Remote work led to a massive surge in VoIP providers. Now you have dozens of options to choose from, which is great for consumers. Competition breeds better prices and better service. Unfortunately, it does mean you’ll have to take your time to find the best VoIP service for your business. On the bright side, there’s an easy formula for finding a VoIP phone service for business that’ll satisfy your needs and set you up for the future.
3 Tips for Finding the Best VoIP Service for Your Business
1. Make a Features List
You know how everyone says you shouldn’t go to the store when you’re hungry because you’ll buy lots of things you don’t need? The same applies to VoIP service. Don’t just rush into shopping, because you’ll likely get entranced by features you probably don’t need. Instead, make a list of the features you absolutely have to have and find providers that deliver. If you find a provider that gives you all that and more, you’re set.
If you’re just a small business owner looking for a cheaper way to make and receive phone calls, don’t splurge on plans that include dashboards and analytics. If your business could use an office phone, but doesn’t need everyone in the building to have their own number, check out options like Ooma or Vonage. If you’re on the go all the time, you’ll want a provider with mobile apps that work over mobile data or Wi-Fi.
2. Count Your Users
Most VoIP services are priced per user per month. Each user gets their own phone number with the majority of VoIP services. You don’t necessarily have to use all of those phone numbers; a user can be given an extension from your main number to promote a single business number. In any case, it’s important for you to figure out how many people in your organization should have their own paid accounts.
There are significant discounts when you start adding more users. In fact, many times the cost for two users is barely more than it would be for a single one. However, after adding a few, the discounts get slimmer. For most small businesses, 2-5 users are typically enough to cover your needs. Tally up your workers, determine the lines you need, and you’re ready to go shopping.
3. Get Free Trials of VoIP Phone Service for Business
Once you know the features you need and how many people need them, you’re ready to start testing services. And test them you should! Don’t sign long-term deals without at least trying the service on a single line for a month. Ask providers if they have free trials. Many times they’ll give you one upon request.
Or, if you’d rather just go straight to the best VoIP providers, check out our comparison reviews. We strongly recommend services like RingCentral. Larger providers are generally more reliable since they have the capital to hire the best web services to ensure high-quality calls every time. Check out some of our other reviews if you’re looking for more options.