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VoIP Providers

VoIP providers can help you find the business phone system to keep your team connected

voip-phone-on-a-desk.jpg

VoIP Providers

VoIP providers can help you find the business phone system to keep your team connected

voip-phone-on-a-desk.jpg

VoIP Providers

VoIP providers can help you find the business phone system to keep your team connected

voip-phone-on-a-desk.jpg

VoIP Providers

VoIP providers can help you find the business phone system to keep your team connected

voip-phone-on-a-desk.jpg

Analog phone lines are becoming more and more obsolete due to their inflexibility and high costs. As a result, both enterprise organizations and SMBs are moving in droves to adopt VoIP and cloud-based communications technology.

If you’re also considering VoIP for your business, read on to learn more about:

What is VoIP?

What is VoIP?

What is VoIP?

What is VoIP?

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voip-and-emergency-services.jpg

voip-and-emergency-services.jpg

voip-and-emergency-services.jpg

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which is a technology that allows users to make and receive phone calls over the internet. It is also sometimes referred to as IP telephony and provides businesses with an alternative to more traditional phone systems connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

VoIP services can be used by anyone from a small business to a call center to a global enterprise. It can be used through VoIP-enabled desk phones that can be installed inside company premises. Typically, though, more modern VoIP users download and install apps onto mobile devices to create “softphones.” Computers can also implement desktop apps to gain softphone capabilities.

How does VoIP work?

For users, Voice over IP will work and feel mostly the same as using traditional telephones and landlines. In simple terms, when an outgoing call is placed from an IP phone, the connection is made over the internet.

As the caller speaks into the phone, the software converts the speech into digital voice packets which are then transmitted to the receiver using internet protocol (IP) rather than analog copper wires.

Which features do the best business VoIP providers offer?

Which features do the best business VoIP providers offer?

Which features do the best business VoIP providers offer?

Which features do the best business VoIP providers offer?

manager-using-a-desk-phone-from-a-voip-provider.jpeg

manager-using-a-desk-phone-from-a-voip-provider.jpeg

manager-using-a-desk-phone-from-a-voip-provider.jpeg

manager-using-a-desk-phone-from-a-voip-provider.jpeg

There is a long list of VoIP providers available for businesses of all sizes. Any organization looking into making the switch to a VoIP phone service should only consider those that offer the best features:

IP or Cloud PBX system

Business VoIP services with built-in cloud PBX systems are more affordable, flexible, and easier to use than traditional on-premise PBX counterparts. Older, on-premise PBX setups can be connected to the internet through SIP trunking. This adaption can add some similar VoIP functionality but at a much greater cost to hardware installation. So, it’s still more convenient to just get a VoIP provider that already offers cloud PBX from the start.

Here is a clearer comparison between an IP PBX and a traditional, on-premise PBX system:

There is a long list of VoIP providers available for businesses of all sizes. Any organization looking into making the switch to a VoIP phone service should only consider those that offer the best features:

IP or Cloud PBX system

Business VoIP services with built-in cloud PBX systems are more affordable, flexible, and easier to use than traditional on-premise PBX counterparts. Older, on-premise PBX setups can be connected to the internet through SIP trunking. This adaption can add some similar VoIP functionality but at a much greater cost to hardware installation. So, it’s still more convenient to just get a VoIP provider that already offers cloud PBX from the start.

Here is a clearer comparison between an IP PBX and a traditional, on-premise PBX system:

There is a long list of VoIP providers available for businesses of all sizes. Any organization looking into making the switch to a VoIP phone service should only consider those that offer the best features:

IP or Cloud PBX system

Business VoIP services with built-in cloud PBX systems are more affordable, flexible, and easier to use than traditional on-premise PBX counterparts. Older, on-premise PBX setups can be connected to the internet through SIP trunking. This adaption can add some similar VoIP functionality but at a much greater cost to hardware installation. So, it’s still more convenient to just get a VoIP provider that already offers cloud PBX from the start.

Here is a clearer comparison between an IP PBX and a traditional, on-premise PBX system:

There is a long list of VoIP providers available for businesses of all sizes. Any organization looking into making the switch to a VoIP phone service should only consider those that offer the best features:

IP or Cloud PBX system

Business VoIP services with built-in cloud PBX systems are more affordable, flexible, and easier to use than traditional on-premise PBX counterparts. Older, on-premise PBX setups can be connected to the internet through SIP trunking. This adaption can add some similar VoIP functionality but at a much greater cost to hardware installation. So, it’s still more convenient to just get a VoIP provider that already offers cloud PBX from the start.

Here is a clearer comparison between an IP PBX and a traditional, on-premise PBX system:

IP PBXTraditional PBX
TechnologyDigital—uses the internetAnalog—uses physical wires
TelephonesBusiness VoIP phones, desk phones with adapters, and softphonesTraditional desk phones
CostPrice plans start from $15 per month with 8x8Expensive upfront cost to install hardware and phone lines
Updates and maintenanceAutomatic and instantaneousCostly and time-consuming
UpgradesPay for the service and gain it instantlyExpensive and can take weeks to months

IP PBXTraditional PBX
TechnologyDigital—uses the internetAnalog—uses physical wires
TelephonesBusiness VoIP phones, desk phones with adapters, and softphonesTraditional desk phones
CostPrice plans start from $15 per month with 8x8Expensive upfront cost to install hardware and phone lines
Updates and maintenanceAutomatic and instantaneousCostly and time-consuming
UpgradesPay for the service and gain it instantlyExpensive and can take weeks to months

IP PBXTraditional PBX
TechnologyDigital—uses the internetAnalog—uses physical wires
TelephonesBusiness VoIP phones, desk phones with adapters, and softphonesTraditional desk phones
CostPrice plans start from $15 per month with 8x8Expensive upfront cost to install hardware and phone lines
Updates and maintenanceAutomatic and instantaneousCostly and time-consuming
UpgradesPay for the service and gain it instantlyExpensive and can take weeks to months

IP PBXTraditional PBX
TechnologyDigital—uses the internetAnalog—uses physical wires
TelephonesBusiness VoIP phones, desk phones with adapters, and softphonesTraditional desk phones
CostPrice plans start from $15 per month with 8x8Expensive upfront cost to install hardware and phone lines
Updates and maintenanceAutomatic and instantaneousCostly and time-consuming
UpgradesPay for the service and gain it instantlyExpensive and can take weeks to months

Unlimited calling, SMS & fax

Unlimited phone calls, text messages, and faxes should be the bare minimum. Many providers will charge additional fees or premium rates for international calling, so look for providers that offer unlimited telephony for every country your company handles its business in.

8x8 offers domestic plans for the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. You can also add service plans for unlimited calling to destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and other countries.

Multi-level auto attendant

An auto attendant acts as a virtual receptionist to handle incoming calls. Basic attendants may simply be those services people call and are asked to “press one for accounts”. Auto attendants improve the customer experience and help your team handle calls efficiently.

Multi-level auto attendants can be customized to do much more.

For example, with the 8x8 platform you can:

  • Configure multiple call flows based on rules you set.
  • Create multiple auto attendants.
  • Each auto attendant can have multiple profiles.

With 8x8, you can also customize caller greetings with several options, such as:

  • Record your own caller greetings with the press of a button.
  • Let our professional artists write, record, and produce them for you.
  • Create different greetings based on business hours, out-of-office, holidays.

Automatic call recording

The top VoIP services will offer you the ability to record both incoming and outgoing calls. Recordings can be saved in the cloud or on devices such as mobile phones and laptops. Call recording can be great for training purposes. Individual users will also be able to record their own calls for any reason necessary, like remembering call details.

Voicemail transcription

Like many VoIP features, visual voicemail is not common in traditional phone systems. Sometimes, team members are in a meeting or in a noisy environment and have to listen to an important voicemail.

With visual voicemail, users can access voicemails anytime from any smartphone or internet-enabled device and read their voice messages in the form of an email. This is accomplished by a VoIP solution like 8x8 with automatic voice transcription. From the app, users can read, listen to, forward, and delete voicemail messages as well as return calls directly from the email.

Hold features

No one likes to be placed on hold.Callers may want to buy something, reach customer support, or speak to accounts, but either way, they want to be able to do it quickly. The best IP telephony platforms come with many advanced features to improve the customer experience.

Custom hold music, for instance, allows you to improve the hold experience and lift customers’ moods. You can either select music or upload your own. You can also use news and promotional messages.

Local number porting

Retain your brand equity by keeping your existing business numbers. Local number porting also helps you avoid forcing customers to spend their hard-earned cash on long-distance and international calls made from their landline or cell phone.

With 8x8, you can choose a local phone number from anywhere across 120+ countries and give your organization a local presence everywhere you operate.

Direct dial phone numbers

Along with local number porting, direct dial numbers make it easier for your customers to reach you. Direct-dial numbers are like virtual phone numbers that can be routed to any device on your VoIP network.

In fact, you can configure multiple numbers to route to the same extension as well as use unique numbers to A/B test marketing campaigns. These numbers can be used in geographic regions in place of toll-free numbers so your customers can easily contact you.

Call handling

One of the greatest advantages of VoIP phone systems is that they can be easily adapted for all of your call handling needs. 8x8’s business phone solution includes call handling features such as:

Caller ID, blocking & do not disturb - Increase productivity by knowing who’s calling so you can direct them to the right person or voicemail.

Call forwarding & transfer - Set custom automatic call forwarding rules and make in-call transfers.

3-way calling - A simple and easy-to-use audio collaboration tool for three parties. With a service like 8x8 Work, callers can place a 3-way call in three easy steps:

  1. Call the first party
  2. When that party is on the line, tap or click on the ellipsis to reveal a menu of features.
  3. Click or tap Add Call - Enter the third party

Call management

Call management is all about improving your customer service. Any VoIP solution should be able to help you effectively manage your calls. If that's not the case, then what’s the point?

Here are some call management features you should consider when choosing a VoIP provider:

Unlimited calling, SMS & fax

Unlimited phone calls, text messages, and faxes should be the bare minimum. Many providers will charge additional fees or premium rates for international calling, so look for providers that offer unlimited telephony for every country your company handles its business in.

8x8 offers domestic plans for the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. You can also add service plans for unlimited calling to destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and other countries.

Multi-level auto attendant

An auto attendant acts as a virtual receptionist to handle incoming calls. Basic attendants may simply be those services people call and are asked to “press one for accounts”. Auto attendants improve the customer experience and help your team handle calls efficiently.

Multi-level auto attendants can be customized to do much more.

For example, with the 8x8 platform you can:

  • Configure multiple call flows based on rules you set.
  • Create multiple auto attendants.
  • Each auto attendant can have multiple profiles.

With 8x8, you can also customize caller greetings with several options, such as:

  • Record your own caller greetings with the press of a button.
  • Let our professional artists write, record, and produce them for you.
  • Create different greetings based on business hours, out-of-office, holidays.

Automatic call recording

The top VoIP services will offer you the ability to record both incoming and outgoing calls. Recordings can be saved in the cloud or on devices such as mobile phones and laptops. Call recording can be great for training purposes. Individual users will also be able to record their own calls for any reason necessary, like remembering call details.

Voicemail transcription

Like many VoIP features, visual voicemail is not common in traditional phone systems. Sometimes, team members are in a meeting or in a noisy environment and have to listen to an important voicemail.

With visual voicemail, users can access voicemails anytime from any smartphone or internet-enabled device and read their voice messages in the form of an email. This is accomplished by a VoIP solution like 8x8 with automatic voice transcription. From the app, users can read, listen to, forward, and delete voicemail messages as well as return calls directly from the email.

Hold features

No one likes to be placed on hold.Callers may want to buy something, reach customer support, or speak to accounts, but either way, they want to be able to do it quickly. The best IP telephony platforms come with many advanced features to improve the customer experience.

Custom hold music, for instance, allows you to improve the hold experience and lift customers’ moods. You can either select music or upload your own. You can also use news and promotional messages.

Local number porting

Retain your brand equity by keeping your existing business numbers. Local number porting also helps you avoid forcing customers to spend their hard-earned cash on long-distance and international calls made from their landline or cell phone.

With 8x8, you can choose a local phone number from anywhere across 120+ countries and give your organization a local presence everywhere you operate.

Direct dial phone numbers

Along with local number porting, direct dial numbers make it easier for your customers to reach you. Direct-dial numbers are like virtual phone numbers that can be routed to any device on your VoIP network.

In fact, you can configure multiple numbers to route to the same extension as well as use unique numbers to A/B test marketing campaigns. These numbers can be used in geographic regions in place of toll-free numbers so your customers can easily contact you.

Call handling

One of the greatest advantages of VoIP phone systems is that they can be easily adapted for all of your call handling needs. 8x8’s business phone solution includes call handling features such as:

Caller ID, blocking & do not disturb - Increase productivity by knowing who’s calling so you can direct them to the right person or voicemail.

Call forwarding & transfer - Set custom automatic call forwarding rules and make in-call transfers.

3-way calling - A simple and easy-to-use audio collaboration tool for three parties. With a service like 8x8 Work, callers can place a 3-way call in three easy steps:

  1. Call the first party
  2. When that party is on the line, tap or click on the ellipsis to reveal a menu of features.
  3. Click or tap Add Call - Enter the third party

Call management

Call management is all about improving your customer service. Any VoIP solution should be able to help you effectively manage your calls. If that's not the case, then what’s the point?

Here are some call management features you should consider when choosing a VoIP provider:

Unlimited calling, SMS & fax

Unlimited phone calls, text messages, and faxes should be the bare minimum. Many providers will charge additional fees or premium rates for international calling, so look for providers that offer unlimited telephony for every country your company handles its business in.

8x8 offers domestic plans for the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. You can also add service plans for unlimited calling to destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and other countries.

Multi-level auto attendant

An auto attendant acts as a virtual receptionist to handle incoming calls. Basic attendants may simply be those services people call and are asked to “press one for accounts”. Auto attendants improve the customer experience and help your team handle calls efficiently.

Multi-level auto attendants can be customized to do much more.

For example, with the 8x8 platform you can:

  • Configure multiple call flows based on rules you set.
  • Create multiple auto attendants.
  • Each auto attendant can have multiple profiles.

With 8x8, you can also customize caller greetings with several options, such as:

  • Record your own caller greetings with the press of a button.
  • Let our professional artists write, record, and produce them for you.
  • Create different greetings based on business hours, out-of-office, holidays.

Automatic call recording

The top VoIP services will offer you the ability to record both incoming and outgoing calls. Recordings can be saved in the cloud or on devices such as mobile phones and laptops. Call recording can be great for training purposes. Individual users will also be able to record their own calls for any reason necessary, like remembering call details.

Voicemail transcription

Like many VoIP features, visual voicemail is not common in traditional phone systems. Sometimes, team members are in a meeting or in a noisy environment and have to listen to an important voicemail.

With visual voicemail, users can access voicemails anytime from any smartphone or internet-enabled device and read their voice messages in the form of an email. This is accomplished by a VoIP solution like 8x8 with automatic voice transcription. From the app, users can read, listen to, forward, and delete voicemail messages as well as return calls directly from the email.

Hold features

No one likes to be placed on hold.Callers may want to buy something, reach customer support, or speak to accounts, but either way, they want to be able to do it quickly. The best IP telephony platforms come with many advanced features to improve the customer experience.

Custom hold music, for instance, allows you to improve the hold experience and lift customers’ moods. You can either select music or upload your own. You can also use news and promotional messages.

Local number porting

Retain your brand equity by keeping your existing business numbers. Local number porting also helps you avoid forcing customers to spend their hard-earned cash on long-distance and international calls made from their landline or cell phone.

With 8x8, you can choose a local phone number from anywhere across 120+ countries and give your organization a local presence everywhere you operate.

Direct dial phone numbers

Along with local number porting, direct dial numbers make it easier for your customers to reach you. Direct-dial numbers are like virtual phone numbers that can be routed to any device on your VoIP network.

In fact, you can configure multiple numbers to route to the same extension as well as use unique numbers to A/B test marketing campaigns. These numbers can be used in geographic regions in place of toll-free numbers so your customers can easily contact you.

Call handling

One of the greatest advantages of VoIP phone systems is that they can be easily adapted for all of your call handling needs. 8x8’s business phone solution includes call handling features such as:

Caller ID, blocking & do not disturb - Increase productivity by knowing who’s calling so you can direct them to the right person or voicemail.

Call forwarding & transfer - Set custom automatic call forwarding rules and make in-call transfers.

3-way calling - A simple and easy-to-use audio collaboration tool for three parties. With a service like 8x8 Work, callers can place a 3-way call in three easy steps:

  1. Call the first party
  2. When that party is on the line, tap or click on the ellipsis to reveal a menu of features.
  3. Click or tap Add Call - Enter the third party

Call management

Call management is all about improving your customer service. Any VoIP solution should be able to help you effectively manage your calls. If that's not the case, then what’s the point?

Here are some call management features you should consider when choosing a VoIP provider:

Unlimited calling, SMS & fax

Unlimited phone calls, text messages, and faxes should be the bare minimum. Many providers will charge additional fees or premium rates for international calling, so look for providers that offer unlimited telephony for every country your company handles its business in.

8x8 offers domestic plans for the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. You can also add service plans for unlimited calling to destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and other countries.

Multi-level auto attendant

An auto attendant acts as a virtual receptionist to handle incoming calls. Basic attendants may simply be those services people call and are asked to “press one for accounts”. Auto attendants improve the customer experience and help your team handle calls efficiently.

Multi-level auto attendants can be customized to do much more.

For example, with the 8x8 platform you can:

  • Configure multiple call flows based on rules you set.
  • Create multiple auto attendants.
  • Each auto attendant can have multiple profiles.

With 8x8, you can also customize caller greetings with several options, such as:

  • Record your own caller greetings with the press of a button.
  • Let our professional artists write, record, and produce them for you.
  • Create different greetings based on business hours, out-of-office, holidays.

Automatic call recording

The top VoIP services will offer you the ability to record both incoming and outgoing calls. Recordings can be saved in the cloud or on devices such as mobile phones and laptops. Call recording can be great for training purposes. Individual users will also be able to record their own calls for any reason necessary, like remembering call details.

Voicemail transcription

Like many VoIP features, visual voicemail is not common in traditional phone systems. Sometimes, team members are in a meeting or in a noisy environment and have to listen to an important voicemail.

With visual voicemail, users can access voicemails anytime from any smartphone or internet-enabled device and read their voice messages in the form of an email. This is accomplished by a VoIP solution like 8x8 with automatic voice transcription. From the app, users can read, listen to, forward, and delete voicemail messages as well as return calls directly from the email.

Hold features

No one likes to be placed on hold.Callers may want to buy something, reach customer support, or speak to accounts, but either way, they want to be able to do it quickly. The best IP telephony platforms come with many advanced features to improve the customer experience.

Custom hold music, for instance, allows you to improve the hold experience and lift customers’ moods. You can either select music or upload your own. You can also use news and promotional messages.

Local number porting

Retain your brand equity by keeping your existing business numbers. Local number porting also helps you avoid forcing customers to spend their hard-earned cash on long-distance and international calls made from their landline or cell phone.

With 8x8, you can choose a local phone number from anywhere across 120+ countries and give your organization a local presence everywhere you operate.

Direct dial phone numbers

Along with local number porting, direct dial numbers make it easier for your customers to reach you. Direct-dial numbers are like virtual phone numbers that can be routed to any device on your VoIP network.

In fact, you can configure multiple numbers to route to the same extension as well as use unique numbers to A/B test marketing campaigns. These numbers can be used in geographic regions in place of toll-free numbers so your customers can easily contact you.

Call handling

One of the greatest advantages of VoIP phone systems is that they can be easily adapted for all of your call handling needs. 8x8’s business phone solution includes call handling features such as:

Caller ID, blocking & do not disturb - Increase productivity by knowing who’s calling so you can direct them to the right person or voicemail.

Call forwarding & transfer - Set custom automatic call forwarding rules and make in-call transfers.

3-way calling - A simple and easy-to-use audio collaboration tool for three parties. With a service like 8x8 Work, callers can place a 3-way call in three easy steps:

  1. Call the first party
  2. When that party is on the line, tap or click on the ellipsis to reveal a menu of features.
  3. Click or tap Add Call - Enter the third party

Call management

Call management is all about improving your customer service. Any VoIP solution should be able to help you effectively manage your calls. If that's not the case, then what’s the point?

Here are some call management features you should consider when choosing a VoIP provider:

Ring groups

You can divide teams into related groups so that customers can get through to the right team member quickly. You can help the sales and support teams by sharing the load of inbound calls. This improves customer service and increases the call volumes you can handle.

Administrators can configure call routing priority to suit business needs. They also get group ring options like simultaneous, cyclic, and cyclic repetitive ring patterns. Remote and flexible working can also be placed in any ring groups that handle calls. Your support agents can operate a helpdesk in the comfort of their homes.

Call queues

An organized call queue and advanced call routing system are essential to managing your incoming call volume. Cloud phone solutions like 8x8 offer you the ability to organize and automate call queue handling so the biggest problems and most important customers can be taken care of first.

Customizable call queues also help to ensure every caller gets through to the right person promptly. Some 8x8 Series calling plans even support queued callbacks. This feature gives your customers the option to avoid waiting in the queue and get on with their day.

When they become first in the line, the customer will be called back by the next available agent. If they’re too busy or don’t want a callback, they can also opt to leave a voicemail.

Ring groups

You can divide teams into related groups so that customers can get through to the right team member quickly. You can help the sales and support teams by sharing the load of inbound calls. This improves customer service and increases the call volumes you can handle.

Administrators can configure call routing priority to suit business needs. They also get group ring options like simultaneous, cyclic, and cyclic repetitive ring patterns. Remote and flexible working can also be placed in any ring groups that handle calls. Your support agents can operate a helpdesk in the comfort of their homes.

Call queues

An organized call queue and advanced call routing system are essential to managing your incoming call volume. Cloud phone solutions like 8x8 offer you the ability to organize and automate call queue handling so the biggest problems and most important customers can be taken care of first.

Customizable call queues also help to ensure every caller gets through to the right person promptly. Some 8x8 Series calling plans even support queued callbacks. This feature gives your customers the option to avoid waiting in the queue and get on with their day.

When they become first in the line, the customer will be called back by the next available agent. If they’re too busy or don’t want a callback, they can also opt to leave a voicemail.

Ring groups

You can divide teams into related groups so that customers can get through to the right team member quickly. You can help the sales and support teams by sharing the load of inbound calls. This improves customer service and increases the call volumes you can handle.

Administrators can configure call routing priority to suit business needs. They also get group ring options like simultaneous, cyclic, and cyclic repetitive ring patterns. Remote and flexible working can also be placed in any ring groups that handle calls. Your support agents can operate a helpdesk in the comfort of their homes.

Call queues

An organized call queue and advanced call routing system are essential to managing your incoming call volume. Cloud phone solutions like 8x8 offer you the ability to organize and automate call queue handling so the biggest problems and most important customers can be taken care of first.

Customizable call queues also help to ensure every caller gets through to the right person promptly. Some 8x8 Series calling plans even support queued callbacks. This feature gives your customers the option to avoid waiting in the queue and get on with their day.

When they become first in the line, the customer will be called back by the next available agent. If they’re too busy or don’t want a callback, they can also opt to leave a voicemail.

Ring groups

You can divide teams into related groups so that customers can get through to the right team member quickly. You can help the sales and support teams by sharing the load of inbound calls. This improves customer service and increases the call volumes you can handle.

Administrators can configure call routing priority to suit business needs. They also get group ring options like simultaneous, cyclic, and cyclic repetitive ring patterns. Remote and flexible working can also be placed in any ring groups that handle calls. Your support agents can operate a helpdesk in the comfort of their homes.

Call queues

An organized call queue and advanced call routing system are essential to managing your incoming call volume. Cloud phone solutions like 8x8 offer you the ability to organize and automate call queue handling so the biggest problems and most important customers can be taken care of first.

Customizable call queues also help to ensure every caller gets through to the right person promptly. Some 8x8 Series calling plans even support queued callbacks. This feature gives your customers the option to avoid waiting in the queue and get on with their day.

When they become first in the line, the customer will be called back by the next available agent. If they’re too busy or don’t want a callback, they can also opt to leave a voicemail.

Analytics

Like most SaaS solutions, business VoIP platforms come with a variety of analytics and reporting functionality. Analytics with a traditional business phone system would involve a huge amount of in-house ingenuity and financial investment. But any business owner can gain access to valuable data-based insights by signing up with a VoIP provider.

With some VoIP providers, you can aggregate all your cloud communication data to gain a deeper understanding and make better business decisions. API integrations make it easy for you to connect to other business systems so that you can combine data for greater insights.

Real-time reporting with a customized dashboard will make it easy for your managers to identify trends across employees, teams, and customer behavior. And this data can be accessed from just about any device on hand!

Metrics like call quality and device reporting can help you optimize working for your remote team members. And these data sets can also help you to improve the customer experience by reducing things like dropped calls.

Do it all from one app

The best providers give you and your team ultimate flexibility by letting you access all your call handling needs from a single app. VoIP softphone apps allow users to make and receive calls from anywhere and at any time.

With an app like 8x8 Work, your team will be able to text, call, meet, and share from their device of choice. Advanced calling features increase productivity by making collaboration and teamwork between remote and office-based employees easier. And it also lets you provide better customer service by facilitating inter-department information sharing.

What else should you consider when choosing a VoIP service provider?

What else should you consider when choosing a VoIP service provider?

What else should you consider when choosing a VoIP service provider?

What else should you consider when choosing a VoIP service provider?

Switching to a cloud-based business phone service can do wonders for your company. The wealth of VoIP features alone will help change and improve the way you operate.

However, there is much more you should consider when choosing your business VoIP service provider:

Unified communications

A VoIP provider can give you so much more than a business phone system. The best services can handle all your organization’s communication needs. A provider like 8x8 gives you a unified and integrated communications platform that covers your business phone systems and also includes:

  • Contact center management - Provide delightful customer experiences and increase agent productivity and satisfaction with AI-powered workflows.
  • Video conferencing - With our communications platform, you get all the HD video meetings of our Meetings App Pro. App users can instantly start up 1:1 video calls for a virtual in-person experience. You can also schedule and conduct large video conference calls with collaboration tools like desktop and mobile screen-sharing.
  • Team chat - Team messaging and group chats make it easy for team members to discuss work and non-work-related topics. This increases productivity and enhances collaboration for both those on-premises and working remotely.

Flexible integrations

APIs give your company and your team members the flexibility to configure their communications platform according to their needs.

For example, integrations can help boost the capabilities of SMS to send customers notifications and reminders. You can also use popular mobile and desktop apps like WhatsApp Business and Salesforce Chatter with the 8x8 platform. This helps you keep all your messaging needs in one place.

Some platform connections also allow for app-to-app voice calls and text-to-speech (TTS) phone calls. For example, with the 8x8 Outlook Plugin, users immediately place a virtual call to any of their contacts with just the click of a button. If that’s not enough, you can also expand the usability of video interactions to your other mobile apps and websites.

Affordable pricing

At the end of the day, you want to find a business phone solution that does what you need it to do without breaking the bank. Finding a provider that offers the best value for your money is often the best option. However, for the long-term, you’ll want to choose a provider that offers flexible pricing plan packages so you only need to pay for what you need. You’ll also want a platform that allows for plenty of scalability options to match the growth of your business.

So, who's the best VoIP service provider?

So, who's the best VoIP service provider?

So, who's the best VoIP service provider?

So, who's the best VoIP service provider?

With a sea of options, it can be difficult to find the best of the best. Your business should expect specific features and benefits. You want high performance but with flexible pricing.

Trusted by more than two million business users worldwide, 8x8 is the best provider on the market today. And here’s why:

Advanced business phone features

Our enterprise-grade cloud-based platform comes packed with the best and most useful business phone features like auto-attendant, voicemail transcription, and global coverage.

Highly capable call handling and call management

Features like call forwarding, call waiting, ring groups, and more are all customized to meet your specific needs.

Analytics and AI

Our platform connects with your existing systems to give you the best real-time data for better decision-making. AI tools like sentiment analysis and our virtual agent help improve team performance and boost the customer experience.

8x8 Work apps

Every member of your team can boost productivity and teamwork with our workhorse app for iOS, Android, and PCs.

Reliability

8x8’s platform gives end users a consistent experience supported by an end-to-end 99.999% SLA that covers both uptime and call quality.

Security and compliance

Our service and platform conform to the most stringent specifications for customer privacy and computer network security. This includes secure coding practices, fraud detection, and secure endpoint provisioning. In fact, no competitor has achieved 8x8’s level of advanced, third-party verified security and compliance certifications.

Flexible integrations

Nearly 60 APIs allow for third-party connections so you and your team can choose how you work. This includes CRM integrations with Hubspot and Microsoft Dynamics. And you can also connect with other data streams to gain deeper analysis and understanding of things like customer wait times and call quality.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion

VoIP supports remote workers and helps future-proof your business for the digital age.

With a platform like 8x8, your business can break the chains of traditional phone systems and work with greater flexibility and adaptability. Sign up with the best VoIP provider on the market and start increasing productivity and enhancing the customer experience.

FAQs

FAQs

FAQs

FAQs

Who is VoIP for?

VoIP systems are highly adaptable to suit the needs of any business, regardless of size or infrastructure. The most important variable is having an internet connection with high bandwidth and low latency to support the best call quality possible.

Can we keep our phone number?

Providers like 8x8 allow you to keep your number via number porting. You can even route your existing local numbers to any extension over the VoIP network of your choice.

Is VoIP call quality good?

The quality of service for VoIP is continually improving. In fact, the call quality isn’t just good, it’s great!

The evolution of communication technology has allowed apps like 8x8 to accurately replicate traditional phone calls but with many more capabilities and functionality. As with anything that requires the internet, routers, bandwidth, and cellular network coverage can all negatively affect call quality.

How do I make a VoIP call?

It’s as simple as using regular old-fashioned landline phones. Just pick up the softphone or VoIP phone of your choice and start dialing.