The year is 2013 and, slowly but surely, jobs are appearing to be back on the rise. For many this is excellent news, it’s about time the market started to bounce back. On the other hand, for those looking to kick start their company, a booming job market is not always kind to small upstarts. Why? You may ask. A job market on the rise directly correlates with an increase in marketplace competition.
For smaller businesses that don’t have the resources or manpower, it’s hard to compete with the bigger brands that have already established themselves. For a struggling business in a competitive market, clearly their business plan is not working, therefore the need for change is crucial. The best way for a company to rebound from distress is to revamp that business plan, emphasizing a focus on client/customer communication, as well as cutting expenses. The answer, VoIP…
In case you haven’t heard of VoIP before, it stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and has been one of the hottest trends in the business realm during times of economic downturn. As opposed to traditional land-line phones, VoIP services transmit and receive voice calls over wireless internet network, a perfect tool for any business looking to save a buck. Just in case you aren’t convinced yet, here is a list of the top three ways in which VoIP can turn around your struggling business:
1. Drastically Cut Costs
As opposed to traditional phone services which run off a system of phone lines and is heavily regulated (not to mentioned taxed) by the government (federal, state and local), VoIP operates entirely over the Internet. Seeing as the Internet is far less regulated than telephone communication, fees and taxes almost become a thing of the past after switching to VoIP.
On top of the already cheap nature of the Internet, VoIP providers are doing whatever it takes to secure your business. With the popularity of VoIP on the rise, the market has become highly competitive and prices are dropping for small business VoIP services. In fact most VoIP providers offer their small business services for the low price of $20/month. Although this doesn’t like too much of a price drop from traditional phone services, just you wait…
2. Conduct Business from Anywhere
When it comes to traditional landline based phone services, the average cost per month is around $20-24. Unfortunately this solely covers local calls, whereas long-distance calls will cost you an extra surcharge on top of your monthly rate. Thanks to the glories of wireless internet, long-distance is not in VoIP’s dictionary. As I mentioned earlier, for $20/month your company can call anywhere in the world, from anywhere in the world, without any extra fees.
Seeing as everything and anything is connected now, it only makes sense that your phone should be too right? From smartphones to smart TVs, it seems like it’s impossible to find an electronic device that ISN’T connected to the internet.
VoIP service providers have taken advantage of this and provided each customer with unique hardware that is internet protocol ready. Not only does this greatly improve voice quality, but it allows you to connect all your devices through the same network, a perfect tool when it comes to managing a business. By using VoIP you can connect your business to your other devices, making access to your business as convenient as ever. Smartphones even have their own app that you can download which allows you to add your business line to your mobile device. But wait there’s more! Laptops and personal computers also have an application that enables you to answer business calls on your computer while you are away from the office.
3. Brings Versatility to the Workplace
Don’t worry I have saved the best for last. In my opinion, the best reason for utilizing VoIP in the workplace would have to be its multi-functionality. Yes the service is called Voice over Internet Protocol, however that doesn’t mean you are solely restricted to phone calls. In fact VoIP is much more than that, this is the Internet we’re talking about here.
For example, say you are abroad on business and the office back home needs to hold a conference. VoIP also includes video capabilities, making it simple to just turn on your webcam and hold a video conference like you were never even gone.
In addition to video compatibility, VoIP will integrate with other computer applications such as email, messaging, web browsing and even your social media networks. By integrating with said applications, you can even access your voicemail messages via your email.
Whether it be its cost-effectiveness, portability or versatility, it is safe to say that VoIP is by far the best bet for any business small or large. Landlines have nearly become obsolete now that VoIP has swooped in and revolutionized the way businesses operate.
Now that you have decided that VoIP is the best option for your business, the next decision to make is which service is right for you. Many sites such as WhichVoIP.com provide visitors with excellent ratings and reviews for all the top VoIP providers. Quit trying to make landlines cool again, the future is here and VoIP reigns supreme.
About The Author:
Demetrius Turner is the self-proclaimed king of billiards in Nashville, TN. Through helping out with his brother’s small business ventures, and being a techie, Demetrius has become an expert various aspects of cloud computing. When he is not sinking shots and calling pockets, Demetrius can usually be found reading various tech and business blogs at his laptop.