Top 6 reasons why you need VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems are the wave of the future. Traditional phone systems send calls through the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN), requiring miles of wires to make a direct electrical connection between every involved telephone. On the other hand, VoIP calls are simply sent through the Internet, avoiding the hassle altogether.

Internet calls made through a VoIP phone system are higher quality, have more features, and are ultimately more efficient than their PSTN counterparts. Despite these clear advantages, VoIP calls are actually cheaper than calls made through the PSTN.

Businesses large or small can downsize their phone bill by switching to a VoIP service provider. Here are some tips for taking up to half off of a business’ next phone bill.:

Free International Calls
Business VoIP providers allow companies to consolidate their offices into using the same Private Branch Exchange (PBX) network. This is facilitated by hosted PBX networks, where the actual hardware and service is located off-site, and accessible through the Internet.

This way, calls that a company makes can go through the PBX instead of ever touching a public phone line, allowing unlimited calling between desks. This results in massive savings for the business. As an extended bonus, any calls made where both parties use the same VoIP service provider are also made for free international calls
.

Cheap Long Distance and International Calls
Nearly all business providers offer unlimited nationwide calling. Since calls are transferred through the internet, geography is no longer an issue. This eliminates roaming charges and long-distance fees.

Even when calls have to be made to a phone still stuck on the PSTN, VoIP will use the closest available Internet connection to transfer the line, using as little of the phone wires as possible. This allows for cheap Internet phone service rates.

Even free international calls are cheaper with VoIP. Many service providers have a list of countries which they offer unlimited calling. Even if there isn’t an unlimited plan, VoIP providers are still able to offer very competitive rates. Businesses who make lots of free international calls
to close deals or place orders will find that switching to VoIP will reduce the cost of communication drastically.

Convenient Telecommuting
With several features like call forwarding and IP video conferencing included standard with VoIP packages, businesses look to save hundreds of dollars each month. These features allow for easier telecommuting, which leads to increased worker productivity and decreased overhead charges.

Call forwarding makes it so that when a VoIP number is called, it can ring in multiple locations simultaneously or in any other order. Call forwarding can also be configured differently depending on the date and time, so that if a call comes in to an employee’s work number, it can be forwarded to ring on their mobile phone, home office, or go straight to voicemail (also included with VoIP services).

IP video conferencing connects any device with a camera and Internet access for convenient video calls. This allows clients and employees to communicate face-to-face from anywhere in the world. Employees working from home cost less to employ as well, since they are paying for their own workspace and utilities. This allows businesses to save money by having smaller offices.

Switching to a business VoIP provider can save a company thousands of dollars in a very short period of time. The ease and convenience of an online provider means that service can begin almost immediately, as well as allowing for 24/7 customer support and control over specific phone settings.

Most VoIP phone systems are easily adjusted through a web portal feature that is easy to use, meaning that no one will need to be hired to manage it. All in all, switching to VoIP can help businesses of any size get huge savings while expanding the company’s profits.

Jennifer Cuellar is a technology writer and editor based out of San Diego, California. She covers the latest news in business VoIP and IP business solutions.