VoIP stands for voice-over-Internet protocol, and it’s a way of transmitting voice communications over the Internet instead of traditional phone lines. It had its roots in the 1990s when the Internet’s major use was email and web browsing. Back then, the idea of carrying on a phone conversation over the Internet seemed ludicrous, if not impossible. As computers and software improved, it became easier to send audio files over the Internet.
Basically, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) enhances powerful communications Built For Healthcare businesses, among others. VoIP can simplify your company’s phone system and deliver advanced features at a low cost.
Here are the features of VoIP technology and their impact on your business.
Advanced call management
Some VoIP services, such as Skype, offer advanced call management features for free. These include voicemail transcripts, which allow users to read their incoming messages rather than listen to them; conference call, which allows multiple people to join in on a single call; and caller ID blocking, which prevents the person you’re calling from seeing your number and potentially screening your calls.
Anonymous call rejection
Anonymous call rejection is a service that blocks anonymous calls. These are phone calls made by people who don’t reveal their names or contact information and may even disguise their voices.
Anonymous call rejection is an excellent feature if you run a small business since it protects your privacy from telemarketers and other nuisance callers. It also helps you stay focused on your work and avoid getting distracted by unwanted calls when customers are calling in.
Auto-attendant
An auto-attendant is a system that answers calls on your behalf, usually with a recorded message. It provides information about your company and can direct the call to a specific person or department. Auto attendants can also be customized with different menus and messages.
Business text messaging
Text messaging is a great way to communicate with customers. Text messages are more personal than emails and can be used to send information you don’t want to share on social media or other public forums. You can also use text messaging to communicate with customers who don’t have smartphones.
Advanced call routing
Advanced call routing is the ability to route incoming calls to the right person based on several factors, including time of day and caller ID. You can use advanced call routing in your VoIP system to route all calls from a particular number to specific extensions or groups at different times of the day or during different seasons. For example, you could set your system up so that all calls from your marketing department are automatically routed to their respective extensions during normal business hours but then diverted elsewhere after hours.
Call analytics
Call analytics software is one of the small businesses’ most useful VoIP features. It allows you to see exactly who is calling, when, and how long their calls last. The system can also tell you if the calls were answered or not, whether they were transferred and how many people called in total over a while.
Call analytics help you understand how well your business is operating and identify areas where it could improve by showing what works well for customers and doesn’t need as much attention. This type of information helps small businesses make better decisions about their customer service performance and overall sales strategy to increase revenue growth in future years.
Call forwarding
One of the most notable features of VoIP is call forwarding. This feature allows an incoming call to be forwarded to another number and makes it possible for the call center agent to continue working while the customer is placed on hold or transferred to another department.
Call forwarding also allows calls to be forwarded automatically, eliminating the need for a receptionist or operator to manually forward each call as it comes in. This feature alone can save companies thousands of dollars in overhead costs each month by relieving them of paying receptionists, operators, and other staff members to handle inbound calls.
VoIP also allows users to utilize advanced call handling features, such as automatic redirection, when a client calls in via cell phone, and there is no answer. The call can automatically be sent back over the wireline, caller ID block, multiple simultaneous ring support, and even custom music on hold. These features allow companies to reduce overhead further by allowing receptionists and operators to handle fewer calls at one time.
Call pulling
This feature allows VoIP providers to pull calls from each other’s networks. For example, if a person calls your business from a landline and asks for your cell number, your VoIP provider can route that call to your cell phone without setting up another trunk line. If this isn’t possible with a potential provider’s network, then it’s not feasible for you to do business with them. Make sure they can pull calls onto their network before signing any sort of contract with them. It’s crucial to being able to offer great customer service as well as being able to provide reliable phone service in general.
Voice Call Screening
You can set up your voicemail service with most VoIP services to screen your calls. This means that if you’re not available to take a call, you can set your service to let people leave a message or block certain numbers from calling you. You can even screen by area code, so you don’t have to worry about receiving calls from out-of-state telemarketers.
Call recording and rating
Call recording and rating features mean you can access your voicemail messages through email. This feature can be especially helpful if you often travel or have multiple phones. You can record incoming calls on your cell phone and then go back from another phone and listen to them later. This way, you will never miss an important message!
Conclusion
If you’re looking to improve your small business communications, VoIP is the way to go. VoIP gives you more control over your phone service. VoIP setups can be tailored to fit your business needs. You can add conference lines, install mobile apps, or use a cloud-based phone system to access your calls from any device while on the go.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.