PC to Phone Calls

Small Business VoIP is one of the best ways for your small business to save money.

Small Business VoIP providers offer great incentives along with great business phone service, geared specifically for the needs of a small business.

Small business VoIP offers small businesses the following advantages:

• Cheap VoIP phone service
• A Versatile business VoIP phone system, designed for Small Business
• Flexible VoIP plans for Small Business
• Money-back guarantees, for all businesses
• High Competition between Small Business VoIP Providers
• Find Me/Follow Me, an excellent feature for small business owners

Cheap VoIP Phone Service for Small Businesses

Small Business VoIP providers offer very, very cheap rates when it comes to small business VoIP.

Instead of paying $50+ a month per phone line for your VoIP service, you'll pay, at most, $40 a month. That's $10 a month savings, $120 a year, on each phone. That's some capital that any small business could use.

Some of the other small business VoIP providers below offer even more of a discount. Use the table to compare prices and rates upfront, and then visit the provider's websites for even more information.

Versatile VoIP Phone Systems, designed for Small Business

One of the best features VoIP offers to small businesses is the business VoIP phone system, also known as a PBX business phone system

PBX stands for private branch exchange and what it means is that your entire small business is connected in one sophisticated VoIP network.

With a Small Business Phone System, you'll be able use:

• an auto attendant to filter your calls to the right people
• present a consistent professional image to customers
• useful features like Find Me/Follow Me

Small Business VoIP Systems also usually use hosted PBX. Hosted PBX means that the small business VoIP provider manages and maintains the VoIP phone system.

That means that the Small Business VoIP provider is responsible for the system; they have the expertise and know-how to solve any problems that can come up. You don't have to be an expert. You can focus on your small business.

Hosted PBX represents great savings for small businesses that use VoIP. That's because your business doesn't have to purchase a IP PBX phone system.

Flexible VoIP Plans for Small Business

All the plans listed below are geared toward small business. They provide you with unlimited minutes and a hosted PBX VoIP system for your small business.

However, most VoIP providers offer a variety of plans for small businesses with differing plan needs. Providers offer metered and unlimited plans:

Metered plans provide you with a certain number of minutes a month, plus additional minutes for a low per minute fee.

Metered plans are best for phones that your small business doesn't use frequently.

Unlimited plans are best for people who need to make calls without worrying about minute limits.

Money-back Guarantees

Most small business VoIP providers offer a money-back guarantee.

Make sure that you carefully read the terms of the money-back guarantee before you begin the service; often small business VoIP providers have specific steps you must take to secure your money back guarantee. They also often have a return and cancellation window.

High Competition in the Small Business VoIP market

Not only does this drive the price of small business VoIP down, but it means that Small Business VoIP providers are eager for your business.

Use your clout as a consumer to get the best deal possible. Ask if the provider offers special benefits for small business. See if you can get an IP phone for free. Try for a percentage discount across the top.

You'll never know unless you ask. Small businesses are the most popular market for VoIP providers to pursue, because they often can make use of the services the VoIP provider offers. And they appreciate the discount that small business VoIP brings, compared to traditional business VoIP phone service.

Find Me/Follow Me For Small Business

Find Me/Follow Me is one of the most important features that VoIP companies can offer to small businesses.

Find Me/Follow Me uses your hosted VoIP PBX to forward calls to pre-specified numbers. This means that you can never miss a call: if someone calls your office, find me can ring your office and cell phone at the same time.

When you leave the office, you can have calls follow you, by instantly transferring them from one to the other.

Of course, if want to miss a call, you can always turn Find Me/Follow Me off.

Compare Small Business VoIP options

Use the table below to compare options from top VoIP providers.

Use the banner to visit the providers website and the button to visit the provider's page on our website: there you can find reviews and a brief summary of their VoIP service.

Where do you start when you decide to switch to VoIP? Setting up a small business VoIP system seems like a challenge. Let these eight steps make installing your first business VoIP system a success.

1. Your Network Capacity

First and foremost, you need to know your network capacity. Can it handle the increase in data? Is it sufficient to sustain network flow? Do you have the proper LAN (local area network) setup for VoIP? Without a network, you won't have the infrastructure to use VoIP services. Have your network administrators give your network a check-up so you can check this important requirement off the list.

2. Your Internet connection

Know the bandwidth available to your small businesses. Each and every business has its own internet needs and requirements. Before you switch to VoIP, you need to make sure your current connection can handle VoIP service alongside your current internet use. Use our VoIP speed tester to test your current internet connection.

3. Calling Habits

Look at your calling habits. If you frequently make long distance and international calls, VoIP can help you optimize savings. If you usually limit yourself to local calls, VoIP will not be as cost effective—but it will allow you to quickly expand your calling area (and business!)

4. Publicly Switched Telephone Network - PSTN(landline)

Small business VoIP systems do need internet connections, but they also need electricity. Have a conventional landline in case of power outage or emergency—earthquakes, fires, snowstorms, and other natural disasters can all crash your network. With a backup landline, you’ll still be able to make calls.

5. Premises- or Hosted Phone System

How many users will your small business network have? The number of users can help you choose between a premises-based or hosted PBX (PBX stands for “private branch exchange,” the system that allows your office to have various extensions). If your business has fewer than fifteen users, and you don’t want to hire someone to deal with the phone system, try a hosted PBX. It does cost more for a hosted system, but it places the responsibility in the hands of experts.

6. VoIP Service

There are lots of VoIP providers out there. Hundreds. And each provider offers different services, options, and service plans. Do intensive research to find the best VoIP plan for your small business. Visit our Business VoIP Comparison page to start your research.

7. VoIP Equipment

Many providers supply standard equipment with their service. Once you’ve determined what VoIP features and services your small business needs, make sure you’ll get the appropriate equipment. If you know what you need (or want to browse) visit our VoIP Equipment page.

8. The Bottom Line

It may seem obvious, but make sure you budget for your switch to VoIP. Will you make a single, upfront payment? Set up a monthly plan? Or do you want to make a down payment and finance the remainder of the bill? Each provider has different payment and financing options, which can weigh in on your choice of provider. RingCentral, for example, offers annual payment for their plans, which can save you 33% off the month-to-month price. Check with providers for details (most will offer a custom quote).

Just as important: Make sure to budget in your return on investment. How much money, per month, will VoIP service save you over conventional phone service? Per year?

There are a lot of VoIP providers out there. Voipreview.org will help you find the best one for you.

Compare Business VoIP Providers