What is VoIP?
The best VoIP phone service makes incredible customer experiences. Imagine this scenario: a prospective customer calls up the corporate sales department’s number listed on their website. Six states down the road, disturbed cell phone ringers. This could be any VoIP phone service.
But when the prospective client has added features like voicemail to their VoIP phone system, then it’s likely to result in a unique experience – one no other VoIP service can deliver. One of the things that set some VoIP service apart from others is its ability to give its customers’ remote work capability. Features like virtual PBX, call forwarding, and voicemail are just a few reasons why it is able to do so.
But perhaps the biggest reason to look for the best VoIP phone service providers
is the fact that they offer mobile apps for mobile devices. VoIP mobile apps are actually an extension of the same capabilities that you find in a traditional web-based or desktop-based program. They have all the same features such as call forwarding, voicemail, call waiting, and call forwarding. However, with a mobile app, those features can be used on the go, wherever you happen to be. Whether you are traveling abroad or simply at home, you can receive calls and send them from anywhere.
VoIP Phone Services and Mobile Apps There are several different variations of VoIP services, each offering a slightly different way to communicate and meet your calling needs. Some of the major differences include:
- An internet-based program often allows for unlimited calling needs while using a local landline phone.
- Internet phones often have the capacity to integrate with your business’ CRM software and allow for call management.
- Mobile apps for phones let you view all your calling needs in one location, often making it easier than ever to find information about someone who called you.
- Sharing documents and data via text or email is now possible for both landline and mobile phones.
What You Should Know First Before Purchasing VoIP Phone Systems
One of the first things you need to know before purchasing any VoIP Phone Services is the difference between Voice Over IP (VOIP) and a traditional telephone system. Most businesses and households today use either a traditional telephone system or a voice over broadband connection. A traditional phone system transmits your voice through the public switched telephone network. Your call is then redirected to the correct number, which is usually another company or branch office. This entire process can take anywhere from five to twenty seconds.
One of the most popular features of VoIP is the ability to customize your calling features based on your specific needs. Most businesses and households today have specific calling needs, such as round-the-clock customer support or toll free conference calls. Customizing your VoIP Phone System allows you to be able to take advantage of these features whenever you require them. The same can be said for voicemail. Many VoIP Service Providers offers different voicemail options such as sending a voice message along with an email attachment, as well as the ability to store voice messages indefinitely, even onto a computer hard drive for reference purposes.
One of the biggest benefits of VoIP is the ability to place and receive unlimited calls anywhere in the world at any time. Businesses and families place many calls each day using their computers and various internet devices. Even with dedicated or private lines, there are times when multiple calls could be made simultaneously, depending upon the setting of the call, the caller’s VoIP Phone Service Provider and the quality of the internet connection used by the rest of the family or business. An additional benefit of VoIP is the ability to place or receive faxes from nearly any location. Traditional phone systems can only be used from within the country or to other extensions.
The best VoIP phone system offers all the features stated above, as well as many additional benefits. These features, as well as others, are provided by a variety of VoIP service providers. Some VoIP providers include video and voice mail in the package price, while others may charge extra for these additional services.