It is easy to think that all VoIP phone service is the same. Just as call quality has drifted away as a point of comparison when selection a mobile phone provider, so too is it easy to think that one business VoIP solution is the same as the next.
This thinking leads to selecting a VoIP provider that offers the lowest possible price, but businesses that choose their provider based purely on price will have a rude awakening when they discover their phone system is not up to snuff.
Don’t get me wrong, price matters; reduced expense is one of the first reasons that many businesses look to VoIP. But not all VoIP providers are created equal, and like most things you usually get what you pay for.
VoIP call quality can vary wildly from provider to provider depending on the infrastructure of the provider, the contracts they have for connection with other phone networks, and the equipment used to route calls.
While it might be tempting to just choose a VoIP provider based on price, consider the implications of having a call dropped during an important business meeting or sale?
When selecting a VoIP provider, don’t be afraid to dig a little to learn about their network capabilities and how they compare to the offerings of other providers.
In addition to network quality, when selecting a business VoIP provider it also is good to examine the feature set that comes with the calling plan.
“Research your options,” noted a recent BroadConnect blog post on the topic. “What additional add-ons can they offer you for a comparable price to another company? There are quite a large number of options available – so be certain to choose a reputable source. Get a good understanding of features, security, and quality.”
For businesses, there also sometimes is value in having a customized VoIP plan that suites the needs of the company. See if the business VoIP provider can offer customized solutions. For example, you might want a plan that better accommodates telecommuting workers, or those who work from multiples offices, or that includes an after-hours answering service.
Finding the right VoIP solution takes time, and don’t rush the process. Calling is a crucial component of just about every business, and it pays to get the foundation right.
Edited by Alisen Downey