Most small businesses rely on a regular phone line, or for the ultra-small, it may simply be the owner’s cell phone. This can work, but there are a number of advantages provided by considering VoIP phone service. The first reason many companies consider VoIP is the chance to realize significant cost savings through low cost providers. The second is to take advantage of the many special features which VoIP allow, many that can make your small company sound like something much larger.
The savings from VoIP are made possible by the nature of the technology. Rather than traveling the globe directly as an audio transmission, your voice is converted into a digital signal, and this is transferred via the Internet to the person with whom you are speaking.
When you call via VoIP, the Internet-based nature makes geography meaningless. This allows VoIP to be particularly cost effective when calling to places which are expensive through a traditional phone. International calls can especially benefit from VoIP’s cost savings.
If you are choosing VoIP for the potential cost savings, there are a number of services from which to choose. Companies have sprung up in the last several years dedicated solely to providing low-cost business calling services, generally relying on VoIP for transmission.
Although VoIP is well known for the potential cost-savings it can bring, there are also a host of features available when using business-targeted VoIP companies. These services include:
- Automated voicemail
- Call screening
- Automatic recording of calls
- Call logs
- Automatic answering system
- Music on hold
- Different numbers for different employees
- Choose an extension by employee name
Along with the above-listed items, there are several other options that may be available, depending on the VoIP provider you select. For instance, you may be able to get phone numbers in a variety of different area codes, giving the impression of offices located across the nation.
What most of the business features have in common is that they provide small companies with many of the services traditionally available only to the quite large. One example is a voicemail service allowing for extensions, and even a dial-by-name directory. You can have an automated person answering the phone for you!
Having a virtual receptionist can be very convenient. You might worry about missing an important call, but it is generally possible to have particular numbers forwarded directly through to your regular landline or even cell phone.
VoIP phone service is helping large numbers of companies save money while simultaneously enjoying a larger feature set. Other businesses have been using the same phone service for years, and are reluctant to make a change. After considering all the benefits, however, it becomes clear that every business should at least take a look at VoIP.
My interest and specialty is VoIP phone service for small companies. For more on business-class VoIP, visit my site, Business VoIP.
