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Discover how VoIP is changing the game for SMBs.
Are you already leveraging the benefits of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to future-proof your business?
If not, you might soon find yourself lagging.
Here’s why: Fortune Business Insights expects VoIP adoption to grow more than twofold, with the market expanding from $144.77 billion in 2024 to $326.27 billion by 2032.
Which begs the question: Why are so many businesses making the switch? Let’s take a closer look.
Benefits of VoIP Vs Landline
To appreciate the benefits of a VoIP business phone system, let’s compare it to the traditional analog phone.
Landline phones make and receive calls via a physical connection to the PSTN (public switched telephone network). They connect to phone jacks and on-site PBX systems, and use the PSTN’s copper wires, fiber-optic cables, and switches to transmit audio signals. (Think of it like the old cup-and-string telephone kids used to make.)
Because landlines require a physical connection to the PSTN, they can only be used in the building where they were installed. In other words, they’re tied to one address. And while landline phone numbers have extensions for different agents or departments, installing additional numbers within the same building is a complex process.
VoIP, on the other hand, lets users make and receive calls over the internet instead of the PSTN.
VoIP phones use “codecs” to break up outgoing audio into small data packets that travel over the Internet and are reassembled at their inbound destination.
Because VoIP phones are essentially cloud-based business phone systems, they work on any device and in any location with internet access, thereby offering a level of mobility that landlines just can’t match.
Plus, you can purchase as many VoIP phone numbers as you like because these virtual numbers aren’t tied to just one physical connection.
As you can appreciate, landlines don’t exactly offer the most exciting calling features. You typically get voicemail, sometimes caller ID, and can put callers on hold.
VoIP provides an advanced set of features that often come standard with every plan, including:
Auto-Attendants and Smart Routing
VoIP lets you set up menu prompts such as “Press 1 for sales, 2 for support” and automatically route calls to the right person or voicemail.
This streamlines calls and gives a professional image without requiring someone on standby.
Voicemail-to-Email and Call Analytics
Another benefit is that calls and voicemails can be emailed to you as text or audio.
Many VoIP systems also log call data, so you can see who’s calling, how long calls last, and other analytics for better decision-making.
Unified Communications VoIP
Modern VoIP often bundles voice, video, and chat together. That means your team can jump on a video call, send an SMS, or check voice messages all within the same interface.
Some systems even pop up customer info on your screen when a call arrives, so you already know who’s calling.
Mobile and Remote Access
Any employee can log in on a smartphone or laptop and instantly have their office extension. Even if they’re traveling, their VoIP “extension” is at their fingertips, and customers reach them just the same.
The list goes on…
Are you starting to see the benefits of VoIP?
The truth is, businesses without these VoIP features are almost guaranteed to fall behind competitors that have them. Luckily, that doesn’t have to be yours.
And there’s more…
VoIP Cost Savings for Small Business
The average SMB saves between 10% to 50% on communication costs after switching from landlines to VoIP business phone systems.
How?
First, there’s the cost of hardware.
Landlines need a desk phone, a phone jack, cables, an on-site PBX, a place to put it… and don’t forget the installation and ongoing maintenance costs.
This can easily add up to thousands of dollars…
VoIP, however, works with your existing equipment.
Your employees can use their laptops, cell phones, tablets, and desktop computers for calls.
So, if your office already has a router and internet connection, then your business is ready for VoIP.
Any other equipment, like headsets, is optional.
And because your VoIP provider handles all your phone systems, maintenance, and upgrades, you won’t have to pay for any of it, either.
Landlines have an average monthly cost of $50 per line, per month, before factoring in hardware, installation, and configuration, according to Expert Market.
In contrast, basic VoIP plans can cost as little as $15 to $20 per user each month, and you can easily scale your service up or down as needed.
And then, there’s the cost of long-distance calling. Because VoIP works over the internet, all plans include unlimited local and long-distance calling. Moreover, international phone numbers are available.
VoIP Security Best Practices
If VoIP phone systems work over the internet, are they really secure?
The simple answer is yes, if they are implemented properly.
Key security measures include:
- Encryption: Ensure your VoIP provider uses secure protocols such as TLS/SRTP to scramble voice packets so hackers can’t eavesdrop.
- Strong Network Practices: Just like any cloud service, keep your network locked down. Use a dedicated VoIP router, and keep firmware updated.
- User Policies: Train staff on VoIP security and limit who can make changes to your phone settings.
- VoIP Disaster Recovery Communications: Use a VoIP plan that includes automatic call routing to backups. That way, if your internet goes out, calls can instantly forward to mobile phones or an alternate site. This VoIP disaster recovery communications capability is crucial for uninterrupted service.
These best practices ensure your VoIP phone system not only provides the features you need, but is also reliable and safe.
Future-Proof Your Communications with a Scalable VoIP Provider
Ready to make your business communications more reliable, flexible, affordable, and ready for whatever comes next?
Contact Attentus Technologies today to explore a tailored VoIP phone solution for your SMB. You’ll be joining many businesses that are saving money and boosting productivity and growth prospects with modern VoIP systems.