Customers are the bloodline of every business. Therefore, if your business is to thrive in Atlanta and North Georgia, you should have a top-notch communication channel with your customers. The right means of communication should be easy to use and effective as well.
There are two broad communication channels for business—over the internet and through normal phones. If you’re wondering how to use the internet for communication, that’s where Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) comes in. Probably, you’re new at this and wondering what VoIP is.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that facilitates voice calls over the internet using a broadband connection instead of the usual phone lines. While VoIP relies on digital communication, the usual phone call communications rely on the analog system.
Also, there are different types of VoIP services on the market. While some are restrictive ad only allows you to call specific people, others are flexible and allow you to call anyone around the world. So long as the target has a telephone number, you can call them regardless of distance or geographical positioning.
So, how do Voice over Internet Protocol services work? You could be asking. First, you need to have a reliable internet connection, personal computer or desktop computer, a VoIP service provider, and phone adaptor or cable modem for connecting to the internet.
According to guidelines provided by the Federal Communications Commission, here’s how VoIP work. Once you’re connected to your VoIP service provider, the technology converts your voice to digital data and transmits it to the recipient of your call.
The best part is that the recipient doesn’t need to have an IP-enabled phone. The VoIP service providers help bridge the gap regardless of where your recipient is on the globe and whether you or the recipient have an IP-enabled phone.
If you have customers worldwide, you need VoIP to communicate efficiently with them over the phone. This system is convenient and reliable since they don’t need to have an IP-enabled phone. Once you have a VoIP provider, they’ll do the magic.
So far, we’ve looked at what VoIP is and why your business is in desperate need of a VoIP service provider. So what should you look for when choosing the right VoIP service provider for your business?
Remember, this decision plays a critical role in influencing your bottom line, so you wouldn’t want to make a mistake. That’s why we’re here to help you out. We’ve put together the considerations to look out for when choosing a VoIP provider for your business.
1. Type of VoIP Service Provider
There are three types of VoIP service providers that you can consider for your business: basic VoIP providers, VoIP with PBX technology providers, and VoIP inside a Unified communication service.
The basic VoIP comes with basic features, while the other two come with more advanced features, meaning you get more value from the plans. For example, VoIP with PBX technology is linked to the cloud and offers extra value, such as business call management.
On the other hand, the VoIP inside a unified communication service is more sophisticated and offers more features. Therefore, this plan will grant you access to limitless possibilities like online meetings and multi-media messaging under one roof.
If you’re looking for an inclusive VoIP plan, the VoIP inside a unified communication service would be worth trying out. However, you’ll know by now that it’s more costly than the other two types of VoIP, thanks to the added features.
2. Nature of Your Business
This starts by knowing your business inside out—your customer avatar, products, and internal business needs. For instance, a thorough understanding of your customers will let you know how to customize VoIP to communicate effectively with your customers.
More importantly, before settling on any VoIP service provider, you should know your communication needs. This includes the need for collaboration amongst team members, the need for inbound or outbound calls, and the right phone numbers for your business.
3. Quality Customer Service
Many times you’ll run into technical issues that need external help. This is where your VoIP service provider should come in to help you. Therefore, you want to ensure their customer service is top-notch because you don’t want to jeopardize your business.
A quick way to assess this is how they handle your pre-purchase period when you’re only making inquiries. However, this can be flawed sometimes. That’s where the reviews and customer stories come in handy.
4. Reviews and Customer Stories
Reviews and customer stories are a gem. This is the best way to know if the VoIP provider is worth their salt or not. You can find online reviews from their website, social media platforms, or use google reviews. However, the best review ever is finding a friend who already uses the VoIP service provider.
5. Basic VoIP Features
It’s okay to start with the basic plan. However, you can upgrade accordingly depending on your business communication needs. Whichever VoIP service you choose, it should have the basic features such as voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, and 3-way calling.
6. Price
Depending on the type of VoIP service provider you opt for, you’ll pay a certain monthly subscription fee. The basic VoIP should cost less than VoIP with PBX technology and VoIP inside a Unified communication service.
That being said, it’ll cost you between $8.25 and $26 in a monthly subscription to secure VoIP services for your Atlanta and North Georgia business.
7. Security and Protection of Data
Lastly, you want to ensure both your data and your customers are safe. So, before settling on your provider, first, check what they’re doing to safeguard your information. The last thing you want is your information getting into the wrong hands.
Choosing the right VoIP service provider for your business can be intimidating, especially when you don’t know what to look out for or when you have tons of options to consider. But you don’t have to fret over this anymore!
Contact us today, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Call our business managed IT services department directly at (404) 777-0147 or simply fill out this form and we will get in touch with you to set up a getting-to-know-you introductory phone call.
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11285 Elkins Rd Suite E1, Roswell, GA 30076
Hours: Monday - Friday
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Hours: Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
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We are turning 15 and want to celebrate this milestone with you because without you this would not have been possible. Throughout this year look for special promotions on services and tools aimed at Making IT Simple for You so you can focus on your business.
We are turning 15 and want to celebrate this milestone with you because without you this would not have been possible. Throughout this year look for special promotions on services and tools aimed at Making IT Simple for You so you can focus on your business.
