How to Switch Your Traditional Phone Line to a Cloud-Hosted VoIP Phone System

If your current landline business phone system is nearing the end of its lifecycle, or if it no longer meets your needs, you should start considering a switch to VoIP technology. In this guide, we suggest the many benefits and additional features such a switch would give to your small business communication. Then, we detail the four steps it takes to quick and cost-effectively switch your landline to a VoIP system. Click here to learn more: http://www.voxtell.com/

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1. HOW TO SWITCH YOUR TRADITIONAL PHONE LINE TO A Cloud-Hosted VoIP Phone System
2. How to Switch Your Traditional Phone Line to a Cloud-Hosted VoIP Phone System If your current landline business phone system is nearing the end of its lifecycle, or if it no longer meets your needs, you should start considering a switch to VoIP technology. In this guide, we suggest the many benefits and additional features such a switch would give to your small business communication. Then, we detail the 4 steps it takes to quickly and cost-effectively switch your landline to a VoIP system. TRADITIONAL LANDLINES VS. VOIP SYSTEMS Your company’s traditional telephone landlines use copper wires to transfer communication data from your phone to the public telephone switch network. This requires the use of cumbersome equipment and evasive phone jacks throughout the office. Each user must have their own line and additional features cost more than an arm and leg. There isn’t much room for scalability and to make an upgrade requires technical support. Examples of landline providers include AT&T, Verizon, and your local telephone company (Bright House Networks). On the other hand, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the much more flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional landlines. The phone converts the sound of your voice into data packets and send them to the target destination using your Internet connection. This means your communication is free of wires and large equipment. You can make calls using a mobile phone from wherever you have WiFi. Most VoIP providers offer monthly contracts, so you can grow your business according to your timeline. Plus, you can save mad cash by sharing phone lines and doing most maintenance yourself.
3. VoIP Business Solution Traditional Landline Service $29.95/month per user Cost of Ownership Equipment costs + maintenance contract + monthly payments Monitored 24/7 by VOXtell specialists Security/Safety Customer assumes risk Unlimited Scalability Limited and costly Automatic virtual updates Features/Updates Added at each customer location Web-based and mobile app user portals System Management On location by appointment Multiple calls per extension Call Capacity Limited to a number of shared lines Dependent on in-house network and VOXtell platform Reliability Dependent on expensive physical hardware Quick and simple Implementation Complex and time intensive WHY YOU SHOULD SWITCH NOW Now, more than ever, business owners have extensive options for their communication needs. Unfortunately, it seems that some small business owners are stuck in a rut with their traditional copper-wire phone systems. They deal with large, complicated equipment that costs a fortune to set up and maintain. And when their growing business is ready for upgrades, these owners have to shell out even more cash for simple changes. If you fall into this category, it’s time to consider updating your office phone systems to the most advanced, and affordable, technology available — cloud- hosted VoIP services. Here are the top 6 benefits to your small business for doing so: 1. Ease of Use Compared to traditional phone systems, a hosted VoIP phone system is extremely user-friendly.
4. Unlike traditional landline phone systems that require complex PBX hardware to be installed, all you need to start using hosted VoIP is high-speed Internet access and IP phones, which most services provide. This quick onboarding process eliminates phone downtime and allows complete control over your phone installation timeline. Some hosted VoIP providers also prepare training material and informational guides for DIY setup and maintenance, so you and your employees can become VoIP experts. If you’re not into the DIY movement, you can also request an installation specialist to walk you through the process or even schedule a technician to come on-site. 2. Reliability & Security Most cloud-based VoIP service providers have built-in redundancies through multiple data centers and different call carriers. Because traditional landlines are hosted on-site at your business, it’s up to you to protect and maintain the service. This means downed telephone lines, fire, flood, theft or technical glitches can all compromise the reliability of your traditional phone system. Instead, put this burden on your hosted VoIP provider who has advanced equipment in place for emergencies. Additionally, top hosted VoIP providers go to great lengths to ensure that their offerings are well protected. Using proper encryption and protocols, hosted VoIP can actually be more secure than traditional wire-based systems. 3. Reduced Costs Besides the actual IP phones, you don’t have to purchase or maintain any other expensive hardware because it is hosted on the cloud. Besides potentially purchasing new phones, the only other cost you have is your monthly service bill. These monthly service costs vary across hosted VoIP providers, so it’s suggested to do a price comparison before settling with a service. Remember, most monthly fees are charged per user, so be sure to multiply the plan cost by how many employees you’ll be supporting. Some providers also make you pay for additional features, which can quickly add up each month. Try to look for a provider who offers preloaded features or lets you customize your plan so you aren’t overcharged.
5. 4. Abundant Features Like mentioned above, many services come preloaded with enough features to get your business phone system up and running. Some providers off “feature bundles” where you upgrade your plan to get the additional features. This is a great option — if you can afford it — but we suggest finding a customizable plan that is flexible enough to grow with your business. Avoid those costly add-ons and integration services most traditional landlines offer and opt for the professional features most hosted VoIP services provide at a cheaper price. 5. 24/7 Customer Service If you don’t have an IT staff at your small business, it is imperative that your new phone service provides around the clock customer support. If the don’t have a 24/7 support service, look for live chat support during off hours and also additional resources such as user guides, tools, webinars, and video tutorials. Luckily, compared to traditional land lines, cloud-based VoIP services can generally be managed and troubleshot by the end user. But, if problems do arise, it’s nice to know someone is available to answer your questions. 6. Flexibility Because a traditional PBX is a physical piece of equipment, it cannot be easily modified or upgraded. It takes up space in your already crowded office and complicates your communication networks. On the other hand, your business could benefit from the highly flexible nature of cloud technology. Your PBX could be reconfigured at a moment’s notice and you can easily add capacity as your company grows. Also, employees won’t be stuck to their desks, as cloud-hosted phones can work anywhere a WiFi connection is available. This means your employees have the flexibility to work from home, a hotel room, or in a conference room, without losing connection to their work phone. VOIP FEATURES YOU NEED You’ve made the decision to switch your small business traditional landline to a cloud-based VoIP phone service. You’re ready to save money and improve the mobility of your small business operations. But what features should you be sure are included in your VoIP service? Below, we outline the top 4 essential features that are must-haves when purchasing a small business PBX phone service. After reading, you’ll be able to find the perfect VoIP solution to fit the needs of your small business.
6. Virtual PBX PBX, which stands for “private branch exchange,” is a telephone system that switches calls between users on local lines while allowing all users to share a certain number of external phone lines. PBX systems reduce phone costs because each user is not required to have a dedicated line. Traditional PBX, also called on-site PBX, requires separate networks for voice and data communications. On the other hand, virtual PBX, or hosted PBX, employs converged data and voice networks, allowing VoIP and traditional telephone services to run through an Internet connection. Mobile Applications One feature we suggest not compromising on is a mobile app. Does your cloud-based VoIP provider offer a mobile app to let you take the functionality of the phone system wherever you go? Since your phone service is already hosted on the cloud, this feature is a must-have to increase the mobility and flexibility of your small business. You can use the app to make and receive calls, send and receive faxes and texts, set up and join conference calls, configure phone system settings, notifications, and voicemail—all under your work number. It also allows you to bring your own device to work, reducing total cost of ownership for devices while improving employee productivity. Conferencing Conference calling is an essential function for any business telephone system. But it can be critical for growing small businesses that need better communication tools to achieve success. If you have employees working from home or in different geographic locations, teleconferencing can save your business time when resolving an urgent issue. VoIP audio conferences allow callers to connect to a conference bridge via their telephones or computers. Paired with a hosted PBX, VoIP teleconferencing uses packet switching to see small pieces of data through your business’s Internet connection. Make sure you find a VoIP provider that allows external calls to connect to a conference bridge.
7. Auto-Receptionist Also called an auto-attendant, the auto-receptionist feature in a small business PBX phone service is a voice menu system that allows callers to be transferred to an extension without going through a telephone operator. This service also usually includes a dial-by-name directory, allowing the caller to press a key to automatically ring the extension of a user. The benefits to these features are pretty obvious. You won’t have to hire someone to sit at a desk and answer incoming calls just to transfer them to the right employee. You save money by avoiding new hires and look like a larger company with many employees. HOW TO MAKE AN AFFORDABLE AND TIMELY SWITCH After considering the benefits that come with switching to a VoIP service provider and adding up the must-have features your business needs, it’s time to make the transition. Here are the 4 quick steps it takes to get your small business set up with VoIP. 1. Optimize Your Internet Connection Since voice communication will be traveling through your Internet connection, it is critical you have fast, reliable service. Work with your Internet provider to ensure your network is optimized to handle the additional broadband use. One VoIP service provider, VOXtell, actually does an on-site audit of your Internet setup to analyze its capacity. Any settings that need to be configured are handled on the spot and at no additional cost. 2. Partner with a VoIP Provider Now you need to actually pick a VoIP service provider. We suggest shopping around for options that fit your unique business communication needs. Like we mention above, price is important but should not be the ultimate deciding factor. Features like 24/7 customer support and mobile applications are deal-breakers regardless of price. So make sure you look at the whole spectrum of providers and don’t fall into the “large, national brand” trap. Below, we’ve compared the above mentioned VOXtell against its competitors.
8. FEATURES FREE On-Site Network Audit FREE Personalized VoIP Next-Day Installation Contract Monthly 3 Years Monthly Annual Mobile App 24/7 Customer Support User Capacity 1-100 5-40 Unlimited 1-100 Supports All Major Phones Risk-Free 30 Day Trial Monthly Charge Per User (1-4 users) $29.95 $35 $50 $32.95 3. Order the Perfect Equipment If your small business doesn’t already have IP phones, it’s time to pay a one-time equipment fee to get your hands on some office phones. There are many options for you to choose from, making customization easier than ever. You can find the perfect desktop phone system, conference room intercom, or even a mobile device to handle work calls on-the-go. For the widest range of options, make sure your VoIP service provider supports all major phones. You may have to order and have the phones shipped to you, or you can choose a VoIP service provider that offers next-day installation, like VOXtell. 4. Transfer Your Number It makes sense that an established business would want to keep its phone number, even when switching the technology. Talk to your VoIP service providers to see how long the number porting process takes. Some companies estimate minutes, others weeks. Plan ahead so your transition can be as seamless as possible when the new phone system is installed.
9. At this point you should be ready to make the switch from traditional landlines to VoIP services. You know the difference between landlines and VoIP and the many benefits and features you can take advantage of when switching. You’re ready to save money, grow your business, and get more from your business communication. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) predicts landlines will for the most part cease to exist by the year 2020. Don’t wait until the last minute to upgrade your business’s phone system. Make the switch today and see what VoIP can do for your small business.
10. 7901 Kingspointe Parkway, Suite 20 | Orlando, FL 32819 P: 1.844.869.8355 | O: 407.288.8142 info@VOXtell.com | VOXtell.com ABOUT VOXTELL VOXtell delivers a robust cloud-hosted business VoIP phone system, enabling small to mid-sized business to do more and better serve customers. Our service can be described in six words: simple, affordable, mobile, unlimited, complete, and reliable. WE’RE DEDICATED TO HELPING YOU GROW Our cloud-based business phone solutions give you the freedom to work anywhere and provide your company the tools it needs to succeed. Being able to manage and control your accounts online, as well as call recording features for training and compliance are just some of the options available to you through VOXtell. WE’RE REAL PEOPLE Unlike some business VoIP service providers, our company is based completely within the United States. We are equipped with a knowledgeable and helpful staff on-site to assist you with your complete VOXtell experience. WE’RE TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN The technology we use at VOXtell was built from the ground up, allowing us to quickly fix any issue, create new features, customize the system to your needs and do so much more for our customers that other VoIP services simple can’t.