How To Choose The Best Business VoIP Provider

A business VoIP allows company owners to lower their costs, boost productivity and streamline their operations.

What Exactly Is VoIP?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, technology gives people the ability to make real-time phone calls through the Internet.

It works through a series of packet switching so that digital voice data can be sent through an array of networks.

The technology allows computer networks to work the same way traditional networks do, making them similar to landline phones.

Internet Phone Gives Business A Communications Boost

What was once a consumer-only option quickly became available to businesses, soon becoming the desired voice call technology for phone systems and replacing traditional ones.

The technology has allowed companies to use the array of benefits it has to offer in making Internet phone calls.

VoIP can boost a business’ efficiency and productivity, offering a higher return on investment. And today, VoIP providers are tirelessly working to overcome the traditional phone service market in the business sector.

Business Landline Service vs. Business VoIP Service

Traditional Services

Expensive upfront costs for necessary on-site hardware
Costly, complex implementation
Contract required with high early termination fees
Additional cost for hardware and service upgrades
Additional cost for technical support
Maintenance calls with specially-trained employees
Request for service change takes time

VoIP Services

No need for any hardware
Rapid, free setup
No monthly fees
New features available for no additional cost
24/7 customer service
Changes possible on account
Add new or repurpose numbers when necessary

How To Know If A VoIP Provider Is Good For Your Business

Businesses have changed the way they now communicate. They no longer have to be tried to on-site, outdated systems. Today’s VoIP systems give businesses the flexibility they need for their communications without a large phone bill.

With the popularity of VoIP, more and more VoIP providers have entered the market, trying to win customers over.

This infusion of service providers has made it even more difficult for companies to choose reputable and dubious providers. With that in mind, you must know what to look for from a VoIP provider.

Quality VoIP Services

A business needs a VoIP service that offers them the same kind of quality a traditional phone service provides. A business may be hesitant to sign up for any service without first hearing the call quality.

Thankfully, the best VoIP service providers do have a way to show customers the kind of call quality they could expect with the broadband connection they currently have.

For instance, reputable providers have a QoS speed test page that allows customers to test as many VoIP calls on their network before the call quality begins to deteriorate.

Not only do you learn what the call quality is like, but you know how many calls the network can handle at one time.

Phone Service Dependability

Just how dependable are VoIP services compared to landlines – that’s a question many businesses ask. It would help if you learned what tactics providers take to offer their service with little to no downtime.

Your system can be hosted in several data centers in many locations, so if something happens to one, another data center will pick up the slack until the affected server starts working again. The best VoIP systems tend to be the most dependable.

System and VoIP Security

In a VoIP transmission, your voice and important information travels, which is why you need to choose a provider who takes your privacy seriously and protects their system from any breaches.

HotHeadTech.com has several security measures it uses to protect customer data. For example, we use high-level encryption to protect calls in and out of transmission.

We carry out audits on data centers regularly. We also use multi-factor authentication and a single sign-on for added protection of customer accounts.

Positive Customer Feedback and Reviews

Like any other business, VoIP service providers will garner feedback and reviews. You can stick with a company that has glowing reviews and recommendations from its customers.

However, there is a problem called review manipulation, which means the company or its competitors could write savory or unsavory posts. The best way to know what company is best to look at the subscriber numbers.

What To Expect Out Of A VoIP Provider

You may have done your homework, but finding the right one for your business may still be something of a challenge. A VoIP provider is not the same as consumer apps, where you can uninstall it if you’re not happy with it.

The systems must be implemented throughout the company before it can be used and see if it’s what you need from it.

It can take months or years before the full repercussions of your decision are noticed. Do you stick with your chosen provider or do you switch?

As you can see, making the right decision the first time out is so important.

With so many others out there, choosing can be a real challenge. What should you keep in mind when choosing a VoIP phone service provider?

Know What The Business’ Communications Needs Are

Before you can look at the services and features of VoIPs, you need to know what the communications needs are in the business. Below is a list of common communications needs. With every company, checkmark the needs the VoIP service provider meets.

Analytics and reporting
Auto-attendant with advanced call routing
Automatic call recording
Business SMS/MMS
Call forwarding
Call management system/hosted PBX
Call monitoring
Call queuing
Call screening
File sharing
HD-quality VoIP phone service
IP desk phone and conference phone support
Local, international or toll-free business phone numbers
Messages/music-on-hold
Online fax service
Online meetings software (video conferencing and teleconferencing)
Open APIs (voice, SMS, messaging, data, etc.) for integration with in-house apps
Screen sharing
Softphone for laptops and desktops
Task management
Team messaging
Telepresence
Virtual extensions
Voicemail

Are any of the companies you are looking at able to provide them? Bear in mind that the above list is only a starting point. Once you have your list laid out, you can start looking at each VoIP service provider’s plans and prices that made the shortlist.

Many VoIP service providers offer call plans and packages. Use the tier to get a side-by-side look at the prices and the features they offer in every plan. This lets you see what the basic service is like compared to the premium service, as well as the price difference. Compare the needs of your business with the VoIP’s features.

From there, you can review your list against each provider’s packages and plans. This should provide you with a better idea of which company will meet your needs the most. After that, you reach out to the company that most addresses your business’ communications’ needs

3 Commonly Asked Questions Businesses Have About VoIP Service Providers

What Constitutes An Excellent VoIP Phone Service?

When it comes to the best VoIP phone service, you don’t just want a service that allows you to make calls over the Internet. You want a provider that gives you the best possible communication experience with added features such as live chat, fax, text, video meetings, etc.

What’s The Typical Cost Of This Type Of Service?

It can run a business anywhere from $25 to $45 per user, but the overall cost is dependent on the features you get, the chosen VoIP provider and capabilities.

At HotHeadTech.com, we work together with our clients to find them the plan that most meets their needs. We work with companies of all sizes, which means you can find a VoIP system that will streamline your business’ operations.

We also offer unlimited calling throughout the U.S. and Canada. However, you get an integrated communications solution that ensures a central hub for teamwork and communications.

Is A VoIP Service Useful For Telecommuting and Home-Based Employees?

For employees who work away from their desks, the best VoIP phone service will ensure they feel connected to the business even when they can’t be there physically. Thanks to this kind of service, an employee will not have to use their home phone for work. Plus, you give your workforce a centralized hub to communicate with each other – be it through online meetings, fax, voice, text, live chat, etc.

Why HotHeadTech.com For Your VoIP Phone Service Needs?

If you want the best of the best in VoIP phone services, you need the industry leader. HotHeadTech.com provides VoIP phone service and unified communication to address numerous communication issues in a single platform.

We will change how you do business, integrating it with Microsoft Office 365 and SalesForce and G Suite. You can also use open APIs to add more power to your in-house apps.

We offer the best solution in the VoIP market. Call us or get in touch to get set up with us today.