How to Set Up VoIP for a Small Business
From providing stellar customer service to liaising with employees, communication is at the heart of any small business. Over the past few years, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology has emerged as a smart and cost-effective alternative to land-based phone lines. Setting up VoIP for a small business is easier than you might think. Here’s how:
Stage 1: Research VoIP
Before you set up VoIP for your small business, it’s important to research the technology and develop a good understanding of what it is. This will help you decide if it’s a worthwhile investment for your small business. For example, it’s good to understand the difference between inhouse and hosted VoIP systems.
Stage 2: Define your business needs
The next step is to define your needs. Every small business is unique and it’s important to set up VoIP services that meet the demands of your enterprise. Here are a few good questions to get you started:
- How many phones does your business currently use?
- Do you expect significant growth over the coming years?
- Is your team remote, inhouse or hybrid?
- How strong is the internet connection at your HQ? Depending on your needs, it could be worth upgrading to a next-gen service like Fibre Broadband.
- Do you have a budget?
Stage 3: Select your VoIP features
Once you have a better idea of the unique needs of your business, you can start to consider different features to prioritise when you set up VoIP. This can include things like:
- Mobile compatibility
- The ability to easily add users
- Voicemail to email forwarding
- Custom hold music or messaging
- Compatibility with operating systems like Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
Choose a service provider
The final step for how to set up VoIP for a small business is to choose a service provider. At VS Group, we specialise in tailored VoIP solutions for small businesses operating across a wide range of sectors.
