The answer to why you should move to VoIP is simple - it’s more comfortable in all aspects. Chances are your business and personal files are already stored in the cloud. Why not move communications there too?
With the pandemic uprooting business life as we know it, relying on landlines will have only made life more challenging. You already have to go through dozens of Zoom meetings; it only makes sense that you start using the internet for calls too (if you haven’t already!).
What is VoIP?
VoIP (voice over internet protocol) simply means that the given app or software uses an internet connection to make calls instead of cellular data. WhatsApp, Skype, Signal, and FaceTime Audio are all examples.
VoIP providers, like RingCentral, eFone, and Ooma, offer internet calls with various other features that are specifically catered to businesses. Standard VoIP features include call queues (being added to a queue when you call for customer support), auto-attendant (the message at the start of the call that tells you which extension to dial), extensions, voicemail-to-email, routing, and much more. VoIP systems are easy to use and can even be attached to standard telephones using an adapter.
VoIP providers are growing, and for good reasons, which is what we’re going to dive into below.
One of the biggest and main advantages that VoIP has over landlines is the cost. VoIP gives you many features that landlines just can’t offer, despite their hefty fees, for a much lower price. One of the essential features that growing businesses spend a lot of money on is international calling.
One quick search from a well-known broadband shows that a business phone package will cost an average of around $35 per month, and that's after you pay an installation fee of $110, give or take, for every phone line you need. For international calls, you pay extra. The bills are looking high already.
On the other hand, VoIP cuts down the monthly charges on average by 50%, according to connect2geek, with international calls making up a large percentage of this cut. Most VoIP providers offer unlimited international calling and texting for a much lower monthly price. eFone’s $20/month package includes 41 countries, while RingCentral’s $30/month package includes over 100.
With cost, a VoIP phone system offers you a much better deal than you can ever get with a landline.
Growing businesses are often continually adding and removing phone lines and numbers, especially during uncertain times. As a result, installation and cancellation fees can quickly reach the hundreds – that’s a lot of money out of your pocket for something that should be much easier.
VoIP phone systems are much more convenient in this matter. RingCentral’s $25/month package allows unlimited users, while Tresta adds new users for $15 each. Since they don’t require a complicated installation process, the users can be added and removed whenever you want. It’s much more hassle-free than if you were dealing with landlines.
VoIP providers usually offer a unified communication system. It is a cohesive system that operates effortlessly across various communication models. It enables you to make numerous calls at once, send texts, and access voicemails via emails, as well as many other features.
Tip: Most providers charge you a few dollars extra for ‘special’ features. While adding these features will most likely still be cheaper than paying for the same with landline packages, it is best to shop around. For example, eFone doesn’t charge you extra for any features – all our displayed features are provided with the $20/month business plan.
VoIP is the ideal choice for those who travel often and are working remotely due to the pandemic or otherwise. With a traditional phone, you are restricted to a single physical location. Even cordless landline phones don’t offer much leeway with that.
Traditional phones have not been a help during the era of remote working. According to PWC, only 6% of Canadians were primarily remote workers before, but this changed to 59% during the pandemic. Many big companies are now considering a hybrid model of working from home and the office after the restrictions lift.
Most VoIP providers offer customers access to communications via apps that are compatible with modern devices. Inbound calls can be accepted on any device, wherever you are, as long as you are connected to the internet. For those businesses with a large number of employees working from home, it only makes sense that telecommunications are made easier by switching to VoIP.
While VoIP systems are heavily reliant on a good internet connection, it is worth upgrading your broadband instead of sticking to the ‘hardy’ landlines. Broadbands are notoriously reliable these days, with most providers offering 24/7 support and engineers at short notice for any problems. Even if you do have a problem with the connection, the use of apps means you can answer the calls on your phone with mobile data. Canada’s average mobile internet speed remains in the top 10 worldwide, so your business calls will likely remain undisrupted.
Choosing a VoIP phone system will end up boosting productivity. Besides the obvious advantage of more time, many other features can help with that. Missed a call? With a landline, you’ll get a voicemail, sure. However, with most VoIP phone systems, you will get a transcript of the voicemail sent to you via email. With features like this, you have more time to prioritize what truly needs your time and attention.
Compared to traditional telephones, VoIP boasts many advantages. It’s not a surprise that so many businesses are making the switch. In 2004, Ipsos found that only 1 in 4 Canadians were aware of VoIP - only 8% were using it. By 2018, CBC News reported that nearly 90% of Canadian businesses had made the switch, and roughly half had given up landline phones entirely! They are unlikely to switch back.
And it’s not just businesses! You are most likely using WhatsApp and FaceTime and a bundle of other apps to call long-distance relatives and friends at home too. Landlines are being ditched as the years go by, and that’s the trend in most countries. CRTC research shows that between 2004 and 2017, there was a 33% decline in households using landlines, with nearly just as many switching to mobile services instead.
The future of telecommunications is VoIP.
If you are ready, we can help you get started with out all-in-one residential and business phone plans. We’re happy to help. Contact us today!
Copyright © 2021 eFone. All Right Reserved. Privacy Terms of Use E911 CRTC
