Using the Internet to offer comprehensive phone services is gaining traction among businesses. Called Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP, this method provides an inexpensive, secure, high-quality, and extremely flexible way to manage your telephone needs. VOIP isn't just for big businesses, either. Small businesses can benefit from the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of this type of phone system. Not every VOIP phone service for small business is the same, however. Each one differs in its features, quality, and cost.
In order to choose the best one for your business, you need to look for certain features that benefit small businesses in particular. Here are a few of the most important features you should have in any VOIP service you choose for your small business.
Conferencing
The ability to make and manage conference calls is one of the more well-known and popular VOIP features. It is also an important asset for small businesses, who often need to converse with employees and clients scattered across various locations. If your employees work from home or your clients need to chat with the whole team, a conference call is a way to go.
VOIP makes conference calls possible by sending invitations, calling participants, and allowing management of the conference call. For example, with the right VOIP service, you can mute or unmute individuals, switch the meeting to a video call, ensure that everyone gets the chance to speak without interrupting each other, and more.
Find Me/Follow Me Call Routing
The image of an individual sitting at a desk by an office phone all day is no longer an accurate representation of an average worker. When it comes to the leaders of small businesses, this image is even less true. You are more likely going to be found moving from meeting to meeting, taking calls on the road, working from a home office, checking in with employees, and more.
For on-the-move small business owners, the find me/follow me call routing feature of VOIP phone service for small business is a valuable tool. This feature route calls to a number of locations before sending it to voicemail. For example, it may ring your cell phone, then your office phone, then your home phone before sending the caller to voicemail.
Thanks to finding me/follow me call routing, you improve your chances of being able to answer your phone calls, no matter where you happen to be during the day.
Voicemail to Email
The on-the-go lifestyle of many small business owners also makes VOIP's voicemail to email feature appealing. This service takes voicemails and translates them into text, which then goes into the recipient's email inbox. The recipient can then read these voicemails whenever they have a few minutes during the day. Thanks to this feature, there is no need to access voicemail boxes or listen to voicemails. You simply read your messages at your leisure and respond when you are ready.
Caller ID Integration with CRM/Call Screening
Customers are the bread and butter of every business. As a small business, you pride yourself on treating them well. Building strong relationships with each customer advances your business goals. The best VOIP phone service for small business is the one that can help you achieve this level of attentiveness by integrating your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system with its caller ID feature.
This integration allows you to instantly access your customer's records, names, and phone numbers when they call. With their information at your fingertips, you can provide instant and personalized service with every phone call.
Caller ID also gives you the freedom to handle calls however you wish before you answer them. For example, calls you cannot take immediately can be routed to voicemail. Personal calls can be routed to your cell phone. Business calls can be answered immediately. With that flexibility, you can focus on the tasks at hand without the distraction of picking up the phone every time it rings.
Auto Attendant
Speaking to a real person is better than speaking to a robot. However, being able to direct people to the correct person within your organization, without paying for a receptionist, can be even more valuable.
The auto-attendant feature of VOIP phone services gives you this receptionist in an automated form. The attendant can deliver extension options to callers in the form of a menu. Callers enjoy the ability to connect quickly to their desired recipient, while you enjoy spending less time, money, and stress on handling incoming calls.
Mobile App
For entrepreneurs who are on the go, being able to access your VOIP system via your mobile device is a must-have. The right VOIP phone service for small business will deliver a VOIP app that you can use on any mobile device. This app should give you the option of accessing and using your VOIP services and features no matter where you are.
A VOIP phone service for small business gives you access to dozens of useful, phone-based features. Each one of these features can help you advance your business goals while saving you time, money, and inconvenience. Before you commit to a VOIP service, make sure it offers the services you need for your business. Conferencing, find me/follow me call routing, voicemail to email, caller ID integration, an auto-attendant, and a mobile app are all good places to start.
Don't forget to reach out to TARC as well. We offer reliable VOIP services and all the features you need to enjoy comprehensive and reliable phone services for your business.