If you run a small business, you’ll know that communicating with your customers is the key to success. Make sure you’re easy to get hold of and responsive, and your customers will keep coming back, and recommend you to others, helping your business to grow.
That’s why it’s important to have a reliable, modern telephone system that can grow with you, and isn’t cost prohibitive. Technology holds the key here, and you’ll find everything you need in a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone system. VoIP systems use internet-based communication methods to cater for modern day use.
We take a look at what VoIP can do for you, and how it can help empower your small business.
Cost
Small businesses need to keep a close eye on their bottom line, and a traditional telephone system can cut into your profit margins if you aren’t careful. With a PBX setup involving hardware, servicing and running costs, the telephone system of old can be a big drain on resources
This is why many organizations are choosing to turn to VoIP instead. With considerably cheaper calls, both domestically and internationally, as well as very small running costs, choosing VoIP is a smart way to save costs while also modernizing your business at the same time.
If you choose to have a third party host your VoIP solution, you’ll be able to net even bigger savings, thanks to no maintenance costs, or set up. A dedicated VoIP company will be able to host your service in the cloud, and is responsible for keeping it running. The only cost to you is the price you pay per member of staff to access the VoIP system.
Then there’s equipment. With VoIP, there’s no need to buy expensive new phones (although you can if you want). Instead, existing hardware, such as laptops, tablets or smartphones can be used to make calls by hosting ‘softphones’ on the software that runs VoIP.
Features
Any fledgling business that wants to succeed needs the right tools, and VoIP services are stuffed with features that you won’t be able to get anywhere else. To begin with, VoIP means that your staff can have access to the company phone system whether they’re in the office, at home, or in the field.
It’s not just being in contact with your customers that VoIP can help with though. Tools such as an auto-attendant can automatically route the call to the right department, and interactive voice response (IVR) can save your staff even having to speak to customers, by taking details and handling the call itself.
If you’re looking to expand and want to train new staff, features like Whisper and Barge allow you to listen in on a call and take it over if necessary. In addition, most VoIP providers offer a wealth of reporting tools that can show you exactly which staff are knocking it out of the park, and which need to up their game.
Finding a VoIP Provider
Of course, once you’ve decided that VoIP is the future of your business, it’s time to find the right VoIP phone systems provider.
You won’t have a problem finding one that caters for a small business like yours, but we’d recommend using a review site as a first port of call to see what others say about the service. It can also be a great way to see exactly what features each provider offers.
Pricing for VoIP is offered on a sliding scale – the bigger your business, the less you’ll pay per employee to get it. But don’t worry. VoIP is refreshingly cost effective for any size business, and you can expect to pay around $15 – $20 per employee per month for access, if you own a small business.
For small organizations, it’s important to pick a provider that can accommodate your growth though. If you’re looking to expand, and who isn’t, be sure to pick a provider with a wide range of features that you can take advantage of when you need to. If you’re a small company, you might not see the need for an auto attendant or in-depth reporting tools right now, but what about in six months or a years time? Pick the provider that can enable you to reach your goals.
There’s no doubt that VoIP is the future, and to avoid getting left behind, it’s crucial that even the smallest business takes advantage of this liberating technology. Embrace it, and it will help you attract new customers, and serve your existing ones even better. For an awesome resource on what you can expect this year within the world of VOIP systems click here.
