So you’re ready to take the plunge and move to VoIP. Good for you! You’ll be even happier to know that finding great hosted VoIP service on the open market isn’t that hard. Knowing exactly where to start though can help save you a ton of headaches and prevent you from purchasing unnecessary services.
Finding a good small business VoIP isn’t too hard so long as you stick to some basic guidelines, many of which are outlined here today.
Be sure that your network is in good shape
Always make sure that your network is 1.) In good working shape and 2.) has the capacity to do what you need it to do. That might seem a bit silly and/or redundant, but you’d be surprised at just how much simple network issues can muck up your service and the quality of your calls. Do your due diligence and do a pass-through to make sure everything on your end is working the way it should!
VoIP service is not all about bandwidth
Always be aware of the kind of bandwidth your connection has – whether that’s for downloads or uploads. While bandwidth IS important, it’s not nearly as important as making sure your connection is steady, smooth and ongoing.
Also be sure to check your network’s ISP connection. If there is packet loss or too much latency in your system, your calls will definitely suffer. So again – don’t get lost in buying more bandwidth. Instead, maximize what you have first.
Lowest price does not equal best service
Just like the old saying goes: ‘you get what you pay for.’ Always be wary of any bid that comes in priced well below the rest of the pack. In fact, if it’s that cheap, it should immediately raise a red flag. Choose VoIP service providers who have reasonable prices that’s close to the middle of the pack. That way, you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
VoIP features, presentation and service – in that order.
The smaller a business is, the more unique their needs become. In that light, be sure to choose the phone system features more important to your business. Make sure a presenting company can not only offer those, but also that they can bundle them to a point you can afford them. After that, be sure you do your research on them. Is their website up to date? What kind of clients do they have? Have those clients given them references? Doing so should give you an excellent idea of who you’re about to do business with.
Finally, ALWAYS make sure their ongoing service options are appealing. If something goes down, you need to know that you’ll be covered quickly so that your downtime is minimized as much as possible.
