VoIP Buying Advice for Business Owners
As a business owner, you want to purchase the best VoIP phone system for your business at a reasonable cost. You may have extensions to reach out different individuals in your firm, offices in various places and maybe employees who work in the field. The phone service you select should be able to connect these employees and provide great service for prospective and current customers. High quality is a must to any business owner – don’t buy inferior equipment and service, or you’ll regret it. Also, don't forget the following issues:
Plan for Present and Future
Count how many phones you need now and how many you may need in the future. Your system should be able to accommodate your needs in the present and should be simple to add or change in the future. This level of scalability should be at the forefront of your planning. For instance, you may be doing video-conferencing in the future for training or to connect with customers – the VoIP system you select should allow for video functionality without requiring a totally different setup. The plan should be to build on what you have and not change systems every few years.
Research the Market and Vendors
You can look at unbiased websites, such as Informationweek.com, Inc.com and reports by Infonetics Research, which reports on technology often. Focus on vendors and systems that have received good reviews and are well-known in the marketplace. Ask other buisnesses about the system they have and ask about problems and issues they may have. You can also contact online user groups for information about the system you’re considering. You can find user groups at http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/VoIP+User+Groups and http://www.voipusersconference.org/expertise
Obtain Toll-Free Numbers
An advantage of VoIP is the ease in getting toll-free and vanity numbers that you can customize for your firm. A toll-free number gives you the image of a large, well-established firm without the major expense associated with it. Per Inc. magazine, customers appreciate making free calls, creating a friendly, positive image with the general public. You may have to pay about $10 per month or more for this service, but it can make a big difference to your business, opening up the national market for your services. This number moves as you move your offices around the country, making it flexible and reliable.
Assess Internal Expertise
Do you or your employees have expertise to install and maintain a VoIP, including managing a special PBX system, if required? When you have internal expertise, it makes sense to purchase the system and keep in all in-house. However, if you don’t have the proper technical knowledge, you may be better off with a hosted solution, where the hardware and most of the software stays with a hosting firm, off-site. Also be aware that a hosted setup may be cheaper because you don't own the equipment and maintenance expenses are not yours. You could also be interested in a hybrid system, which contains some in-house and some off-site processes.
As a business owner knows, every penny counts, so purchase from reputable vendors and well-known brands. You want to make sure the brand you select will be around for many years. Many business owners prepare a list of all their needs and requirement, so that they don't forget anything important when comparing systems. With VoIP there is no need to deal with the old telephone company, a major plus, but you need to consult with your IT person to be sure that your existing setup is compatible with the new one.
