With landlines being switched off across the UK from next year, many small business owners are looking at alternatives. Although landline use has been steadily declining for years, it’s still a popular option, particularly in areas of the country where mobile signal is patchy.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the ideal way to make and receive phone calls for one fixed price every month. Not only that, but VoIP systems like those offered by bOnline are cloud-based, so can be accessed from any internet-connected device like your smartphone or tablet. All you need is Wifi, or 4G/5G signal. Even more than that, you get all sorts of time and money-saving features with a VoIP system that you don’t get with landlines, including call divert, video conferencing, hold music, access to call analytics and much more.
The good news is that switching to VoIP also doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some of the key things to think about.
Which Service Provider To Choose
Different VoIP service providers offer various packages and pricing structures. Some providers may offer low-cost plans with basic features, while others may have more advanced features at a higher price point. For example, our plans start at just £7 per user per month, or for £13.95 you get unlimited UK calls too, all with some of the most cutting-edge features around. Take a look at our current prices.
Infrastructure
If your current internet connection is not sufficient for VoIP, you may need to upgrade your internet service, which could involve additional costs. We alway recommend fibre broadband - here’s why.
Equipment
Depending on your current setup, you may need to purchase new VoIP-compatible phones or adapters. However, many VoIP providers offer adapters that allow you to continue using traditional analogue phones.
At bOnline our customer service team are specially trained to offer advice on which types of hardware and other equipment may work best for you. Feel free to call us on 0203 617 9950. You can also take a look at our phones and headsets.
Installation and Setup
Depending on your technical expertise and the complexity of your setup, you may incur costs for professional installation and setup services. However, just so you know, at bOnline all set-up is done for you free of charge. We also work entirely remotely, so no engineer visits to your home or workplace.
Number Porting
When you switch to VoIP, you get assigned a virtual phone number to use. This can either be your existing landline number if you want to keep it, or you can choose a totally new number. Many providers charge a porting fee to do this, however at bOnline we keep this cost as low as possible.
Extra Features
As mentioned, VoIP systems come with a whole range of features to help you manage your calls better. While some VoIP services look pretty cheap, that’s often because the features they’re offering are a bit more basic. You may therefore find that additional features like call recording, voicemail-to-email or advanced call routing may come at an extra cost.
Our prices are some of the lowest around whilst still offering a huge range of features you’d struggle to find elsewhere.
Ready For A Free Trial?
At bOnline we’re pleased to offer a totally free 7-day trial so you can test out all our VoIP features with no obligation. We don’t even ask for your credit card details.
Set up takes just 2 minutes and there’s no downtime, so no worries about missed calls.
You’ve nothing to lose! Sign up for your free trial today.
