A Beginner's Guide to VoIP for Business: What You Need to Know

In this beginner's guide, we'll break down the basics of VoIP and explore how it can help your business stay connected and productive.

What does VoIP stand for?

VoIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol." In simple terms, it's a technology that allows voice calls to be made over the internet, rather than traditional phone lines. Calls using VoIP can be made from such devices as smartphones, computers, as well as specialised VoIP phones. These calls can be made to other VoIP users, or users of traditional phone lines.

How does VoIP work?

When you make a VoIP call, the sound (your voice) is transformed into data and transmitted via the internet to the recipient. Once the data is received, it is then changed back into audio at the other end. This all happens in an instant, allowing you to have a normal conversation, as you would on a traditional phone call.

What are the benefits of VoIP for business?

VoIP provides several advantages for businesses, which include:

Cost savings: VoIP can be a lot more effective and affordable than traditional phone systems, especially when a business makes a high volume of long-distance or international calls. VoIP calls are transmitted via the internet, making expensive long-distance call fees are a thing of the past.

Flexibility: VoIP allows your employees to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that you can have a distributed team working from different locations, and still stay connected as if you were all in the same office.

Advanced features: VoIP systems often come with advanced features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and video conferencing. These features can increase your company’s organisational capabilities, by allowing for more effective communication, as well as huge time savings for your team and clients.

Scalability: VoIP systems can easily be scaled up or down as your business grows or changes. You can add new phone lines or remove them as needed, without having to worry about installing new hardware or wiring.

How can you get started with VoIP?

If you're interested in trying VoIP for your business, there are a few things you'll need to do:

Choose a VoIP provider: There are many VoIP providers to choose from, each with their own pricing, features, and service levels.

Purchase VoIP phones or adapters: Depending on the provider you choose, you may need to purchase specialized VoIP phones or adapters to use with your system. Make sure to choose hardware that is compatible with your provider's system. Your provider will outline everything you need. 

Set up your system: Your VoIP provider will help you set up your system and configure your phones or adapters. They should also provide support and training to help you get started.

You should make sure that you go with a provider that offers ongoing support services so that you can call up with any potential issues you encounter with your system.

At Flip Connect, we offer the 3CX phone system, which is a comprehensive VoIP system that integrates well with a multitude of other applications. Such as Microsoft Teams, as well as many CRM systems.

VoIP is a powerful technology that can help businesses of all sizes stay connected, save money, and communicate more effectively. With the right provider and hardware, you can start enjoying the benefits of VoIP for your business today.

If you would like a Free Quote for your business phone system - speak with us on our live chat system or give us a call today!