Having a robust communication service is essential for the improved productivity and efficiency of your business. That’s especially true during this time of social distancing and remote working given that it’s becomes harder to maintain seamless communication for business purposes.
An option you can look into is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system, although choosing one for your enterprise may not be that simple. You have to do your homework in order to identify the right provider from the many options out there.
There are a number of VoIP service providers in the USA regardless of the state your company is located in. For example, if you happen to operate in North Carolina, you can turn to a business phone service Charlotte company owners trust. To determine the most appropriate provider, you have to compare several of them and what they offer instead of checking their prices alone.
Here are some tips to help you out when selecting a VoIP service provider for your business:
1. Know Your Business Needs
Most VoIP telephone systems are designed to provide unique services such as call forwarding, caller ID, and call waiting. However, more advanced models may come with extra features such as call screening, auto-attendant, and call transcription. If you need only the basic features of the system, you’ll get those upon subscription to the service.
Before you commit to a particular VoIP service provider, have a checklist of all the services you need. Of course, it’d be even better for you to choose a company that allows for scalability so you can gain access to more features in the future when the need for them arises.
2. Consider The Cost Of Service
Even though the cost for providing the VoIP service isn’t supposed to be the top factor, it should still play a significant role in your choice of service provider. See to it that you turn to solutions that are within your budget. The quoted cost and the kind of services you’re meant to receive from the provider should match.
Keep in mind that not all VoIP companies charging high fees provide high-quality services. On the same note, not every low-priced service is of poor quality. Scrutinize your options to ensure that you don’t fall into the trap of either situation. What’s vital is for you to find the most reliable, cost-efficient services possible.
3. Ensure Smartphone Integration
Most VoIP telephone systems can be integrated with your smartphone. The service provider would install a mobile application that links your desk phone to your smartphone. Once this integration is completed, you can receive calls to your VoIP number using your mobile phone, which is especially advantageous whenever you’re out of the office. The mobile application provides all the services that come with your desk phone.
VoIP mobile integration is also quite handy if you have remote workers such as field employees. They can benefit from the entire service package that the rest of their colleagues are using in the office—from teleconferencing and call forwarding to call recording and displaying of caller ID.
4. Check For Collaboration Tools
A good VoIP company must provide essential collaboration services to your employees. Such collaboration tools improve productivity and reduce time wastage by providing a platform for your workers to meet, interact, or work together online. As a result, remote tasks can be done with more efficiency. Some of the essential collaboration solutions you should look for are SMS, online meetings, and video conferencing.
If, say, you’d like to conduct a board meeting, you can reduce expenses and save time by having every board member attend from wherever they are. During the meeting, you can share your screen once it’s time for your presentation. The attendees can participate in the meeting from home if their mobile phones are integrated with your business VoIP telephone system.
5. Choose A Service With Third-Party Integration
Most VoIP software has a built-in list of applications for integration that the vendor thinks you may require. Some of the extensions you may find in the program you have are Google Drive and Dropbox. These integrations are meant to increase workflow and improve productivity. Such programs provide online storage options for your business. If you receive a phone call from your customer, you can record the call and store the recording in either of them as a .wav file for future reference.
In addition, you can create your own business integrations. If those are what you want, get a vendor that supports integration APIs. This service may come at an extra cost or as a free download.
Final Thoughts
Communication in business can’t be overemphasized as it’s a crucial factor for how well your company performs. Having a VoIP system installed to serve as your enterprise’s backbone for communication comes with many benefits, such as improved production and reduced time wastage, leading to the growth of business revenues.
If you’re planning to hire a VoIP service provider for your business, follow the tips above so you can make a wise decision no matter what your requirements or preferences are.
