If you’re considering ditching your traditional landline telephone service for an Internet-based VoIP (Voice over IP) system for internet calling, you’ve come to the right place.

There’s a lot to learn and many things to consider before you make a decision on the right Internet phone. Our aim is to help you save time and money by collecting the most useful information available all in one place.

What is VoIP?

VoIP phone systems leverage high-speed broadband or cable connection to route calls as digital data over the Internet. Aside from your Internet connection, all you need to get set up with an offsite-hosted service are compatible handsets.

What are the advantages of an IP phone system for Internet calling?

It’s no wonder that VoIP, and PBX (private branch exchange) systems, and Internet phones have become the first choice for businesses of all types and sizes for internet calling. There are lots of good reasons to choose a VoIP phone system for your business.

Value

Whichever type of VoIP system you choose, be it a cloud-based hosted service or an on-site self-managed system, one thing is certain: you will pay less for all the features you get than you would if you stuck with a traditional phone service with IP phone packages. The most obvious saving is on long distance calls, which can add up quickly with a regular phone service if your business has clients, offices, or team members located around the globe. Setup costs for internet calling are generally low, such as with RingCentral or CircleLoop, and there are many different IP phone plans to choose from. An SIP-enabled handset is inexpensive and standardized, meaning your hardware won’t tie you down to a specific provider.

Flexibility

Whatever the nature, size, or particular needs of your business, you’ll find VoIP providers, virtual phones, and Internet phone services to suit your needs. Want to integrate it into a traditional existing phone system? No problem. Want to route calls to mobile phones or remote team members? Again, easily achieved. Since much of the functionality of VoIP systems is software-based, you’ll be able to utilize many advanced features that would carry an extra cost in a traditional landline system. Generally, VoIP providers, like Vonage, won’t require you to sign up to a long-term contract so you’ll be free to move on to a different company whenever you like. You will get a virtual phone number that can connect to any number of devices.

Scalability

One of the great advantages of a VoIP service, IP phones, and internet calling is how easily it can grow (or contract) with the needs of your business. Since there’s no need for physical installation of new lines all you need to do is add a new handset and configure the new user’s connection using the provided software for the virtual phone. This can be especially useful if your business’s call volume is seasonal. eReceptionist is just one of the VoIP providers that make it simple to add new users when necessary.

Which VoIP provider is best for my business?

There is no absolute best VoIP system for everyone, as no two businesses are exactly alike. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a best VoIP system for you. The most important part of choosing VoIP phone services for internet calling is to do your homework. Assess your current system, your Internet connection, current and projected call volume and patterns, and whether you would prefer to manage the system in-house or have the provider manage it offsite. All of these considerations will have a significant impact on the upfront and ongoing costs of internet calling, the features you have at your disposal and the ease of set-up, but when all is said and done you will end up with a flexible, scalable telephone system that has the potential to boost your team’s productivity saving you thousands of dollars via internet calling.

Excited to bring your company’s telecommunications into the 21st century? Before you make a purchase, take your time to read our in-depth reviews of the leading VoIP providers and virtual phones, check out our articles, and compare VoIP systems using our handy comparison tool.