for their needs.

Having a phone system that fulfills your business’s communication requirements is important for any small business and VoIP can help you with your business needs and office productivity. Yet, selecting the right VoIP system is not an easy process. Since no two service providers are the same, you must know how to choose the one that fills your business’s needs.

If you’ve decided to upgrade your system to VoIP but are not sure where to start, continue reading our recommendations below. There are many great VoIP business systems out there but each one has a different set of features and pricing plans, so making a choice can become difficult.

Here are some considerations you should take in choosing the right VoIP system for your small business:

1. Know your Business Needs. Some basic features that VoIP systems offer are caller ID, call forwarding, and call waiting, yet, your business might need other advanced features such as auto-attendant, call screening, and call transcription. While some of the basic features are free with your subscription, others will have to be added for a fee. So before committing to a VoIP service, make sure to outline your business’s requirements and the features that would benefit it.

2. Narrow Down Potential VoIP Providers. Once you have your business needs outlined, it’s time to decide the budget you’re willing to spend on your VoIP system. Look over your current phone bills and communication software expenses and note all of these features down. Compare them with the VoIP offerings you need and reach out to various providers to see who can offer you the best price.

3. Third Party Integrations. Once you look over the call handling services of your potential VoIP system, also check if it’s able to integrate with other support systems, such as your helpdesk applications, CRM software, or cloud storage service. This will help streamline your business processes. Even if your potential VoIP system doesn’t integrate with a certain application, it should support third-party API integrations.

4. VoIP Security. Your business’s communications should have strong security features in place, and VoIP systems are no exception. VoIP data passes through the internet, which leaves it vulnerable to cyber-attacks if there isn’t a strong enough security in place. Look for VoIP providers that offer strong end-to-end encryption and advanced security options such as multi-factor authentication.

5. Customer Support. If your VoIP system will be your business’s primary method in communicating with clients and employees, it needs to be backed up by great customer support. During the initial setup phase and third-party integrations, your VoIP system will most likely fun into problems, which can be quickly remedied by having a dedicated customer support service that’s available 24/7. Even after the setup phase, your VoIP system will need timely maintenance, up-gradation, or equipment breakdown solutions so make sure to get a VoIP provider with trusty customer support.

6. Plan & Pricing. Once you’ve come up with your potential VoIP providers that match your business’s needs, make sure to check their pricing plans. Aside from the hardware and software provided by your plan, make sure to consider the charges for installation, maintenance, and support. Also, make sure to ask about their cancellation fees and usage limits, if there are any.

These are some of the things you should consider when selecting the right VoIP system for your small business. Some VoIP service providers might offer you lower prices but they may not be as reliable and secure, while others may offer you a lot of features your business might not even need. So make sure to research each provider while maintaining a detailed list of your business’s communication requirements and needs. This will help you pick the best VoIP system that will offer you the maximum features, reliability, security, and support for your budget.

At Ighty Support, we have over a decade of experience in VoIP systems that can help your business stay on top of its communications and remain competitive. For a free initial consultation, visit us at www.ightysupport.com or give us a call at (972)200-3219.