How to Make the Transition to VoIP for Your Business

Article By Stephen McClelland

14/06/2024

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has gradually replaced traditional telecom systems for many businesses, and for small businesses, it has become an indispensable technology.

With the rise of hybrid and remote working, VoIP systems have surged in popularity. Today, there are numerous options available, catering to various business needs and sizes.

If you’re still using an outdated telecom system or seeking a new way to enhance collaboration within your enterprise, VoIP for small businesses can be a valuable investment.

Selecting the right package for your business is crucial. The wrong system can cause headaches, high-bills, but the right package tailored to your small business can help it scale and grow with ease.

In this article, we will explain the technology and guide you in selecting the right VoIP system for a small business.

What Is VoIP?

VoIP is simply the technical name for ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol’ — the technology that lets users make and receive voice calls over the internet. It works by turning sound into digital packets, which are sent over an internet connection. This means you can have phone conversations anywhere where there is internet access.

With the rise of remote and hybrid working since the pandemic, many people are familiar with tools like Microsoft Teams, which allow voice and video calls online. Teams is just one example of a VoIP application.

VoIP has become very popular in recent years, especially among small and medium-sized companies in the UK. Many businesses are replacing their traditional phone systems, such as private branch exchange (PBX) and leased lines, to enjoy the benefits of VoIP.

VoIP is quickly becoming the standard for most communications and by 2027, all analogue systems will be switched off. You can read more about the 2027 deadline (originally 2025) in our blog post here.

In other words, your business will be using VoIP in the very near future, if you aren’t using it already.

Which VoIP Is Right For My Business?

Not all solutions are equal. VoIP is simply the underlying technology; telecoms companies will have their own implementation of that technology that they then use in their platforms and products.

But for your small business, how do you know you have the ‘best’ phones, software and broadband to run your company?

There are plenty of offerings; from Avaya Aura, Zoom and Microsoft Teams to apps such as IPECS One.

For small businesses, it’s crucial to prioritize ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and scalability when choosing a VoIP solution. While robust systems like Avaya Aura may be overkill for your small business, simpler solutions are available that cut out the complex features you don’t need and give you a more cost-effective communications solution. At Yellowcom, our team can build you a solution that gives you a balanced mix of advanced features and user-friendly interfaces, making them ideal for small businesses looking to grow.

Advantages of VoIP For Small Businesses

Compete with Larger Businesses

VoIP leverages the power of the internet to connect with various services, enabling small businesses to scale quickly and fill staffing gaps without needing specialist staff or extensive training. This allows small businesses to compete more effectively with larger enterprises.

Call Features Traditionally Reserved for Large Organizations

VoIP offers advanced features such as call forwarding, analytics, and conference calling, which were traditionally only available to larger organizations. These features enhance communication efficiency and provide small businesses with the tools needed to operate at a higher level.

More Seamless Integration

VoIP systems integrate smoothly with small business tools like CRMs and other systems, reducing manual work and minimizing errors when managing customer interactions across multiple channels. This seamless integration improves overall productivity and customer service.

Reduce Costs

As always, reducing costs is vital for any small business. VoIP significantly reduces communication costs by utilizing internet connections instead of traditional phone lines. This cost efficiency is particularly beneficial for small businesses, allowing them to reallocate resources to other critical areas of their operations while maintaining high-quality communication capabilities.