More businesses are choosing to use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) as their primary communication tool, causing the industry to prosper.
Research shows, by 2020, there will be approximately 204.8 billion corporate subscribers globally, and the industry will enjoy a revenue of $86.20 billion.
With advancements in technology, the telecommunication industry has changed. Although VoIP is not a new concept, the quality of the services it offers has improved over the years.
And businesses of all sizes and from all industries have noticed the difference.
Once you learn of the benefits that come from switching landline phones to a VoIP system, you too will understand the rise in its usage. It will no longer be surprising.
As a business owner, you will want to use a complete communication platform that VoIP offers to increase productivity, customer service, and sales.
Switching to VoIP is a smart business choice as VoIP is the future of telecommunications.
What Do VoIP Business Plans Entail?
Businesses need to communicate often with team members and customers. Whether it be through emails, texts, phone calls, and video conferences, communication is essential.
The type of VoIP business plan you choose to use can significantly impact the service you provide both employees and customers.
There are various plans available for businesses looking to switch to VoIP, which can confuse those just learning about VoIP.
The best course of action is to break it down to step by step. First, let’s gain a better understanding of what VoIP is and how it works before diving right into what VoIP business plans entail.
What is VoIP?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which involves the use of technologies that transmit voice signals over the internet rather than through the traditional method of telephone wires.
Thus, when people think of VoIP, they often think of it as being a phone service and nothing more.
However, this information is false.
Although VoIP did start as a phone service, it has come along way from its beginnings. Over time, VoIP has grown to become much, much more.
It is now available for use on a much grander and broader scale.
VoIP went beyond offering its services to individuals only. Its growth introduced business plans.
These plans work to help improve communication and other crucial elements that are important to running a successful business.
Now that you have a better understanding of what VoIP is let’s move on to learn more about the details of VoIP Business Plans.
What Are VoIP Business Plans?
VoIP has not only altered the traditional business phone system, but it has changed the way we communicate altogether.
VoIP allows us to use the Internet to connect in various ways. It has enabled us to send and store information in the cloud and to have conversations using multiple devices.
When you choose the right VoIP business plan, you can receive all the benefits and prevent a communication breakdown from happening.
It can also help different aspects of your business to thrive.
Each VoIP business plan varies in what they offer, but there are some everyday items found within each of them.
- Phone System
- Email
- SMS
- Fax
- Voicemail
- Video Chat
- Call Recording
This may seem like a typical list of communication options, but how they work is different from the norm.
When you think about calling a client or collaborating with co-workers, your go-to systems are landline or mobile phones to make the call.
This requires the use of a bunch of traditional phone wires or nearby cell towers for you to receive service.
Not to mention multiple bill payments.
But, when you use Business VoIP, you can conduct all kinds of communication at your company by simply using your internet with one of the preferred phone solutions.
Use only one service provider and one phone number across multiple devices. No wires or cell towers required, just a working internet connection.
Use one of the VoIP providers and your internet connection to communicate, collaborate, and to conduct other business operations.
Create a workplace with unified communications.
But, that is not all. You have a lot to gain from using a small business VoIP provider.
Business VoIP also gives you and your team the freedom to work from anywhere using various devices. Never worry about missing incoming calls again.
It is essential that you review different VoIP service providers and choose the best one for your business needs.
4 VoIP Service Providers for Small Businesses
There are multiple VoIP service providers on the market today that offer business plans, and here are four of the best.
- Nextiva
Price Plan: $20/month per user
Star Rating: 4.6 out of 5, based on 350 reviews via GetVoIP
Business Communication Suite
Nextiva offers a cost-effective and personalized experience, communication platform. It helps businesses manage customer relationships with real-time insights.
It streamlines workflow and provides automation capabilities. It is designed to improve processes, call quality, and operations across your entire company.
Some of the features included in the Nextiva business VoIP service are, various high-quality methods to communicate, the ability to manage prospects, properly service customers, and analyze your business.
Your business can rely on Nextiva for a complete VoIP phone service and communication suite.
Some of what Nextiva VoIP Business Plan offers, include:
- 24/7 service and tech support
- No contracts required
- 999% uptime reliability
- Account contacts and history
- Omnichannel support
- Case studies management
- Useful customer data
If you are looking for items like auto attendant or advanced call management, Nextiva does offer a VoIP Business Plan Pro for only five dollars more than their Basic Plan.
- Grasshopper
Price Plan: $26/month per user
Star Rating: 2.8 out of 5, based on 2 reviews via GetVoIP
Professional Business Communication
Grasshopper provides a business phone system and features to every employee’s existing mobile phones.
Keeping personal numbers private and clients a Grasshopper number instead, to call and text.
Grasshopper is quick and easy to set up, with plans to fit every budget.
As a part of your VoIP phone system, you can choose to customize your phone number, have Grasshopper generate a new one for you, or use your existing one.
It is up to you.
Some of what Grasshopper VoIP Business Plan offers, include:
- Inbound Fax
- Business Texting
- Call Forward
- Custom Greeting
Choose whether you want to use toll-free numbers or local numbers for your business phone service with Grasshopper.
- Ooma
Price Plan: $19.95/month per user
Star Rating: 4.7 out of 5, based on 2 reviews via GetVoIP
Office Communication Service
Ooma offers a flexible phone service built for small businesses. It provides the ability to make and receive calls in the office using the Ooma Office mobile app for iOS and Android.
With additional features and options, businesses can communicate easier.
Some of what Ooma VoIP Business Plan offers, include:
- A virtual receptionist
- Extension dialing
- Video conferencing
- Music on hold
Advanced phone and calling features that help change your office phone lines into lines of customer support. Ooma is a phone system solution option for your business.
- RingCentral
Small Business Price Plan: $29.95/month per user
Star Rating: 3.9 out of 5, based on 205 reviews via GetVoIP
Business Phone System
An all-inclusive small business phone system with online meetings, messaging, and more. It gives different size businesses functionality, add-on features, and mobile device communication services.
Some of what RingCentral VoIP Business Plan offers, include:
- Business SMS
- Mobile Apps
- Call Recording
- Desk phones and Conference phones: Rentals
With a single sign-on, you can quickly and easily collaborate with team members or access customer data. It is a great choice to use for a business VoIP phone system.
Why Use VoIP for Business?
One of the primary reasons businesses choose a VoIP plan is to help streamline workflow, lessen the number of tools needed to conduct work, increase productivity, and improve communication across the entire company.
It is challenging to provide today’s customers with an enjoyable buyer’s journey and experience when the business is not on track or coordinated.
Everyone needs to be on the same page, functioning at the same speed to not just meet customer expectations but to exceed them.
To get in front of the competition, you must live in the future. Predict the next big thing to happen and supply it to customers in a way that is relative to your products and service.
With VoIP being the future of telecommunications, you cannot afford to wait until tomorrow to decide on what was needed yesterday.
Businesses can see an average saving of 50 to 75 percent as they switch to VoIP.
Make the move and feel the benefits.
Advantages of using VoIP for Business:
As a recap, here are some of the primary benefits of using VoIP
- Cost
- Accessibility
- Flexibility
- Voice Quality
- Extra/Less Expensive Features
If you are ready to feel the positive difference VoIP brings, at your business, you will want to know your options.
VoIP Benefits: Businesses, Employees, and Customers
Business owners can quickly and easily cut costs by getting rid of overhead and equipment.
You can choose to increase the number of remote employees as VoIP is not restricted to in-office use.
Your devices just need a working internet connection, which can be found almost everywhere, these days.
You can literally work from a different state or country. VoIP uses the cloud to store data, offering businesses the ability to retrieve it when visiting any location.
Just as businesses receive benefits from using VoIP, employees and customers do too.
Customers are no longer obligated to speak with employees only during 9 to 5 work hours. VoIP gives customers more access to employees due to the employee’s increase in mobility.
Employees can speak with customers at any time from anywhere.
Whether the employee is at his or her desk or out running errands, customer calls can be answered by the employee via their mobile device.
VoIP is not only a smart investment in business operations, but it will help increase employee productivity and customer service.
It is why many businesses have made the switch and you should too.
When choosing to switch from landline phones to VoIP, it is essential to consider how it will specifically help your business. Review available systems to find the right one for you.
Business improvement only comes with change, effort, and the willingness to evolve. It is vital to stay ahead of the curve and be ready to give customers what they need.
Most businesses jump at the opportunity to make their business better, save on costs, and create customer satisfaction. Today, VoIP is the opportunity that is calling you.
Answer it.
