Communication is the foundation of any successful business. Whether you’re managing a small startup in Manchester or growing a company in London, having the right tools in place is so important.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) digital phone systems are a great option for small businesses as it is cost-efficient and modern. Compared to old-fashioned landline phones, VoIP communication software provides more flexibility and scalability at a greatly reduced cost. With so many VoIP service providers, it can be difficult to choose one, so let’s have a look at how to choose the right one for your company.
What Does Your Business Need?
As a first step, think about what your business actually needs in a VoIP system. Things like the nature and size of your company, client needs and remote working will all affect the VoIP provider you choose. Every business is unique, so it’s worth asking yourself:
- Are you a small business that requires basic communication tools?
- Are you a larger business that requires video conferencing, team messaging, and international calling?
- Is call routing and queuing a necessity?
- Do you have remote workers?
By listing all these needs, you can now compare them to what different VoIP providers offer. Understanding exactly what your business needs in a VoIP digital phone system will help make sure you don’t overpay for unnecessary features or miss an important feature you need.
How Does Pricing Compare Across Providers?
VoIP providers usually have various packages, from per-user subscriptions to pay-as-you-go packages. Some packages might include a flat rate for unlimited calling, while for other packages, you have to pay per usage. Understanding the pricing structure can help you make a better-informed decision for your business.
Subscription Fees
This is a basic monthly or annual fee, covering essential services, and can include certain features for basic-premium packages.
Per-User or Per-Line Cost
Per-user packages, you will generally pay per person on your network, while per-line costs involve packages that are charged per volume of calls.
Setup And Feature Cost
The standard VoIP features are usually included in your subscription fee. However, if you require more advanced features, then your business will incur an additional cost.
What Features Are Essential for Your Business?
After assessing your specific business requirements, you can begin to think about what features would be beneficial. As VoIP is the most modern communication system available, you can choose a wide range of advanced features to help streamline your business communications. Some common features include management tools, mobile apps, video conferencing, analytics and reporting, and advanced security. Prioritise the tools that will benefit your business and create communication that is effortless and efficient.
How Important Is Scalability for Future Growth?
Hopefully your business will be growing fast so you will need a VoIP solution that can easily manage changes such as removing or adding lines, upgrading features, or adjusting your subscription as your business evolves.
You can easily determine if a VoIP provider supports scalability if they offer easy upgrades and have different plans for different business sizes.
How Reliable Is Customer Support?
Having reliable and helpful customer service for your VoIP service is crucial. You need a customer service that can swiftly troubleshoot and offer solutions to issues. Additionally, any disruptions in your VoIP service can negatively impact the productivity and customer experience of your business. Therefore, you need a VoIP provider that will go out of their way to assist swiftly during disruptions.
The best customer support is usually one that offers easily-contactable ‘human’ assistance. Look too at their response time, working hours and the support options they provide.
Can the VoIP Service Integrate with Existing Business Applications?
Seamless integration with your already existing business tools, whether it be a POS system for those in retail and hospitality, or compatibility within your office needs like Microsoft Teams or SMS systems, it is crucial. Ensuring good VoIP integration with your business tools will encourage business continuity and better workflow.
You can easily check the integration with existing business applications by testing it during a trial period.
Choose the Perfect VoIP Service for Your Business Now
Signing up for a new VoIP service doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Thinking carefully about the needs of your business and matching them to the features offered is a great starting point. As a small business owner, you should also weigh your needs against the cost and scalability that the provider offers. By choosing bOnline, you can ensure seamless integration and reliable communication within your business.
Don’t forget we also offer a totally free 7 day trial. It’s the ideal way to test out everything on offer with no commitment. We don’t even ask for your credit card details, so you literally have nothing to lose.
